The Grascals, winner of the IBMA Entertainer of the Year award in 2006 and 2007, are back in the top five nominees this year with a new CD under their belt and a couple of newer faces on the band bus.

A year before claiming their first coveted Entertainer of the Year honor, the Nashville-based band won IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year. That same year, The Grascals had IBMA’s song of the year, the Harley Allen tune, “Me and John and Paul.” And they return to the IBMA World of Bluegrass with two previous Grammy nominations for their first two CDs.

Original members of the group are Terry Eldredge on lead vocal and guitar; Jamie Johnson on guitar and lead vocals; and bass player Terry Smith, who has assumed a new harmony vocal part with the bands new lineup. Aaron McDaris joined the group on banjo at the beginning of 2007 and fiddler Jeremy Abshire has been with the group through most of this festival season, although original fiddler Jimmy Mattingly is on the group’s new CD, “Keep on Walkin’.”

The Grascals were founded in 2004 by Nashville musicians who had been performing as sidemen with other touring bluegrass groups. They gained attention shortly after their start by performing as Dolly Parton’s backup band. They’ve found their niche, not only by looking for unique contemporary songs like “Me and John and Paul,” but by also paying homage to the bluegrass and classic country heroes with covers of many classic numbers.

Web Site: http://www.grascals.com

For more information on The Grascals please see The Grascals - 2008 IBMA Vocal Group of the Year

Read about other 2008 IBMA Entertainer of the Year Nominees

• Dailey & Vincent
• Del McCoury Band
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• The Grascals
• Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Who’s going to win the 2008 IBMA Entertainer of the Year? Vote for your Favorite below!