This one features Katy Daley interviewing Terry & Cindy Baucom.

Click here to view the embedded video.

She has shots from the rehearsals and sound checks for the awards show, plus some back stage and hallway shots from the Renaissance Hotel. Access to the rehearsal is always tightly controlled, but Cindy took advantage of her status to snap a few pictures during the proceedings.

You can see all the photos in this gallery online.

Cindy was especially complimentary of Steve Martin, who will be lending his considerable star power to the event. She said that he has been very generous with his time, and while he offered to do anything in the show that she thought would be helpful, he had made a particular point of ensuring that he would not be getting stage time that should be going to “someone more deserving,” as he put it more than once.

One change this year is that our good buddy Ned Luberecki will be serving as backstage announcer, a job that Eddie Stubbs has handled for many a year. Eddie was unable to slip away from his WSM Thursday night duties this year, and Ned jumped at the chance to fill in.

Cindy also mentioned how proud she was to get some of the acts that haven’t performed on the show in some time back for 2009. Both Lonesome River Band and IIIrd Tyme Out return this year.

The show will open with a performance from Dale Ann Bradley, and will also include songs from Sierra Hull & Highway 111 and a very special “band duet” appearance from Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice and Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on October 1. Sirius-XM subscribers can listen to the show live on Bluegrass Junction, and of course, The Bluegrass Blog will offer live blog coverage here in real time.

Cindy Baucom has posted a number of photos she took during the festival on her Knee Deep In Bluegrass blog. She has shots from stage shows, from backstage and some in the vendors’ area.

Tom Bibey has extensive Merlefest commentary available on his blog as well. Tom is a physician (now semi-retired) who also writes fiction, and is a bluegrass picker to boot.

His Merlefest posts primarily convey his impressions of the weekend’s events, including comments about two of our favorite bluegrass artists.

“Kristin Scott Benson shows she didn’t win the IBMA banjo player of the year just cause she’s young and a pretty face; the kid can burn up the five string. She not only blisters the breakdowns as well as any man alive, but plays the backup with uncommon sensitivity. Maybe it is from years of nurture, but women seem to know how to be supportive and make a man look better. I know my Marfar does. The Grascals are fine players, but Kristin sure did brighten up the stage when she joined the group.

I like a female in the mix. As Sierra said, bluegrass was once a boy’s club. I remember when it was that way, and the change is good. Why have a refrigerator limited to bologna and beer when it can be everything from tofu and casseroles to chops for the grill? “

Bibey has a book of bluegrass fiction in the works, The Mandolin Case, due for publication in 2010.

Our friend Cindy Baucom of Knee-Deep In Bluegrass, has teamed up with JohnBoy & Billy to produce an Earl Scruggs – Family & Friends concert in Charlotte, NC on Saturday April 11, 2009. To celebrate the event, Cindy has graciously given us 4 tickets to share with our readers.

Here’s the concert info.

JohnBoy & Billy and Knee-Deep In Bluegrass present:

The Legendary EARL SCRUGGS with Family & Friends

Saturday April 11, 2009
Ovens Auditorium
2700 East Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28205

Tickets: $26 – $46.50 (available through TicketMaster and these locations)

Doors open at 7PM, Show starts at 8PM

Here’s how this is going to work. We have 4 tickets to give away, so we’re going to give away two pairs of tickets. That means you have two chances to win.

Between now and April 7, 2009 we’ll place the following text somewhere on the main page of The Bluegrass Blog, in blue.

FREE EARL SCRUGGS TICKETS

When you see that text, be the first to email us at giveaway@thebluegrassblog.com with the exact location of the text, and the tickets are yours. You must specify the location in order to win. For example, the text might appear directly below the search box in the left sidebar, or at the top of a particular post (in which case you will need to specify the title of the post).

We’ve used random.org to preselect the dates and times for the two appearances of the winning notice.

Have fun, and keep an eye out for that winning text!

The 2008 show features interviews with Blue Highway, Alison Brown, Steep Canyon Rangers, Vince Gill and The Infamous Stringdusters along with Christmas bluegrass music from Bill Monroe, Rhonda Vincent, Josh Williams, Ricky Skaggs and many others.

To get the download, the stations should contact Premiere Radio Networks (818-377-5300) for a user name and password.

More details on the 2008 Knee Deep In Bluegrass Christmas Special can be found online.

