We hope that everyone is enjoying our Red Carpet interviews from IBMA. It was a blast shooting at the pre-show party (10/2), and we were delighted that so many artists stopped by to chat with Katy Daley on camera.

One we especially missed seeing was Sierra Hull, teen aged mandolin sensation and budding vocalist whose debut CD, Secrets, was released earlier this year. She was across town that evening, attending a red carpet event of her own.

As if her senior year of high school wasn’t busy enough, Sierra has the opening of a major independent film on her plate as well. She had a small speaking role in Billy: The Early Years, a biopic on the life of über evangelist Billy Graham. She also is featured as a singer in the film, and on the soundtrack as well.

“I did have the chance to go walk the red carpet at the movie premier and meet with the press. It was a lot of fun, and my first time doing anything like that. I had my first chance to see the movie the night before, and it was really a wild experience. Although I’m totally a small part of the film, it’s definitely still a cool and somewhat frightening thing to sit in a theater and see your face on the screen, and hear your voice singing with everyone in seats around you taking it all in!

I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful movie. Billy Graham is a well respected man who stood for God even through the lowest times. It’s an honor for me to be linked to a movie like this, even in the smallest way, and I hope people will enjoy seeing it.”

Sierra had to high tail it back to The Ryman after taking her red carpet turn, as she was scheduled to present an IBMA award with Ron Block. She sent along a few photos from the Billy premier.

Sierra had another honor come her way recently - the Best Bluegrass Band of 2008 in the French Country Music Awards.

“I read a congratulations mention about the nomination in the IBMA newsletter that comes out every couple months and was kinda like.. ‘really? Are they sure?’ So I decided to do the almighty Google, and sure enough, there was my name along with Dailey & Vincent, Donna Hughes, Becky Schlegel and Rhonda Vincent. So I was kinda like.. wow.. how nice! I then read online about the awards and that they would be announced on my birthday.

Sure enough, on September 27th I received notification through email that I had won, which was really cool to find out on your birthday!”