Here, Karen adds her thoughts to those Richard shared in his previous Travelogue entries. Read them all here.

bluegrassmercury Travelogue #14
By Karen Thompson
Nashville, Tenn.  Karen’s Travelogue

We flew into Nashville late Thursday afternoon (9/25), stepping from the airport into the outside after being 2 in two airplanes in pressurised conditions for several hours was short-lived bliss, I hadn’t expected it to be so hot at 5 o’clock. But we were soon on an air-conditioned bus heading towards downtown Nashville. After checking at the Holiday Express Inn on Broadway, unpacking etc, etc we (hubby and I) took to the street to explore. It was still very hot and as we walked down Broadway towards Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge familiar and not so familiar sights greeted me.

The last time I was in Nashville was 1981, and for a short time I was transported back to the early 1980s as so much seemed to be the same as it was back then, I was only a mere slip of a girl, had not been married long, and everywhere looked big and new. But now Nashville in the dark (8 at night) looked as though it hadn’t changed much. The sights, sounds and smells all came flooding back to me.

It was only the next morning in the clear light of day when walking the same streets I realized that some things were very much the same and some things had changed significantly. Now we have the Sommett Center and the AT&M (Batman Building), and the Country Music Hall of Fame is now located downtown and the Nashville Convention Center (where I spent most of my time while in Nashville). It is comforting to know we still have the Ryman, Tootsies and Ernest Tubb’s record store still where they were 27 years ago.

When I first came here it was for a the 1981 Country Music Fan Fair, having a week of country music from dawn to dusk. Now older and slightly wiser, bluegrass music is more to my liking (although I still have a love of what I would call more traditional country music – Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Statler Brothers – but hey, didn’t they probably all grow up listening to bluegrass/old time music????)

So, my next night in Nashville was at the Station Inn, front row, watching Ronnie Bowman and band and my musical extravaganza had begun. Being married to a “Bluegrass Fanatic” for over 32 years I had a pretty good idea what I was letting myself in for, what I didn’t expect was how much I would enjoy it.

The days were long getting up at 7.30 but not getting to bed until 2 or 3 in the morning didn’t give me much beauty sleep, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Being able to see old favorites alongside newer acts gave everyone the chance to see what’s so good in bluegrass music today.

We had paid to attend the first part of the convention week, so we were able to go to some of the seminars that were held during the day, I felt a bit of a fraud as I was really only there for the music, but the ones I attended turned out to be very interesting and so I didn’t feel so out of place.

Having my trusty camera with me at all times I could also get a few pictures of people like Tom T Hall going down an escalator, me running after him and introducing myself. Having first met him back in the 1980s when he was in England – made it seem like I was meeting with an old friend. Surprisingly that’s how it was, I kept meeting with people I had originally met way back when, all of who were happy to stop and chat and catch up, that was really nice. Then going around the stands in the exhibition hall I got to chat to so many people, all of whom were very, very friendly and seemed to be particularly interested to talk to someone from England.

I managed to get out to the Opry for a couple of the shows there, finding it surprisingly easy to make arrangements to get there, I just love the transport system that Nashville has, it makes everything so much easier. At the shows I went to I got to see the likes of Connie Smith, Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, The Grascals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and my personal favorites Dailey & Vincent.

I enjoyed the after-hours shows – seeing some of the performers in a more relaxed setting, performing a few songs was good, fun thing. I fell in love with Josh Williams’ voice before I even saw him. He was performing in one of the rooms and it was so packed. Being a petite thing, I couldn’t get into the room, let alone see him from where I was standing. So, I spent most if the week following him around like a “groupie” just to be able to see one of his performances, preferably being able to sit down to enjoy it.

The highlight of the week was the Awards Show at the Ryman on Thursday 2nd October, which, incidentally, was our 32nd wedding anniversary – so, personally, I think that the pre-awards show party that we were invited to and the whole evening was really in our honor. The show was great, and at one point I was nearly in tears along with Dailey and Vincent with the amount of awards they received. The following day I met Jamie, who had remembered me from taking pictures of them and their families at the end of the Awards Show; that made my day.

On that same Friday morning (first day of the Fan Fest) we got woken at our hotel by the sound of the phone ringing – Gary Reid and his partner Bonnie were on their way over to pick us up at our hotel and take us for breakfast. We got to go and have a meal with them, which was a nice way to start the day.

The Fan Fest gave us the opportunity to see more acts and catch up with old friends from the past. Meeting up with Eddie Stubbs and then being invited to his radio program on the following Monday evening was another highlight.

It was sad that our 12 days in Nashville was soon over and we were heading back to England. If I could I would love to move to live in America, then bluegrass music would be an everyday extravaganza, rather than a once-in-a-while thing. Or maybe more bluegrass acts from the States should come over and tour England more often………………………

Thank you to everyone I met during my stay in Nashville for making me feel so welcome.

bluegrassmercury Travelogue #13
By Richard F Thompson
Nashville, Tenn.  Reflections

Our holiday ended with a delayed flight from Charlotte to London, meaning that we were travelling for almost 23 hours. Jet-lag took a four days to overcome.

However, I enjoyed every minute of our stay in Nashville. The atmosphere at both the IBMA business conference and Fan Fest was as Peter Wernick described; all “hustle and bustle,” I think is what he said.

The programme for the conference was packed and there wasn’t a moment when activity slackened, it seemed. I was able to meet many people that I hadn’t seen in 20 years and spend time with some new friends; put a face to a name, in some instances, as well as meet some who were completely new to me. Networking was a significant element and I am content that in the time available I did as much as I could to make myself known and to promote myself to others.

