There’s the Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys, the Grammys, the Razzies, but what’s the International Bluegrass Music Association have?

An IBMA award with no name.

Isn’t there something better, wonders Chris Stuart in an e-conversation thread he started on the IBMA Email List.

“I’ve been on a private campaign to have the annual awards that IBMA gives out named the Jimmys, after Jimmy Martin,” Stuart said in launching his thread. “I’m taking my campaign public now and anticipate an immediate reaction of one hundred reasons why it’s a bad idea and another two hundred suggestions of other names. I will not be moved by common sense or logic and will maintain my position that we ought to call our awards something and that something is The Jimmys.”

“I think it would be a good way to honor one of the most important artists in our history. Plus, it just sounds good… although it also could be used for the International Carjacking Association awards. … We need to give TV anchors something to say. The “International Bluegrass Music Association Award” is too long. They need to be able to say, “Del got a Jimmy!” or something like that.”

“Okay, I stand prepared for your tomatoes.”

Well, Stuart hasn’t yet received an overly ripe tomato in his mug, but he has stirred up some reaction. For example, from Kevin Lynch: “Make mine a golden ‘Big Mon’ (for William Smith Monroe.)”

From David Moultrup, obviously a scholarly type who probably relishes forging thoughtful compromises: “I’m reading the lack of response to Chris’s suggestion as people ducking for cover and avoiding controversy. It does seem that this is a topic which is worth a formal discussion, meaning a discussion broader than among those who happen to have the time and inclination to do an online discussion.

Even Laurie Lewis offered a suggestion: “How about ‘The Willies’? As in, ‘Del McCoury got the Willies for Song of the Year and Recording of the Year.”

The thread generated lots of suggestions, and we’re including them below. What do you think? Zip through the shortlist and let us know if you have other suggestions. You can leave a comment below to include your ideas or email us at subscriber@bluegrassjournal.com. In a week or so, we’ll offer a poll so BluegrassJournal.com readers can have their say.

• The Jimmys
• The Big Mons
• The Bills
• The Grassies (for traditional bluegrass)
• The Grazzies (for contemporary bluegrass)
• The Grahammys (in tribute to Randy Graham, longtime member of the Bluegrass Cardinals and The Continental Divide.)

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