Balsam Range is an acclaimed American bluegrass and acoustic music group that was founded in 2007 in Haywood County, North Carolina. The band quickly gained recognition for their exceptional talent, winning the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Entertainer of the Year award in both 2014 and 2018. Their impressive accolades also include multiple IBMA Vocal Group of the Year awards and several Song and Album of the Year honors, showcasing their significant impact on the bluegrass music scene.

The group initially came together as a casual collaboration among friends who shared a passion for music. Their debut album, “Marching Home,” released in October 2007, featured notable guest artists and included the hit song “Blue Mountain,” which has become a fan favorite. Following this, their second album, “Last Train to Kitty Hawk,” achieved commercial success, with its title track reaching number one on Bluegrass Unlimited’s National Bluegrass Survey.

Balsam Range’s third album, “Papertown,” solidified their reputation, spending five months at the top of the National Bluegrass Survey chart and earning them the Album of the Year award in 2013. Their collaboration with John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band further expanded their musical horizons, resulting in the well-received album “Daylight” in 2013.

In addition to their musical achievements, Balsam Range has made a significant cultural impact through the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival, which attracts fans from around the world and generates substantial revenue for their home county. With their continued dedication to bluegrass music and community engagement, Balsam Range remains a vital force in the genre.