Bluegrass coup for family group

Cherryholmes were formed to lift the family's spirits

The top prize at the Bluegrass Music Awards went to family band Cherryholmes at the event in Nashville on Thursday.

The six-member group, founded after the death of Jere and Sandy Cherryholmes' eldest daughter, won best entertainers.

The Grascals, who recorded a bluegrass version of Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas, won emerging artist of the year.

Winners are chosen by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association, the trade association for the music style.

'Energy of youth'

The Cherryholmes' self-titled debut album, released last month, reached number three on the Billboard bluegrass chart.

"We just want to thank the Lord for all of his blessings of talent and for the stamina and energy of youth," said Jere Cherryholmes, collecting the award.

The group, which also includes the couple's daughters Cia, 21, and Molly, 13, and sons BJ, 17, and Skip, 15, performed live at the Nashville show.

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

Alison Krauss and her band Union Station entered the evening with the most nominations - 14 individually or collectively.

She and bandmate Dan Tyminski both won recorded event of the year for their contribution to 40.

Rhonda Vincent broke her own record by taking home her sixth consecutive female vocalist award.