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Tuesday October 7th, 2003

Gibson artist Doyle Lawson racks up IBMA awards; J.D. Crowe inducted into Hall of Honor

Gibson signature artist Doyle Lawson was the big winner at the 14th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, Oct. 2 at The Kentucky Center in Louisville, Ky. Lawson, with his band Quicksilver, picked up three awards including vocal group of the year, song of the year for "Blue Train (Of the Heartbreak Line)" (written by John D. Loudermilk) and gospel recorded performance of the year for "The Hand Made Cross" from the album Hard Game of Love. Signature banjoist J.D. Crowe, influential as a founder of the New Grass movement, was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor, the IBMA's lifetime achievement award. Signature mandolinist Adam Steffey, who plays with the band Mountain Heart, picked up mandolin instrumental performer of the year.

"Without songwriters, there wouldn't be singers," Lawson told Loudermilk as he accepted the award. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all my guys."

"I am overwhelmed with emotion," Loudermilk responded, "especially when you hit those high triads back there. You sound to me like a buzz saw with diamond blades. I kept looking for bone dust to come falling over the audience."

The Del McCoury Band took home the conveted entertainer of the year for the eighth time, and in a suprise moment, Sonny Osborne and Ricky Skaggs broke into McCoury's acceptance speech and invited him to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. McCoury will be inducted during the October 25 telecast of the Opry from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Legendary bandleader and instrumentalist Crowe first gained national attention for his work with Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys. In 1961 he organized The Kentucky Mountain Boys, which eventually became J.D. Crowe & the New South; the band was home to a slew of future instrumental and vocal stars including Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Bobby Slone and the late Keith Whitley. "I had a big speech wrote out on a roll of paper towels, but they're going to cut me off," Crowe joked as he accepted his award. "This is a great honor, probably one of the best things I've had. It sure makes you feel good when all your peers vote for you, and I think that's the greatest accomplishment. And thanks to God almighty that I'm here."

As a kid in 1949, Crowe was greatly influenced by a Flatt & Scruggs concert, and that experience led him to pursue a career in bluegrass. A black-and-white photo of himself watching that particular show was displayed on the stage for the audience. "That was my first introduction to music of that caliber. When I first heard that sound, I knew I had to try to emulate that. And brother, I thought it would be easy - was I wrong."

"I just want to say what an honor it is tonight to be a part of this show when they induct J.D. Crowe in the Hall of Honor," said Dan Tyminski as he accepted his male vocalist of the year award. "There is no way on God's green earth that I would be here playing music for anyone here if it weren't for that man. I know this is a male vocalist award, and I am so, so thankful and so happy for the votes, but J.D. Crowe is my all-time hero."

Steffey, who plays with the progressive bluegrass act Mountain Heart, took home his second consecutive instrumental performer honor. Banjo legend Earl Scruggs, Bush, Douglas, and Gibson Montana signature artists Emmylou Harris and Dwight Yoakam won the recorded event of the year award for their contributions to the album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. III with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, produced by Randy Scruggs and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Capitol Records.

The awards were voted on by the professional membership of the IBMA, which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The Award Show was the centerpiece of the week-long trade show and Bluegrass Fan Fest which took place September 29 - October 5.

For a complete list of winners, go to www.ibma.org.

Mountain Heart members Adam Steffey playing his signature mandolin and
Barry Abernathy playing an RB-4 banjo.

Sonya Isaac of The Isaacs performing with
a Gibson F-5 mandolin

David Harvey and the Gibson Mandolin Club
performed during the nominees reception
prior to the awards show.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

Hall of Honor inductee J.D. Crowe and Doyle Lawson share a moment
during the final all-star jam.

Producer Randy Scruggs accepts the award for
Recorded Event of the Year
for "Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. III"
by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

While accepting his "Entertainer of the Year" award,
Del McCoury is invited to join the Grand Ole Opry
by Opry members Ricky Skaggs and Sonny Osborne.

Smilin' Jimmy Mills

Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time

Rhonda Vincent, Female Vocalist of the Year

Alison Krauss joins Vincent onstage

Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

J.D. Crow with original members of The New South,
Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Douglas