The Gibson Brothers to Host 26th International Bluegrass Music Awards October 1 in Raleigh, NC
Official hashtags: #WOB, #IBMA, #Raleigh

Nashville, TN (July 15, 2015) - The Gibson Brothers - two-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year recipients and one of the hottest touring acts in contemporary bluegrass -will host IBMA's 26th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for October 1 at Raleigh, North Carolina's Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Known as bluegrass music's biggest night of the year, the International Bluegrass Music Awards acknowledges the year's outstanding talent and achievements, honors new Hall of Fame inductees, and waves the worldwide flag for bluegrass music. 

"Eric and I are honored and excited to be hosting the IBMA awards this fall," said Leigh Gibson, who will host along with his brother Eric. "When we got the call asking for our participation it bowled us over. I was filled with a warm sense of pride and accomplishment quickly followed by fear. What will I wear? Should I grow out my bangs? Will they expect Eric to talk? Brother Eric believes these are not the most pressing things to think about right now and that we should focus on making the evening as fun and energetic as the music it honors. So that's what we're going to do. See you in Raleigh!"

"This year's awards show is all about family, community, and coming home. Who better, then, than one of the genre's premiere families and most celebrated entertainers to emcee the biggest night in bluegrass?" said Amy Reitnouer, Executive Director of The Bluegrass Situation, who returns to the International Bluegrass Music Awards for the second year as co-producer, alongside Rounder Label Group's Megan McNair Bedford.

"In addition to illustrating our theme, Leigh and Eric are dynamic performers with such quick wit and wonderful natural stage presence," said Bedford. "We know they'll keep the audience entertained and on their toes!"

Over the past twenty years, Eric and Leigh Gibson have garnered critical acclaim as musicians, writers and performers - causing an ever-growing legion of bluegrass fans to take notice. Their peers have noticed, too: in addition to earning IBMA's Entertainer of the Year Award in 2012 and 2013, the Gibson Brothers' celebrated history with the Bluegrass Awards includes Vocal Group of the Year (2011, 2013), Song of the Year (2010, 2013), Album of the ear (2011), Gospel Performance of the Year (2010, 2012), Songwriter of the Year (presented to Eric Gibson in 2013) and even Emerging Artist in 1998.

On their latest release, Brotherhood, Eric and Leigh chose fifteen songs from country, bluegrass, and early rock ‘n' roll brother acts, reflecting nearly a century of American music history.

The International Bluegrass Music Awards is part of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)'s World of Bluegrass 2015 event, presented by Chiesi USA, which takes place September 29 - October 3 in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

IBMA's World of Bluegrass event, an annual bluegrass music homecoming, consists of four parts: the IBMA Business Conference, September 29 - October 1; the 26th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, October 1; Wide Open Bluegrass, presented by PNC, October 2-3 (which includes both free stages and ticketed festival performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 29 - October 1.

Tickets for the Award Show, as well as for the ticketed portion of Wide Open Bluegrass (which takes place at Red Hat Amphitheater), Bluegrass Ramble Showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration and hotel reservations - along with additional details and pricing information - are available through IBMA's website, ibma.org.

IBMA - the International Bluegrass Music Association - is the professional trade organization for the global bluegrass music community. The organization's six-year stay in Raleigh is the result of a partnership with The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Raleigh Convention Center, PineCone-The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, the City of Raleigh and a local organizing committee.

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Press Info: Judy McDonough, JEMMedia    
mcdonoughmedia1@yahoo.com, (615) 243-5994

General Info: Taylor Coughlin, IBMA
mailto:nancyc@ibma.org, (615) 256-3222