Cheers for the tops in bluegrass

The family group Cherryholmes won the top award -- entertainer of the year -- at the International Bluegrass Music Awards.

Jere and Sandy Cherryholmes were inspired to start a family band after attending a bluegrass festival to lift their spirits after their oldest daughter died in 1999. A self-titled debut last month landed at No. 3 on the Billboard bluegrass chart. The group includes the parents, daughters Cia, 21, and Molly, 13, and sons B.J., 17, and Skip, 15.

Larry Sparks won male vocalist for the second consecutive year. He also received awards for top album and recorded event for his album “40,” a reference to the length of his career.

Rhonda Vincent broke her own record by taking home her sixth straight female vocalist award. The Grascals, who recorded a bluegrass version of Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas,” won emerging artist of the year.

The awards, handed out in Nashville on Thursday evening, are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Assn.

From Associated Press

*

FINALLY

Postponed: David Gray’s Friday night performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal City was postponed due to illness, the promoters said. Tickets will be honored when a new date is set.

Revival: Kelli O’Hara, currently on Broadway in the Tony-winning musical “The Light in the Piazza,” will play Babe Williams to Harry Connick Jr.’s Sid Sorokin in the upcoming Broadway revival of “The Pajama Game.”