We posted a report last month about the recent European Bluegrass Summit held in B?ºhl/Baden (Germany) in early February. The summit was convened to allow for closer collaboration among European bluegrass associations, and to further the promotion of bluegrass music in Europe.

One of the first fruits of this conference has been announced, the work of the ‘booking issues’ group. They have created a notice board, posted on the EBMA web site, where bands planning a tour in Europe can announce their tour dates in a central place for promoters and venues to view them.

John Sheldon, secretary of the Scottish Bluegrass Association, has written an open letter to any artists who might be interested in this service:

Planning a European tour?  Do you have a European festival booking and are you looking for some more follow on gigs? Do you have a gig offer in Europe and are you looking to build up a tour?

If you are acting as your own agent and organizing your own tour you can put your dates forward to me with a request for enquiries to be routed  to your e-mail/telephone number etc. This will be placed on the On Line Notice Board. This can be accessed from a button on the EBMA site, and more links are being established with bluegrass promoters, European Music Festivals and European National Bluegrass Associations.

What I am looking for is a fairly concise notice about your tour with links to your own site. You can put this notice forward to me as your own representation, or if you have an agent/manager I’m happy to accept information from your representative.

Information can be submitted to Sheldon by email.

Other members of the booking issues group who worked on this project include Christopher Howard-Williams, organizer of the
European Bluegrass Festival at La Roche-sur-Foron, Chris Keenan, organizer of the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival at Longford, Ireland, Dagfinn Pedersen, organizer of the Ris??r Bluegrass Festival in Norway, and Rienk Janssen, International IBMA Board member, EBMA board member, and coordinator of events throughout Europe during European World of Bluegrass.

Following on the heels of a successful International Bluegrass Summit at this year’s IBMA, a European Bluegrass Summit is planned to take place February 7-8, 2009 in B?ºhl/Baden, southern Germany.

Anyone within the bluegrass community in Europe is invited to attend. Specifically the organizers would like to see participation from bluegrass association staff, event organisers and promoters.

The summit has four stated goals.

• To provide an opportunity for a wide audience of up to forty participants to meet face to face, bond, and get to know each other
• To highlight some of the issues affecting the promotion of bluegrass music in Europe
• To explore the issues facing different countries and different cultures in Europe
• To motivate people to work together more closely and to communicate more effectively

The European Bluegrass Blog has more details and application information for any interested in attending.

We brought you news in September that European World of Bluegrass Festival was accepting band applications. The deadline for that application process is fast approaching.

Applications must be received by November 20th for consideration.

The festival is scheduled to take place May 21-23, 2009 in Voorthuizen, Netherlands. Organized by the European Bluegrass Music Association, promoters, agents, DJs, music press, fans and bands from across Europe will attend, making this an ideal showcase opportunity for any band looking to perform in Europe. American bands are welcome to apply, and take advantage of this opportunity.

European bands will compete in the European Bluegrass Band Awards. The voting takes place on site at the event. The showcasing musicians vote to award the best European band of the year, making this a truly peer award process. A separate set of Audience Popularity Awards are given in 5 categories, bringing the award total to 6. I’m told the festival attendees really enjoy participating in the process of award giving.

The #1 European Bluegrass Band is sent to IBMA the following October (the 2009 winner will come to IBMA in 2010). Since EWOB occurs in May, and IBMA in October, it seems odd that the winning band would have have to wait 17 months before making the trip to IBMA, but Liz Meyer explains.

The delay is necessary to allow time to process all visas etc. which can be slow in some countries, and also because FanFest is booked before EWOB takes place & we always hope our band will get a FanFest spot. I think this has only happened once in 11 years!!! IBMA tends to put the #1 EBB onstage at the Awards show, presenting an award, which is REALLY a pity. Hard to fathom having them do what they do least well, talk in English – though some have perfect English, it is a stretch for others. Makes far more sense to have them playing and showing what European bluegrass bands do, and what they do best!

2009 marks the 12th European World of Bluegrass Festival held in Voorthuizen, the Netherlands.

If your band is interested in applying, visit this page for more information concerning the application process and materials.

Applications are now being accepted for bands wishing to perform at the 2009 European World Of Bluegrass.

The festival runs from May 21-23, 2009 in Voorthuizen, Netherlands and is a rough equivalent to the IBMA Fan Fest held at the conclusion of their annual convention in Nashville. EWOB is seen as the big wrap up of the European Bluegrass Music Association’s month-long celebration of May as Bluegrass Music Month throughout Europe.

To be considered for ‘09, applications (including 4 audio CDs, band bios and a band photo) must be received by November 20, 2008.

Application details and forms can be found on the EWOB web site.