I assume, since our dedicated bloggers John and Brance worked so hard during the awards show that they didn’t stick it out through the after party at the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase. And also I didn’t see them there, so I’ll pass along some of what happened. Hosted by the Del McCoury Band and Sirius Satellite Radio many attendees and winners made their way across the parking lot from the Opry House to Gibson. I caught a ride with my friends Laura and John Carter Cash who were in attendance because they played on Curly Seckler’s CD, which lost Recorded Event of the Year to Daughters of Bluegrass. Having the party in a bar/restaurant was SO MUCH BETTER than the former stand-up reception with greedy bluegrassers rushing the hors d’ourves (spelling??) tables.

As I entered the Infamous Stringdusters were on stage and the bar was already crowded. I saw, among others, Tim O’Brien, reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, and hugged his neck, Nick Forrester, Alison McCoury (Mrs. Ronnie), Rob and Lisa McCoury (the new baby, named Del after his Granddaddy, is a doll and only wakes up once or twice during the night), Megan Lynch and Mike Anglin, Sirius DJs Chris Jones, Ned Luberecki, and Joey Black, Roland White and Diane Boska, Kathy Chiavola, Larry and Dreama Stephenson, David Parmley. The new Emerging Artists of the Year Steep Canyon Rangers, my friends from North Carolina were there and pretty darn excited about their win. Shortly the Del McCoury Band took the stage and played some of their many hits. It was a wash-out for them awards wise, but they didn’t seem bummed out about it. They asked Sam Bush and Tim O’Brien on stage with them and with Del the they sang the classic Monroe trio “On and On”. That’s some good harmony. Ronnie Bowman also got on stage and Del handed over his guitar. He sang “Drifting with the Tide” with Del on tenor. Yeah buddy.

I had to leave just as Missy Raines was taking over the bass from Alan Bartram but she looked resplendent in her red dress. The outfit she wore to play on the show with Claire Lynch was also cool–black pants and a long tailed black coat over a white shirt with ruffled cuffs and front–but the dress was much more glamorous. On the way out I congratulated Grasscal David Talbot and his wife Myrna on the big Entertainer of the Year award. They certainly deserved it. The Grasscals have put in a lot of hard work in a few years.

As far as after parties go, this was the best one I’ve been to. I hope they continue to do it in the future. The awards show is really moving up in the world. All we need now is a red carpet entrance for people to snap photos and it will really feel like the big time!