The Ryman Auditorium is ringing with the sounds of My Poor Old Heart right now as Alison Krauss and Union Station rock the house! Yes they really are that good. Dan Tyminski’s rhythm guitar is filling the room with some great tone.

Dave Freeman accepts for 40, and thanks everyone involved in the project generally. Sparks thanks his manager and agent, Don Light.

Award for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists, first commercially released during the specified time period (Award to artist(s), producer, and label):

The Album Of The Year for 2005 is:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
40	Larry Sparks	Rebel Records

Review past recipients of this award.

“I love the award, but I’d rather have whatever Alison is smoking. It’s surely working for her.” Thanks the band, but says the banjo playing was a little shaky.

This award is for any song, new or old, which was released or showed significant chart action within the eligibility period. Any song which has been nominated for this award in previous years is ineligible. The award goes to the songwriter and artist.

The Song Of The Year for 2005 is:

Review past recipients of this award.

The Bluegrass Blog Awards Song Of The Year for 2005 is:

The award for Song Of The Year is being presented by Marty Rabon.

Del McCoury and the boys are kicking it on stage right now. Del says it’s Nothin’ Special, but we all know it is. Alan Bartram is playing his Award Show as the new kid on the block in the Del McCoury Band. Del really is Mr. Bluegrass.

“Holy smokes! This is really, really incredible.” Says that the band came to be because they were all unemployed at the same time. Thanks Ken Irwin and Rounder Records.

Award for a group or individual, new to the national bluegrass scene, which has made considerable advances artistically and/or commercially during the eligibility period. The band or individual should be performing under its/his/her name on a regular basis and not have more than two previous finalist nominations for this award. (Award to each group member or individual):

The Emerging Artist Of The Year for 2005 is:

Review past recipients of this award.

The Bluegrass Blog Awards Emerging Artist Of The Year for 2005 is:

Mentions the great job Don Rigsby did producing 40. Thanks Rebel and his band, Lonesome Ramblers.

This award is for a recorded album performance on which 50% or more of the songs represent special collaboration between two or more featured artists (individuals or groups) who do not regularly record together and who are known primarily for their contributions and public performances separate from one another. These acts must have performed together, as a unit, on a musical recording released during the eligibility period with each separate act receiving special billing on the record label and/or songs on which they are featured. (Award to featured acts, producer and label):

The Recorded Event Of The Year for 2005 is:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
40	Larry Sparks	Rebel Records

Review past recipients of this award.

The Bluegrass Blog Awards Recorded Event Of The Year for 2005 is:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
Tribute To Jimmy Martin: “The King of Bluegrass”	Various	Koch

Fragment is now presenting the award for Recorded Event Of The Year.

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are up now with You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper. Jamie Dailey is a treasure and hearing Bauc back with Doyle is still a thrill.

Benny Martin has just been inducted into the Hall of Honor. Eddie Stubbs played some of Benny’s music, including Back Up And Push and Someone Took My Place With You, while narrating a short bio.

Benny Martin’s daughter Regina accepted the award.

“If you’d have ever told me that I could do this as a profession, I would have laughed.” Says it’s an honor and something he will never take for granted… Hopes as long as he can draw a breath he will be able to get out and pick.

The awards for artists who, on recorded and/or in-person performance during the specified time period, have shown an extraordinary mastery of their instruments. Nominations and awards will be made in six (6) sub-categories: Banjo, Bass, Dobro, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin. The awards go to the artists.

The Mandolin Player Of The Year for 2005 is:

Review past recipients of this award.

The Bluegrass Blog Awards Poll Mandolin Player Of The Year for 2005 is:

“Somehow, I just never get tired of being up here.” Thanks his band, Jamie Daily, Barry Scott, Terry Baucom and Mike Hartgrove.

The award for a group who regularly performs together that has shown outstanding recorded and in-person performance in the area of vocal performance. It is not limited to groups which only perform vocally. The award goes to each group member.

The Vocal Group Of The Year for 2005 is:

Review past recipients of this award.

The Bluegrass Blog Awards Vocal Group Of The Year for 2005 is:

Presenting the award for Vocal Group of the Year is Alecia Nugent and Carl Jackson.

Tony Rice and Peter Rowan are up now. Rice is in fine form - beautiful tone. Peter is yodelling.