Steve Martin And Alison Brown To Co-Host 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Sept. 18

Celebrated actor/comedian/banjoist Steve Martin and banjo innovator Alison Brown will co-host the 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. The awards take place Sept. 18 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“The IBMA Awards show is always one of my very favorite nights of the year,” states Brown, a composer, producer and co-founder of Nashville-based Compass Records Group, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary in 2025. “I’m so honored to co-host this year with my banjo pal Steve Martin.” 

Martin continues: “I’m thrilled to be hosting with Alison Brown, and connecting with all my bluegrass friends as opposed to my kinda dumb comedy friends.” 

The gala is part of IBMA World of Bluegrass, which runs Sept. 16-20 in partnership with Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. The annual conclave of roots enthusiasts encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, Sept. 16-18 at the Chattanooga Convention Center; the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, a series of showcases taking place Sept. 16-18 in local Chattanooga venues; the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, presented by Get It Played; and IBMA Bluegrass Live!, Sept. 19-20, a two-day festival of live performances and fan experiences. Tickets for the IBMA Music Awards and all other IBMA World of Bluegrass events are available now.

Martin and Brown’s single, “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back”, which features Tim O’Brien, is nominated for Song of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year. The song will be included on their first full length album, Safe, Sensible and Sane, slated for release on Compass Records in October. Brown is also nominated for Banjo Player of the Year. Brown was the first women to win an instrumentalist of the year trophy from the non-profit International Bluegrass Music Association in 1991.