We posted in August about The Nashville Symphony’s Classical Americana concert, scheduled for this Saturday (9/12).

The show will feature noted bluegrass and folk performers with the symphony, and was programmed as a tribute to the Americana Music Association’s convention next week, and the IBMA World of Bluegrass Convention at the end of the month, both held in Nashville.

Sam Bush, Alison Brown, Jerry Douglas and Abigail Washburn are among the list of guest artists for Classical Americana, and Craig Havighurst has put together a video that explains the motivation behind this unique musical collaboration.

You can find out more about this concert by visiting The Nashville Symphony online.

Craig Havighurst – he of String Theory Media and the IBMA Board of Directors – has put together a 9 minute promotional video for the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at East Tennessee State University. It encompasses perfectly why so many folks are excited about this program, especially as they seek to have it expanded to a four year, Bachelor of Arts degree.

Craig captures a good many scenes of the students in their classes and music labs, plus comments from program director Raymond McLain, adjunct faculty members Barry Bales and Adam Steffey, and country music star Kenny Chesney, who was a student in the program before he ever made a stab at Nashville.

He also speaks with Rhonda Vincent, whose two daughters attend ETSU, and whose fiddler, Hunter Berry, also went to the school. We also hear from current students who have traveled from all over the world to study traditional American music in East Tennessee.

You can find out more about this valuable resource for young bluegrass musicians online.

The annual IBMA elections concluded recently with the addition of four new board members.

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.

Our friend Craig Havighurst has posted a YouTube video bio of Sierra Hull. Craig produced the video for Rounder Records to coincide with the release, yesterday, of Sierra’s new CD, Secrets.

We got to produce this video bio of Sierra that shows her trying to balance the life of a normal 16-year-old high school junior with her new career as an in-demand touring and recording artist. She’s a super person too, and we wish her the best of luck.

The video features interview footage with both Sierra and producer, Ron Block, as well as behind the scenes footage and performance footage. It’s a nice feature that all bluegrass fans should enjoy.