LOUSIVILLE — It was a big night for both the pioneers and the newest generation at the Thursday's International Bluegrass Music Awards.

        And, even though he wasn't there, it was a big night for George Clooney. His film, O Brother Where Art Thou?, took four awards at the annual gathering of the world's bluegrass musicians, industry members and fans.

RECIPIENTS

Hall of Honor inductee — the Carter Family    Entertainer of the year — Rhonda Vincent & The Rage    Male vocalist — Dan Tyminski    Female vocalist — Rhonda Vincent    Vocal group — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver    Instrumental group — Nickel Creek    Song of the year — “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”    Album of the year — O Brother, Where Art Thou?    Instrumental album of the year — Knee Deep in Bluegrass: the Acutab Sessions    Recorded event of the year: Follow Me Back to the Fold: A Tribute to Women in Bluegrass    Gospel recorded performance — “I'll Fly Away” by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch    Emerging artists of the year — Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show    Banjo — Jim Mills (Kentucky Thunder)    Bass — Missy Raines    Dobro — Jerry Douglas    Fiddle — Michael Cleveland (the Rage)    Guitar — Jim Hurst    Mandolin — Chris Thile

        Dan Tyminski, who provided the singing voice for Mr. Clooney, won male vocalist of the year honors for “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow.” Mr. Clooney is the face of the song, lip-synching it in both the film and music video. It also won song of the year, although, before the film, the best-known version of it was recorded in the 1950s by the Stanley Brothers for Cincinnati's King Records.

        The O Brother soundtrack also won album of the year, and another song from that disc, “I'll Fly Away,” sung by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch, won best gospel performance. The entire project took a Distinguished Achievement Award at a luncheon before the ceremonies.

        As the community of bluegrass, one of the most distinctly “American” musical styles, gathered last week in Louisville for its autumn trade show, awards ceremonies and this weekend's indoor Fan Fest, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were very much on people's minds.

        The IBMA donated $20,000 of Fan Fest proceeds to the New York relief fund.

        And, in an emotionally powerful performance, the awards opened with Kentucky-born/Dayton, Ohio-bred banjo player Sonny Osborne playing a solo “America the Beautiful.” After a moment of silence, he came out and stood before an American flag waving on the stage's video screen. As he played, the sellout crowd at the Kentucky Center for the Arts spontaneously stood and sang.

        The evening continued that mix of honoring tradition and looking to an uncertain future.

        The “First Generation of Bluegrass” was honored, as more than 200 players active from 1940-1954 were cited. These included dozens of musicians from the Tristate, among them Cincinnati's Earl Taylor and Dayton's Red Allen, Frank Wakefield and Dorsey Harvey.

        Local journalist Jon Weisberger, last year's print media winner, took honors for best liner notes for the John Duffey memorial album, Always in Style.

        The recent youth movement in bluegrass was recognized, as teen band Nickel Creek won best instrumental group. “Oh my goodness, this is just so awesome,” guitarist Sean Watkins said.

        In the biggest surprise of the evening, Nickel Creek member Chris Thile broke Ronnie McCoury's eight-year streak as best-mandolin winner.

        The ceremonies, hosted by mainstream country star Steve Wariner, were packed with live music by top bluegrass acts, including Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (featuring lead guitarist Clay Hess, a former member of the Greater Cincinnati bluegrass scene), the Del McCoury Band, Lonesome River Band, the Dan Tyminski Band, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and an all-star instrumental jam led by banjo player Alison Brown that included mandolinist Sam Bush, guitarist Tony Rice, fiddler Stuart Duncan and bassist Todd Phillips.

        Ms. Vincent and her band, the Rage, won the top award, entertainer of the year. Her fiddle player, Michael Cleveland, won in his category.

        It was a good night for women, as Missy Raines won best bassist for the fourth year in a row. The Carter Family, Sara, Maybelle and A.P. Carter, were posthumously inducted into the Hall of Honor. An all-star female ensemble that included Sara and A.P.'s daughter Jeanette Carter paid tribute to the Carters.

        It was a fitting coda to an unprecedented growth year for bluegrass. Despite the slump in the music industry, travel and tourism, attendance matched past years, and the awards show sold out at its fastest pace ever.

        Ms. Carter, a lifelong advocate of traditional American music, accepted the award for her parents. She thanked the IBMA and the young musicians for “tryin' to keep bluegrass a-goin',” adding with a smile as she surveyed the packed, well-dressed crowd, “And it's a-goin'.”

        Mr. Tyminski had someone more specific in mind as he accepted his first male vocalist award.

        “There's a lot of people I should thank,” he said. “I guess I should start with George Clooney.”

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