IBMA Invites Registrations

IBMA invites registrations to the 2007 World of BluegrassThe IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) has recently mailed its members inviting registrations for its 2007 World Of Bluegrass events that take place during the week commencing Monday, October 1st. The bulk of the events will take place at The Nashville Convention Centre, Nashville, TN, and the adjoining Renaissance Hotel.

The World Of Bluegrass week comprises four days of business activity – with seminars, meetings, official showcases, specialist sessions and product exhibitions – three days of Fan Fest entertainment, the International Bluegrass Music Awards show and a golf tournament.

Dan Hays, the IBMA Executive Director, has this to say about embracing the business issues that will be exercising minds during the World Of Bluegrass week.

“The business of music hasn’t seen the level of changes we’re experiencing today since the advent of radio and records almost a century ago and with change comes both opportunity and challenges. The information and ideas you’ll take home from the World of Bluegrass seminars, meetings and just informal discussions will absolutely make a difference when you put them to use. Imagine trying to track all this down on your own and you’ll see how it takes you farther, quicker and saves money and time in the process.

I’m especially excited about one afternoon at this year’s conference which will be devoted to what I’d describe as a ‘summit meeting’ with attendees to examine the future of the music business.

It requires an investment to attend and that takes form first in a desire to get to the next level – for our individual careers and for bluegrass in general. When that desire and commitment is real, the events offer the information and connections to help make it happen.”

There are the usual formal showcases and these take place during each of the first three evenings of the gathering (October 1 – 3). Acts currently scheduled to appear are ‚Ķ.

Blue Moon RisingCircuit Riders
Dale Ann BradleyMichael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock
Grass CatsGrasstowne
Faris FamilyCarrie Hassler & Hard Rain
Sierra Hull & Highway 111Claire Lynch
MeantimeMonroe Crossing
NewFound RoadDan Paisley & Southern Grass
John Reischman & The JaybirdsDon Rigsby & Midnight Call
Jerry Salley & Breaking New GroundThe Larry Stephenson Band
Three Ring Circle

There will be hundreds of privately hosted “after hours” showcases, jams and hospitality events also and these take place all week except after the Awards show. Time for these shows and jam sessions is allocated between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

The archetypal social bonding event, the golf tournament takes place on Wednesday, October 3rd. – an opportunity to get some fresh air, if you are so inclined.

The high profile event of the week is the 18th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show that takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House during the evening of Thursday, October 4th, beginning at 8.30pm.

Fan Fest traditionally brings to a close the formal activities of the week with a host of big names scheduled to appear (October 5 – 7). Acts gathered together by Carl Jackson and the Fan Fest committee are ‚Ķ‚Ķ

The GrascalsCherryholmes
Emmylou HarrisDoyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Larry Sparks & The Lonesome RamblersThe Songs of Tom T & Dixie Hall with Special Guests
J.D. Crowe & The New SouthClaire Lynch
IIIrd Tyme OutRonnie Bowman
Mountain HeartMichael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock
Marty RaybonThe Whites
Daughters Of BluegrassPaul Williams & The Victory Trio
Steep Canyon RangersDavid Parmley & Continental Divide
Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard TimeDon Rigsby & Midnight Call
Charlie SizemoreJohn Starling & Carolina Star
Randy Kohrs & The LitesThe Larry Stephenson Band
The GreencardsAlecia Nugent
Bradley WalkerMark Newton
Special ConsensusThe Infamous Stringdusters
Blue Moon RisingNewFound Road
Pine Mountain RailroadSierra Hull & Highway 111
Donna HughesRandy Waller & The Country Gentlemen
Dailey & VincentWorld International Bluegrass Band
The SteeldriversGrasstowne
Missy Raines and the New HipThe Red Stick Ramblers
Pete Wernick & FLEXIGRASSDick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg
Barbara LambMark Johnson and Emory Lester
The Laura Love BandThe Old Tyme Opry Show
Banjo Celebration featuring Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Tony Trischka, and Bob Carlin
Anne and Pete Sibley(The lineup is subject to change without notice)

Tickets for the Business Conference, Awards Show, Fan Fest and the Golf Scramble can be purchased individually. A full attendance registration includes a three day ticket to Fan Fest. Additionally, there is a special ‘Combo Ticket’ for those wishing to attend only the Fan Fest and Awards Show.

Discounts apply for certain early registrations, and special rates can be found for accommodation at certain nearby hotels.

For further information about all of these World Of Bluegrass events contact IBMA by phone (1-888-438-4262 or 615-256-3222), or by email, or visit their web site.

Go, and enjoy!

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About the Author

Richard Thompson

Richard F. Thompson is a long-standing free-lance writer specialising in bluegrass music topics. A two-time Editor of British Bluegrass News, he has been seriously interested in bluegrass music since about 1970. As well as contributing to that magazine, he has, in the past 30 plus years, had articles published by Country Music World, International Country Music News, Country Music People, Bluegrass Unlimited, MoonShiner (the Japanese bluegrass music journal) and Bluegrass Europe. He wrote the annotated series I'm On My Way Back To Old Kentucky, a daily memorial to Bill Monroe that culminated with an acknowledgement of what would have been his 100th birthday, on September 13, 2011.