The opening paragraph of the letter sent from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) to The Boys From Indiana in care of Aubrey Holt reads, “On behalf of our worldwide membership, it is my distinct privilege to share that IBMA will bestow you the honors of our Distinguished Achievement Award for your contributions and pioneering efforts on behalf of bluegrass music.”

The award was established in 1986 to honor those who have proven to be forerunners in their particular field of endeavor and/or fostered bluegrass music’s image with developments that will broaden the music’s recognition and accessibility. Previous recipients include Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, John Hartford and Tom T. Hall. Recipients are gleaned from recommendations from IBMA’s 2500 members worldwide and reviewed by a committee appointed by the IBMA Board of Directors.
The Boys From Indiana have been a musical institution in Southeastern Indiana for three decades. The core of the family band are brothers Aubrey, Jerry and Tom Holt of Milan and their uncle, Harley Gabbard of New Trenton.

But, their music has reached far outside the confines of the Hoosier State, winning them thousands of fans throughout the U.S. and Canada, and making them frequent guests of the legendary Grand Ole Opry. In 1976, they were voted “Most Promising Vocal Act” by the Bluegrass Music Industry. By 1988 their talents landed them a gig at the Christmas Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C. for then
President Ronald Reagan. In the early ’90s they were appointed “Ambassadors of Bluegrass Music” by the State of Indiana, and in 2000 they were elected to the Southeastern Indiana Music Hall of Fame.
A special awards ceremony is scheduled at IBMA’s annual World of Bluegrass events in Nashville, TN this fall. The ceremony is set for Thursday, September 28 at the Renaissance Hotel.