IBMA has been on our minds, and on this blog a lot recently. Most of that due to the recent World of Bluegrass event held in Nashville, TN recently. Some of the discussion of IBMA though has sprung from the controversy surrounding this year’s award show. Hit the tag for IBMA 2006 Awards above to see those posts. In light of all that attention I thought it might be a good idea to do a little run down of the Board of Directors, who they are, and who they represent.

Remember these people represent us, the membership of IBMA, and should be representing our desires and concerns on the issues the board faces. If you are concerned about the direction IBMA takes in the future, I would strongly urge you to consider joining the IBMA. If you are already a member, I would urge you to find the board member(s) that represent your portion of the industry, contact them and let them know your thoughts. I’m sure they all welcome and appreciate active participation from the membership.

The IBMA board consists of 16 members elected by the professional members of the organization. The board members are elected to 3 year terms on a staggered rotation so that only a limited number are up for election at once. Recently, 5 new board members where elected. The IBMA website describes the board and it’s duties as follows. (more…)

One of the events we discussed here on The Bluegrass Blog during IBMA week in Nashville last month was Jerry Douglas’ Keynote Address to the organization on September 25.

As I mentioned in that post:

His address seemed to focus on three basic themes: bluegrass music is in good shape, it is being noticed by the larger music industry, and we ought to be willing to share it with those outside our circle.

IBMA has obtained Jerry’s permission to make the entire address available online, and we heartily commend it to our readers. It is entitled What Does Playing Bluegrass for 30 Years Do for You, and it can be found on the IBMA web site.

The recent IBMA Awards Show in Nashville resulted in some controversy surrounding the performance of some patriotic material performed by the US Navy Band, Country Current. You’ll find all the details in our previous posts here and here. There is also a very popular post in The B on the topic.

While the controversy had its beginning on sites and email lists dedicated to bluegrass music, the story has now moved into the larger blogosphere. Following coverage in The Tennessean over the weekend, it has now been picked up by sites that don’t normally dedicate much, if any, time to covering bluegrass. Predictibly these bloggers have all taken a stand on the issues involved.

The US Navy Bluegrass band asked not to play service anthems? What was IBMA thinking?

The Sheep’s Crib

…if all 300 international members are offended because the IBMA’s annual event has an American patriotic theme, TOO BAD!

Vanishing American

IBMA, keep PC and leftist politics out of bluegrass

(more…)

GAC was present at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass last month taping interviews that will begin running this week on Edge of Country, hosted Kylie Harris. The interviews were taped at the Awards Show and in the Exhibit Hall. John and I were there watching and snapping a few photos while GAC conducted interivews with both Cherryholmes and Mountain Heart.

GAC interviews Cherryholmes in the Exhibit Hall

Here’s the schedule beginning this afternoon.

Monday, October 9
1:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. EST
The Grascals
Del McCoury
Steep Canyon Rangers
Tim O’Brien
Tom T. Hall
Claire Lynch
Instrumentalist Award Winners: Jim Mills (banjo), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Missy Raines (bass), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Michael Cleveland (fiddle) & Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Curley Seckler

Tuesday, October 10
1:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. EST
Sonya Isaacs
Doyle Lawson
Vince Gill
Rhonda Vincent

Wednesday, October 11
1:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. EST
Darryl Adkins (proder, Album of the Year, Celebration Of Life, Musicians Against Childhood Cancer)
Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Thursday, October 12
1:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. EST
Cherryholmes
Mountain Heart
Carmel Sheerin and The Ravens
Randy Kohrs and The Lites

Friday, October 13
1:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. EST
Keith Sewell
Doyle Lawson
New Found Road
Cadillac Sky

Saturday, October 14
1:00 p.m. EST
Mark Newton Band
Rhonda Vincent
Alecia Nugent
Infamous Stringdusters
Tripping Lily
Ronnie Bowman
Nashville Bluegrass Band
Casey Driessen
Bradley Walker
Shawn Camp