IB: International Bluegrass July 2016

IB bluegrass international

July 2016

Dr. Ralph Stanley Remembered 1927 - 2016 World of bluegrass Talent Buyer Track Announced Songwriter Showcase Participants Announced

wide open bluegrass World Of Bluegrass Health Fair IBMA Board Elections & 3rd Round IBMA Awards Ballot

International Bluegrass Vol. 31 | No. 6 | July 2016

Guest Editor: Nancy Cardwell

Designer: Erin Faith Erdos erinfaitherdos@gmail.com

STAFF

Paul Schiminger Executive Director

board

Shannon Turner Director of Communications and Professional Development

Leah James Director of Member Services

Eddie Huffman Director of Convention Services

Tim Surrett - Board Chairperson

Alan Bartram-Artists/Composers/Publishers Becky Buller-At Large Jamie Deering-Merchandisers/Luthiers Regina Derzon-Secretary, Associations Mike Drudge-Agents, Managers & Publicists John Goad-Print Media/Education Denise Jarvinen-At Large Marian Leighton Levy-Recording/Distribution/Marketing William Lewis-At Large

Steve Martin-At Large Stephen Mougin-At Large Joe Mullins-Treasurer, Artists/Composers/Publishers Ben Surratt- Vice Chair Wayne Taylor-Artists-Composers/Publishers Alan Tompkins-At Large Angelika Torrie- International Bree Tucker-Myers- Event Production Bob Webster-Broadcast Media

info Contact us

International Bluegrass

The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association

(ISSN #1095-0605) IBMA: IBMA is the trade association

4206 Gallatin Road, 37216 USA 615-256-3222 | 888-GET-IBMA Fax: 615-256-0450 Email: info@ibma.org Website: www.ibma.org

that connects and educates bluegrass professionals, empowers the bluegrass community, and encourages worldwide appreciation of bluegrass music of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Statement of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the writers alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, directors, staff or members of IBMA. Portions of International Bluegrass may be reprinted provided that explicit citation of the source is made: “Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org.�

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ARE PROUD TO BRING YOU

TuesdayThursday Sept 27-30

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FridaySaturday Sept S 30-Oct 1

CONFERENCE

WIDE OPEN 5 BLUEGRASS

The IBMA Business Conference is the premier industry event and trade show for bluegrass professionals.

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Weekend Festival

EXHIBIT HALL

The Bluegrass Expo is the central gathering place to browse the latest industry wares, conduct business, and network.

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BLUEGRASS RAMBLE

Official showcase performances at the IBMA's annual World of Bluegrass Business Conference form the premier platform for introducing talent and new music to the bluegrass community.

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AWARDS SHOW

Thursday Sept 29

The International Bluegrass Music Awards Show is the biggest night on the bluegrass calendar, recognizing outstanding achievement and pioneering efforts in the genre.

Wide Open Bluegrass has a ticketed Main Stage at Red Hat Amphitheater, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Bluegrass Trust Fund, and a FREE StreetFest with music in downtown Raleigh on five stages plus a dance tent, free activities, stages, and a music expo inside the Raleigh Convention Center, and much more!

Info and Schedules: wideopenbluegrass.com

TICKETS International Bluegrass

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ta b le o f c o n te nt s international bluegrass

July 2016 Cover story 6 Ralph Edmond Stanley

(February 25, 1927 - June 23, 2016) When Dr. Ralph Stanley died at 89 on June 23, he left a legacy steeped in history as one of the genre’s early progenitors. Obituary by Gary Reid.

10 Photo album We look back at the life and career of Ralph Stanley in pictures.

Curated by Kelly Smith and Shannon Wayne Turner.

18 WORLD OF BLUEGRASS ANNOUNCES TALENT BUYER TRACK 18 Talent Buyer Track Overview 20 Business to Breakfast Invitation 22 The Bluegrass Ramble

24 ANNOUNCING SONGWRITER SHOWCASE PARTICIPANTS! We Had Record Numbers Of Amazing Songs from Stellar Talent This Year. Who Will Play the Coveted Songwriter Showcase Stage at World of Bluegrass in September?

