Criteria

Contributions to the field of endeavor, professionalism, work in their community, demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image.

Contributions to the field of endeavor, professionalism, work in their community, demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image. The Special Awards Selection Committee shall have final authority in determining whether the work of a recommended person or persons shall fall within the intent of the award.

Overall contributions to the field of event production, professionalism and quality of presentation, work furthering bluegrass in their area of service, demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image. Longevity of an event (number of years produced) may be a contributing factor for receiving the award, but length of service alone is not an acceptable reason for recognizing an event. Nothing within these criteria prevents an event from winning the award more than once or in consecutive years.

Quality and professionalism, contribution to the field of graphic design, ability to foster bluegrass music’s image. The album for which the artwork was designed must have been released during the current eligibility period. Re-issues and compilations released during the eligibility period may be considered if they include new graphic designs.

Quality and professionalism, contribution to the field of writing, ability to foster bluegrass music’s image. The album for which the liner notes were written must have been released during the current eligibility period. Re-issues and compilations released during the eligibility period may be considered if they include newly written liner notes.

Originality; contributions to the profession; art and craft of songwriting; impact and influence on bluegrass songwriters, musicians, and audiences; ability to advance bluegrass music. Candidates must be the original author(s) of the recorded work and not arrangers of previous work attributed to others or songs in the public domain.

This award recognizes the sound engineer for a recording project or for live sound work performed during the eligibility period. If for an album, the album must have been released during the current eligibility period for album projects. In the case of live sound engineering, the award will be for live sound work performed during the eligibility period. Album reissues, legacy recordings or live sound performances outside the eligibility period will not be considered. Engineering roles to be considered are recording engineer(s), mixing engineer(s) mastering engineer(s) and live sound engineer(s). Engineers listed as “assistant engineer” “second engineer” or “additional engineer” are not eligible.