2008 SPBGMA Awards Nominees

The 2008 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) will hand out its annual awards during their 25th Annual National Convention, Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn.

Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year

Harley Allen
Cia Cherryholmes
Tom T. Hall / Dixie Hall
Connie Leigh
Rhonda Vincent
Randy Waller

Bluegrass Album of the Year

Carolina Road - Carolina Road (Blue Circle Records)
Keeper of the Flame – Country Gentlemen (Lendel Records)
The Last Suit You Wear – Larry Sparks (McCoury Music)
Lefty's Old Guitar - J.D. Crowe & The New South (Rounder)
More Behind the Picture Than the Wall – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver(Rounder)
The Road Headin' Home – The Grasstowne (Pinecastle Records)

Bassfiddle Performer of the Year

Jamey Booher
Mike Bub
Gary Creed
Mickey Harris
Todd Meade
Adam Seale

Dobro Performer of the Year

Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Tim Graves
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs
Phil Leadbetter

Guitar Performer of the Year

Skip Cherryholmes
Patrick Robertson
Kenny Smith
Tim Stafford
Randy Waller
Josh Williams

Mandolin Performer of the Year

Mike Andes
Alan Bibey
Lorraine Jordan
David Kirk
Ronnie McCoury
Danny Roberts

Banjo Performer of the Year

Cia Cherryholmes
J.D. Crowe
Jason Davis
Mark Delaney
Kenny Ingram
Aaron McDaris

Fiddle Performer of the Year

Hunter Berry
Molly Kate Cherryholmes
Michael Cleveland
Josh Goforth
Chris Sexton
Jimmy Mattingly

Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary)

Heather Berry
Cia Cherryholmes
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Amanda Smith
Rhonda Vincent

Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional)

Dale Ann Bradley
Lorraine Jordan
Claire Lynch
Michelle Nixon
Alecia Nugent
Jeanette Williams

Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary)

Mike Andes
Ronnie Bowman
Steve Gulley
Russell Moore
Larry Stephenson
Randy Waller

Male Vocalist of the Year (Traditional)

Jerry Butler
James King
Del McCoury
Dan Paisley
Don Rigsby
Larry Sparks

Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary)

Grasstowne
Harvest Wind
The Isaacs
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Marksmen
NewFound Road

Gospel Group of the Year (Traditional)

Carolina Sonshine
The Churchmen
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Lewis Family
The Village Singers
Paul William & The Victory Trio

Vocal Group of the Year

The Grascals
Grasstowne
Carolina Road
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
IIIrd Tyme Out
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Instrumental Group of the Year

Cherryholmes
The Grascals
Grasstowne
The Infamous Stringdusters
Rick Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall)

Cherryholmes
The Grascals
Grasstowne
Michelle Nixon & Drive
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
The Country Gentlemen

Song of the Year

"Carolina Road" – Carolina Road (Blue Circle Records)
"Dixie Flyer" – Grasstowne (Pinecastle Records)
"Lefty's Old Guitar" - J.D. Crowe & The New South (Rounder)
"Prisoner of Your Love" – Michelle Nixon (Pinecastle Records)
"Sadie's Got Her New Dress On" – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (Rounder)
"Shotgun Rider" - The Country Gentlemen (Lendel Records)

Entertaining Group of the Year

Cherryholmes
The Grascals
Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road
Nothin' Fancy
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Del McCoury Band

Entertainer of the Year

Mike Andes
Lorraine Jordan
Michelle Nixon
Rhonda Vincent
Randy Waller
Blake Williams

See a full list of nominees at the SPBGMA Web site