Bluegrass music held its biggest yearly awards and convention last week in Raleigh, North Carolina, the International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA). It was a historic night for bluegrass band Sister Sadie, which includes Belmont staff member Tina Adair Dishman, director of Curb College Academic Advising. After a monumental year, the band was awarded one of the biggest accolades of the night, “Vocal Group of the Year.” This is the first time in the show’s 30 years that an all-female band has received this honor. It also marks the very first win for Sister Sadie as a band.
“It is such an honor and complete humbling experience to be recognized by all of our peers in Bluegrass for best vocal group of the year,” says Sister Sadie. “Every band nominated in this category is more than deserving of this award. We hope that we represent what this award is all about to the best of our ability for everyone! Thanks to all who voted for us, play our music on the radio, come out to see our shows or just love us from afar.”
Sister Sadie is made up of critically-acclaimed singer Dale Ann Bradley, Tina Adair, ACM winner Deanie Richardson and Gena Britt. Prior to forming the band, each member already had roots planted deep within the genre. They formed after a ‘one-night only’ performance at the Station Inn in Nashville, which later developed into Sister Sadie.
With the release of their sophomore project, Sister Sadie II, the group has had a breakout year. Earlier in 2019, they were a finalist for “Best Bluegrass Album” at the Grammys, traveling to Los Angeles to walk the red carpet and attend the awards. Another bucket list item happened in March, when they made their debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry. During the performance, they did a stripped-down version of their song “900 Miles” which was met with a standing ovation. As a result, they have been invited back several times since.