I wasn’t as tired as I expected I might be. Mind over matter and a good breakfast daily kept stamina up. That said, there was a point on Saturday, maybe very late Friday night, when recovery from lack of sleep began to diminish markedly. On Saturday perhaps I should have just sat and listened to the music, instead of looking for any photographic opportunity and going for it, so to speak. Our investment included expenditure on photographic equipment and taking photographs was one of the reasons for attending. Karen and I have a reasonable catalogue of pictures. I hope that some of them may even find their way into a magazine at some time in future.

I took advantage of as many learning opportunities as were relevant to me as journalist. Another year there may have been more seminars etc. that could have been useful to me, but you can only grasp the opportunities that present themselves.

Where there were choices to be made was in sampling the music during the showcases and at FanFest. Here personal taste won over education, ie watching and listening to a band with whom I had very limited acquaintance. Some may recall that I had spent a bit of time assessing bands before leaving home. Armed with a mental note of the bands that I wanted to see, I attempted to plan my week by making references in the programme. I must say the pocket version of the programme is an exceptionally good idea. Kudos to whoever thought of the format and arranged for it to be printed. Despite the careful planning, I still missed bands that I wanted to see. Offsetting that are the many wonderful surprises that I enjoyed by just making random choices or sitting where I was to see what the next band was like. Ultimately, an attendee has to make the best of what is on offer.

As a ‘once-in-a-life-time’ adventure, it is the elder statesmen of bluegrass that I regret not seeing; Paul Williams, Melvin Goins and JD Crowe come to mind. From the younger generation, I had planned to see/listen to Kody Norris, but‚Ķ didn’t.

The highlight of the week has to be the Awards Show. The atmosphere was electric to start with and it became more super-charged as the evening progressed. With that in mind I make no excuses for having another picture of Dailey & Vincent to illustrate this last Travelogue.

I hope that this series has been as enjoyable to read as it has been for me to compose. Now that vast swathes of the world is feeling the cold, economically, as well as, climatically, I hope that your bluegrass memories of 2008, whether jogged by mine or otherwise, will keep you warm until your next fix of live bluegrass music. Happy Holidays!

Since I have mentioned my lovely, little wife Karen so frequently in these travelogues we thought it would be appropriate to invite her to submit a review as she sees it. So, wait for it ……..coming soon!

bluegrassmercury Travelogue # 12
By Richard F Thompson
Nashville, Tenn. Sunday, October 6

Karen and I spent the day relaxing and sightseeing, starting by the Cumberland River and working our way back up Broadway via First Avenue and Second Avenue.

I was disappointed to find that Fort Nashborough – the name of the first settlement – had been moved from its original site. I guess that it was part of the price of progress.

Although, it was largely a day free from music and, therefore, possibly of little interest to those who want to know about my bluegrass experiences, I found a lot of interest in down-town Nashville, if you look beyond the tackiness of NashVegas.

Viewed from the river, First Avenue looked as though the buildings were used as warehousing for goods landed from staging on the river bank. Viewed from Second Avenue, those same buildings appeared to extend through to the depth of the whole of the block. This prompted me to look closely at the buildings along the way.

The three storey Watkins Block along leafy Second Avenue was built in 1875, the two storey premises now occupied by Hatch Show Print was built in 1880, or thereabouts, and the oldest property in down-town Nashville – 102 Fifth Avenue South – was built about 1816. The Ryman Auditorium was built in 1892 and further out, but within our walking range, the Union Station building, an example of late-Victorian Romanesque Revival architecture, was opened n 1900 and the Hume-Fogg High School, a Tudor Revival building, has parts that date from 1855.

Among these older buildings is a variety of examples of more modern, but nonetheless still interesting, architecture, such as that for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Sommet Centre and the Frist Museum. However, the landscape is dominated by the 32-storey AT& T (a.k.a. Batman) building, completed in August 1994.

For the second time during our stay we had a late lunch at Merchants bar/restaurant on Broadway. This is Karen’s favourite place to eat.

We spent the early part of the evening at the Ford Theatre, at the invitation of Eddie Stubbs for his regular monthly Intimate Evening with ‚Ķ… His guest was Michael Martin Murphey, dubbed the “singing cowboy poet,” from Texas. Murphey who was in the city for an appearance on Saturday (10/4) at the IBMA Fan Fest and delayed his return home to accommodate the interview with Stubbs.

As well as talking to Stubbs, Murphey performed a few of the songs from his forthcoming bluegrass-orientated album Buckaroo Blue Grass on Rural Rhythm Records. He was accompanied by his son, Ryan on guitar; Pat Flynn, of New Grass Revival fame, also playing guitar; and Casey Henry, playing banjo. Among the songs that he performed was his classic Carolina in the Pines.

Following that we took a few photographs, capturing parts of Nashville at night, before returning to our hotel for a snack.

Editor’s note: A photo Richard is featured this week on the front page of WAMU’s Bluegrass Country web site as a part of their bumper sticker promotion. They have posted a number of listener photos with their WAMU bumper stcikers on Flickr.

bluegrassmercury Travelogue # 11
By Richard F Thompson
Nashville, Tenn. Sunday, October 5

Earlier in the week, I had been invited by Bob Webster, WAMU’s Bluegrass Country, to join him while he did his Stained Glass Bluegrass show.

