The Awards Show evening has begun. We’ve set up backstage to blog the show and we’re seeing a lot of bluegrass performers backstage heading to dressing rooms to get themselves ready.

Kyle Cantrell at XM Satellite Radio has a dressing room converted into a studio and he’s busily conducting interviews. When I walked past a moment ago the Dailey Vincent Band was just sitting down with him.

John and I will be bringing you updates the rest of the evening as the event unfolds. Stay tuned for more IBMA Awards Show news!

Brance and I are backstage at the Opry, getting ready to live blog tonight’s International Bluegrass Music Awards. We just got word that Rhonda Vincent is feeling a bit under the weather, and won’t be able to perform on the show.

Russell Moore from IIIrd Tyme Out had been set to play guitar and sing with Rhonda tonight, and he will perform with The Rage in her stead.

Here’s a get well soon wish to Rhonda from The Bluegrass Blog!

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: Rhonda’s daughter, Tensel, has posted some further details on her mom’s message board.

Our intrepid IBMA fashionistas, Katy Daley and Jen Hitt have sent their first outfit of note. Jen says that they spoke with Richard Gelardin, attending from Alaska, who appeared in a striking outfit, complete with Dave Little boots, a calico vest with a fishing lyre pattern (which his mother made for him back in 1954) and a “half breed” hat - beaver brim and a straw body.

Congratulations, Richard, for catching their eye.

UPDATE 9:18: They’ve now spotted Connie Leigh, who wrote Song Of The Year nominee Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On, with striking platinum hair and a fabulous red satin halter dress.

The show has begun, with a video presentation from our friend Wichita Rutherford.

The video is showing a young man listening to the radio and Wichita comes on. The young boy is transported through time by Wichita’s Grand Ole Time Machine. Wichita is giving the boy a lesson in the history of bluegrass music.

If you are a Wichita fan, you can use your imagination to envision it.

It’s on! The Grascals are performing.

Here we go…

Sam Bush is on stage now giving his introductory speech. Sam will be the host for this evening’s festivities.

Right now he’s telling stories about his growing up in Kentucky and hearing some of the great first generation performers of bluegrass music.

The awards should begin shortly. Stay tuned…

The first award of the evening is for Song Of The Year, Bobby Osborne and Claire Lynch presenting.

And the award goes to… Fork In The Road, by The Infamous Stringdusters - Chris Jones and John Pennell songwriters.

The award for Mandolin Player of the Year goes to our host for the evening, Sam Bush!

Mineando, last year’s European World of Bluegrass band winner, is on stage presenting the award for Dobro Player of the Year.

And the award goes to Rob Ickes.

Russell is singing Footprints In The Snow with The Rage and guests Darrell Webb on mandolin, Andy Hall on dobro and Darrin Vincent on guitar.

LarrySparks and Del McCoury singing Those Blue Eyes Don’t Sparkle Anymore. The old time way.

Roland White and Dale Ann Bradley are on stage presenting.

This year’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year is He Lives In Me by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

Our 2007 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year is Tony Rice.

We’re now being treated to a performance by Ricky Skaggs & the Whites.

They are performing the title cut from their new CD, Salt of the Earth.

Several members of Kentucky Thunder are on stage as the backing band.

Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley and Larry Cordle are presenting the Instrumental Group of the Year award. And the winner is…

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, featuring Audie Blaylock.

They are now recapping the Special Awards luncheon, which took place earlier today.

You can read our post detailing the winners of those awards, here.

Cia Cherryholmes and Ronnie Bowman are presenting the Emerging Artist of the Year award, and it goes to The Infamous Stringdusters.

Tony Trischka has filled the stage with banjos just now.

Tony Trischka
Scott Vestal
Alison Brown
Kenny Ingram

With Jon Wiesberger on bass, Luke Bula and Brittany Haas on fiddles.

Great performance.

Here’s Alison Krauss and Larry Sparks presenting the Recorded Event of the Year award. Did she just call Sparks “Sugar Monkey?”

The trophy goes to Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular from Tony Trischka and the celestial banjo choir.

Alison Krauss and Larry Sparks just announced the winner of this award and Missy Rains has won again.