It's been a whirlwind week in the holler at #teamWPP headquarters with a bunch of exciting things happening all on the verge of a beautiful Christmas and New Year. It frankly left me speechless and in a great reflection of the gifts we have all been blessed with in this tremendous family of bluegrass music, friends, and family.
I could not be more proud of the bands and band members that have a legion of fans and peers that follow and respect their music and performances so much to write them in for nominations in their categories and I wish them, and all nominees, the best of luck. Here's who you can lend your votes to from Wilson Pickins Promotions this coming February at the SPBGMA convention in Nashville:
Fiddle Performer of the Year
Gil Benson (Member of Branded Bluegrass, Independent)
Ron Stewart
Hunter Berry
Adam Haynes
Jamie Harper
Mary Rachel Nalley
Bluegrass Dobro Performer of the Year:
Gaven Largent
Tim Graves
Rob Ickes
Jerry Douglas
Dylan Armour (Recorded on SPIRITS IN THE HILLS, Wilson Banjo Co., Bonfire Records)
Josh Swift
Bluegrass Mandolin Performer of the Year:
Tristin Norfleet (Member of Branded Bluegrass, Independent)
Zack Arnold
Alan Bibey (Member of Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, Mountain Fever Records)
Larry Stephenson
Wayne Benson
Danny Roberts
Female Vocalist of the Year (Overall):
Brooke Aldridge
Amanda Smith
Dale Ann Bradley (Member of Dale Ann Bradley Band and Sister Sadie, Pinecastle Records)
Rhonda Vincent
Jeanette Williams
Sonya Isaacs
Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year:
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
The Farm Hands
The Churchmen
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
ClayBank
The King James Boys (Pinecastle Records)
Bluegrass Vocal Group of the Year:
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Carolina Blue Band (Poor Mountain Records)
The Farm Hands
ClayBank
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Branded Bluegrass (Independent)
Bluegrass Instrumental Group of the Year:
ClayBank
The Farm Hands
The Kody Norris Show
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Branded Bluegrass (Independent)
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall):
The Kody Norris Show
Branded Bluegrass (Independent)
The Farm Hands
Remington Ryde
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
ClayBank
Bluegrass Entertainer(s) of the Year:
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Farm Hands
Flatt Lonesome
Remington Ryde
Branded Bluegrass (Independent)
ClayBank
Furthermore, I want to thank everyone that also wrote in my name and participated in the very surprising nomination for me as Promoter of the Year. I am still in shock and it was a very emotional moment for me to even process being on any list with the names in that category. These people that I hold such a great deal of respect for in the way they direct their events, run their businesses and care for their relationships with other people like me, or the artists that come play their hearts out for them. I am truly honored that you, my peers, my friends, my bluegrass family, would all consider me in this league of specialists in their field, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Best of luck to all of the nominees!!!
Bluegrass Promoter of the Year:
Norman Adams
Bob Auth
Ryan Frankhouser
DA Callaway
Melanie Wilson (Wilson Pickins Promotions)
Sammy Karr
I have built the agency based on a team model, where everyone involved sees the benefit in working together to lift each other up, in an effort to succeed, We are all a great resource to one another in some form or another, at one time or another. I never want to lose sight of "the sum" that makes up all of our parts, or forget where or who we came from. I have an incredible team of musicians, industry professionals and just friends and family, bluegrass and otherwise, that keep me going on a daily basis. For that I could not be more grateful and I thank God for leading me on this journey with all of you.
For a full list of categories and nominees, please visit the official SPBGMA website: http://www.spbgma.com/2018-music-awards-nominees--spbgma.html