Details: RISE further introduces Molly to a roots music audience who's already enthusiastically embraced and elevated her. A Momentum Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association in the instrumentalist category rounded out her 2016, after she clinched first place in Merlefest's prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Competition. Appearances at top-tier festivals including RockyGrass Festival and on programs such as A Prairie Home Companion have expanded her audience, along with almost nonstop touring. Press response has been glowing: a Flatpicking Guitar Magazine cover was followed by praise from The Bluegrass Situation, No Depression, American Songwriter and others. Mostly recently, she's grinning somewhat slyly on Acoustic Guitar Magazine's April 2017 cover. And now, Molly is the first woman in the 27 year history of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards to be nominated for Guitar Player of the Year, the only instrumental category that had not yet nominated a woman. Molly is also nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. And now, Molly is the first woman in the 27 year history of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards to win Guitar Player of the Year. (Molly was also nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.)