IBMA World of Bluegrass Wrap-Up

Guest Blogger: Terri Holloway puts the last words on a week of everything bluegrass and opens the question for next year.

It's Fan Fest time, once again! This is the time when bluegrass fans from all over the world descend upon the artists, labels and vendors hawking everything from vintage instruments to pick holders (and giving away free guitar/mandolin picks, too). Fans have a very high chance of seeing, touching and talking directly to their favorite artists in addition to purchasing music and t-shirts. Where else in the music world does this happen?!?

The International Bluegrass Music Association Fan Fest happens beginning Friday morning immediately following the IBMA trophy-fest, this year held at the historic Ryman Auditorium. (Award winners can be found in many blog and news posts from Thursday night and this morning.)

It was nice, too, to see award presentation attendees wandering around the Nashville Convention Center and assorted downtown locations in their finery before heading into the Ryman. Quite a refreshing change from blue jeans and t-shirts, I think. There seems to be those of us at a certain age who still enjoy getting all dressed up with someplace to go.

As predicted, attendance at the World of Bluegrass conference picked up throughout the week, but didn't quite seem to be where it has been in years past. (A conversation held Friday afternoon revealed that actual attendance numbers would not be available until a later date.) Workshops (labeled as “Educational Opportunities”) didn't seem to quite fill to capacity. Interesting points of view were discussed in the ones I attended, though, with board members moderating them. Attendance at special show cases also seemed to be low – a continuing trend from earlier in the week.

Convention Center hallways were not exactly filled to capacity with jammers, but there were several more to be found than in previous days. They were still small groups, generally three or four musicians, but they had a few more spectators. It was very nice, too, to stand at the bottom of the Renaissance escalator on Thursday evening and here music wafting from floors above. While sitting in the Bridge Bar on the third floor of the Renaissance, it was possible to listen closely and hear more than one group playing. One had to listen very closely, but musical sounds could be heard coming from around the corner.

Gone from the Exhibition Hall on Friday were the record labels and representative booths, including that terrific one from Quicksilver Productions. These were replaced by retail companies selling wares at terrific Fan Fest-only prices – upright bass strings for $120! Complete sets of mandolin strings, just $5.00! Vendors reported slow sales, but more traffic than earlier in the week (for those who've been there all week). Those who weren't there reported some disappointment in the attendance levels, but did not offer opinions as to why.

At the end of the day we have to ask ourselves if it's all worth it. Did we get all that we came to Nashville to get? Were our goals for the annual conference met? Did we learn? Network? Did event promoters book all the bands they want for their festivals? Did record labels find the next great band? Did we have fun? Play (and hear) enough music?

Each attendee has an answer to these questions, but judging by the yawns spotted during mid-day, I think the last one was answered. What of the others? For this writer it's time to head west. Back to the real world of laundry and house payments. But memories of a week spent immersed in our music culture will carry through.


Your comments, opinions and views are welcome.