Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-02-22
Past notable winners include Charlie Parr, Dom Flemons, Ellis Paul, Jonatha Brooke, David Francey and more.
Critically acclaimed acoustic folk group Weary Ramblers won top honors in the 22nd Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) with their song “Kentucky Never Seemed So Blue.” They also won the Best Country/Bluegrass Award.
“We are honored to have won the top prize of the International Acoustic Music Awards! We’re excited to now be a part of this elite club of winners. Big thanks to the IAMA for this immense recognition!” said Weary Ramblers (Kathryn Severing Fox & Chad Elliott), the Overall Grand Prize winners of the 22nd Annual IAMA.
Award-winning Iowa Americana duo Weary Ramblers bring years of experience to the stage, with Chad Elliott on guitar and Kathryn Fox on fiddle, mandolin and more. Iowa Public Radio said, “Weary Ramblers are nothing short of an Iowa-based super duo.”
Chad Elliott blends folk roots and soulful writing to deliver an original sound, drawing from over two decades on the road. Elliott is lauded as “Iowa’s Renaissance man” by Culture Buzz Magazine. He has penned more than 1,500 songs in his career while also cultivating his skills as a painter, sculptor, illustrator and author. Elliott’s career demonstrates a love of folk, roots and singer-songwriter music. He has worked with and shared the stage with artists of the highest caliber, including Odetta, Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, Ruthie Foster, Greg Brown, and Bo Ramsey.
Deemed a “fiddler extraordinaire” in Cityview Magazine, Kathryn Fox is a DownBeat Award-winning artist. She played on the Grammy-nominated track “All My Tomorrows” with Kate McGarry. Kathryn toured internationally with fiddle troupe Barrage 8, performing throughout Europe, the U.S., and Canada. She has performed, recorded PBS specials, and recorded with George Benson, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Pharrell Williams, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, The Osmond Brothers, Gloria Gaynor, Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Kenny Loggins, Mark O’Connor, Joshua Bell and many more.
Overall Grand Prize Winner:
“Kentucky Never Seemed So Blue” by Weary Ramblers
INSTRUMENTAL
First Prize: “My Mother’s Oldsmobile” by Rick Ruskin
Runner-Up: “Palma De Mallorca” by Russ Hewitt
OPEN
First Prize: “Gratitude” by Gordie Tentrees
Runner-Up: “Wild for The Country” by Susan Muranty
AAA / ALTERNATIVE
First Prize: “California Gold” by Casii Stephan
Runner-Up: “Medicine” by Sage Christie
FOLK / AMERICANA / ROOTS
First Prize: “Over Again” by A Different Thread
Runner-Up: “Pilgrim” by Kate McDonnell
BEST GROUP / DUO
First Prize: “Alchemy” by Johnnyswim
Runner-Up: “River Flow” by Brightwell & Moran
BEST MALE ARTIST
First Prize: “No Need to Wonder” by Sawyer Fredericks
Runner-Up: “Send the Old Men to Fight” by C. Daniel Boling
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
First Prize: “A Million Times” by Tekla Waterfield
Runner-Up: “Kenmure (Deportees)” by Iona Fyfe
BEST COUNTRY / BLUEGRASS
First Prize: “Kentucky Never Seemed So Blue” by Weary Ramblers
Runner-Up: “The Song of the Mountains” by The Burnett Sisters Band
Notable past winners of IAMA include Charlie Parr, Dom Flemons, Meghan Trainor, Ellis Paul, Jonatha Brooke, David Francey, AJ Croce and more.
Meghan Trainor was discovered by IAMA thirteen years ago and is now a global phenomenon. Her debut hit “All About That Bass” reached #1 for eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and her debut album Title hit #1 on the Billboard 200. She went on to win a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Second Annual IAMA winner Zane Williams had his winning song recorded by country music star Jason Michael Carroll; the track reached #14 on the Billboard Country Charts and #99 on the Billboard Hot 100. Jeff Gutt, finalist at the 9th Annual IAMA, was runner-up on X-Factor USA. Charlie Dore (known for her hit “Pilot of the Airwaves”) was the top winner in 2008.
For complete information on winners and finalists, visit:
https://www.inacoustic.com/winners
