Photos: via Billy Strings Facebook – Billy Strings with his Entertainer of the Year Award and Keynote Address in Chattanooga, TN, 9/20/25

Billy Strings was named Entertainer Of The Year at the 36th annual International Bluegrass Music Association’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, marking his fourth win following trophies in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Strings also delivered the keynote address, offering an emotional reflection on tradition, transformation, acceptance, and the healing power of music.

Rather than diving straight into the present, Strings began with the past. “As far back as my memory goes, bluegrass music has been one of the main guiding forces that shaped me into the man that I am today. Growing up immersed in this music has been one of the best experiences of my entire life. As a child, I witnessed all the joy a Martin guitar can bring when it’s in the right hands and the B string’s in tune.”

From there, Strings paid tribute to the influences who shaped his sound. “Doc [Watson] became my biggest hero, with his wavy silver hair and fingers effortlessly dancing up and down the fretboard like a frolicking feather in a gentle breeze,” he said.

Yet Strings was clear that honoring tradition is more than admiration; it’s a responsibility. He emphasized his duty to carry the music forward.

“As time goes on, I realize that I have a duty here to play these songs for the next generation,” Strings said. “We got to keep playing ‘Whiskey Before Breakfast’ and ‘Salt Creek’ so these youngins can learn them and pass them on. I do write my own songs, many of which aren’t strictly bluegrass, but I always include traditional bluegrass tunes in my shows. I’ve been very fortunate to attract a diverse audience, many of which come from backgrounds outside of bluegrass altogether. My hope is that some kid comes to one of my shows somewhere and gets inspired to pick up the guitar or banjo and goes home to Google Tony Rice or Earl Scruggs.”

Reflecting on his own path, Strings acknowledged the resistance he faced early in his career. “I remember early in my career being boxed out of many jams. I’d show up to a bluegrass festival so eager to pick with some good musicians only to be met with a bit of resistance. I’m not sure if it’s because I smelled like weed or cussed or had tattoos… it just seemed like there was certain folks that just didn’t like me. There was times when I went back to my tent almost in tears… it became kind of clear to me that there was this side of the scene that I didn’t belong to. And even though we were all into the same music, there was this invisible divide. I felt like if we could just sit down and talk about Bill Monroe, or sing ‘The First Whippoorwill’ together, that these folks might realize we got more in common than they think.”

He turned that divide into a call for unity—delivered with both wit and warmth. He urged the community to rise above stereotypes and keep the music open to all.

“I’m gonna try to mix up the camo and the tie-dye a little bit—stir up the nag champa with the Roll Tide,” Strings quipped.

That mix, he argued, is exactly what keeps bluegrass vital. Strings pressed the IBMA audience to embrace the next wave of musicians.

“We have to continue to welcome new voices whose unique perspectives and experience will enrich our collective artistic expression,” Strings stated. “We got to allow these fresh ideas to mingle with tradition. By keeping our minds open, we’ll have a more welcoming environment and make way for the whole genre to evolve and thrive.”

He went on to remind the audience that bluegrass survives by both tradition and evolution. “The trunk of the tree is firmly planted with roots reaching down deeper and stronger than ever. And the beautiful buds on Bill’s bluegrass tree are blossoming and reaching up towards the big blue sky, twisting and turning in their own natural way. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad there’s flowers on this tree. I see no reason to pull out the shears.”

Strings’ journey to the IBMA stage is as powerful as his playing. Raised in a home of addiction, he found refuge and appreciation in his father’s music before veering into his own struggles as a teenager.

“All through elementary school, high school, middle school, music was my best friend, my survival tactic, my coping mechanism, and it became my social currency, as it very much still is,” he explained. “Deep down, I’ve always been a bluegrass musician at heart. Despite veering off into a few rock bands and heavy metal projects that didn’t quite stick, I was instinctively guided back to my roots. And my electric guitar now collects dust.”

That sense of survival has informed the generosity and gratitude he shows today. Beyond his own work, Strings has consistently given love and support to others, artists and fans alike. Photos and videos from the week’s festivities show him trading licks with predecessors—including Del McCoury, Paul Williams, Junior Sisk (Rambler’s Choice), and Joe Mullins—and encouraging younger players, embodying the community-first ethos of the genre.

Billy Strings — Chattanooga, TN — September 2025 — Recap

Billy Strings — IBMA Keynote Address — 9/16/25

Billy Strings, Paul Williams, Joe Mullins — “Little White Church” (Live at Real Roots Radio) — September 2025

[Video: Real Roots Radio]

Billy Strings & Junior Sisk — “Darling Think Of What You’ve Done” — 9/16/25

[Video: TyJern1]

Closing with gratitude and humor, Strings added: “I’m proud to be a bluegrasser, and proud to do my part to carry the tradition forward, and share these songs with the next generation. And for crying out loud, nominate Jarrod Walker for Mandolin Player of the Year!”

With another Entertainer of the Year trophy in hand, Billy Strings once again affirmed his role as both a guardian of tradition and a visionary leading bluegrass into new territory. Catch him live as he continues to pioneer and captivate audiences worldwide. Fans can stream his live performances worldwide on nugs with an All Access subscription. [Editor’s note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Purchasing a nugs subscription via the links on this page helps support our work covering the Dead and the rest of the live music universe. Thank you for reading!]