PINEVILLE — A top honor in Bluegrass music went to Bell County native Dale Ann (Price) Bradley at the 19th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association Awards held October 2, in Nashville, Tenn.

For the second year in a row, Bradley took home the Female Vocalist of the Year Award at the ceremony held at the Ryman Auditorium. The bluegrass awards ceremony was hosted by Del McCoury.

The praise comes on the heel of Bradley’s most acclaimed album to date, “Catch Tomorrow”, which was released in 2006. Voted album of the year by popular bluegrass magazine “Bluegrass Now”, several songs from the album have reached the top ten on bluegrass charts. In a review of the album, USA Today said, “the angel-voiced Bradley is one of the finest talents in bluegrass.”

Even with all the praise, Bradley was still taken aback.

“I was very surprised both times,” said Bradley said in a phone interview about the awards. “It’s the toughest category in the whole awards process.”

Bradley, daughter of Elder Roger Price and the late Pearlie Ann Wilson Price, was born and raised at Williams Branch in the mountains of Bell County. “I grew up as much in Middlesboro as Pineville,” Bradley clarified.

She developed an ear for music during church services where her father, a coal miner and Primitive Baptist minister, often led the congregation in singing. Ironically, the church does not use musical instruments in their worship service, but sing from a book called the Goble Hymnal, which shows no musical staffs or notes.

It was at the age of fourteen that Bradley first exhibited her musical prowess as member of a trio with her high school band director and his wife. “I played in Bell County at Pine Mountain State Park. It was my first performance,” said Bradley.

She joined her first Bluegrass band, Back Porch Grass, as a junior in high school in 1981. “We played a lot in East Tennessee,” Bradley said of the group.

Bradley now travels the world as a Bluegrass music star. “I’ve been to Japan, Ireland, all over Canada, Alaska, and the Caribbean. I’ve played the [Grand Ole] Opry over hundred times,” Bradley stated.

Her biggest surprise came from one of many performances at the Opry. “While you are there, you perform, sometimes things happen. My biggest thrill was playing with Vince Gill.”

Before her initial success with Back Porch Grass, Bradley married and moved to Florida with her husband in 1986. Bradley’s spouse was stationed there in the Navy. After taking a break of two and a half years to give birth to her son Gerald, Bradley moved back to her home in Kentucky.

Getting the itch to perform again, she called upon long-time friend and band mate from Back Porch Grass, Harold McGeorge, to help her get back into the music scene. After putting together a demo with him, Bradley and McGeorge set up appointments with publishers and promoters in Nashville. On the way back from Nashville she made a side trip to the famous Renfro Valley and dropped off a tape. Before she made it back home she had received a call to appear on the Barndance show — a break that eventually led to greater musical success for the hometown musician.

During her touring season, the hardest thing for Bradley was her home life. “It was really hard to be married and [tour]. My marriage didn’t last, but being gone from my son was very rough. I had a good support system, though. They helped with child care. People that you meet make it worthwhile,” commented Bradley on the balance of stardom and her personal experiences.

The recognition from the International Bluegrass Music Association has been gratifying for Bradley. “An award like that, received from top people, means a lot because you really put your blood into the whole music career,” said Bradley. “There are a lot of sacrifices. It means a lot that they give you a nod and select you. It’s the toughest category and it means a lot”

Even though Bradley is getting ready to record a new album in a week, she’s still seeing a sales boost from her old record, “Catch Tomorrow”, from all the recent attention. “Catch Tomorrow has been my most successful album,” said Bradley.

For the globe-trotting musician, who now resides in Nashville, Bradley still makes time to get back home as often as possible.

“If I’m going to the east coast, I usually cut through [Pineville] and drive through there,” said Bradley. “My uncle and aunt (Mickey and Shelia Wilson of Middlesboro) live there, and they’re my only immediate family left (in Bell County). I don’t get back to visit much at all. But it’s still one of the prettiest places that I’ve ever seen.”

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.

Above: For the second consecutive year, Bell County native Dale Ann Bradley was named the Female Vocalist of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards, held October 2 in Nashville, Tenn.