Rhiannon Giddens to Deliver Keynote Address at IBMA Business Conference

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced that Rhiannon Giddens, Co-Founder of Carolina Chocolate Drops, 2016 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo recipient and GRAMMY nominee, will deliver the Keynote Address at this year’s Business Conference.

Giddens’ album “Freedom Highway” was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, and last year she was awarded the BBC2 Folk Award for Singer of the Year.

Bluegrass Association Sends Open Letter to Trump!

President Trump’s proposed 2018 federal budget, announced last month, includes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In response, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s executive director Paul Schiminger has sent a letter on behalf of the entire bluegrass industry to President Trump and to key legislators in support of both the NEA and the NEH.

IBMA Gratuates 26 New “Movers & Shakers” in the Industry!

The International Bluegrass Music Association is proud to announce the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2017.

Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences that invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, and pursue leadership development.

IBMA Bluegrass Ramble Accepting Entries!

IBMA’s 2017 Bluegrass Ramble will take place September 26 - 28. 

Once again in beautiful downtown Raleigh, NC during IBMA's World of Bluegrass selected bands will showcase their talent.

All emerging bands plus established bands with new music or new personnel are encouraged to apply. The application process opens Tuesday, January 17th at 10 AM Central.

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED

          JAN  17 - FEB  28, 2017

IBMA Speaks Out on SiriusXM Holiday Issue!

A letter to members, from IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger,  calls for more SiriusXM Subscribers and requests fans not cancel their subscriptions due to frustration.

Read the full message below:

IBMA Award Winners!

Winners of the 26th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards are:

Entertainer of the Year:  The Earls of Leicester
Female Vocalist of the Year: Rhonda Vincent
Male Vocalist of the Year: Shawn Camp
Vocal Group of the Year:  Balsam Range

IBMA Director Explains Awards Process

To clear up any confusion on the IBMA Awards voting process, Executive Director Paul Schiminger presents a primer about how the nominees are selected by the professional members!

IBMA Keynote Address To Be Delivered by Nick Forster!

Nick Forster, best known for his work with influential bluegrass band Hot Rize and as host and founder of the musical and environmental radio program, eTown, will deliver the keynote address during International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2015 event,  which takes place September 29 – October 3 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  

Forster’s address is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Sept. 29, acting as the official kick-off for the IBMA Business Conference portion of World of Bluegrass 2015. Located in the Raleigh Convention Center, the Keynote Reception will take place 4-5:30 p.m.

Distinguished Achievement Award for Early Dobro Pioneer Oswald Kirby!

A well deserved Distinguished Achievement Award will be presented to the late Bashful Brother Oswald Kirby, who helped introduce music fans to the Dobro when he joined Roy Acuff's  band in the late 1930s.

The award will be presented posthumously on October 1st. at the 2015 IBMA convention during a special awards luncheon prior to the annual awards held later in the evening.

Bill Keith and Larry Sparks - New IBMA Hall of Famers!

The International Bluegrass Music Association announced that revered musicians BILL KEITH and LARRY SPARKS will be inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame at its Awards Show in Raleigh, North Carolina on Thursday, October 1, 2015.

Nominees For IBMA’s Momentum Awards Announced!

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced the nominees for this year’s Momentum Awards.

The winners of the 2015 Momentum Awards will be presented with their awards at a luncheon on Wednesday, September 30 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event,  September 29 -October 3.

This year’s Momentum Award nominees are:

All-Bluegrass Show Highlights Award Nominations Day!

Top-tier bluegrass performers The Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, Travelin’ McCourys and Chris Jones and the Night Drivers will play a special all-bluegrass show at Music City Roots (at the Factory in Franklin) on Wednesday night, August 12 at 7p.m. CDT.

The all-bluegrass show will follow a day of award nomination announcements for the 26^th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, which take place Thursday, October 1 in Raleigh, North Carolina during World of Bluegrass week.

 

Gibsons to Host IBMA Awards!

The Gibson Brothers – two-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year recipients and one of the hottest touring acts in contemporary bluegrass –will host IBMA’s 26^th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards.

First Slate of Artists Announced for Wide Open Bluegrass!

The IBMA released an initial list of performers for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival which takes place October 2-3 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Wide Open Bluegrass includes both ticketed main stage performances at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater and free stages. A portion of proceeds from the ticket sales of Red Hat Amphitheater go to the Bluegrass Trust Fund, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to individuals in the bluegrass music community in times of emergency need.

New Executive Director at IBMA

The International Bluegrass Music Association’s Board of Directors announced that Paul J. Schiminger has been selected as the organization’s Executive Director.

Schiminger’s expected start date is June 1, and he will be based at the IBMA’s office in Nashville, Tennessee. 

IBMA’s “Bluegrass Ramble” Showcase Artists Selected !

The first round of artists have been announced for the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases which will take place at select venues throughout downtown Raleigh, North Carolina during the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass 2015 event, September 29 – Oct 3.

In addition to these “official” showcase performers, additional artists will be added to the Bluegrass Ramble via co-sponsored shows at the venues along with privately hosted “After Hours Showcases” (Tuesday – Friday) at the Marriott.

New Leadership At IBMA Expected Soon!

In their message to members, the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) says they expect to have a new Executive Director possibly as soon as mid-April.

"...we anticipate being able to announce a new Executive Director within the next 4-6 weeks."

Final Week for IBMA Showcase Applications!

The World of Bluegrass Showcase opportunities exist to help introduce emerging bands to the bluegrass community. 

Even established bands with new personnel or new music take advantage of the once-a-year window.

IBMA's Bluegrass Ramble Showcase Applications Open Jan. 15th !

The 2015 Bluegrass Ramble will take place September 29 - October 1, once again in beautiful downtown Raleigh, NC, and all emerging bluegrass bands, as well as established bands with new music or new personnel, are encouraged to apply. 
 

Two New Board Members at IBMA !

The IBMA Board of Directors has selected two new members to fill vacancies in Board-appointed seats.

The new members are D. A. Callaway, best known for presenting the Bluegrass & Barbeque festival at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO (which earned the IBMA's Bluegrass Event of the Year in 2011), and Steve Martin - or, as he likes to call himself, the other Steve Martin.