New York, NY (Top40 Charts) As announced during this morning�s International Bluegrass
Music Association�s (IBMA) press conference held at the
Sirius XM studios in Nashville, Lonesome River Band received four 2016 IBMA Award Nominations including one for Album of the Year for Bridging the Tradition. This groundbreaking album, released in March on Mountain Home
Music Company, includes two nominated tracks - �Thunder and Lightning� written by Adam Wright for Song of the Year and �Rocking of the Cradle� written by Kim Williams and Doug Johnson for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year.
One of the most talented and well-loved banjo players of our time, Sammy Shelor, received a nomination for Banjo Performer of the Year, an Award he has been presented with five times during his impressive career. Shelor is a member of the Virginia Country
Music of Fame, winner of the 2nd Annual Steve
Martin Prize for
Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, and a multi-award winning SPBGMA Banjo Player of the Year.
While not on his busy tour with Lonesome River Band, Shelor is in high demand as a guest artist. He has performed with the Zac Brown Band, toured and recorded with
Alan Jackson promoting Jackson�s The Bluegrass Album, and along with fellow LRB band member Mike Hartgrove, performed with actor and comedian
Martin Short during the 43rd Life Achievement Award Show Honoring Steve
Martin in Hollywood.
Since its formation 34 years ago, Lonesome River Band continues its reputation as one of the most respected names in Bluegrass music. Shelor leads the group that is constantly breaking new ground in Acoustic music. With two stellar lead vocalists,
Brandon Rickman (guitar) and
Jesse Smathers (mandolin), combined with the impressive talents of Mike Hartgrove (fiddle) and Barry Reed (bass), the band seamlessly comes together, performing the trademark sound that fans continue to embrace.
The 27th Annual International Bluegrass
Music Awards will be held Thursday,
September 29, 2016 at Raleigh�s Duke
Energy Center for The Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information on IBMA, please visit ibma.org.