The piece, From the Runway to the Airway, She’s Still The Queen by Sherrie Norris, talks with Cindy about her role as co-producer of the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards show in October, and how her growing up in a bluegrass family prepared her for a career in radio.

On Oct. 2, 2008, Cindy actually produced the 2008 IBMA Awards Show at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville ‚Äì the biggest and "bluest" night of the year for the industry — showcasing every top-billed bluegrass entertainer in the business today.

"It was really neat to call people like Ricky Skaggs and ask him to be on the show and then, on that night, to see it all come together ‚Äì months of planning with the highest achievers in the industry surrounded by their fans and affiliates ‚Äì all in one place. Wow! I can’t describe what it all means to me! "

No small feat for a country girl who says her love for the music began to take shape early in life. "My father, a bluegrass musician and instrument builder, always had the music playing in the house or in the car, and frequently had band practices at our home as I was growing up. As a child, I attended fiddlers’ conventions and bluegrass festivals, giving [me] the opportunity to hear some of the best music anywhere." More importantly, she stresses, were the many life-long friendships she made.

Over the years, her love for and knowledge of the music, as well as her outgoing personality and public speaking abilities, won her favor in the industry. She quickly became a highly sought-after emcee for many top events including Merlefest, (she has been affiliated since its beginning, missing only one year since), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Bluegrass Festival, Bass Mountain Bluegrass Festival, the IBMA FanFest in Nashville, and many others. She also has been a contributor to Bluegrass Unlimited magazine as both a writer and photographer.

Read the full piece online.

The IBMA Awards Show, hosted by revered singer and guitarist Del McCoury, will feature a stellar group of performers who will entertain the audience in between the presentation of the awards. The list includes some of this year’s top nominees Blue Highway, Dale Ann Bradley, Dailey & Vincent, The Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals, The Infamous Stringdusters, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The SteelDrivers, The Steep Canyon Rangers and others.

Among the others are the reigning Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals, who hope to take home the crystal trophies they have held in that category for the last two years.

Seven-time Vocal Group of the Year Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will showcase their tight harmonies and showmanship, while songbird Dale Ann Bradley, reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, will give the audience a taste of why she is nominated again this year.

If that isn’t enough Cindy Baucom, who with Ned Luberecki has organized the event, had this to say about what’s in store for the night ‚Ķ..

“There will be some wonderful surprises! Bluegrass Fans will not want to miss this one!”

A highlight of the awards show will be the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame honorees–Bill Clifton, a pioneering artist, songwriter and international ambassador for bluegrass music, and the late author and historian, Charles K. Wolfe.

The current list of award presenters includes nominees Sierra Hull, Sonya Isaacs, Claire Lynch, Bradley Walker, Marshall Wilborn and Josh Williams, along with Terry Baucom, Ron Block, Larry Cordle, G2 Bluegrass Band, Carrie Hassler, Kathy Mattea, Lynn Morris, Alecia Nugent and Tony Trischka.

The International Bluegrass Music Awards are determined by the professional membership of the association and recognize outstanding achievement in the bluegrass genre. The show is syndicated to more than 300 radio stations across the country and around the world, and will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio, XM 14 Bluegrass Junction. National sponsors for the show include Martha White Foods, GACTV, GHS Strings, Pinecastle Records, MerleFest and Deering Banjos.

The star-studded event takes place on Thursday, October 2 on the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium, the very place where bluegrass music was born. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, September 19, by calling the Ryman box office at 615-889-3060 or Ticketmaster at 615-255-9600.

Cindy was on hand to capture some interviews for her syndicated bluegrass radio show, Knee Deep In Bluegrass – and captured a few digital images as well.

Only professional members vote in board elections. Elected representatives serve for a period of three years beginning with their installment on September 29, 2008.

Here are the four new board members, the constituency they represent, and a little background info about them.

Carl Jackson, an award-winning artist, songwriter and producer from Gallatin, Tennessee, was elected to represent artists and composers.

Ronnie McCoury, an award-winning artist, producer and member of the Del McCoury Band from Hendersonville, Tennessee was elected as an "at-large" representative for all members.

Cindy Baucom, from Elkin, North Carolina, is an award-winning broadcast personality who hosts the nationally syndicated program "Knee Deep in Bluegrass," was elected to represent the broadcast media.

Craig Havighurst, an award-winning independent journalist, author and producer whose company (String Theory Media) is located in Nashville, Tennessee, was elected by IBMA’s print media and education members.

These new board members join the existing board members (replacing four who previously held these posts) to compose the 17 member policy-making, governing body of the organization.