Unlike the schedule for other WAMU transmissions from Nashville that week, Bob’s programme was broadcast at its regular Washington DC time. This caused me some problems with my mental arithmetic. What time was that Nashville time? To cut a long story short – I will say it involved trying to think of the time that the show aired London time – I arrived at the studio on the fourth floor of the Renaissance Hotel an hour early. I knew where my body was, but where my tired mind was I don’t know. In an attempt to wake up, I went to have some breakfast and an essential cup of coffee. I can laugh about it now!

Bob and I chatted about the English man John Newton, who wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace, the bluegrass scene in the UK and played a couple of appropriate recordings, including the Isaacs’ version of the Newton song.

A little while later, I sat in while Larry Stephenson was interviewed by Bob That was a thrilling experience.

Sunday morning at Fan Fest is devoted to bluegrass Gospel with all but one of the bands scheduled having bluegrass Gospel as their forte or their last album featured sacred music (and sometimes that is one and the same thing).

Unfortunately, we missed seeing Paul Williams & Victory Trio; it was one of the few disappointments of the week. However, David Parmley & Continental Divide; Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Band; The Larry Stephenson Band, with Kristin Scott Benson making one of her last, if not the last, appearance with Larry Stephenson before joining The Grascals; and Don Rigsby & Midnight Call all beautifully sang His praises, just as many do on a Sunday.

With the close of Fan Fest, Karen and I expressed our gratitude to Dan Hays for the way in which the week had passed smoothly and to bid farewell to those who we would not see again, before finding a restaurant in which we could have a relaxed lunch.

We didn’t have very far to go! We can recommend Demo’s at the corner of Third Avenue North and Commerce Street. It served good food, the staff were attentive without being overbearing and the atmosphere was restful, despite the restaurant appearing to be busy.

We spent the rest of the day enjoying the sunshine, doing some packing and planning for our last full day in Nashville.

bluegrassmercury Travelogue # 10
By Richard F Thompson
Nashville, Tenn. Saturday, October 4

With tiredness clearly taking its toll on our energy levels, we made a slow start to the day and it wasn’t until about 1:00pm that we went into hall where the Fan Fest Main Stage acts were performing.

Audie Blaylock & Redline, with youngsters Patrick McAvinue and Evan Ward on fiddle and banjo respectively, offered a solid set from the traditional bluegrass mould; NewFound Road, supplemented by a guest fiddler; Circuit Riders; Special Consensus; bluegrass songbird Alicia Nugent; and Williams & Clark Expedition, a quartet with very strong pickers that had piqued my interest from afar. Before taking a break for food – a lovely dish of pork and beans – I traded a few jokes with former Blue Grass Boy Blake Williams.

Fan Fest resumed with Ralph Stanley II, who really tugged at the heartstrings with his rendition of Fred Eaglesmith’s song Carter, a tribute to his late uncle; Ronnie Bowman, who we enjoyed as much as when we saw them at the Station Inn, but what was more noticeable, from a different perspective, was Donica Christensen’s strong right hand on the banjo; Dailey & Vincent; with very young mandolin picker — showing that they had remained down-to-earth after their incredible week of much adulation – as well as treating us to some of their stellar vocals.

During a brief break from the music, there was a presentation to Carl Jackson, who was responsible for organising Fan Fest. It was well deserved recognition for a lot of hard work.

Vince Gill, with Deanie Richardson, Charlie Cushman, Mike Bub and Jeff White providing close support. Gill is smooth-voiced, but his set was bluegrass to my ears, with two songs that he did, Cold Gray Light Of Gone and Go Rest High On That Mountain, remaining in the forefront of my memory. Bradley Walker, [Ken, when are we going to get a second CD from this superb singer?]; Kathy Mattea, showcasing songs from her back-to-basics CD Coal; and The Lonesome River Band closed the Saturday evening portion of Fan Fest.

bluegrassmercury Travelogue # 9
By Richard F Thompson
Nashville, Tenn. Friday, October 3

Fan Fest began this morning, almost 12 hours of bluegrass with little break – officially an hour – if you wanted. This was staged in a very large room next to the Exhibit Hall.

Firstly though, Karen and I had a walk through the Exhibit Hall to see what changes there were as the business conference had ended and new vendors were there pitching their wares. Among the new exhibitors was Kevin Kerfoot and, his wife, Lori, of Bluegrass Music Profiles. Apart from the sample copy in the ‘goody bag’, given to us as part of the registration process, I had not seen this magazine. So we had a look through some earlier editions before purchasing a copy of each that looked interesting and bought some pins of the type that Karen was seeking as gifts for her work colleagues. Later we noticed some similar pins at the Bluegrass Unlimited stand. Our acquisitions there included more gifts and some souvenirs.

Having met Casey Henry earlier in the week, it was an added pleasure to meet her mum, Murphy, and thank her for her help, given freely whenever I had asked in the past.

We joined fellow fans part way through the set by the Infamous Stringdusters, for whom I am taking an increasing liking; followed by the young and immensely talented Sierra Hull & Highway 111; and banjo ace Tony Trischka.

As there was then an interval, we grabbed some food and went to see The Grascals providing a break for the competitors in the Grand Master Fiddler Championship, which was taking place on Level 2.

The Fan Fest schedule resumed with a set from Dale Ann Bradley, who, as the newly-crowned Female Vocalist, was very warmly received by the audience. Following her were fine sets from Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out; the splendidly attired Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Cherryholmes, who provided some family-style entertainment, by a family, for a family; The Dan Tyminski Band, showcasing songs from his excellent album Wheels; The Grascals (yet again!); and Mountain Heart with Tony Rice closed the show. Rice’s appearance triggered a rush of people to the stage for a closer look at the guitar maestro.

