Billy Strings Wins 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer Of The Year
Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland took home multiple awards including Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
By Andy Kahn Sep 19, 2025 • 1:54 pm PDT
Billy Strings was named Entertainer of the Year at the 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. The International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual event was held Thursday at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland together earned multiple wins. Their collaborative album Carter & Cleveland captured Album of the Year and its track “Outrun The Rain” won Song Of The Year. “Outrun The Rain” also topped the Collaborative Recording of the Year category.
Authentic Unlimited was named Vocal Group of the Year, while The Travelin’ McCourys took Instrumental Group of the Year. The New Artist of the Year award went to Red Camel Collective.
Individual vocal honors went to Greg Blake for Male Vocalist of the Year and Alison Krauss for Female Vocalist of the Year. Jaelee Roberts won Gospel Recording of the Year for “He’s Gone.”
Instrumental categories recognized Kristin Scott Benson as Banjo Player of the Year, Vickie Vaughn as Bass Player of the Year, Maddie Denton as Fiddle Player of the Year, Justin Moses as Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year, Trey Hensley as Guitar Player of the Year, and Sierra Hull as Mandolin Player of the Year.
Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt and Alison Brown shared Instrumental Recording of the Year honors for “Ralph’s Banjo Special.” Music Video of the Year went to The Kody Norris Show for “The Auctioneer.”
2025 inductees into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame included Hot Rize, The Bluegrass Cardinals and Arnold Shultz.
Billy Strings was named Entertainer of the Year for the fourth time, following wins in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Strings also provided the 2025 IBMA keynote address. View the speech in the below video:
Photo by Ed Rode
