Bluegrass may have been born in tradition, but it has never stopped evolving. From the high lonesome sound of Bill Monroe to the trailblazing spirit of Sam Bush and the New Grass Revival, this music has always been about honoring the past while daring to stretch the rules. And in 2025, the genre is buzzing with fresh energy—from packed festival lineups and prestigious award nominations to the launch of new music and fresh collaborations.
And tonight, NewGrass Radio carries that torch forward with a special edition of its show, spotlighting both traditional bluegrass artists and the new wave of innovators who are creating fearless blends of “Music Without Rules!” It’s a perfect reflection of where this scene has been—and where it’s headed next.
The Roots of NewGrass: A Revolution in the 1970s
Back in the 1970s, the boundaries of bluegrass began to expand in exciting ways. One of the most pivotal groups in this shift was New Grass Revival, a band that redefined what bluegrass could be. With members Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Béla Fleck, and Pat Flynn, the band fused traditional picking with rock, jazz, and folk influences, creating a progressive sound that would open doors for generations to come.
Their daring approach proved that bluegrass could honor its heritage while also evolving, inspiring today’s fearless artists to continue pushing those boundaries—exactly the kind of spirit celebrated on NewGrass Radio’s “Music Without Rules” tonight.
Awards and Accolades: Bluegrass & Americana 2025
The next few months are packed with milestones for bluegrass and Americana, with the biggest names in the genre gathering for awards season.
International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards
- Hosts: Comedian/banjo legend Steve Martin and master banjoist Alison Brown will co-host the 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards on September 26. The two are also nominated for Song of the Year for their collaboration “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back.”
- Nominees: Familiar names dominate the ballot. Billy Strings leads the way with nods for Entertainer of the Year, while Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and Del McCoury continue to shine as fan favorites.
- Hall of Fame Inductees: This year, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame welcomes Hot Rize, The Bluegrass Cardinals, and Arnold Schultz—three names that helped shape the very DNA of the genre.
- Location: For the first time, the awards will be staged in Chattanooga, Tennessee, inside the historic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial for the Performing Arts.
Americana Honors & Awards
- Host: Actor and musician John C. Reilly brings his down-home charm to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for the 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards on September 10, 2025.
- Nominees: MJ Lenderman leads the pack with three nominations, while Charley Crockett, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings each snagged two nods.
- AMERICANAFEST: The ceremony anchors the 25th anniversary of AMERICANAFEST (Sept. 9–13, 2025), a five-day Nashville takeover featuring showcases from hundreds of artists across the Americana spectrum.
Grammy Spotlight
At this year’s Grammy Awards, Billy Strings cemented his dominance, winning Best Bluegrass Album for Live Vol. 1.
Festivals Heating Up for 2025
The bluegrass and Americana calendar is bursting with reasons to hit the road:
- World of Bluegrass (WOB): For the first time, the IBMA’s week-long celebration moves to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it will remain through 2027. This year’s event runs September 16–20, 2025, with a keynote address by Billy Strings.
- Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival: Back in full swing with a star-studded 2025 lineup that drew crowds from across the country.
- Earl Scruggs Music Festival: A joyful tribute to banjo tradition, spotlighting both legends and rising stars.
- New Jersey Bluegrass Festival: Launching this September in Moorestown, NJ, thanks to the Moorestown Music Collective. Even better—it’s free.
- AMERICANAFEST 25th Anniversary: Beyond the awards, Nashville will buzz with hundreds of showcases, panels, and surprise collaborations during its five-day run.
Artist News: Shaping the Next Chapter
- JigJam: The Irish quartet has brought their self-dubbed “iGrass” to international acclaim, even making a dazzling Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Molly Tuttle: After disbanding her group Golden Highway, she’s now forming an all-woman band, marking an exciting new chapter.
- Bronwyn Keith-Hynes: The virtuoso fiddler is stepping confidently into her solo career after parting with Golden Highway.
- Alison Krauss: Ever a guiding voice, she recently praised Billy Strings and Sierra Ferrell for keeping traditional songs alive in fresh ways.
- New Releases: Expect upcoming projects from Rodney Crowell, Margo Price, and Jeff Tweedy before the year wraps.
Tonight on NewGrass Radio: Tradition Meets “Music Without Rules!”
With so much momentum in the bluegrass and Americana world, tonight’s NewGrass Radio Show feels perfectly timed. The program will celebrate traditional artists—the very foundation of this music—while also spotlighting the new generation of bold musicians making fearless blends of genres.
This isn’t just a radio show. It’s a reminder that bluegrass lives on two tracks at once: rooted in its high-lonesome history and branching toward limitless horizons. Whether it’s the fiery innovation of New Grass Revival in the 1970s or the genre-bending sounds of today, the spirit remains the same—“Music Without Rules!”
So tune in tonight, turn it up, and let the timeless and the trailblazing flow together.