Hall of Fame
Induction into the Hall of Fame is determined by a committee appointed by the International Bluegrass Music Association (a sister-organization that is wholly independent from this museum). Selection takes place each year in two stages: nomination and election. A nominating committee consisting of music industry leaders creates a slate of 10-15 candidates. From these names, a panel of the candidates' peers in the music industry cast ballots to narrow the nominees to five finalists. There are over 200 electors. To be an elector, one must have personally and actively participated in bluegrass for at least 10 years and have merited respect and recognition for their accomplishments and knowledge in one or more aspects of the field.
After the five finalists have been selected, the panel again votes to select the inductee(s) for that year. The balloting is conducted by an independent accounting firm. The name(s) of the newest IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee(s) are made public immediately following the final stage of balloting. Formal induction takes place each year during the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show in Nashville, TN.
After induction, the Hall of Fame plaques are installed in the International Bluegrass Music Museum's Hall of Fame in Owensboro, Kentucky. An Unveiling Ceremony takes place at the museum on Opening Day of ROMP each year, just prior to The Legends Concert. Thereafter, the plaques are on permanent exhibit.
Learn about Bluegrass Hall of Fame members on this website, or visit the museum and see their plaques, view their documentary films, see their artifacts, and hear their music on our radio station.
Members of the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame
Noted bluegrass historian Fred Bartenstein will be posting 1-2 bios of musicians in the Hall of Fame and in the Pioneers of Bluegrass (1st and early 2nd generation bluegrass musicians) each week until completed. Visit our website often for updates and new content. Thank you!
1991
Bill Monroe - Born September 13, 1911
Earl Scruggs - Born January 2, 1924
Lester Flatt - Born June 19, 1914
1992
The Stanley Brothers
Ralph Stanley
Carter Stanley
Reno & Smiley
Don Reno
Arthur Lee (Red) Smiley
1993
Mac Wiseman
Jim & Jesse
Jim McReynolds
Jesse McReynolds
1994
The Osborne Brothers
Bobby Osborne
Sonny Osborne
1995
Jimmy Martin
1996
Peter V. Kuykendall
The Country Gentlemen
Eddie Adcock
John Duffey
Tom Gray
Charlie Waller
1997
Josh Graves
1998
Chubby Wise
Carlton Haney
1999
Kenny Baker
2000
Lance LeRoy
Doc Watson
2001
The Carter Family
Alvin Pleasant (A.P.) Carter
Sara Carter
Maybelle Carter
2002
The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover
Micheal Burt "Bea" Lilly
Charles E. "Everett" Lilly
Don Stover
David Freeman
2003
J. D. Crowe
2004
Curly Seckler
Bill Vernon
2005
Red Allen
Benny Martin
2006
The Lewis Family
Syd Nathan
2007
"Cedric Rainwater" Howard Watts
Carl Story
2008
Bill Clifton
Charles Wolfe
2009
Lonesome Pine Fiddlers
The Dillards
2010
John Hartford
Louise Scruggs
2011
Del McCoury
George Shuffler