IBMA Announces Key Note Speakers for Conference!

Ronnie Reno, Chris Pandolfi, Yonder Mountain's Ben Kaufmann and Dave Johnston to Be Featured at IBMA Keynote Events Sept. 26-27-28
Here’s what World of Bluegrass Conference attendees can expect for Keynote addresses: 

WORLD OF BLUEGRASS KEYNOTE EVENTS:
Ronnie Reno; BlueHighways TV, Ronnie Reno & the Reno Tradition – Monday, September 26, 12:30 p.m. – Nashville Convention Center #103/104
Chris Pandolfi, The Infamous Stringdusters - Tuesday, September 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Nashville Convention Center #103/104
Ben Kaufmann & Dave Johnston, Yonder Mountain String Band, interviewed by Craig Havighurst, String Theory Media, WPLN/National Public Radio  - Wednesday, September 28, 9:15.-10:15 a.m. – Nashville Convention Center #103/104

Ronnie Reno has had one of the most colorful, diverse and distinguished careers in the music industry. On the country music side, he toured as an opening act and band member for Merle Haggard; toured with Mel Tillis; did studio work for Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and Willie Nelson; and he wrote hits for Haggard and Twitty.  
On the bluegrass side, he spent five years providing part of the trademark harmonies of the Osborne Brothers, recording five albums with the band. Bookending those personal milestones is a career based in family that has provided modern music with some of its most noteworthy moments.  
Chris Pandolfi, a gifted banjo player and philosophical blogger, performs with The Infamous Stringdusters, a band recognized by IBMA in 2007 with awards for Emerging Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Pandolfi’s grandparents, Frank and Carmela Pandolfi, started the Connecticut Opera Association in 1942. He never met his grandfather, but Chris says his grandmother lived next door as he grew up, and he and his brothers slept under her grand piano that took up her entire living room when their parents were gone.
Ben Kaufmann, on bass and Dave Johnston, on banjo are half of the Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band, a phenomenally successful band celebrating 12 years together in 2011. Kaufmann and Johnson, along with their bandmates Jeff Austin and Adam Aijala, have always played music by their own set of rules.  Blending bluegrass, rock, jazz and old-time string band music, Yonder has pioneered an original sound.
Read More in the IBMA NEWSLETTER Online