En route to the Grand Ballroom, we enjoyed a very brief set from Josh Williams (yet again!) and, subsequently, from Ralph Stanley II. He has come a long way since he was a youngster at the Edale Bluegrass Festival, singing I Ain’t ‘wost’ with his father.

We were doing very well; tiredness wasn’t that much of a problem at midnight. So, I urged Karen to join me to see and hear The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, assuring her that she would like them. She wasn’t sure, but I was right! They are very entertaining and worth a spot at any bluegrass festival wanting a change from straight bluegrass music for 30 minutes or an hour. The Mark Newton Band, with Carl Jackson accompanying them on guitar, followed; Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time; and, very briefly for us, Cadillac Sky.

By 1:30am tiredness did take over and we left early, content that Saturday would feature yet more top bands.

This one comes to us from Larche Hardy, who serves as News Director for WMBB News 13 in Panama City, FL.

Hardy tells the tail of trying to sleep on a jamming floor in the Renaissance Hotel. He light heartedly describes the jammers on his floor as “persistent and pesky.” He laments the fact that official activities kept him to busy to participate.

Expressing a feeling well known to IBMA attendees, Hardy describes the way he feels late in the week.

By Saturday morning, I was a stranger to myself. I can’t remember the last time I had been so sleep deprived.

After relating stories of sleepless nights, unhelpful hotel staff, and exploding eggs, Hardy closes with this paragraph.

Will I go again next year? Heck yeah! IBMA is the epicenter of bluegrass music and I can’t imagine a life without it.

Read the entire entry here.

bluegrassmercury Travelogue # 8
By Richard F Thompson
Nashville, Tenn. Thursday, October 2

Thursday was dominated by the prize-giving events, a Special Awards Luncheon and, in the evening, The IBMA Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium.

Firstly though, I attended the Town Hall Meeting, one of about 60 people. There was a lively discussion about a number of issues, including requests for handouts before or at WOB sessions; the structure of showcases, official and unofficial, and their timing; the new strategic plan; Leadership Bluegrass; the International Summit; the impact of US economic downturn; and constituency meetings.

After the meeting Karen and I went up to the Renaissance Ballroom to join others who were already seated at tables ready for the luncheon and awaiting the announcement of the winners of the special awards.

Among the awards given were those to the five individuals or organizations that were, in the eyes of the IBMA, deserving of a Distinguished Achievement Award. Those five were, in order of receipt – Art Menius (presented by Lance LeRoy), Bill Harrell (presented by former band member of Harrell’s, Larry Stephenson), The Banjo Newsletter (presented by Tony Trischka to the Nitchie family, who run the magazine following founder Hub Nitchie’s passing), The Ernest Tubb Record Shop (presented to the current owner of the business, David McCormick, by Eddie Stubbs) and, jointly, Joe Carr and Alan Munde for their work as educators at the
at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, and as musicians (presented to Alan Munde by Mike Bub). More information about these recipients can be found at the IBMA website.

Interspersed with the presentations of the Distinguished Achievement Awards were presentations of some special category awards. The winners this year were, again in order of receipt, my friend Gary B. Reid (presented by Alison Brown) for Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project – The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966), The Stanley Brothers, Time Life. There wasn’t any surprise there; Gary is an undisputed expert on the Stanley Brothers’ music and he writes well. It’s the third time that he has won this particular award.

Following that was the announcement that Greg Carr and Sarah Holman had won the Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project award for What The, Pete Wernick & Flexigrass, Niwot Records. Chris Stuart won the Print Media Person of the Year award (presented by last year’s winners, Brance and John, hosts of this website). Stuart’s award is extremely well merited in my opinion.

The Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year award was won by Kyle Cantrell of Bluegrass Junction, XM Satellite Radio, (presented by fellow DJ Chris Jones). I was hoping that Katy Daley would have got that particular prize. But, being in England, I don’t listen to XM Satellite Radio.

Lastly, there was the award for Bluegrass Event of the Year – won by the 29th Annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival; Brunswick, Maine; Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2007 (presented by Bob Cornett and received by Patti Crocker).

We had another quick wander around the Exhibit Hall to see if we had missed anything or anybody.

So, since we had an invitation to attend the pre-awards show party we headed to our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, four blocks away, to get ‘dolled up.’

The party was lots of fun; we spent most of our time taking pictures, rather than eating what we selected from a fine buffet. Lots of people were dressed in their finest clothes and well-perfumed.

The Awards Show began promptly at 8:30pm with The Steep Canyon Rangers singing their excellent hit song, Loving Pretty Women, and joined towards the end of the performance by three female clog dancers. Great entertainment from the start. The show was hosted this year by one of the stalwarts of bluegrass, Del McCoury, who introduced Seirra Hull and Ron Block to announce the winners of Emerging Artist; Dailey & Vincent.

Following that, Barry Bales was presented with the award for the top bass player of the year. Thereafter there was a musical interlude with performances by Blue Highway, singing Through The Window Of A Train, and The Grascals, with their ‘grassified’ version of Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line.

Then Terry Baucom and Sonya Isaacs announced the winner of the Gospel Performance award; By The Mark, written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and performed by Dailey & Vincent. The presentation of the Fiddle Player of the Year award to Michael Cleveland was followed by a performance by the Steel Drivers’ favorite Drinking Dark Whisky.

