With IBMA’s big week approaching, a lot of folks have been wondering how much the down economy will affect attendance and exhibitors this year. Their annual World Of Bluegrass trade show, Awards Show and Fan Fest serve as the primary income stream for the organization, which functions as the “special interest lobby” for the bluegrass industry, just as the Country Music Association and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences do for their respective genres.

Things are scheduled to kick off officially this coming Monday (9/28) in Nashville, where IBMA takes over the Nashville Convention Center and The Renaissance Hotel for a solid week of bluegrass music and business activity. Until Thursday, the event is more a business conference, though there is plenty of music to be found. Artists, managers, promoters, record labels, radio folks and more all congregate to learn, network and explore new opportunities in an all-bluegrass setting.

Thursday night’s (10/1) gala awards show is always a highlight, with all the bluegrass glitterati in their finest duds for their big night at the historic Ryman Auditorium. It also serves as a transition point for IBMA week, as Friday morning is the kickoff for Fan Fest, a large indoor music festival held in the same location. All of the entertainers donate their time for this event, with proceeds going into a trust fund for bluegrass artists in need.

Attendance has been off substantially at a number of major music festivals and conferences this year, which won’t come as a surprise to anyone struggling with this recessionary environment. Merlefest reported a drop of 17% in ticketed attendance this year, with an overall decrease of 70% in proceeds delivered to the Wilkes Community College with whom they share a home.

Similarly, the Americana Music Conference held in Nashville earlier this month showed a drop-off of 15% from 2008, and area venues that hosted affiliated shows saw a decline as well.

Final numbers won’t be in until the conclusion of all the IBMA festivities, but Executive Director Dan Hays is guardedly optimistic at this point.

“As of September 15, our ticket sales were running 0.4% ahead of last year’s (comparing same date sales), a difference of +5 people. The IBMA Awards Show has less than 150 tickets available as of 9/22 and we anticipate those will be gone well before the night of the show (thus if anyone wants to attend, they should contact the Ryman as soon as possible).

But there’s plenty of room for folks to attend Fan Fest and like many events, a significant portion of our attendees wait to get tickets when they arrive. For example, Fan Fest typically has +60% of sales ‘at the gate.’ The fact that advance sales are steady is encouraging and we have a fantastic lineup and other activities planned that make it a ‘can’t miss’ event.”

It’s an important week in the bluegrass biz, but can also be a dream vacation for anyone who simply loves the music. Full details and schedules for all the IBMA week events can be found on their web site.

One of the many wonderful facets of Merlefest is the various competitions that take place each year during the festival.

Firstly, there is the annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest in which there are four categories.

This year’s winners are Love Gone By by Carol Hausner and Colin McCaffrey of Montpelier, Vermont (in the Bluegrass Category), Man of Few Words by Dennis K. Duff of Kuttawa, Kentucky (in the Country Category), Beyond the Rain by Brink Brinkman of Pickerington, Ohio (in the Gospel Category) and Unmarked Pavement by Miles and Letha Costin of Raleigh, North Carolina (in the General Category).

Secondly, there are the three instrumental competitions, one each for mandolin, banjo and guitar. This year’s prize winners are ‚Ķ.

MerleFest Mandolin Contest

• 1st Place – Bryan McDowell, Canton, North Carolina
• 2nd Place – Jesse Daniel, Pisgah, Alabama
• 3rd Place – Caleb Courtner, Butler, Tennessee

Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Championship

• 1st Place – Seth Taylor, Bryson City, North Carolina
• 2nd Place – Johnathan Dillon, Wirtz, Virginia
• 3rd Place – Owen Piatt, Springfield, Tennessee

Doc Watson Guitar Championship

• 1st Place – Tyler Grant, Nashville, Tennessee
• 2nd Place – Tony Watt, Schenectady, New York
• 3rd Place – Fred Duggin, Nashville, TN

Congratulations to all concerned.

The four-day Merlefest took place on the campus of the Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, from 23 to 26 April. It is hosted by Doc Watson and staged in memory of his son Merle. This year’s attendance has been reported at 70,000.

We found some more great Merlefest coverage online.

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 Ted Lehmann spent last week at Merlefest, and provides some excellent reporting on his web site – along with dozens of photos of the performers, the attendees and the overall vibe.

The festival has reported that more than 70,000 people had been on site for the event through last Saturday, and updated attendance totals are expected soon for the full four days.

Ted also attended the Merlefest Jam Camp, and has many photos from there as well.

Be sure to visit his site repeatedly over the next few days, as he is still posting new photos and commentary while he decompresses from the trip.