Red Camel Collective, Trey Hensley, Daniel Grindstaff, Danny Paisley, Heather Berry Mabe and Ron Block Among This Year’s Finalists
Nashville, Tenn. – Pinecastle Records and Bonfire Music Group are proud to celebrate another landmark year as several artists from the labels’ award-winning roster have advanced to the final round of voting for the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. The annual World of Bluegrass returns to Chattanooga October 20-24, with winners revealed on October 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.
The nominations recognize an extraordinary year of accomplishments across the Pinecastle and Bonfire family, with artists earning recognition in some of the IBMA’s most prestigious categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year and multiple individual performance honors.
Red Camel Collective’s remarkable momentum continues well beyond being named the 2025 IBMA New Artist of the Year. Since receiving the organization’s top emerging artist honor, the band has made its highly anticipated Grand Ole Opry debut, continued to build a national following and found ongoing success at Bluegrass radio. The group now returns to the final ballot with nominations for Vocal Group of the Year, while their heartfelt single “Finding Your Way Home” is a finalist for Song of the Year. Band member Heather Berry Mabe also earned a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year, further highlighting the group’s exceptional year.
Trey Hensley continues one of the biggest success stories in Bluegrass music this year. His critically acclaimed album, Can’t Outrun the Blues, currently sits at No. 1 on both the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey and the Roots Music Report Bluegrass Album Chart, while the title track has climbed to No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited singles chart as well. Hensley’s remarkable year is reflected in finalist nods for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Guitar Player of the Year.
The momentum also continues for Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours, whose self-titled Bonfire Music Group debut produced three No. 1 Bluegrass radio singles over the past year. The group has earned a coveted finalist nomination for New Artist of the Year, adding to an already memorable week as Grindstaff also made his Grand Ole Opry debut this week, another milestone in his rapidly rising career.
Pinecastle Records veteran Danny Paisley also received recognition for “Two Old Church Pews,” a finalist for Gospel Recording of the Year. The heartfelt performance appears on his critically acclaimed album Bluegrass State of Mind, which has earned widespread praise for its traditional Bluegrass sound and deeply rooted storytelling.
Ron Block of Southern Legacy is also celebrating a nomination for Banjo Player of the Year. Since signing with Pinecastle Records in mid-2025, Southern Legacy has enjoyed tremendous success at Bluegrass radio, including the chart-topping debut single “The Hills of Carter County” and the Don Rigsby-penned “Bill From Isonville.”
Pinecastle Records and Bonfire Music Group Finalists:
Album of the Year
• Can’t Outrun the Blues – Trey Hensley
Song of the Year
• “Can’t Outrun the Blues” – Trey Hensley
• “Finding Your Way Home” – Red Camel Collective
Vocal Group of the Year
• Red Camel Collective
New Artist of the Year
• Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours
Gospel Recording of the Year
• “Two Old Church Pews” – Danny Paisley
Male Vocalist of the Year
• Trey Hensley
Female Vocalist of the Year
• Heather Berry Mabe (Red Camel Collective)
Guitar Player of the Year
• Trey Hensley
Banjo Player of the Year
• Ron Block (Southern Legacy)
