Bluegrass’ Best On Two Discs - Tribute to Monroe!

With Body And Soul and Let The Light Shine Down

feature a total of 34 cuts, some previously unissued, as well as notes by distinguished writer and Monroe biographer Neil V. Rosenberg

2011 marks the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Bill Monroe, creator of bluegrass, and without doubt one of the most important and influential figures in American music. In a career that began in the late 1930s, Monroe and his band The Blue Grass Boys started a new genre of roots-based music that not only influenced artists worldwide, from Elvis Presley on down, but effectively shaped or changed the lives of literally thousand of professional and amateur musicians.

Teacher’s Workshop to Focus on Bill Monroe

“CELEBRATING BILL MONROE, THE FATHER OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN THE CLASSROOM” Teacher Workshop Sept. 9 in Nashville

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and IBMA are collaborating on a teacher workshop Sept. 9 at the museum in Nashville from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hosted the week of the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the Father of Bluegrass Music, the workshop will focus on Monroe and practical ways for elementary and middle school educators to share bluegrass music with their students.

Administrators, curriculum specialists, and college students majoring in education are also welcome.

IBMA Fan Fest Celebrates Bill Monroe and Bluegrass Music!

Nashville, TN….
Bluegrass music’s premier indoor festival is just around the corner, and this year’s event celebrating the 100^th birthday of the late Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, will definitely be one you don’t want to miss! 
Reserve your tickets now for IBMA’s Bluegrass Fan Fest, scheduled for Sept. 30 – October 2, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The star-studded grand finale of World of Bluegrass Week (Sept. 26 – Oct. 2) will present the talents of more than 60 headline acts on the Main Stage, the Masters Workshop Stage and at the Grand Master Fiddler Championship—thanks to the sponsorship of L.R. Baggs, Martin Guitars, Martha White, Knee Deep in Bluegrass and WSM-AM 650. 

In addition to the “cool factor” of breathing in some of the best live bluegrass music on the planet and meeting artists after their sets at their merch tables, Fan Fest attendees will enjoy visiting a bluegrass music-themed exhibit hall with more than 100 booths, taking part in a number of special promotions and giveaways, and of course there will be plenty of space for picking on all three levels of the Nashville Convention Center.

Bluegrass Hall of Fame Members to perform at Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration

Fifteen members of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame will perform with their respective bands during the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration, September 12, 13 and 14, 2011.

Performers include Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Jesse McReynolds, J. D. Crowe, Bobby Osborne, Eddie Adcock, Tom Gray, Curly Seckler, Everett Lilly, The Lewis Family, Bill Clifton, Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard, Melvin Goins, and Paul Williams.

Niall Toner Releases New Single Honoring The Father of Bluegrass!

Niall toner Bluegrass and Roots Music Singer/Songwriter from Ireland Releases New Single: William Smith Monroe
The leader of the Niall Toner Band from Ireland is still celebrating his music reaching the number one download spot on the bluegrass and folk charts for Air Play Direct during the month of March, an extraordinary achievement for a songwriter based in Ireland. As a result, Niall Toner Band has been enjoying an ever-increasing amount of air play on American Radio. Niall's songs about Bill Monroe, Bill Monroe's Mandolin and The Master's Resting Place, are proving most popular with Radio DJs and listeners in this year of Monroe's Centenary.

"Finish the Film" to Complete Bill Monroe Documentary Project!

International Bluegrass Music Museum Launches "Finish the Film" Campaign to Complete Bill Monroe Centennial Documentary Project

...Two convenient ways to donate - donations are tax deductible...

The International Bluegrass Music Museum is in the final stages of completing a full-length documentary video about Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of his birth on September 13, 1911. To accomplish this goal, the Museum is reaching out to fans of bluegrass music and music lovers everywhere.

 Interested parties can make a donation in the next six weeks by one of two ways: donate on the Museum's secure home page, , or mail a check to IBMM, 207 E. 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. Please write "Bill Monroe Documentary" in the subject line.

At the Museum's annual outdoor music festival, ROMP, which took place June 23-25, over $7,500 was raised to kick start the documentary completion campaign. The goal is to raise $50,000 to complete the documentary in time for the once-in-a-century Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration taking place at the Museum September 12 -14. Donors may choose from several premium thank you gifts from the Museum. For more information CLICK HERE .

Mighty Dark To Travel - New Release from Audie Blaylock

New Single Release by Audie Blaylock & Redline

“Mighty Dark to Travel” now out to radio

 Listen to a clip of the new single

Song is from upcoming album release of

I’M GOING BACK TO OLD KENTUCKY (A Bill Monroe Celebration)

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the first single, “Mighty Dark to Travel” has been released to bluegrass radio via New Cuts of Bluegrass, Volume II and also now available via AirplayDirect.com. The song is from the upcoming album release, I’M GOING BACK TO OLD KENTUCKY (A Bill Monroe Celebration) by Audie Blaylock and Redline set for digital release on May 17 and physical release May 31, 2011.