Though the information has been swirling for weeks on Facebook and Twitter, the International Bluegrass Music Association has officially announced the artists invited to showcase during the 2013 World of Bluegrass Convention in Raleigh, NC.
Artists were notified several weeks ago, and many took to social media to share the news immediately, but the official announcement always waits on confirmation from all those invited, and alternates notified should anyone be unable to attend.
Each of these acts will be prominently featured at one of several venues during WOB week at the end of September. In the past, the showcase artists were presented solely on large, main stage events, but starting this year, IBMA is moving the showcases out into downtown Raleigh for what they call Bluegrass Ramble. There will be showcase performances each evening (10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., Tuesday-Saturday) in the 4th floor ballroom of the Raleigh Convention Center, with others occurring simultaneously in a number of nearby clubs: The Architect, Kings, Pour House Music Hall, Tir Na Nog, Longview Center, and Lincoln Theatre.
Transportation to and from all of these venues is provided by a free downtown shuttle, called the R Line. More details about these venues can be found in our earlier piece, Showcase opportunities during World of Bluegrass 2013.
The following acts will be showcased this year:
- Dave Adkins & Republik Steele
- The Bankesters
- Breaking Grass
- Travers Chandler & Avery County
- Kristy Cox & Calder Highway
- Cumberland Gap Connection
- Detour
- Bill Evans
- Bradford Lee Folk & The Bluegrass Playboys
- Front Country
- Grasstowne
- The Gravy Boys Band
- Todd Grebe and Cold Country
- Growling Old Men
- Henhouse Prowlers
- The Honey Dewdrops
- Kathy Kallick Band
- Kickin’ Grass Band
- Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys
- Red Wine
- Kevin Richardson & Cuttin’ Edge
- Southern Raised
- Johnny Staats & The Delivery Boys
- The Steel Wheels
- The Stray Birds
- Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line
- The Toy Hearts
- Wildfire
- Jeanette & Johnny Williams
- Wood & Wire
The complete schedule for World of Bluegrass can be found online.
