IBMA Momentum Awards are given annually to artists and industry professionals who are in the early years of their careers in bluegrass music. Bands, instrumentalists, vocalists, and industry professionals who are new to bluegrass and have been active during the eligibility period are invited to apply. An award is also presented to a mentor for his/her/their positive influence on new artists and industry professionals. It is not required for nominees to be IBMA members.
Eligibility Period
Activity from April 1 of the previous year through March 31 of the current year
Categories
Momentum Band of the Year
This award recognizes performing bands that are new to bluegrass music and have shown, for the first time in their careers, outstanding musical and professional development during the eligibility period. Bands should be acknowledged for their success growing devout and energized regional fanbases, promoting and marketing their band, exhibiting strong performance skills, and/or demonstrating notable progress toward future recognition by national and worldwide bluegrass audiences. Any band that has reached the final ballot for any other IBMA Award, or in this Momentum category more than twice in previous years, will no longer be eligible for this award. Band members who have received IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards or nominations as individuals will not affect their band’s eligibility for Momentum Band of the Year.
Momentum Vocalist of the Year
This award recognizes a vocalist who has shown, for the first time in his or her career, outstanding musical and professional development during the eligibility period. Vocalists should be acknowledged for capturing the attention of regional bluegrass audiences, for their growing reputation among more established bluegrass artists and industry professionals, and their demonstrated progress toward future recognition by national and worldwide bluegrass audiences. Any vocalist who has reached the final ballot for IBMA Male or Female Vocalist of the Year, or in this Momentum category more than twice in previous years, will no longer be eligible for this award.
Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year
This award recognizes two instrumentalists who have shown, for the first time in their careers, outstanding musical and professional development during the eligibility period. These instrumentalists should be acknowledged for capturing the attention of regional bluegrass audiences, for their growing reputation among more established bluegrass artists and industry professionals, and their demonstrated progress toward future recognition by national and worldwide bluegrass audiences. Any instrumentalist who has reached the final ballot for IBMA Instrumental Performer of the Year, or in this Momentum category more than twice in previous years, will no longer be eligible for this award.
Mentor of the Year
This award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of new bluegrass artists and industry professionals. Not limited to bluegrass professionals, candidates may include community musicians, private music teachers, band leaders, bluegrass youth organization coordinators, music producers, luthiers, and anyone who has shown dedication to up and coming bluegrass artists and industry professionals. Past and current IBMA Bluegrass Music Award nominees and recipients may be eligible for Mentor of the Year, unless they have already received this award in the past.
Momentum Industry Involvement Award
This award recognizes industry professionals that are new to bluegrass music and have shown, for the first time in their careers, outstanding contributions to their particular field during the eligibility period. Broadly defined, roles in industry involvement may include journalists, broadcasters (radio, TV, podcasts, internet/web, and other forms), historians/folklorists, photographers, graphic designers, luthiers, music producers, sound engineers, event promoters, publicists, agents, international organizers, association leaders, arts administrators, teachers/educators, and other innovators. Candidates are considered on the degree to which they have contributed to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific part of the industry, whether regionally, nationally, or worldwide. Any candidate who has reached the final ballot in any other IBMA Bluegrass Music Award category, or in a Momentum category more than twice in previous years, will no longer be eligible for this award.
Selection Process
The Momentum Awards selection process differs from other IBMA awards because the Momentum Awards shine a spotlight on professionals in the early stages of their careers who are not as well known. The process is implemented by two committees appointed by the chair of the IBMA Board. Committee members are chosen for their strong roots in the bluegrass industry and their current knowledge of bluegrass professionals in the early years of their careers.
The Momentum Award Nominating Committee compiles a list of candidates, soliciting submissions from IBMA members and the bluegrass community. They confirm that all candidates put forth to the Selection Committee are eligible for a Momentum Award, and they identify the five strongest candidates in each category.
The Momentum Award Selection Committee makes final selection of the award recipients in each category.