Both are experienced radio professionals – Ned with Sirius Bluegrass and Cindy with her syndicated show, Knee Deep In Bluegrass. Ned is also a touring musician, performing on banjo and serving as an instructor at banjo camps worldwide, and Cindy has worked in live event planning and production.

This annual awards show is the culminating event at the IBMA’s Business Conference, where performers and industry professionals are feted for their work by their peers in the business.

More details and ticket information can be found on the IBMA web site.

Festival organizers tell me the event was a success and plans are already underway for next year.

The lineup for the festival was an impressive list of both regional and national bluegrass acts. Saturday night included a special All-Star Jam including Terry Baucom and Wes Golding, both of whom were members of Boone Creek when the debut album was released 30 years ago. Baucom and Golding were joined on stage by long time musical collaborator Lou Reid, and relative newcomer Josh Williams.

I wish I could have heard that! Cindy Baucom sent along this photo taken by Mike Lane.

Recently the show added several new affiliates.

WXBC 104.3 FM, in Hardinsburg, KY is now airing the show every Saturday morning from 8 to 10 AM.

The show has also been picked up by WJLX and WJBE in Jasper, Alabama. WJLX 1240 AM and their sister station, WJBE, 88.5 FM, are both airing the program. Knee-Deep In Bluegrass has also been picked up by the American Bluegrass Network, a new offering on Live 365 internet radio.

These new additions come as Cindy comes to a milestone of 25 years of Bluegrass Radio programming. She first went on-the-air on her hometown radio station of WKSK, West Jefferson, NC in April of 1983, at the age of 17. Her after school job was producing and hosting a show called ‘The Bluegrass Spectacular’. That position turned into a full-time one upon her graduation from high school in June of 1983. After 4 and a half years on her hometown station, she moved to North Wilkesboro and took at position with WKBC FM and AM, serving as morning show host and producing a Bluegrass Show there called ‘The Bluegrass Breakdown’. By working in local radio in the Wilkes County area in the late 80’s, Cindy got in on the ground level of Merlefest involvement with radio interviews, promotion and emcee work. Cindy recalls, in the early days of Merlefest – then called the Merle Watson Memorial Festival – that Doc Watson would sit in on her show, performing live and talking about the festival. By the mid-90’s, Cindy took a position at 105.7 WFMX in Statesville, NC, where she remained until the start of her syndicated radio show, through Premiere Radio and John Boy & Billy, Inc. in 2003.

Cindy has related to me in the past her excitement on first seeing Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver perform live. She had played their music as a young DJ and was somewhat star-struck to meet them in person. Years later, she’s now married to original banjo player Terry Baucom. She was noticeably excited about her most recent Ebay acquisition.

Congratulations on 25 years of great radio Cindy!

The festival is more than just bluegrass music, it’s a celebration of traditions of the Carolinas. In addition to some great bluegrass music, there will be food, displays, a children’s area, craft show, merchandise vendors, open mic, jam sessions, camping and more.

The line up of bluegrass acts for the festival are:

• Steep Canyon Rangers
• Cadillac Sky
• Lou Reid and Carolina
• Kenny and Amanda Smith Band
• Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain

Besides all these great bluegrass groups, there will also be a special Allstar Bluegrass Super Jam featuring Terry Baucom and Special Guests-including Wes Golding, Josh Williams, Lou Reid, Wayne Winkle and more.

Tickets for the weekend, if purchased in advance, are $40.00. At the gate, the tickets will be $25.00 per day. Children 10 and under will be admitted FREE. Rough camping is available for $5.00 per day.

Tickets will be available at ETIX.com (not yet listed) and a number of businesses across the region

Vendor spaces cost $20.00 per day until 3/31/08, after 3/31/08 they will be $25. Vendor space includes one comp admission.

For additional information, call 1-800-891-0350, or visit farmfestnc.com

Christmas time is one of the most favorite times of the year for Terry and me. Every year we enjoy watching holiday movies, listening to our favorite Christmas songs, shopping, decorating and spending time with those we love most.

Christmas Eve is spent with Terry’s family in Monroe, North Carolina. His mother is a wonderful cook. We enjoy all kinds of treats from her kitchen. Terry’s favorite, though, is the coconut cake she always makes from scratch. I enjoy hearing stories from Terry’s Father about their rabbit hunting when Terry was young…and the first Christmas he asked for banjo in 1962. Terry has two sisters, who join us, with their families for this annual get-together on Christmas Eve.

