Five tunes that are up for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Song of the Year are a testament to the diversity of bluegrass artists and their fans. Finalists include a humorous ditty, a contemporary gospel song, a drinking anthem, a much more somber anthem to war heroes and one that takes a fond look at the past while pondering where society is today.
The humor on the list is provided by “Alison’s Band,” written by Charlie Sizemore and Buddy Cannon, a country music producer who produced Sizemore’s first album in five years. The tune, about longing to join Krauss’s Union Station band, stayed at the top of several bluegrass charts around mid-year.
New duo sensations Dailey & Vincent recorded two of the Song of the Year nominees — “By The Mark,” a gospel song penned by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, and “More Than a Name on the Wall,” the post-Vietnam era song written by former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune and John Rimel.
The booze song, “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey,” flows from the songwriting minds of Mike Henderson and Chris Stapleton, driving forces in the blues-tinged band, The Steeldrivers, which recorded the song.
Finally, Blue Highway’s “Through the Window of a Train,” about a slower time in America, is in contention. The song was written by Blue Highway guitarist Tim Stafford and Grasstowne’s lead vocalist Steve Gulley.
Now, take a look back at the history of the IBMA song award and see how many of these winners are bringing back
memories:
- 2007 — “Fork In The Road,” The Infamous Stringdusters (artists), Chris Jones & John Pennell (songwriters)
- 2006 — “Look Down That Lonesome Road,” Tim O’Brien (artist & songwriter)
- 2005 — “Me and John and Paul,” The Grascals (artists), Harley Allen (songwriter)
- 2004 — “Kentucky Borderline,” Rhonda Vincent (artist), Rhonda Vincent & Terry Herd (songwriters)
- 2003 — “Blue Train (of the Heartbreak Line),” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), John D. Loudermilk (writer).
- 2002 — “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” The Del McCoury Band (artists), Richard John Thompson (writer).
- 2001 — “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” The Soggy Bottom Boys, featuring Dan Tyminski (artists); Dick Burnett (writer), Carter Stanley (arrangement)
- 2000 — “Murder On Music Row,” Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time (artists), Larry Cordle & Larry Shell (songwriters)
- 1999 — “Three Rusty Nails,” Ronnie Bowman (artist); Ronnie Bowman, Terry Campbell & Jerry Nettuno (songwriters) -
- 1998 — “Lonesome Old Home,” Longview (artists), Ed Hamilton (songwriter)
- 1997 — “High Lonesome Sound,” Vince Gill with Alison Krauss & Union Station (artists), Vince Gill (songwriter)
- 1996 — “Mama’s Hand,” Lynn Morris (artist), Hazel Dickens (songwriter)
- 1995 — “Cold Virginia Night,” Ronnie Bowman (artist), Timmy Massey (songwriter)
- 1994 — “Who Will Watch The Home Place,” Laurie Lewis (artist), Kate Long (songwriter)
- 1993 — “Lonesome Standard Time,” Lonesome Standard Time (artists), Larry Cordle & Jim Rushing (songwriters)
- 1992 — “Blue Train,” Nashville Bluegrass Band (artists), Dave Allen (songwriter)
- 1991 — “Colleen Malone,” Hot Rize (artists), Pete Goble & Leroy Drumm (songwriters)
- 1990 — “Little Mountain Church,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Jim Rushing & Carl Jackson (songwriters) -
Who’s going to win the 2008 IBMA Song of the Year? Vote for your Favorite below!