Which Bluegrass group has the pipes to rise to the top of the crop? The nominees for this years IBMA Vocal Group of the Year feature a plethora of top names in bluegrass and all are known for their outstanding vocal prowess. Blue Highway, Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out round out this years nominees. Given the vocal caliber of these 5 groups makes for some tough decisions if only one can rise to the top.

 Loading ...

Blue Highway
“At the 15-year mark, Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band’s eight exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994.” BlueHighwayBand.com

Dailey & Vincent
“Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent became the most heralded new act in bluegrass as their debut album Dailey & Vincent (2008) and busy tour schedule introduced them to wildly appreciative audiences. The group took home seven awards at the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, including Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year.” DaileyVincent.com

The Isaacs
“For 21+ years, The Isaacs have forged a uniquely artistic path from the mean streets of New York City to the foothills of Eastern Kentucky and down every stretch of highway in between and beyond—fusing bluegrass, gospel and country—to make an extraordinary mark on three distinctive genres of music.” TheIsaacs.com

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
“In the next few months, Terry Baucom, Jimmy Haley, Lou Reid and I laid the foundation for what has become the Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver sound. The makeup of my band has changed many times in the last 27 years. I jokingly tell folks that Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is the “farm team” for bluegrass. I try to integrate each member’s special talents into my group, while not sacrificing the Quicksilver sound.” DoyleLawson.com

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
“Success for ‘Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out’ was nearly an overnight occurrence for this group after its forming in 1991. Led by the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) 2-time “Male Vocalist Of The Year”, Russell Moore, IIIrd Tyme Out, consisting of Moore (guitar), Steve Dilling (banjo), Justen Haynes (fiddle), Wayne Benson (mandolin), and Edgar Loudermilk (bass), has walked away with IBMA’s “Vocal Group Of The Year” award 7 consecutive years.” IIIrdTymeOut.com

Have you missed our other IBMA Awards Reader’s polls?

• Vote for the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year *Jamie Dailey & Russell Moore currently tied (41%)
• Vote for the IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year * Alecia Nugent (40%)
• Vote for the 2009 IBMA Bluegrass Event of the Year *Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (60%)
• Who grabs the 2009 IBMA Instrumental Recording of the Year? *”Jerusalem Ridge” by Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (43%)
• 2009 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year *Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (41%)
• Who’s the 2009 IBMA Broadcaster of the Year ? * Ned Luberecki (61%)
• Who slides in as the 2009 IBMA Dobro Player of the Year? *Phil Leadbetter (32%)
• Stop fiddlin’ around! Vote for the IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year. *Michael Cleveland (50%)
• Who’s on a roll? Vote for the ‘09 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year. *Kristin Scott Benson (31%)
• IBMA Bass Player of the Year Reader’s Poll *Darrin Vincent (41%)
• IBMA Guitar Player of the Year Reader’s Poll *Kenny Smith (43%)
• IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year Reader’s Poll *Jesse Brock (29%)

* Current leader(s) (percentage of vote) as of publishing time.

The IBMA Awards Show takes place during the World Of Bluegrass Week on Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 pm (Central Time) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.