IBMA Announces Nominees for the 2014 Momentum Awards

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced today (Sept. 17) the nominees for this year’s Momentum Awards.

The Momentum Awards were instituted in 2012 to recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, while in the early stages of their careers, have contributed to, or had an influence on, bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or done in a specific part of the industry.

“One of the distinctive features of the bluegrass world is that the peak years of careers are often measured in decades, even as we welcome an abundance of new artists and industry professionals into the ranks,” said Jon Weisberger, IBMA Board chair. “So as our top artists and professionals continue to enjoy recognition from their peers through its annual awards, the IBMA’s Board of Directors saw a need to salute some of the best and brightest among those who are closer to the beginnings of their careers, and created the Momentum Awards—noteworthy for including not just singers, pickers and bands, but events or venues and professionals—as a vehicle for drawing attention to their achievements.”

Performance Award nominees, Instrumentalists (final committee will select three)
Mike Barnett (fiddle)
Casey Campbell (mandolin)
Dominick Leslie (mandolin)
Janice Martin (banjo)
Cory Piatt (mandolin)
Andrew Rigney (guitar)
Zeb Snyder (guitar)
Jake Stargel (guitar)
Cory Walker (banjo)

Performance Award nominees, Vocalist (final committee to select one)
Savannah Church (The Church Sisters)
Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)
Sarah Harris (Trinity River Band)
Mo Pitney
Molly Tuttle (Molly Tuttle Trio)

Performance Award nominees, Band (final Committee to select one):
Barefoot Movement
The Lil’ Smokies
Meyerband
The Snyder Family
Vickie Vaughn Band

Industry Involvement Award nominees, Media/Artisan/Business/General
Jamie Deering – Deering Banjos
Cory Hemilright – Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival
Megan McNair – Sugar Hill Records
Ashlee Jean Trott – Music City Roots/Bluegrass Underground
Aaron Youngberg – Swing Fingers Studio

Nominees for Festival/Event/Venue
Bluegrass Situation showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association
Colonial Theater, Balsam Range monthly concert series – Canton, NC
ISIS Music Hall – Asheville, NC
Redwing Roots – Mount Solon, VA
The Festy – Roseland, VA

Mentor Award (given to a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry):
Jim Lauderdale
Stephen Mougin
Ricky Skaggs
Tim Surrett
Pete Wernick

The winners will be presented with their awards at a luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, Sept. 30-Oct. 4.