Table of Contents photos provided by Todd Gunsher, James McKelvey, Willa Stein and Amy Brakefield /Gusto Records Cover photo provided by Amy Brakefield/Gusto Records

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25 ON Find Out When the Final Ballot Will Be Coming Out, and When You Will Vote for the Winners of the 2016 IBMA Awards!

26 ONS Big Names Have Been Added to the Line-Up of the 2016 Wide Open Bluegrass Festival. Are Your Favorites Scheduled?

28 World of Bluegrass Health Fair Get Free Eye, Hearing and Dental Exams, plus FREE EYEWEAR!* Take advantage of our Health Fair, and Your Registration is Already Paid for! Talk About a Bargain! * For Qualified Attendees

30 THANKS TO OUR NEW MEMBERS 31 ATE

NEXT issue...

Bluegrass Unlimited Celebrates 50 YEARS; Our Tribute to Dr. Ralph Stanley Continues.

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Ralph Edmond Stanley (February 25, 1927 - June 23, 2016)

by Gary Reid

The legendary mountain musician known affectionately to a legion of fans the world over as Dr. Ralph Stanley has died. He had been battling advanced stages of skin cancer for most of the last year.

His popularity seemed to know no boundaries, and he drew admirers from far and wide. Among his many fans were Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Elton John and the late George Jones. With a compelling voice that was instantly recognizable, he drew his listeners into a special world that was born of his own upbringing in the physically beautiful, yet hardscrabble, mountains of southwestern Virginia.

It was the hill country of rural Appalachia that shaped Ralph Stanley’s music. Much of it began right at home, where his mother Lucy played an old-time style on the banjo. Father Lee Stanley loved to sing the old ballads, including ones that in Ralph’s hands later became career masterpieces such as “Man of Constant Sorrow” and “Pretty Polly.” Years later, the Primitive Baptist singing of Ralph’s youth would become a major component of bluegrass music.

Stanley began his storied career upon his discharge from the mili-

tary at the end of World War II. He was not even out of uniform when he found himself singing a song on local radio station WNVA in Norton, Virginia, as a de facto member of Roy Sykes & the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys. His older brother, Carter, was also a part of the group. Shortly afterwards, Ralph offered his brother an ultimatum: they could pull out and start a group of their own, or he would seek other endeavors. At one time, Ralph had designs on using his GI benefits to go to school to become a veterinarian.

In short order, Ralph and Carter formed their own band – The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys – and, after a brief stay in Norton, landed a spot on a new radio station in Bristol, Virginia: WCYB. The station’s flagship noontime program – Farm and Fun Time – featured The Stanley Brothers off and on for twelve years, and is a legendary part of bluegrass history. For people in the Appalachian environs surrounding Bristol, the Stanley Brothers were there at the right time with the right product.

Ralph grew up playing two styles of banjo: the old-time clawhammer style of his mother, Lucy, and a more modern two-finger style that was popularized in the 1930s

by Wade Mainer. In 1948, Ralph added the new three-finger style to his repertoire and he got to show off his “fancy banjo pickin’” on a recording of a song the group heard by Bill Monroe called “Molly and Tenbrooks.” Band member Pee Wee Lambert played mandolin and sang the verses just like Monroe, but it was Ralph’s driving banjo playing that brought the song home. It remains one of the most exciting recordings from the early days of bluegrass.

In the latter part of 1948, The Stanley Brothers signed a five-year contract with Columbia Records, one of the largest recording companies in the nation. Twenty-two songs were recorded, including such classics as “The White Dove,” “The Fields Have Turned Brown,” and “The Lonesome River” -- all of which featured Ralph’s banjo work and tenor harmonies. Also included were two songs that came to be the most enduring pieces in Ralph’s repertoire: “Pretty Polly” and “Man of Constant Sorrow.”