Claire Lynch joined Larry Cordle on stage to announce the winner of the Instrumental Album of the Year; Andy Hall’s Sound Of The Slide Guitar and followed that by presenting the award for the top banjo to Kristin Scott Benson. Hearty congratulations are very much in order here, as she is only the second female to capture this particular prize. Very well done!

A nominee for Entertainer of the Year award, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver played a tribute to some of those in bluegrass music in the past 60 years or so with Monroe’s Mandolin.

Although they were not present on stage, the winners of the Distinguished Merit awards were all acknowledged at this point.

The entertainment continued with a performance by The Del McCoury Band of the topical Moneyland. Given the recessionary period in which we are in currently, was the writing and recording of this song prescient also?

Next, the members of the Swedish group G2 Bluegrass Band got to open the envelope to tell the world that the winner of the Recorded Event of the Year was Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother, which featured Everett Lilly, a few members of the Lilly family and their many friends. Following that they announced that Josh Williams had won the Guitar Player of the Year award.

One of the highlights of the evening was the performance by Dailey & Vincent of the award-winning song By The Mark. This was followed by the acknowledgment of the winners of the special awards, presented at lunch time.

At this point, Alecia Nugent and Bradley Walker announced the winner of Female Vocalist; Dale Ann Bradley, who was already the queen of bluegrass, having won this same award last year. Subsequently the duo heralded the already nine-times winner of the Dobro ® Player of the Year; Rob Ickes.

An audience favorite, the Dan Tyminski Band came on stage and sang the Patrick McDougal song and the title track from their 2008 CD release, Wheels.

Another of the highlights of the evening was the introduction of the first of the two inductions into the IBMA Hall of Fame, namely to the late Charles K Wolfe. The honor was acknowledged by his brother, Gary, accompanied by Wolfe’s wife and two daughters.

Carrie Hassler and Josh Williams announced two awards, firstly for Male Vocalist, with the winner not being a great surprise; a very emotional Jamie Dailey, and then that for the Mandolin Player of the Year; Adam Steffey.

Next there was a performance by The Infamous Stringdusters of Three Days In July, a great song about the Civil War battle at Gettysburg written by Jon Weisberger and Mark Simos.

Following that, Kathy Mattea and Tony Trischka announced the winners of the Song of the Year award won by Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford for Through The Window Of A Train as recorded by Blue Highway. Then for the Instrumental Group; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper.

Eddie Stubbs returned to the stage to honour the second inductee of the night to the Hall of Fame, the original bluegrass ambassador, Bill Clifton. During the introduction we had the pleasure of listening to a short medley of some of Clifton’s best recorded work. Since there had been an International Summit during the week, honoring Clifton at this time was a masterstroke, coincidental or not.

My great friends Lynn Morris and Marshall Wilborn announced the winners of the Album of the Year award and the winners were Dailey & Vincent for their eponymous release. Dailey and Vincent were called back immediately to receive Vocal Group of the Year. It wasn’t the last time that they were to return to stage!

At this point Dale Ann Bradley gave a stellar performance of Julia Belle, the Chris Stuart song written for the banjo player in his band, Backcountry, Janet Beazley.

Vince Gill announced the winner of Entertainer of the Year award, after quipping that it was “a good year to be called Vincent.” Inevitably, I think, the prize went to Dailey & Vincent.

Del McCoury closed with a comment and to introduce a finale from Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, who played a medley in a tribute to the Holy Trinity of bluegrass music.

As can be seen above Dailey & Vincent took an unprecedented six awards. Was the acclamation louder with each award that they received? Maybe, it was unrestrained at the announcement of the Entertainer of the Year award.

And so to party …. Since Karen and I were celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary we thought that we would mark the occasion with a drink. Thus we ventured into the bar of the Renaissance Hotel, had a couple of glasses of wine each and enjoyed listening to the jammers, chatting and enjoying the craic.

bluegrassmercury – Travelogue #6

by Richard F Thompson

Nashville, Tenn Tuesday, September 30

Karen and I woke early to another wonderfully hot, sunny day with only a few clouds in the sky, thinking that late nights aren’t a problem. Learning quickly, we stoked up with breakfast and I set off to sign up for some mentor sessions, leaving Karen to attend to some very important technical tasks such as download yesterday’s photographs and re-charging camera batteries. Teamwork, just like with a well-oiled bluegrass band!

I was able to book an appointment for three Mentor Sessions, each giving me the opportunity to talk to experts in my chosen subjects, writing and photography.

My next ‘appointment’ was in the Music City Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel to observe proceedings at the International Summit. I spent a good two hours learning about bluegrass music as it has developed around the world. The 29 participants reviewed the history of the music, swapping facts at a fast lick. Effectively, they were building a solid foundation from which to move on. As is often said to students of bluegrass, “You can’t go forward if you don’t know where you have been.”

After introducing myself to Fred Bartenstein, who has helped me with information or a comment so many times in the past, I left them to enjoy lunch; it had been a long session for them, having started at 8:30am.

Karen and I grabbed a sandwich and a drink and took a moment to reflect, before heading to the Print Media and Education constituency meeting, where we got to meet our new board representative, Craig Havighurst, who was taking over from Stephanie Ledgin. Stephanie was there to ensure the smooth transition of duties.

From there I visited the Exhibit Hall where we splashed the cash by buying a stack of CDs and DVDs. Well bluegrass music reminds me of warm summertime breezes, a perfect antidote to the long, dark and cold winter nights that will be here very soon. On some DVDs you can even see the summertime sun!

