Musician/journalist Jon Weisberger and longtime country disc jockey Paul “Moon” Mullins were the local winners at the 2000 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, held Thursday in Louisville.

        “It's a real honor,” said Mr. Weisberger, after receiving the award at a luncheon at the Galt House Hotel. “I take it as recognition of the importance that print media can play in helping to promote and publicize bluegrass music. That's my goal, and it's wonderful to be honored and appreciated for that.”

        He was recognized for his work as contributing editor for No Depression magazine and his liner notes for bluegrass albums. Locally, he also plays bass in the country-rock band Pike 27 and has been a member of the Comet Bluegrass All Stars.

        Mr. Mullins has been a fixture of the Tristate's bluegrass radio scene since the 1960s, famed for his down home humor and unflagging loyalty to hard-core country music and pure bluegrass. He now broadcasts on WBZI in Xenia. His son Joe Mullins, another WBZI disc jockey, was also nominated in this category.

        The bluegrass event of the year also hails from the Tristate — the 34th Annual Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, held in Brown County, Indiana.

        The major winners of the musician awards are:

        Entertainer of the year, Del McCoury; vocal group, IIIrd Tyme Out; instrumental group, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (who were unable to attend because they were opening for the Dixie Chicks at Firstar Center); male vocalist, Dudley Connell; female vocalist, Rhonda Vincent; album of the year, Dolly Parton's My Grass is Blue.

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