Syntax Creative Clients Take 45 Nominations for the 35th Annual IBMA Awards
DESCRIPTION:
“I Could Cry” began as an expression of existential dread and depression, but concludes with a charming glimmer of hope. Justin Hiltner notes that Jon Weisberger is always willing to follow his ideas and direction. The song began as an examination of Hiltner’s journey with treatment-resistant depression, but with Weisberger’s help, it became something much deeper that avoids feeling wallowing or trite. Ultimately, the duo finds a welcome relief in writing songs with something to say.
KEY SELLING POINTS
- Ohio natives born 40 years apart, banjoist Justin Hiltner and bassist Jon Weisberger began writing together in 2012—the same year Weisberger won the IBMA’s first Songwriter of the Year award for cuts by the Infamous Stringdusters, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, and the Gibson Brothers.
- They soon joined the band of Hall of Famer Roland White, appearing on 2018’s Tribute to the Kentucky Colonels and the IBMA-nominated “Soldier’s Joy.”
- As Hiltner later toured solo and performed in the orchestra for Oklahoma!, Weisberger contributed to GRAMMY-winning albums by The Travelin’ McCourys and Billy Strings, earning a 2021 IBMA Producer award for “Ground Speed.”
- Following their 2022 EP Room at the Table, Hiltner’s solo debut 1992 earned "best of the year" honors from NPR and Slate.
- Accolades continued as Weisberger earned a GRAMMY nomination for the Billy Strings-Willie Nelson collaboration “California Sober” and a second IBMA Songwriter of the Year win in 2025.
- In early 2026, the two reunited in the studio to record a new collection, continuing one of bluegrass’s most durable writing partnerships.
- Ohio natives born 40 years apart, banjoist Justin Hiltner and bassist Jon Weisberger began writing together in 2012—the same year Weisberger won the IBMA’s first Songwriter of the Year award for cuts by the Infamous Stringdusters, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, and the Gibson Brothers.
- They soon joined the band of Hall of Famer Roland White, appearing on 2018’s Tribute to the Kentucky Colonels and the IBMA-nominated “Soldier’s Joy.”
- As Hiltner later toured solo and performed in the orchestra for Oklahoma!, Weisberger contributed to GRAMMY-winning albums by The Travelin’ McCourys and Billy Strings, earning a 2021 IBMA Producer award for “Ground Speed.”
- Following their 2022 EP Room at the Table, Hiltner’s solo debut 1992 earned "best of the year" honors from NPR and Slate.
- Accolades continued as Weisberger earned a GRAMMY nomination for the Billy Strings-Willie Nelson collaboration “California Sober” and a second IBMA Songwriter of the Year win in 2025.
- In early 2026, the two reunited in the studio to record a new collection, continuing one of bluegrass’s most durable writing partnerships.
