Western North Carolina played a big role in this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association awards held last weekend in Raleigh. Waynesville songwriter Milan Miller was nominated for “Songwriter of the Year,” Haywood’s County’s own Balsam Range was nominated for several awards, Jackson County’s Mountain Faith was named “Emerging Artist of the Year” and Smoky Mountain News A&E Editor Garret K. Woodward was nominated for “Media Person of the Year.” Dave Brainard photo

SEE ALSO:
• Mountain Faith wins big in Raleigh
• Balsam Range presses on
• Waynesville songwriter nominated by IBMAs
• This must be the place: SMN at IBMA