Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice | Courtesy Rebel Records

Congratulations to Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice. The Franklin County-based bluegrass act pulled off something special at Thursday’s International Bluegrass Music Association Awards show, in Nashville. The band’s most recent release, “Heart Of A Song,” won the IBMA’s Album of the Year, and the disc’s first single, “A Far Cry From Lester & Earl,” won Song of the Year.

In other IBMA award news,Patrick County’s Sammy Shelor was selected Banjo Player of the Year, and his Lonesome River Band turned in Instrumental Performance of the Year with its version of “Angeline The Baker.”

Onetime Salemite Adam Steffey and his band, The Boxcars, picked up wins. The Boxcars won Instrumental Group of the Year, and Steffey was selected Mandolinist of the Year.

We have podcasts with Sisk, Shelor and Steffey. All of these acts play around the valleys a good bit. Catch them when you can.