On the strength of a busy touring schedule, a string of national television appearances and the release of a new album, Rare Bird Alert on Rounder Records, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers took home the Entertainer of the Year award at the 22nd annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Thursday night, September 29 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Martin, who always included banjo picking in his early stand-up comedy routines, has become more serious about recording and performing bluegrass music during the past two years, with the release of two albums of original music.

Martin appeared at the microphone to receive the bluegrass music industry’s highest music award, leapt a few times into the air, congratulated the other Entertainer of the Year…

Nashville, Tenn., — In the midst of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass, the IBMA announced the 2011 IBMA Awards during a ceremony held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Tonights big winners during the 2011 IBMA Awards show are listed below.

2011 IBMA Awards

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Nashville, Tenn. — An initial list of performers for IBMA’s 22nd International Bluegrass Music Awards has been confirmed for the Thursday, September 29 event. The Awards Show, held at Nashville, Tennessee’s historic Ryman Auditorium, will feature performances from nominees Balsam Range, The Boxcars, Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals, The Gibson Brothers, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Sierra Hull & Highway 111 and Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers. Also performing is Awards Show host, Sam Bush. More performers, as well as the lineup of presenters, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Stephen Ruffo and I are thrilled to be working with host Sam Bush and with the team of professionals in place for the biggest night in bluegrass,” said Claire Armbruster, who is co-producing the IBMA Awards Show with Ruffo. “Our main focus will be honoring the nominees but we’ll also pay homage to Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass…

Nashville, Tenn., — The Boxcars, a bluegrass band featuring the talents of Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, John R. Bowman, Keith Garrett and Harold Nixon, lead in all categories with IBMA Award nominations for Entertainer of the Year; Instrumental Group of the Year; Album of the Year (The Boxcars, self-produced for the Mountain Home label); Gospel Recorded Performance (“In God’s Hands,” written by John Benjamin Rochester); Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (“Jumpin’ the Track,” written by Ron Stewart); Emerging Artist of the Year; Banjo Player…

Band members of one of bluegrass music’s favorite groups, Lonesome River Band, are celebrating five International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award nominations just in time for the group’s 30th Anniversary next month.

Lonesome River Band received a nomination for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for “Pretty Little Girl,” from their current album Still Learning (Rural Rhythm)….