In 1953, Ralph and Carter signed another five-year recording contract, this time with Mercury Records.

By all accounts, this group of 45 songs represents the cream of the crop of recorded Stanley Brothers

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Blake Williams, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe & Ricky Skaggs on the stage of the Opry. Photo Credit: Opry.com.

material. As Bob Artis noted in his book Bluegrass, “Ralph was sending his hard, mountain tenor right up through the rafters. The younger Stanley was playing his banjo hard and loud, establishing once and for all the Stanley-style of bluegrass banjo.” A number of banjo numbers recorded for Mercury, such as “Hard Times,” “Big Tilda” and “Fling Ding,” became time-honored masterpieces.

Ralph added to his instrumental repertoire in 1958, when he and Carter signed with King Records. Their first release, the self-titled Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys (King 615) contained

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such memorable tunes as “Clinch Mountain Backstep,” “Mastertone March,” and a riveting cover of the classic “Train 45.”

Following the tumultuous middle and late 1950s, when rock ‘n’ roll all but decimated the more traditional forms of country music, the 1960s were a mixture of good times and bad for The Stanley Brothers. Despite a prodigious output of recordings on King Records, and acceptance on college campuses and a number of folk festivals, a lot of the brothers’ work consisted of lowpaying club jobs. In 1966, the rigors of the road and declining health took the life of Carter Stanley at the age

International Bluegrass | July 2016

of 41, leaving Ralph alone to carry on.

Ralph was initially unsure about what his future would be at that point, but an outpouring of support from his many fans gave him the courage to forge ahead with a solo career. In short order, he reassembled a new version of The Clinch Mountain Boys which included a young Larry Sparks, ebullient fiddler Curly Ray Cline, and guitarist/ bass player/comedian Melvin Goins.

This group recorded five albums for the King and Jalyn labels in the late 1960s and set Ralph’s solo career in motion.

Ralph Stanley By the early 1970s, Ralph’s band changed personnel and he assembled what many consider to be one of the best editions of the Clinch Mountain Boys. Fans often cite Roy Lee Centers as the best of the many lead singers that replaced Carter Stanley.

Added to this were young Kentuckians Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs, guitarist Rickey Lee and bass player Jack Cooke. Just as the mid-’50s had been a high-water mark for the Stanley Brothers, such was the case with Ralph in the early 1970s.

It was during this period that Ralph’s music experienced a number of changes. While he still kept plenty of driving three-finger style banjo in his performances, his music took a decided shift that reflected the old-time roots of his upbringing.

More so than any other mainstream performer, Ralph’s music was a mix of old-time mountain music and bluegrass. One of his most striking innovations was his introduction of a cappella gospel singing to bluegrass.

Throughout the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, Ralph enjoyed a steady career on the bluegrass festival circuit, where he was an established headliner. In 1992, he got a career bump with the release of Saturday Night & Sunday Morning, a star-studded twoCD set that paired him with many top country and bluegrass performers including Dwight Yoakam, George Jones, Alison Krauss and Tom T. Hall. The process was repeated in 1998 with the release of Clinch Mountain Country, which featured popular music and cultural icon Bob Dylan.

In January of 2000, Ralph joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry, becoming the show’s first inductee of the 21st century. At year’s end, the audience for his music exploded when his singing appeared as an integral part of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? film soundtrack. His performance of “Oh Death” resulted in his first Grammy award for Best Male Country Vocalist, and gave him top billing as part of the spinoff Down From the Mountain tour. In 2010, O Brother music producer T Bone Burnett featured Ralph on another well-received tour called The Speaking Clock Revue, which also included Elvis Costello and Elton John.

Over the years, Stanley amassed a number of awards and honors, including three Grammys, two honorary doctorate of arts degrees, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame, a National Medal of Arts award that was presented to him by President George W. Bush, a National Heritage Fellowship, a Living Legend award from the Library of Congress, designation by the Virginia legislature as an Outstanding Virginian, and he was the Virginia Press Association’s choice for Virginian of the Year. Additionally, he had a museum bearing his name and honoring his life in music opened in his hometown of Clintwood, Virginia, and was the promoter of one of the longest-running bluegrass festivals in the world.

