It was an award-winning night of bluegrass on Monday at Dee’s Lounge in East Nashville. Maddie Denton was fresh off a trip to Ireland in a two-woman tour with longtime collaborator Brenna MacMillan. Denton, who plays with East Nash Grass, was named the 2025 Fiddle Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Denton, a former member of the Dan Tyminski Band, put together a fun show, inviting several friends onstage to play a song or two with her, including MacMillan on banjo and Sami Braman also on fiddle. Here’s a sample from Maddie and Brenna’s Ireland trip:

The Vickie Vaughn Band took the stage next to showcase some of the songs on her new EP, “Travel On,” which was released in November. The hard-thumpin’, always-jumpin’ Vaughn put on her usual energetic show – and that despite rubbed-raw fingers from a lengthy New Year’s Eve show. Vaughn, the 2025 IBMA Bass Player of the Year, always brings joy and enthusiasm to the stage and is always gracious to her fans afterward. Here’s an example of Vaughn’s work on a cover of “Liza Jane”:

If you have a chance to catch any of these young women, you’ll be treated to some impressive play and amazing pipes. Complete sets from Denton and Vaughn are available online.