Steep Canyon Rangers Plan Busy October with Steve Martin

Award-winning bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers are preparing to embark on a fall tour with Grammy^® and Emmy^® winning actor, comedian and musician Steve Martin, which will include performances on Late Show with David Letterman on October 5 and The View on October 6.

Martin, who is touring in support of his album The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, met the Rangers through his wife, who is a friend of lead singer Woody Platt’s brother.  Martin and the Rangers played a few concerts together before performing on A Prairie Home Companion earlier this year.  During the program, Martin commented on the Rangers to host Garrison Keillor, saying, “They don’t need me.  I need them.”

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IBMA Announces International Bluegrass Music Award Nominees

Nashville, TN- IBMA is proud to announce the nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, hosted by Grammy^®-winning country artist Kathy Mattea and the legendary bluegrass band, Hot Rize, on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Two decades after the very first IBMA Award Show–an intimate industry gathering at the Executive Inn’s Showroom Lounge in Owensboro, Kentucky, hosted by Vince Gill and the Dirt Band’s John McEuen–bluegrass music’s premier night continues to be the most anticipated evening of the year. Now a generation away from that first show, the bluegrass tradition of passing the music on from one generation to the next also continues, evidenced by the six bands nominated for Entertainer of the Year in 2009. All have gained valuable experience as journeymen musicians with established artists in the past, and have now become the band leaders and musical stylists who will inspire future generations.

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Kathy Mattea and Hot Rize to Host 20th International Bluegrass Music Awards

Nashville, TN- Grammy^®-winning country artist Kathy Mattea and the legendary bluegrass band, Hot Rize will co-host the 20^th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

According to show co-producer Cindy Baucom, “Kathy Mattea and Hot Rize are a perfect fit as our hosts.  With their long musical history, the chemistry between them gives us the elements for a fun show.”

The members of Hot Rize have a long association with IBMA. In fact, they took home the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the very first International Bluegrass Music Awards in 1990. Pete “Dr. Banjo” Wernick served as president of IBMA from 1986-2001. Tim O’Brien, who followed as president from 2001-2004, was also named Male Vocalist of the Year in 1993 and 2006. Bryan Sutton received the IBMA award for Guitar Player of the Year in 2000, and then every year from 2003-2006. The entire group, including bass player/ renowned public radio etown host Nick Forster, took top honors for Song of the Year in 1991, for their performance of “Colleen Malone.”

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