The first festivals of 2026 are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to dust off the folding chairs and guitar picks. If you live in the eastern half of the United States, it’s likely that one of the first bluegrass get-togethers you attend each year is the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) Convention that takes place at the Sheraton Music City hotel in Nashville, TN at the end of January each year. This year’s convention will take place from January 22-25.
In case you’re one of the folks who haven’t made the Nashville pilgrimage just yet, here’s a few tips for surviving the crowds, massive hallway jams, and late nights.
First, buy your tickets and reserve your rooms. The Sheraton Music City Nashville Airport hotel was built in 1985 and last renovated in 2008. Stay there if at all possible; it’s best to be where all the action is. In general, the decor feels a bit dated, but the spacious rooms are certainly a plus, especially for musicians who expect to be travelling with multiple instruments or an upright bass. If you can’t get in at the Sheraton Music City, I highly recommend the Hampton Inn by Hilton located across the street at 1 Century Boulevard. The hotel is both clean and affordable. I believe there is also a shuttle service from this location to the convention center.
Second, make sure you bring enough strings, picks, and instruments to ensure you can make music for multiple days. There is a chance you could find what you’re looking for in the exhibit area, but it’s always a good idea to play it safe. I promise you don’t want the burden of having to leave the event in search of a pack of strings, especially when you’re in a good jam! However, if you do, consider visiting one of Nashville’s premier music stores. Gruhn’s Guitars, Carter’s Vintage Guitars, and The Violin Shop are all excellent choices.
Third, pack refreshments! There are always tons of places to play music, but choices are limited when it comes to food. The hotel has a restaurant/bar that can work in a pinch, but the menu is limited. It’s a safe bet to pack some snacks for your hotel room (especially if you’re staying at the Sheraton) and bring along a small cooler for beverages. It’s not likely that the restaurant will be open at 3:00 a.m. when you’re needing nourishment before heading to bed, and finding a parking spot can be quite difficult if you’re constantly headed in and out.
If you do head out for food, I highly suggest visiting an Edley’s Bar-B-Que location. Their food is both affordable and fast. You won’t go wrong with burnt-ends, or their grits casserole. The burnt-ends are perfectly sweet yet smoky, and the grits are absolutely delectable, with a unique blend of cheesiness and spice. Another fantastic choice is the smoked turkey breast. The turkey is juicy and absolutely falls apart. A plate full of any of these items is almost worth the trip to Nashville alone.
You might also want to visit one of the popular “Nashville Hot Chicken” places around town. The recipe came about in the 1930s when a scorned woman cooked up some extra spicy chicken in an attempt to get back at her man, Thornton Prince III. To her dismay, Mr. Prince loved it, and eventually opened his own restaurant which featured the dish. Reviews on major travel sites recommend Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish, and Hattie B’s Hot Chicken.
Fourth, bring drugs (no, not that kind!). Ask enough SPBGMA veterans and you’re likely to hear about the “SPBGMA Flu.” Folks, I swear it’s real! It seems like I always return home with some sort of nasty head cold or respiratory illness. Ramping up on vitamins before attending the festivities, using hand sanitizer regularly, and actually getting some rest is likely a good way to avoid or mitigate the sickness, though. I’ve also heard good things about the medication Oscillococcinum via social media to help nip flu-like illnesses in the bud. Maybe you should go ahead and pick up some of that too.
Fifth, if you’re staying on a jamming floor, I’d strongly recommend packing some earplugs. They’ll help you sleep while your neighbors are “mashing in B” or on a fiddle tune kick they can’t seem to escape.
Last year we reported about break-ins happening during the convention, and the good folks of SPBGMA and the Sheraton Music City sprang into action quickly to help affected attendees. Sheraton Music City has stated they are working with area police to ensure guests no longer encounter these issues.
Happy picking, folks – hope to see you there!
