Over this next few weeks, we’ll be doing some “after action” coverage of the 2009 IBMA World Of Bluegrass event in Nashville. Our goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of participation at WOB, from a number of standpoints in the business, and where IBMA succeeds and fails in the eyes of the attendees.

First up is Darin & Brooke Aldridge, who were an invited showcase act who performed during the Monday (9/28) evening stage show, following the Keynote Address from Pete Fisher of the Grand Ole Opry.

The band is built around Darin Aldridge (formerly with The Country gentlemen and The Circuit Riders) and his wife, Brooke, a very talented bluegrass vocalist. Darin is on guitar, Brooke on mandolin, Chris Bryant on banjo, Eddie Biggerstaff on bass, and Perry Woodie on resonator guitar.

We spoke with Darin recently about their experience as an invited showcase act, and what sort of opportunities may have come their way as a result. I asked whether they had received many inquiries from festival or concert promoters at, or since IBMA.

“Yes we have John. The most important thing from IBMA was getting in front of all the promoters and performing. Brooke and I are a fresh new sound and a new band. Being a showcase artist helped us advance a year or two ahead in our career by getting in front of certain promoters. Now the follow up this month is what is most important.

We also got great media attention. On our showcase night, we got picked to go out over for an interview on the Eddie Stubbs show on WSM 650AM. Also it was out on bluegrasscountry.org. Tuesday morning we were interviewed by Fox News in Nashville, and later in the week by Chris Jones with Sirius-XM.

Brooke and I took part in the DJ taping session with radio hosts around the world, and also set up an article with Bluegrass Unlimited for 2010.”

Here is a piece of hand-held video from their IBMA performance.

Their impression was that the benefits outweighed the considerable expense and time commitment to be at IBMA.

“It was a honor to be featured as a showcase band, and was really helpful to us. We also were given a booth in the trade show Mon-Thur, and were able to meet lots of folks that might not have been there on Monday when we performed. It was nice to be able to network and meet people all week and tell them of our music and what we have to offer.”

Darin & Brooke Aldridge are represented by The Andrea Roberts Agency and are on the Mountain Home label.