Midwest bluegrass bands to be recognized at awards show

Annual show, convention set for this weekend

<p>Shelby Kardell/News Tribune</p><p>Bull Harman and Bull’s Eye plays at the Capital Plaza Hotel and Convention Center during the 43rd annual Bluegrass Music Awards and 34th Mid-West Convention in Jefferson City on Jan. 14, 2017. This year’s awards and convention will be held this weekend.</p>

Shelby Kardell/News Tribune

Bull Harman and Bull’s Eye plays at the Capital Plaza Hotel and Convention Center during the 43rd annual Bluegrass Music Awards and 34th Mid-West Convention in Jefferson City on Jan. 14, 2017. This year’s awards and convention will be held this weekend.

Jefferson City will host a celebration of all things bluegrass this weekend from some of the genre's top talent in the Midwest.

The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America will host its 46th annual Midwest Bluegrass Music Awards and 37th Midwest Convention on Friday and Saturday at Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, 415 W. McCarty St.

Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, guests will be able to enjoy a variety of performances from the region's top bluegrass artists, including the Collins Brothers; Tony Rock Band; Casey and the Atta Boys; Possum Trot; That Dalton Gang; and Riverbend. Most of those bands will play again Saturday, with music starting at 1 p.m. Bands Bull Harman and Friends and The Farm Hands will perform Saturday.

Gilbert Humphrey and Bull Harman will serve as the masters of ceremonies during the two-day event, and The Farm Hands will return to serve as the Bluegrass Awards host beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The awards show will start at 7 p.m. with an opening performance from Casey and the Atta Boys. Additional performances during the show include the Collins Brothers at 7:35 p.m., That Dalton Gang at 8:20 p.m. and The Farm Hands closing the event at 9:10 p.m.

In between these performances, 16 awards will be given. Nominees for each category were announced before the new year. They are:

Bluegrass Promoter of the Year: Don and Bobbie Day, Joe and Lori King, Darrell and Ashley Turnbull, and Bruce Punches.

Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Jacob Metz, Hal Cottrell, Kelli Jo Kingrey and Darrell Turnbull.

Bluegrass Album of the Year: "That Dalton Gang" by That Dalton Gang/Independent label, "It's Alright" by Paul Family Bluegrass/Maple Ridge Records, "Don't Give Up On Me" by Casey and the Atta Boys/Independent label, and "Take More Time For Living" by Possum Trot/Independent label.

Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year: Jim Willis, Elijah Baker, Lori King and Wyatt Harman.

Dobro Performer of the Year: Jacob Metz, Brooke Punches, Austin Paul and Larita Martin.

Guitar Performer of the Year: Bull Harman, Joe King, Dale Martin and Mark Purcell.

Mandolin Performer of the Year: Cheyenne Dalton, Kevin Amburgey, Bruce Punches and Hal Cottrell.

Banjo Performer of the Year: Mason Ruble, Daltin Paul, Randy Denny and Mark Hargrove.

Fiddle Performer of the Year: Trustin Baker, Kyle Murphy, Ed Sellers and Andrew Morton.

Female Vocalist of the Year (Overall): Carina Baker, Cheyenne Dalton, Priscialla Paul and Lori King.

Male Vocalist of the Year (Overall): Wyatt Harman, Darrell Turnbull, Joe King and Bruce Punches.

Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year: The Punches, That Dalton Gang, The Bluegrass Blondies and Paul Family Bluegrass.

Vocal Group of the Year: That Dalton Gang, Lori King and Junction 63, The Baker Family, and Bull Harman and the Bull's Eye.

Instrumental Group of the Year: That Dalton Gang, The Martins, The Punches, and Lori King and Junction 63.

Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall): That Dalton Gang, Bull Harman and Bull's Eye, Lori King and Junction 63, and The Baker Family.

Entertainer(s) in Bluegrass Music: Wyatt Harman, The Baker Family, Lori King and That Dalton Gang.

These events are open to the public. A special bluegrass flat rate is $95 plus tax. Other admission prices are $15 for the Friday night show only, $20 for the Saturday shows (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.), $15 for the Saturday night show and awards, and $30 for a two-day pass. Children younger than 12 are charged half-price for admission.

"(It's) a family-friendly event and fabulous entertainment for all ages," said Stephanie Jones, with the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, in an email. "Our family has been promoting bluegrass since 1974 and we are working hard to keep it going."

To make room reservations, which include unlimited parking with enclosed parking to hotel for hotel guests, call 573-635-1234. For more information on groups and tickets, contact SPBGMA at [email protected] or visit spbgma.com.