Here we are one week away from the IBMA World of Bluegrass. So this is to be our next-to-last update on the Awards Poll. We’ll do one more next week from the event. Then after the actual awards we’ll take a look at the differences and similarities between our results and the real awards results.

Last week 16% of the registered users had voted in the poll. This week the number of voters has increased slightly to 18%. Once again, this week new registrations here on the blog outpaced votes 2 to 1.

Entertainer of the Year – Last week Doyle Lawson had a 4% lead over Cherryholmes. That lead has increased to 5%.

Instrumental Group of the Year – This week Mountain Heart still has a slight lead, with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder only 2% behind.

Emerging Artist of the Year – Last week Blue Moon Rising had a 1 point lead over Steep Canyon Rangers. That has grown into a 5 point lead this week.

Recorded Event of the Year – Daughters of Bluegrass – Back To The Well has switched places with Bryan Sutton’s – Not To Far From The Tree, with only a 1 point lead.

Banjo Player of the Year – Terry Baucom holds a 2 point lead over Jim Mills at this point. Last week it was a 3 point difference.

Guitar Player of the Year – Bryan Sutton is still leading but his margin has slipped to 4 points over Tony Rice.