Terry and I exchange gifts late Christmas Eve. He tells me one of his most memorable gifts from me, was the guitar my Father built for him a few years ago. He also surprises me with some cool things, too, however, the most important thing to us is reflecting on our blessings of the past year and spending this special time together.

Christmas Day is spent with my family. I grew up in Ashe County, in the mountains of North Carolina. We always had a real Christmas Tree and a Christmas Play at Church. These days, Christmas Day is filled with a great meal with my children, Mom, Dad, Brothers, Aunt and Uncle. An afternoon ‘Christmas Jam’ always follows with Terry, Dad, my Brothers and myself. The kids spend the afternoon playing the latest video games on the XBox. We are truly blessed with family, friends, music and health.

To all our friends in Bluegrass, we wish to send out a special wish for the happiest of holidays. We look forward to an exciting 2008!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

I’ve got to give credit to all the band members for being such professionals. The sound was something less than desirable in the front of house, and I understand it was the same way in the monitors. The band pressed on though, and played a great set in spite of the poor environment they found themselves in. I know just how hard it is to play, let alone entertain, under such circumstances, but Kenny and Amanda delivered as fine a performance as one could hope for.

Their recent gospel album was just nominated for a Grammy and they performed a number of songs from that recording, along with some material from previous CDs.

And what a treat it is to see this band with Terry Baucom driving the 5! Cindy Baucom was also present for the evening and I enjoyed getting to visit with her.

My only complaint is that their set was to short, but what can you say when it’s free? As we were leaving though, the band treated us to an impromptu a cappella performance the entry way of the building. WOW!

This band is always entertaining, and getting to see them live just reinforces what you know after listening to their CD, these guys are good!

Here are a few more photos I took at the show.

All regular affilate stations will receive this special holiday show automatically, but Cindy tells us that the show is also available to stations that don’t normally syndicate the show. Interested stations may request a copy of the Knee-Deep In Bluegrass Holiday Show by calling 800-891-0350.

New studios are being constructed for the station, including a sound stage from which they can broadcast live performances. Plans are underway for the station to begin webcasting soon, and there is even talk of some cable television broadcasts originating from the station’s new studio.

The new owners are committed to including quality bluegrass programming in the station’s broadcast schedule, and to that end they have arranged to become the first station in South Carolina to carry the award winning, syndicated show, Knee-Deep In Bluegrass, hosted by Cindy Baucom.

I am happy to announce the addition of WLSC, Loris, South Carolina, to the network of stations airing “Knee-Deep In Bluegrass”. Currently there are 70 radio stations in 24 states airing “Knee-Deep In Bluegrass”. After 4 and half years of syndication, WLSC becomes the very first South Carolina affiliate station.

This should be good news for all those in Eastern South Carolina who previously had no bluegrass programming in their area.

To find a station in your area that carries the show, be sure to visit the Knee-Deep In Bluegrass Station Finder. If there isn’t a station in your area that carries the show, call and request that they do so.

Later today, Cindy will join WWB station manager Gracie Muldoon at 1:30 p.m. to talk about her own bluegrass radio show, Knee Deep In Bluegrass, which airs weekly on more than 50 stations throughout the US. Cindy was named as the IBMA Broadcast Personality Of The Year in 2005.

Next Friday, September 7 at 1:30, Gracie will have Terry Baucom as her guest to discuss his new signature model banjo, made by Sullivan. He’ll probably also be talking about his soon-to-be-released instructional DVD for banjo.

Terry has been prominent in several of the most groundbreaking bands in bluegrass, being a founding member of Boone Creek, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and IIIrd Tyme Out. He just recently left Doyle’s band after a return stint of more than 4 years.

Visit WorldWideBluegrass.com to hear both of the Baucoms with Gracie, where they stream bluegrass 24/7 online.

Cindy’s show is a two-hour weekly syndicated show featuring both current and classic bluegrass, bluegrass news, and an in-depth artist interview each week. The wife of banjo great Terry Baucom, and an accomplished bass player in her own right, Cindy is knowledgeable and passionate about bluegrass music.

Knee-Deep In Bluegrass is produced by Premiere Radio Networks and distributed to more than 65 markets nationwide by the John Boy and Billy Radio Network. Stations interested in getting more information or a show demo may call the network at 800-891-0350.

Fans should be sure to visit the Knee-Deep In Bluegrass website to find an affiliate station in their local area.