Any person may suggest an artist or industry leader for consideration for this award. The submission process consists of submitting a letter of recommendation for a nominee using the online Distinguished Achievement Awards nomination form.
All submissions are reviewed by the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Awards Selection Committee. The Committee then selects, by majority vote, at least one person in each of the categories –Music, Media, Business, and General– to be recipients of the award. Category descriptions and awards eligibility and criteria can be found in the IBMA Awards Handbook.
Dan Crary, flatpicking innovator
The FreshGrass Foundation, roots music organization
Steve Huber, banjo creator/musician
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Will The Circle Be Unbroken album
Peghead Nation, online education leaders
IBMA Distinguished Achievement Awards honor those individuals and organizations in bluegrass music who have proven to be forerunners in their particular field of endeavor and have fostered bluegrass music’s image with developments that will broaden the music’s recognition and accessibility. The awards extended to individuals for their contributions shall fall into specific categories and are especially appropriate when they provide acclaim for those not recognized by other IBMA Award categories.