Nashville, Tenn. - Newly named “Father of Newgrass,” Sam Bush, recently received five award nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) to complement his year of accolades and long career of distinction. This year, the four-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year received the most IBMA nominations of his career, including Album of the Year for Circles Around Me and again for Mandolin Player of the Year.

Sam Bush, who hosted the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Award Show, will hear his name spoken a handful of times at this year’s Award Show, scheduled for Thursday, September 30, 2010 at Nashville, Tennessee’s Ryman Auditorium. He, along with the Sam Bush Band, is nominated for Album of the Year (Circles Around Me), Instrumental Group of the Year, Instrumental Recorded Performance (“Blue Mountain”), Mandolin Player of the Year, and Song of the Year for “The Ballad of Stringbean and Estelle”—a recollection of the 1973 murder of Grand Ole Opry star David “Stringbean” Akeman and his wife, composed by Bush with Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson.

The IBMA nominations follow the recent designation as the “Father of Newgrass” as deemed by Kentucky state legislation. Bush’s hometown of Bowling Green, KY, also received the official title as the “Birthplace of Newgrass.” Not new to titles, he is also known as the “King of Telluride” for his perennial performances at the prominent festival. Last year, Bush received the humbling Lifetime Achievement Award for an Instrumentalist from the Americana Music Association.

The recent nominations all follow his 2009 release, Circles Around Me, Bush’s eighth solo album. This novel of bluegrass favorites and new material features Del McCoury, Edgar Meyer and Jerry Douglas along with the phenomenal talent of the Sam Bush Band, consisting of Scott Vestal, Stephen Mougin, Byron House and Chris Brown. The blend of bluegrass and newgrass culminates Bush’s experimental musical journey thus far, showcasing how his artistry has come full circle.

Known for a heavy touring schedule, Bush will be headlining festivals like Music on the Mountain and the Four Corners Folk Festival to round out the year. For more information on Sam Bush, his nominations and supporting tour dates, please visit www.sambush.com.