One of the special features of this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass event in Nashville next week – Monday, September 24 to Thursday, September 27 – is the early morning Storytelling Sessions, each of them remembering one of bluegrass music’s recently departed icons.
The sessions take place from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. in the 3rd Floor Lounge (NCC Level 3 Lounge) of the Renaissance Hotel, and are free and open to the general public. All will be ably moderated by John Fabke, one of south Wisconsin’s finest traditional musicians.
Tuesday, September 25
Early Morning Storytelling: Remembering Earl Scruggs
The first session features musicians of three different generations to celebrate the life of Earl Scruggs, whose individual contributions to the creation of the bluegrass sound are arguably as important as those made by Bill Monroe. Confirmed very special guests for this session include the last surviving Foggy Mountain Boy Curly Seckler, brothers Haskell and Gerald McCormick, and bass player Kent Blanton.
Born near Shelby, Cleveland County, NC, Scruggs passed away on March 28, at the age of 88.
Wednesday, September 26
Doug’s Tune: Remembering Doug Dillard (8:00-9:00 am)
This oral history session will honour the late, great banjo icon Doug Dillard. Attendants will be able to hear stories of Dillard’s colourful life and career, from his beginnings with the Ozark Mountain Boys through to his time with The Dillards, The Byrds, his unforgettable appearances on The Andy Griffith Show, and his work as a soloist, session musician and bandleader. The guests are younger brother Rodney Dillard, fellow banjo player John McEuen, Kathy Chiavola and Ginger Boatwright, all of whom were very closely associated with both the man and his music.
Born March 6, 1937, in East St. Louis, IL, Doug Dillard passed away on May 16.
Thursday, September 27
Everett Lilly Storytelling Session: Remembering the Lilly Brothers
The last storytelling event brings together family and friends of first generation bluegrass pioneer Everett Lilly. His long career in bluegrass and old time country music included stints with Molly O’Day, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, and Don Stover and, most recently, the Lilly Mountaineers. Special guests include Everett Lilly’s son, Everett Alan Lilly, as well as Richard Brown and left-handed guitarist and record producer Jim Rooney.
Everett Lilly died at his home in Clear Creek, WV, on May 8. He was 87.
For more information about these and other IBMA events during World of Bluegrass week, visit: www.ibma.org.
