IBMA announces 2014 showcase artists

rambleThe International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the invited showcase artists who will perform on their late night Bluegrass Ramble stages, and at various other events during World of Bluegrass and the Wide Open Bluegrass festival (September 30 – October 4) in Raleigh, NC.

IBMA Board Chair Jon Weisberger says that, as usual, the choices were tough to make, having to winnow down to 30 official showcase acts from more than 160 applications.

“This year, we had more applications for Bluegrass Ramble showcase opportunities than ever before, and our selection committee has done an outstanding job. The quality – and breadth – of the artists chosen to appear are at an all-time high. I believe that every one of them merits the attention of the industry, and I know that audiences attending their performances around Raleigh are going to find a lot to enjoy.”

According to IBMA rules, these invited acts must be bands who are rapidly increasing their visibility and are in a position to advance further with a little boost, or established acts who have recently made major personnel changes.

This year’s list contains several of each, and even a couple of special project bands who don’t regularly perform together. Both energetic younger groups and some with gray hair to spare are represented, as are many in between. And in keeping with the “I” in IBMA, two Australian bands were selected, and one from Canada.

The 2014 IBMA invited showcase acts are:

  • Barbwire
  • Becky Buller
  • Compton & Newberry
  • Constant Change
  • Darin & Brooke Aldridge
  • Davidson Brothers
  • Donna Ulisse
  • Driven
  • Flatt Lonesome
  • Helen Highwater Stringband
  • Irene Kelly
  • Jeff Scroggins and Colorado
  • Jim Lauderdale
  • Monroe Crossing
  • Moore Brothers Band
  • Mr Sun
  • Mustered Courage
  • New Country Rehab
  • Newtown
  • Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run
  • Red June
  • Sister Sadie
  • Special Consensus
  • The Barefoot Movement
  • The Danberrys
  • The Earl Brothers
  • The Grass Cats
  • The Lonely Heartstring Band
  • The Railsplitters
  • The Rigneys

Congratulations all.

The Bluegrass Ramble, which the association now calls the late night showcases, will be held at seven locations within an easy walk of the Convention Center in Raleigh

These venues range in both size and style, but are all located just a few blocks from the center of activity at the Convention Center. And Ramble producers attempt to match acts with the most appropriate venues.

Bluegrass Ramble attendance is included in a full-week World of Bluegrass pass, and non-attendees can purchase either single day or full week passes to see all the late night programs.

See more details online.

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John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.