World of Bluegrass 2014 notes

wob14_thFor those of you planning to attend this year’s World of Bluegrass convention later this month, here are a couple of unrelated items of note we wanted to bring to your attention.

First off, Stephen Mougin is still looking for bands willing to be critiqued in his bluegrass band master class during Wide Open Bluegrass in Raleigh. The session is scheduled on Friday, October 3, and would involve having your band perform live for Stephen, and the other bands too chicken to take part in the audience. No personal insults or comments on hygiene will be made, just helpful, positive criticisms for how you can move forward professionally.

Stephen will make suggestions on how to improve arrangements, performance, stage visuals… anything and everything that affects how you are perceived by a live audience. You’ll be in a room of peers, and the opportunity is one that groups pay good money for as a rule.

To submit your group for consideration, you’ll need to email Taylor Coughlin at IBMA with your band web site address, two YouTube links, and your contact information. She asks that you email her at taylor@ibma.org, with the subject line “Mojo’s Live Band Coaching.”

Secondly, and of particular interest to first-timers, Ted Lehmann has prepared a very detailed preview of all of the IBMA events in Raleigh on his blog. Ted looks at all the scheduled activities and functions for World of Bluegrass, Wide Open Bluegrass, Bluegrass Ramble, the International Bluegrass Music Awards, and the city of Raleigh’s street festival, including the NC Whole Hog Barbecue Championship.

There is a lot going on downtown that week and his guide is likely to help you make your plans. If you aren’t sure you want to attend, it is certain to tempt you even further!

Find it all online.

Share this:

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.