Band wins entertainer of the year

The Del McCoury Band also won the award for album of the year.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The Del McCoury Band won entertainer of the year for the ninth time at the International Bluegrass Music Awards this week, while another bluegrass mainstay took home his first award.
Larry Sparks, celebrating his 40th year of performing, received the award for male vocalist of the year, then told an adoring crowd, "You know, I've never won anything in my life."
Rhonda Vincent etched her name into bluegrass history by winning female vocalist of the year for an unprecedented fifth straight year.
McCoury and his band also won album of the year for "It's Just The Night." McCoury's bluegrass roots reach back 40 years to his days as a singer and guitar player with Bill Monroe.
"They're a great band," McCoury said of his group after winning entertainer of the year.
The 15th annual awards show, hosted by the International Bluegrass Music Association, was held at the Kentucky Center. Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski were co-hosts for the second straight year.
Top song
Vincent also won song of the year for "Kentucky Borderline" from her album "One Step Ahead." She co-wrote the song with Terry Herd, who was named broadcaster of the year earlier in the day.
Winning induction into the Bluegrass Hall of Honor were bluegrass pioneer Curly Seckler and the late Bill Vernon. The Hall of Honor, housed in the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, recognizes outstanding contributions to bluegrass music.
Seckler, 84, is best known for his rhythm mandolin playing and tenor harmony singing while working off and on with Flatt & amp; Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys from 1949 to 1962.
Vernon's work as a radio broadcaster and historian introduced thousands to bluegrass music.
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