The annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Momentum Awards lunch has historically been one of the best places to discover new talent and Wednesday’s event was no exception.

Sponsored by Campbell University School of Law, the luncheon included live and recorded performances from the five groups nominated for Momentum Band of the Year, which was won by Full Cord of Grand Haven, Michigan, whose members were shocked and surprised they beat out who they considered very tough competition, frontman Brian Oberlin said after the awards were announced. Full Cord was also this year’s winner of the Telluride Bluegrass Competition.

Oberlin asked the crowd just before the band started playing for a Raleigh Convention Center ballroom packed full of artists, fans, promoters, record label producers, music writers and marketers, “Raise your hands … Who here is hearing bluegrass for the first time?,” which was met with a hearty round of laughter and apparently a single raised hand.

Other Momentum Award winners were:

Vocalist of the year – Rebekka Nilsson, lead songstress of the Norway-based Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, which was also up for band of the year. Her haunting performance of “Wayfaring Stranger” left no doubt as to why she was chosen for this year’s award in this particular category.

Industry Involvement – Lillian Werbin, president and co-owner of Elderly Instruments, who is on the board of directors of the IBMA Foundation and Bluegrass Pride. She also serves on IBMA’s Arnold Shultz Advisory Committee.

Mentor of the Year – Della Mae’s Kimber Ludiker. In addition to touring and performing, she serves as the director of the California Bluegrass Association’s Youth Academy, co-coordinator of IBMA Kids on Bluegrass, director of the Bluegrass Camp at Ashokan and producer-host of the Bluegrass Academy and Bluegrass Campout.

Instrumentalist(s) of the Year – The first award went to Harry Clark, a mandolin and guitar player who performs with East Nash Grass (also up for band of the year), the Dan Tyminski Band and the Wooks. The second award was presented to George Jackson, a fiddle and banjo player, who has performed with Front Country, Peter Rowan and Missy Raines, among others.

ABOUT THE IBMA MOMENTUM AWARDS

The Momentum Awards recognize impressive new talent in the bluegrass world, on both the musical side of our community. These awards focus on artists and businesspeople who are in the early years of their careers in bluegrass music. Learn more at this link.