Up on Level 2 (the Exhibit Hall is down on Level 1, for those that have never been to the Nashville Convention Centre) Sierra Hull, Cia Cherryholmes and Ron Block were hosts to a quickly rotating roster of bluegrass songwriters. I remember seeing Louisa Branscombe and Keith Harden & Rick Alan Carpenter. Each of the hosts performed one of their own songs.

Back in the Renaissance ballroom activity resumed with the evening’s artists showcases (8:30pm to 11:00pm). Leading off was the fine Italian quintet, Red Wine; with former country singer and songwriter Donna Ulisse and her band; the Charlie Sizemore Band, performing many of the great songs from his much heralded recent CD release, Good News; Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice; and the effervescent Valerie Smith with her fiddle-playing band-mate Becky Buller, with whom Ms. Smith has a new album, Here’s A Little Song.

Karen made a forlorn attempt to see and hear Dailey & Vincent, but too many people had the same idea and she could barely hear the band let alone see them. So she joined me in enjoying Country Current retiree Frank Solivan with his band, Dirty Kitchen; the very recently formed Summertown Road, resplendently dressed from head to toe in black; David Peterson & His Old Time Country Review, providing an alternative to bluegrass music with a classic country music act; the show stealing Gold Heart, with some very mature music that belied their predominantly very youthful ages; the Claire Lynch Band, whose set of swing numbers was interrupted by a broken guitar string, thus providing Mark Schatz an opportunity to ham bone Get Along Home, Cindy. Great entertainment!

Larry Cordle/Carl Jackson/Jerry Salley closed the evening’s entertainment for us with some of their fine original songs.

If you missed them earlier, these are videos we shot during the pre-awards show party at the 2008 IBMA convention on October 2. Katy Daley of WAMU’s Bluegrass Country was our charming hostess and she spoke briefly with many of the bluegrass stars before they headed into The Ryman for the big show.

It was fun to see our favorite artists dressed to kill and taking a turn on The Bluegrass Blog Red Carpet.

Here are direct links to the videos:

• Red Carpet interview #1 – Dailey & Vincent, Cadillac Sky
• Red Carpet interview #2 – Del McCoury, Dan Tyminski
• Red Carpet interview #3 – Eddie & Martha Adcock, Chris Eldridge
• Red Carpet interview #4 – G2, Missy Raines
• Red Carpet interview #5 – Russell Moore, Josh Williams
  
• See all 5 Red Carpet interviews

You can see all of our IBMA 2008 videos by following this link.

bluegrassmercury – Travelogue #5
by Richard F Thompson

Nashville, Tenn Monday, September 29

Having spent a few days at a leisurely pace we continued in that vein on Monday morning and the impression that I got when registering at that IBMA booths in the lobby of the Convention Center was that not many other people were in a rush either.

However, a shortage of numbers didn’t mean a shortage of personalities as Karen and I gathered behind Ken Irwin and his wife. It was good to see him again and we recalled our first meeting, when he accompanied the Johnson Mountain Boys to England for their 1987 trip to headline the Edale Bluegrass Festival (June 1987) and appearances elsewhere in the country.

As first-timers for a convention in Nashville, we thought it prudent to attend the orientation presentation, but for me that was not before I had a few very anxious moments with a faulty mobile phone. How did we ever manage without them? In my frantic attempts to get the phone working I bumped – almost literally – into the Johnsons [Stewart, Sophia and Hannah], three fifths of The Toy Hearts. Would you believe it? We travelled so many miles and the first people I should meet live 20 miles from my home!

Later, Karen and I grabbed some food, had a drink and sat and watched people passing, hoping to see people we know or names that we recognised. Roland White was busy at a table not far from us. After a while, Katy Daley walked by and Roland and I spent some time chatting with her. Later, Roland, who was a traveling companion with me as a ‘roadie’ when the Nashville Bluegrass Band played some dates in England, generously gave me a copy of a Lester Flatt songbook, one of a handful that he had recently found in his loft. Aren’t bluegrass people so thoughtful and generous?

It wasn’t long afterwards that The Bluegrass Blog team had its first board meeting, so to speak. The minutes indicate that business was swiftly completed with introductions and a check that we all had what was needed for an enjoyable, yet business-like week.

One of the purposes for my attending the Convention was to learn; there was a lot that I either didn’t know or that needed improvement. All right, there still is! But that’s not the fault of seminar panelists or mentors. So, I went along to learn about writing a Press Release. Kudos here to Karen Byrd, the moderator, who provided an agenda and notes for all who attended and, since it was an interactive session, participated. It was a good session and I will refer to the notes repeatedly.

It wouldn’t be out of place here to remind those who attended (or couldn’t make it because of other commitments) any seminar that they were recorded and CDs are available from the IBMA office.

As Karen and I wandered around the Exhibition Hall it was evident that some exhibitors were still setting up. That said, registrants were increasing in numbers.

That was clear as we took our seat for the Key Note speech by Roger Brown. As revealed in an earlier posting, Brown spoke of the history of bluegrass matching the timeline with that of be-bop music. How apt that what Brown was saying should be followed by the first showcase act of the evening from the ‘funky’ Dixie Bee-Liners. As Tim Stafford commented a little while later, “There are bands that are even funkier.” We shall see.

However, I had an appointment, so I had to take a break from the music to join up with another long-standing friend, Eddie Stubbs, with whom I chatted on air (650 AM WSM) about bluegrass in Britain and what enticed me to the IBMA Convention this particular year. It’s the “International” element that I keep speaking of.

