Our own intrepid correspondent, Richard Thompson [bluegrassmercury], spent a week in Nashville in early October, having traveled from the UK to attend the IBMA convention. It was his first trip to IBMA in 20 years, and we thought that his post-IBMA impressions and reflections would be of interest both to others who were likewise in attendance, and our many readers who would love to have been there.

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.

Our own intrepid correspondent, Richard Thompson [bluegrassmercury], spent a week in Nashville in early October, having traveled from the UK to attend the IBMA convention. It was his first trip to IBMA in 20 years, and we thought that his post-IBMA impressions and reflections would be of interest both to others who were likewise in attendance, and our many readers who would love to have been there.

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. (more…)

For our readers who enjoyed Richard Thompson’s IBMA travelogue entries, here’s another that you may enjoy.

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.

Our own intrepid correspondent, Richard Thompson [bluegrassmercury], spent a week in Nashville in early October, having traveled from the UK to attend the IBMA convention. It was his first trip to IBMA in 20 years, and we thought that his post-IBMA impressions and reflections would be of interest both to others who were likewise in attendance, and our many readers who would love to have been there.

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. (more…)