36th Annual IBMA Awards: Maddie Denton Honored with Fiddle Player of the Year

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the International Bluegrass Music Association held their 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, marking the organization’s first awards show in its new host city.

Hosted by Steve Martin and Alison Brown, the event was filled with celebration of tradition, innovation, and the many ways bluegrass artists continue to shape the music. Among the night’s top honors, Billy Strings received Entertainer of the Year for the fourth time, Alison Krauss was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the first time since 1995, and Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland earned three awards for their debut album together.

Women were recognized across many categories this year, with trophies awarded to Jaelee Roberts, Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, Alison Brown, Vickie Vaughn, Sierra Hull — and Maddie Denton of East Nash Grass, who was named Fiddle Player of the Year.

See the full list of winners at The Bluegrass Situation