This report on the European Bluegrass Summit held recently in Germany 2/7-8), is a contribution from Richard Hawkins, IBMA International Committee chair and proprietor of The Bluegrass Ireland Blog.

As a direct result of the success of IBMA’s International Summit at World of Bluegrass 2008, a group of those who had attended decided to organize a similar event in Europe, with the following objectives:

• 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 issues affecting the promotion of bluegrass music in Europe;
• To explore issues facing different countries and different cultures; and
• To encourage closer cooperation and more effective communication.

The organising group included British Bluegrass Music Association chair John Wirtz, Scottish Bluegrass Association secretary John Sheldon, IBMA International Board representative Rienk Janssen, and IBMA International Committee chair Richard Hawkins.

B?ºhl/Baden, in southern Germany, was chosen as the location. B?ºhl city council gives generous support every year to the B?ºhl International Bluegrass Festival, and through the invaluable help of Walter Fuchs, the festival organizer, the city placed first-rate facilities, free of charge, at the disposal of the Summit. Further support was received from IBMA, making it possible to bring in Fred Bartenstein as a professional facilitator.

Despite unexpected emergencies including severe weather across Europe, twenty-eight people from thirteen countries, ranging from Russia to Ireland, came at their own expense to take active part in the Summit, which the mayor of B?ºhl opened with an address of welcome. In two days of intense discussion (7‚Äì8 February 2009), participants identified issues of chief concern:

• The involvement of young people in bluegrass;
• The development of effective contacts through internet-based networking, a booking network, and an annual trade conference;
• Fund-raising, lobbying, and marketing on a continental scale;
• The use and significance of the term ‘European World of Bluegrass’;
• The organization of regions without effective local bluegrass associations; and
• The value of coordinating pan-European bluegrass efforts within a single organization.

Volunteer working groups were set up under conveners for further study of the first four of these issues. At 4.00 p.m. on Sunday 8 February, proceedings ended with the listing of consequential tasks, including the completion of comprehensive minutes.

As had happened at the Nashville Summit, contacts outside the formal proceedings were equally important in fostering a spirit of friendship and common purpose ‚Äì aided by the excellent food, drink, and ambiance of B?ºhl. There was full agreement that the European Summit had been successful in laying foundations for further constructive cooperation.

An account of the Summit by Walter Fuchs (in German) can be read here, and reports in the local German press can be read here.

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.

Jan de Mooy from The Netherlands sent along a number of terrific photos he took during the European World of Bluegrass festival in Voorthuizen earlier this month.

He captured images of of 12 different bands on stage, from 9 different European countries.

Here are the photos, tagged with his comments. Thanks Jan!