2024 IBMA Industry and Momentum Awards nominees
The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the nominees for their 2024 Industry and Momentum Awards. Both these nominees and the ultimate winners are named by select committees of IBMA members chosen for this purpose, in a multi-stage process of voting. The IBMA Industry Awards are given to honor crucial areas of the business outside performing […]
Country Gongbang’s Opry debut
Country Gongbang makes their Grand Ole Opry debut (6/22/24) – photo courtesy the Grand Ole Opry South Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang had a big night last Saturday on their first US tour when they got to play on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for the first time. They got the full debut treatment, […]
New IBMA webinar celebrates the life of Earl Scruggs
Attention banjo pickers and Earl Scruggs fans! The International Bluegrass Music Association is hosting a free webinar on May 15 offering a glimpse into the life of banjo innovator Earl Scruggs. It will be offered on the IBMA Facebook page at noon, central time. Tony Trischka, whose new album, Earl Jam, includes his transcribed arrangements […]
World of Bluegrass moving closer to new host city
When IBMA made the surprise announcement last fall that 2024 would be the last year for World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, members were told they would be asked for feedback about a potential move, and that a decision was likely by the end of 2023. The IBMA board didn’t meet that self-imposed deadline, obviously. And […]
IBMA congratulates 2024 Leadership Bluegrass graduates
The International Bluegrass Music Association has introduced the graduating class from their 2024 Leadership Bluegrass symposium. Each year, roughly two dozen people are selected in a competitive process to attend a seminar in Nashville, designed to build future leaders within the bluegrass industry. Or as IBMA describes it, “an intensive three-day program of advanced-level interactive […]
Watch Barbara Martin Stephens interview online
The recent interview with early bluegrass and country music pioneer Barbara Martin Stephens, conducted by Leadership Bluegrass, about her work as an artist representative in the 1950s and ’60s when such work was rarely done by women, is now available for online viewing. Stephens was the first female booking agent on Music Row when she […]
Leadership Bluegrass presents Barbara Martin Stephens on history of booking
IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass has announced the next in their ongoing series of Virtual Workshops. On January 10, from noon to 1:00 p.m. (EST) they will present Booking History: From the Hayride to Music Row with Barbara Martin Stephens, an overview of artist representation from the late 1950s forward. Stephens is a legend among Nashville booking […]
IBMA benefit concert comes full Circle
IBMA benefit concert at the Station Inn (12/11/23) – photo by David Morris More than 50 years after he helped create the legendary Will The Circle Be Unbroken album with his colleagues in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and an all-star lineup of musicians, John McEuen brought the magic full circle Monday night at Nashville’s […]
IBMA seeking new Board candidates
Here’s a notice for everyone who complains about the way the International Bluegrass Music Association runs its business. Or those who have no argument with the IBMA, but would like to be more deeply involved. IBMA is currently seeking candidates for election to their Board of Directors. Members serve a three year term, with the […]
IBMA Foundation MC Masterclass now available on YouTube
The IBMA Foundation Masterclass on serving as a master of ceremonies at bluegrass events that was held as a Zoom presentation on November 8, has now been released on YouTube in perpetuity. The full 90 minute presentation, which features information and discussion from four well experienced bluegrass presenters, can be viewed by anyone, regardless of […]
