Bringing Bluegrass to a New Generation

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Bringing Bluegrass to a New Generation

The twang of the banjo, rhythm of the bass and a little fiddle for fire gets those toes a-tapping. In 1996, Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival started to bring people together to teach, preserve and enjoy bluegrass music. Twenty-two years later, it’s become a culture of its own with thousands descending upon Guthrie, Oklahoma, every year to share their love of bluegrass.

“Music connects generations and nationalities – people may not be able to speak to each other,but they can play together,” festival board member Jim Blair said. “It’s really something special,and we want to ensure it continues indefinitely.”

In 2015, Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival established an endowment fund at theOklahoma City Community Foundation with a goal to raise $2.4 million to support the future ofthe festival for generations.