IBMA Honors The Kody Norris Show with Music Video of the Year Award

The Kody Norris Show has reached a new milestone in their already celebrated career, winning their first International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Bluegrass Music Award. The group took home the Music Video of the Year trophy for their lively rendition of “The Auctioneer” at the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, held in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The recognition marks a career first for the group at the IBMA Awards and underscores their growing presence in the bluegrass world. The winning video, produced by James Gilley with videography by Nate Wiles, showcases the group’s high-energy style, dazzling showmanship, and Kody Norris’s fast-paced auctioneer patter that has long been a fan favorite.

“The Auctioneer” is one of the standout tracks from the band’s 2025 Rebel Records album Highfalutin Hillbilly. The song, originally penned by Leroy Van Dyke and Buddy Black, has long been a staple in American country and bluegrass. The Kody Norris Show’s version pays homage to that history while putting their own unmistakable stamp on it.

“This is one of those pinch-me moments,” said Kody Norris. “‘The Auctioneer’ is part of my story, and we made this video in the spirit of family, friends, and the fans who’ve hollered for it at every show. To be recognized by the IBMA community for something that’s so close to home means the world to us. Thank you, IBMA, Rebel Records, our team, and every single fan who’s cheered us on.”

Mark Freeman, President of Rebel Records, added: “We’ve believed in Kody and this band from day one. ‘The Auctioneer’ packs everything that makes The Kody Norris Show special—tradition, sparkle, and heart. Congratulations to Kody, Mary Rachel, Josiah, and Charlie, and to the creative team of James Gilley and Nate Wiles for bringing this song to life.”

The IBMA honor is just the latest in a series of accolades for the group, which has already earned multiple SPBGMA awards and IBMA nominations in recent years. Their albums All Suited Up (2021) and Rhinestone Revival (2023) both landed on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart, solidifying their reputation as both guardians of tradition and innovators in the genre.

Highfalutin Hillbilly, their latest release, blends newly written songs with reimagined classics, offering listeners a mix of heartfelt originals and playful covers with the band’s signature flair. The twelve-track album includes tunes like “Blue Ain’t the Word,” “Ruby Jane,” “Wild Mountain Rose,” and “Mississippi Squirrel Revival,” alongside “The Auctioneer” and their single “In The Circle,” a tribute to the Grand Ole Opry on its 100th anniversary.

“In The Circle,” written by close friend and Grand Ole Opry square dancer Larry Chunn, paints the picture of a young dreamer stepping onto the Opry stage. For Norris, it reflects a journey that has truly come full circle, bringing his personal story into the broader narrative of bluegrass history.

Part of what makes The Kody Norris Show stand out is their electrifying stage presence and distinctive rhinestone suits, which have become a signature part of their performances. Audiences across the country—and even worldwide—have embraced their blend of tight harmonies, traditional instrumentation, and lighthearted entertainment. Whether at the Grand Ole Opry, on SiriusXM, or at festivals and stages big and small, the group brings a joyful energy that connects with audiences of all ages. Their commitment to keeping traditional bluegrass alive while introducing it to new listeners has made them one of the most dynamic acts in the genre today.

Their growing list of awards speaks to this impact. Beyond IBMA recognition, they’ve been honored with SPBGMA titles such as Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, and individual nods for Kody Norris as Guitar Performer of the Year and Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris as Fiddler of the Year.

With Highfalutin Hillbilly now out on Rebel Records, The Kody Norris Show continues to expand their reach while staying grounded in the roots of bluegrass. The IBMA win for “The Auctioneer” is not only a career highlight but also a moment that affirms their unique place in the evolving story of American roots music. Fans can expect the band to continue delivering the mix of tradition, sparkle, and heartfelt storytelling that has defined their music so far. As Kody himself noted, it all comes back to the people who love the songs and keep calling for more.

At the end of the day, their music is a celebration of family, community, and the enduring spirit of bluegrass—a tradition now further cemented with the honor of their first IBMA Award.

Watch the official video for “The Auctioneer” below.