This year's award ceremony was held on October 2 in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was co-hosted by Grammy-winning artists
Jerry Douglas (from Alison Krauss and Union Station) and
Lee Ann Womack.
This marks Amanda's first win in this prestigious IBMA category. She bested such acclaimed female vocalists as Dale Ann Bradley, Alison Krauss, last year's winner Claire Lynch, and Rhonda Vincent.
Back in August, she had thanked IBMA voters for considering her for a nomination in the IBMA 'Female Vocalist' category. "I just want to thank everyone who has always believed in our music and has been so good to us through the years. I'm so blessed," Smith said, in an article on her
homepage.
At this year's IBMA show, Kenny was nominated for "Guitar Player of the Year." Throughout their career, Amanda and her husband, Kenny Smith, have opened for such iconic artists as George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Montgomery Gentry.
To learn more about Kenny and Amanda Smith, check out their
official website, and visit them on
Facebook.
