Casey Henry
I just found this article from today’s Wall Street Journal about Alison Brown, Missy Raines, and Dale Ann Bradley (who have all recently released CDs on Brown’s Compass Records) and the “sisterhood” between women who play bluegrass. There are audio samples from each of their albums. Despite the fact that they spell Garry West’s name wrong, it’s a very nice little article and press coverage for bluegrass in the Wall Street Journal is always a good thing!
From time to time here I’ll be including some posts with feminist leanings. There will almost always be a bluegrass connection, but I realize some of you may not be interested and might rather scoot on over to visit with our buddies at the Banjo Hangout, so I’ll try to remember to give you a heads up. So, heads up!
Today I want to shine a spotlight on the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards Final Ballot which I received a few weeks ago and promptly marked and mailed back. It’s rare to see female performers nominated as Instrumental Performers but this year THREE women are nominated and I want everybody to know that this is Big News. (Okay, not as big as Sarah Palin being nominated for Vice President, but still and yet big for the world of bluegrass!)
So, who are these brave and bold women who are carving out new turf?
Kristin Scott Benson—nominated for Banjo Player of the Year, her first nomination.
Sierra Hull—nominated for Mandolin Player of the Year, her first nomination. And she is the first woman to be nominated in this category!
Missy Raines—nominated for Bass Player of the Year. Her 16th nomination!
Congratulations to all of you! You’re doing all us womyn proud!
Now, in case you’d like to put this into perspective, I did a little digging.
Since the IBMA Awards were instituted in 1990, only two women have won Instrumental Awards. Alison Brown was the first, winning Banjo Player of the Year in 1991. Missy Raines became the second in 1998, and has since won six more times. (Go Missy!)