Eddie took great pride in reminding me that we named our son after him. Apparently, he has four boys, a cat and a dog named after him, but he stressed our “little Eddie” was the first. I’m pleased to say that I am very proud to be associated with both gentlemen.

While on the subject of the “I” in “IBMA”, I bumped, metaphorically speaking, into the first international ambassador for bluegrass, Bill Clifton, who was typically gracious about being inducted into the Hall of Fame, indicating that there were others, such as the Morris Brothers, who came before him and were more worthy of the accolade. I don’t think you will find a European bluegrass fan that will tell you that Bill doesn’t deserve the honour. Anyway, it was great to see him again and hear the stories that he had to tell.

Back at the showcases, I returned in time to enjoy a full set from the Gibson brothers, who, it seems to me, have a lot more variety in their music these days. I can recommend their CD Iron & Diamonds (Sugar Hill). Completing the official line-up were The SteelDrivers with their heavy blues orientated style of bluegrass music. Not everybody’s cup of tea, but it helps if you are aware of Charlie Patton and his ilk.

During the after hours sessions we took in Cedar Hill, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Charlie Sizemore (appearing solo), Josh Williams, Spring Creek and The Toy Hearts. I have long enjoyed Frank Ray and his very traditional approach to bluegrass. Lorraine Jordan and Charlie Sizemore both have solid traditional grounding, but have both up-dated the music in their individual ways. Sizemore only had a guitar for accompaniment and he whetted the appetite for his full-band showcase later in the week. Williams, Spring Creek and The Toy Hearts are all up-and-coming stylists and I am sure that there will be considerable development to their careers in a few short years.

Gosh, did I do all that in my 16 hour day?

While the move to Nashville from Louisville has generated the four highest attended conventions since the first was held in 1986 in Owensboro, KY, the 2008 numbers do show an attendance decline of nearly 11% from 2007.

This bears out our impression based on both discussions with exhibitors and traffic in the exhibit area this year. Given an uncertain economic climate and then-still high gas prices, I think everyone expected to see a drop for 2008. In truth, I had thought it might have been even steeper.

Our take is that the primary decline was among the non-business and/or part-time professional people – the many folks who typically come to jam, socialize and do a little business as well. The attendance at the official showcases, meals, keynote address and special awards didn’t strike me as off from 2007, nor did the crowds for the late night showcases.

The awards show at the Ryman sold out again, and the only serious complaints we heard came from exhibitors, especially those who depend on the traffic from serious fans and amateur pickers.

Here are the raw numbers as supplied by the IBMA.

Business Conference 2008

• 1729 Unique Attendees (5742 cumulative/4 days)
• 72 Exhibitors
• 19 Showcasing Artists (Avg. Attendance – 700)
• 10 Showcasing Songwriters
• 337 "After Hours" Artist Showcases
• 22 Seminars Attended by 1138
• 151 Mentor Sessions on 33 topics
• 1 Gig Fair (520 appointments for event producers and artists/agents)
• 2 Song Demo Listening Sessions
• 1 Crash Course for New Artists attended by 65
• 1 Crash Course for Songwriters attended by 94
• 1 Leadership Bluegrass "master class" for 38
• 1 General Membership Meeting
• 8 Member Constituency Meetings

IBMA Awards Show

• Attendance ‚Äì 2,225 (sold out)
• Radio Broadcast on 320+ Network Affiliates (live on XM)
• Largest Broadcast of any Bluegrass Special

Fan Fest 2008

• 4,487 Unique Attendees (11,579 cumulative/3 days)
• Performing Artists – 60+ Acts on Three Stages
• 76 Exhibitors

Bluegrass In The Schools Programs

• Accredited Teacher In-Service Training Program for 52

Dan Hays at IBMA told us that Fan Fest income has not yet been fully tabulated and may not be available to the board for another couple of months.

He titles his piece IBMA – Why You Should Care, and uses nearly fifty of his fine photos to make the point, to wit, that reading online discussions…

“…it’s easy to get the impression that IBMA only gives unsatisfying awards and generates complaints from traditionalists, progressives, neo-proto-pseudo bluegrassers. Instead, what we encountered was a vital organization seeking to increase professionalism, provide opportunities for musicians and promoters to meet and make connections, showcase new and experienced bands, examine the many issues confronting bluegrass music in these difficult times, raise money to support bluegrass people in distress through Fan Fest, and provide a great time for all those who attend. That’s a pretty big agenda, and IBMA fulfilled its goal.”

Ted visited as many of the various World Of Bluegrass Activities as he could, and has photos from the Mentor Sessions, Gig Fair, Exhibit Hall and the official and late night showcases.

He concludes with the statement that titles his piece…

“So why should you care about IBMA? Because it’s about you. If you want to have a voice, IBMA is the place to have it. If you want to learn about the world of bluegrass, IBMA is the place to do it. If you want to luxuriate in an abundance of great bluegrass music from all the schools and strains of the genre, IBMA is the place to hear it. If you want to see your favorites and get a chance to talk with them, IBMA is the place to interact. We’re eager to get on board for next year’s event.”

Read the full piece online.

bluegrassmercury – Travelogue #4
by Richard F Thompson

Nashville, Tenn Saturday, September 27

From no matter where you have traveled, there are some essential activities that must be included in the itinerary of a visitor to Music City or Nash Vegas, as some call the home of country music.

