Earlier this afternoon here in Raleigh, the International Bluegrass Music Association announced the winners of their 2013 Momentum Award. This honor, which debuted during last year's convention, is meant to bring attention to artists and business people in the early stages
A reader recently asked if I would consider, at some point, addressing the issue of playing for free. I replied: “Sure, for 80 bucks I will.” After some negotiation, my fee was reduced to barter payment of a used lime
Bluegrass is alive and well and is poised to grow for years to come, but members of IBMA need to embrace contemporary pickers instead of trying to ostracize them, Punch Brothers banjo player Noam Pikelny said Tuesday in his keynote
The 13th Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival wrapped up on Sunday. After some rain on Saturday, the sun and pleasant temps were a welcome change, obviously helping increase attendance on Sunday. Great weather and outstanding entertainment makes for
We had a lovely chat this afternoon here in Raleigh with the crew from Rounder Records, owners Ken Irwin and Marian Leighton Levy, and Regina Joskow, Director of Publicity. They stopped by to share the news that the label will
Veteran songwriter and bass player Jon Weisberger was elected chairman of IBMA’s board of directors today, as the World of Bluegrass conference got underway in Raleigh, N.C. Weisberger, who had been co-chairman, replaces Stan Zdonik, who was chairman for three years
Our friend, David Hollender, professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, sent along this gallery of images from the FreshGrass festival in North Adams, Massachusetts this past weekend.
Alan Jackson isn't the first country artist to give bluegrass a try now that country music is morphing into pop, and he most certainly won't be the last. But by giving it a shot, he's giving bluegrass a shot in
Here's our Special Bluegrass Correspondent with the Weather Report, focusing on the big IBMA convention this week in Raleigh.
IBMA will kick off its first World of Bluegrass conference in Raleigh with new leadership. A new chairman will be elected by the board of directors Tuesday morning, the first full day of conference activities. While other candidates will be discussed,
