Since 2006 Colorado Bluegrass Music Society has taken immense pride in honoring the rich legacy of bluegrass music. Our Hall of Honor Inductees represent the very best of supporters of the Bluegrass community in Colorado, showcasing extraordinary talent and dedication. Our organization is committed to preserving bluegrass traditions and promoting the vibrant community of musicians and fans. Join us as we celebrate the heroes of bluegrass and inspire the next generation of artists to carry on this beloved art form.

CBMS Hall of Honor

Next Induction at Midwinter February 2025

HONOREES

2025

NEW CATEGORY: Bands

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HONOREE

2025

Bio

HONOREE

2025

Bio

Individuals

HONOREE

2025

Bio

HONOREE

2025

Bio

2006 - 2020

Honorees Over the Years

2006

Jerry Mills

Bluegrass DJ

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2006

Richard "Dick" Pierle

Founder Old Blue Sound, Bluegrass promoter

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2006

Ken Seaman

Midwinter Bluegrass Festival, Bluegrass Patriots

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2006

Suzie Solomon

Education outreach, President CBMS

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2006

Pete Wernick

Hot Rize, Wernick Method/Banjo instruction book

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2007

Mike Dow

Founding member of CBMS and RMBF

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2007

Craig Ferguson

Planet Bluegrass

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2007

David Okay Patton

CBMS live show Emcee

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2007

Steve Szymanski

Planet Bluegrass vice-president

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2007

Joan Wernick

KGNU, Flexigrass

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2009

Harry Tuft

Folklore Center

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2009

Sue Coulter

Longtime bluegrass educator from Durango

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2010

Nick Forster

Hot RIze, eTown

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2010

Rob Osbourne

Avogadro’s Number

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2011

Ernie Martinez

Qunitissential Grasser

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2011

Fergus Stone

Studio Owner, Banjo player, KGNU

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2011

Charles Sawtelle

Hot Rize

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2011

Daniel “Buck” Buckner

Old Grass Gnu Grass, early MC for RockyGrass

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2012

KC Groves

Uncle Earl, Lyons Jam, longtime bluegrass educator

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2012

Dave Little

one of the CBMS founders, RMBF

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2012

Gene Milligan

Early and longtime CBMS board member

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2012

Michael Burke

Founder of Durango Meltdown

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2012

Hugh Felt

Host of The Grass is Bluer radio show

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2013

B.J. Suter

CBMS President

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2013

Tim O’Brien

Hot Rize

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2014

Doris Gray

President of CBMS

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2015

John Schmidt

Longtime CBMS Volunteer & Board Member

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2015

Drew Emmitt

Founding member of Leftover Salmon

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2015

Dave Higgs

Host of Nashville's Bluegrass Breakdown show

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2016

Sally Van Meter

Foundational Bluegrass Artist

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2016

Ray & Ina Patterson

First RBMF/ early radio show, recording artists

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2017

Lynn Morris

Foundational Bluegrass Artist

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2017

Joan Owens-Crippen

Banjoist with Blue Mountain Gang and Possum Trotters

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2017

Warren Kennison Jr

Banjo player. Worked on projects with Earl Scruggs

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2017

Ron Thomason

Founder of Durango Meltdown

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2018

Garian Vigil

Pow’r Pickin Editor

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2019

H. Conway Gandy

Founding member of CBMS.

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2019

Eric Thorin

Educator, long time Colo bluegrass musician in many bands

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2019

Kit Simon

Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor

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2020

Dave Ferretta

Longtime Denver music store owner - The Pickin' Parlour

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Other People & Bands of Note