The funniest thing at IBMA 2011

If it wasn’t obvious from our IBMA 2011 coverage last week, a significant theme throughout this year’s World of Bluegrass was the vexing and seemingly unavoidable question, “Is it bluegrass?”

My impression is that there were more bands from outside the box than in recent years, on the main stage and in late night showcases, and a greater number of young folks in their teens and twenties milling about the convention center all week.

Many of the artists had some fun with this question, but none hit it on the sweet spot like The Hillbenders, who designed and handed out this hilarious sticker, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bluegrass!

Mandolinist Nolan Lawrence shared a few words about the genesis of this brilliant piece of promo lit.

“If you spent as much time stuck in a van as we do, with five guys rambling about some of the silliest things you can imagine, you would be amazed at some of the ideas we come up with! None of us remember how it happened or even who came up with it, but we knew from the get-go that it would be a hit.”

You can visit The Hillbenders and check out their sound online.

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About the Author

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.