The California Bluegrass Association is happy to be announcing the upcoming GREAT 48 Hour Jam,
The event will be held at the Bakersfield DoubleTree Hotel January 9 through 12, 2014. The announcement makes specific note of the fact that this year the event will be held on the 2nd weekend of January rather than the first as it has been in the past.
The 2013 “Great 48 Hour Jam” held this past January lived up to all expectations, and then some. The 6th year of this annual event was bigger and better with tons of non-stop Bluegrass jamming throughout the hotel.
Pickers from all parts of California descended on the event in greater numbers and were even joined by a few out of state folks. Bluegrass clubs and organizations were well represented and in addition to the California Bluegrass Association (CBA) those bringing sizable contingents and hosting jam suites were the Bluegrass Association of Southern California (BASC), Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast (BMSCC), Northern California Bluegrass Society (NCBS), San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS), and the Southwest Bluegrass Association (SWBA).
The “Great 48” has proven to be one heck of a way to kick off the Bluegrass New Year and maybe the best time of the year to pick, sing, grin and rub elbows with folks from the far reaches of California and beyond.
A great addition to the 2012 and 2013 events was the introduction of the “Showcase Showdown” Bluegrass band competition. Four bands from various parts of California were selected by an independent panel of judges and performed at the GREAT 48 on Thursday night. That same panel selected a winner which was given a slot at the FDF’s Pioneer Stage.
Rocky Neck Bluegrass won the competition in 2013; last year the winner was Grasslands winning the 2013 spot. The 2014 “Showcase Showdown” is set for Thursday, January 9, and is open to any non-touring California based Bluegrass Band, (with last year’s winner ineligible.)
The four bands which are selected by the judges perform 25 minute sets and receive $500. As in the past, the band selected as winner of the competition receives a paid set at Grass Valley. For further information regarding the Showcase Showdown and how to enter your band contact Dave Gooding: 707-365-1940.
The Saturday night band scramble and open mic has had great support and attendance each year and there will be a number of musical workshops held on Saturday afternoon.
A Friday night concert is once again in the works, but plans are still pending.
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