These include the Ryman Auditorium, on whose stage bluegrass music is proudly proclaimed as being born, and the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum, where bluegrass music is notably a part of the spectrum in both sections of the apparently futuristic building. I say apparently, as the architecture bears representations of a rural past and country music and its history. The interior of the lifts is timber-lined, made to look like a barn, the front window placement mirrors the configuration of piano keys, the point n the building’s sweeping arc suggests a tailfin of a Cadillac sedan and the discs on top of the rotunda, which itself looks like a grain silo, represent the 78rpm record, the long-play record, the 45rpm single and the compact disc. Soaring above is a miniaturised replica of the diamond shaped WSM radio tower.

The premises, completed in 2001, are located on Fifth Avenue South and very short distance from the junction with Broadway.

Artifacts from the Holy Trinity of bluegrass music and others are present for all to see and admire.

The Country Music Hall of Fame

Some of the displays are of a temporary nature, such as two that were on view when we visited: Family Tradition, The Williams Family Legacy and Kitty Wells: Queen Of Country Music.

Of course, the CMHoF has Bill Monroe’s Lloyd Loar F5 mandolin and Maybelle Carter’s Gibson guitar, each the subject, currently, of dispute owing to the means by which these two famous instruments were purchased prior to being presented to the Country Music Foundation.

In the well-lit Hall of Fame, located on the upper level of the rotunda, are plaques for Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Owen Bradley (producer of some of Monroe’s recordings) and Art Satherley, the only English man to be so honored and also a producer of Monroe recordings. Others with markers commemorating their considerable work in country music are the original Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Uncle Dave Macon, Hank Williams, the Delmore Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, songwriter Tom T Hall and Ernest “Pop” Stoneman, the last two named being among this year’s inductees.

One very unexpected aspect of our visit was a meeting with Robert Macon, grandson of the great entertainer. He freely shared a few of the wonderful stories associated with Uncle Dave.

The Ryman Auditorium, on Fifth Avenue North, doubles as a museum and a fully functional concert hall. Because of the later use there is limited scope for displays. However there are some on the lower level of the auditorium. One of these is dedicated to bluegrass music, with pictures, a time line, 78rpm records, Bill Monroe’s Grammy Award plaque, a few IBMA Awards, including that which Ronnie McCoury presented to Bill Monroe after the former won the award one particular year (1993, I guess).

There’s a display commemorating Thomas Ryman, who donated so generously to the building of the tabernacle, to note its original use, and a few floor level cabinets with apparel from a variety of country music performers, including Bill Monroe.

In both buildings there is a gallery of Hatch Show Prints, produced by an organization that has held a long association with country and bluegrass music.

There are other sights in the down town area of the city, but more of those another time.

In this episdoe: The Steeldrivers, Russell Moore, Josh Williams, and David Grier.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video is brought to you in part, by Huber Banjos.

We had a blast with these Red Carpet videos and we’d like to thank our hostess Katy Daley for making the red carpet experience so enjoyable. Until next year…

In this episdoe: G2 Bluegrass Band, Alan Bartram (Del McCoury Band), Danny Roberts (Grascals), Missy Raines, and Steve Gully & Alan Bibey of Grasstowne.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video is brought to you in part, by Huber Banjos.

In this episdoe: Eddie & Martha Adcock, Chris Jones & Ned Luberecki, Adam Steffey, Alecia Nugent, Terry & Cindy Baucom, Danny Paisley, and Chris Eldridge.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video is brought to you in part, by Huber Banjos.

“The IBMA conference was very helpful to me in accomplishing my professional goals for the week.  I was sent to the conference by a client, Beartrap Summer Music Festival in Casper, Wyoming.  We are exploring ideas for improving the structure of our organization and expanding community support for our festival.

During the IBMA conference, I had the opportunity to visit with dozens of festival organizers and attend seminars related to my professional interests. The information I gained from these conversations will be very helpful for the future success of Beartrap Summer Festival.

Congratulations to IBMA President, Greg Cahill, the entire IBMA Board and the IBMA staff for a great conference!”

If you would like to share your impressions of how the recent IBMA conference may have furthered your professional interests, please to contact us.

You’ll see Del McCoury, Dan Tyminski, Nicky Sanders (Steep Canyon Rangers), Pete & Kitsy Kuykendall, Larry & Dreama Stephenson, Nancy Cardwell of IBMA, and Casey Henry, all grace our Red Carpet. Enjoy…

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video is brought to you in part, by Huber Banjos.

We were delighted, however, to get this more positive report from painter Karen Cannon, who had a large booth in the exhibit area during Fan Fest.

“IBMA Fan Fest was a great show for me. Sales were brisk, some folks were returning customers and a number of them discovered my art for the first time this year. We were happy to see that the current economy debacle didn’t noticeably dampen spirits, everyone was happy and having a great time.

The Awards Show was very well done, and having it in The Ryman was a treat. The IBMA staff does a great job with all aspects of the convention.

An added bonus to the Nashville trip: we finalized plans with the Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman, and The Country Music Hall of Fame to carry our music art products. I’ll be doing custom work for The Opry and am looking forward to that. And I’m already planning my exhibit for Fan Fest 2009 and hope to have several new designs to debut there. It’s going to be a busy year.

Looks like I’d better learn how to paint with both hands at the same time!”

We would be interested in hearing from anyone else who exhibited at IBMA 2008, or anyone who attended in a professional capacity, with your own impressions of the event, how well it met your expectations, and how well you accomplished your goals.