In recent years, as arthritis and other health issues hampered his performing abilities, he ceded portions of the show to various band and family members, but he remained at the forefront with his trademark vocals and straightforward MC work.

Ralph Stanley possessed a beautiful singing voice that defies description and the perfect complement to it in a unique style of banjo playing, one that will forever be associated with his name. Born of the mountains and seemingly tempered to perfection by the ages contained therein, his was a talent that comes along only once in a very great while. His singing and playing were charged with an intensity and, as Bluegrass Unlimited contributor Walt Saunders has mentioned, an “emotional impact [that] he rarely fails to deliver.”

An eminent addition to our nation’s, indeed, the world’s, musical landscape, he will be missed.

Gary Reid is a 40+ year veteran of bluegrass and old-time music.

He is currently touring his oneman play A Life of Sorrow - the Life and Times of Carter Stanley.

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The Stanley Brothers, circa 1948 at WCBY, Bristol, TN. Courtesy of Muleskinner News.

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Ralph Stanley receives a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his work in “O Brother Where Art Thou?” Credit: REUTERS / Gary Hershorn File Photo

Ricky Skaggs, third from right, performs with Rhonda Vincent and Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys to open the IBMA Awards show at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville in 1998. Credit: Brian Bohannon / AP Photo

Ralph Stanley is surrounded by the former members of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys at the first Early Bird Bluegrass Concert in 1971. Standing are Monroe’s son James, left, leader of the Midnight Ramblers; Mac Wiseman; Bill Yates of the Country Gentlemen; Stanley; and Jimmy Martin. Seated are Don Reno, of Reno, Smiley, Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups; Bill Monroe; n t eCredit: r n a t Joe i o nRudis a l /BThe l u Tennessean egrass | July 2016 1 0 IFlatt. and Lester

Dr. Ralph brings his buddy Jim Lauderdale to his knees on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo Credit: Opry.com

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Ralph Stanley and Larry Sparks, 1967. Credit: www.tumblr.com

Ralph Stanley and Ralph Stanley II, 2009. Credit: John Darwin Kurc

Ralph Stanley teaches a workshop at the Berkshire Mountains Festival, 1980. Credit: Fred Robbins

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Bluegrass, traditional and blues legends including (l-r, front row ) bluegrass musicians George Shuffler, Ralph Stanley and Red Stanley (no relation) of The Stanley Brothers; and (l-r, 2nd row) folk musician Hobart Smith and blues musician Robert Pete Williams backstage in July, 1964, at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. Credit: The Estate of David Gahr / Getty Images

t e r n with atio n aT.l Hall B l and u e Don g r aRigsby. s s | Photo J u l yCredit: 2 0 1Getty 6 Images 2 I nStanley Dr.1Ralph Tom

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Ralph Stanley at a Senator John Edwards’ campaign in 2008. Credit: Win McNamee / Getty Images

I n Photo t e r nby a tRon i o nPetronko. al Bluegrass Ralph and Carter Stanley (John Palmer on bass) at the Roanoke Blue Grass Festival in Fincastle, Virginia 1965.

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Ralph Stanley, center, and his brother, Carter, right, performing with Red Stanley, Benny Birchfield and George Shuffler at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964.

Credit David Gahr / Getty Images

o nRalph a l BStanley l u e gwith r a as more s | recent J u l yincarnation 2 0 1 6 of The Clinch Mountain Boys, including Ralph Stanley II. Photo Credit: Opry.com 1 4 I n t e r n a t iDr.

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Ralph Stanley and the Soggy Bottom Boys - Ron Block, Stuart Duncan, Barry Bales, Dan Tyminski and Mike Compton - in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, March 22, 2014. Credit: www.seeingsouthern.com

Among 34 honored by the Library of Congress for their contributions to “American life� in 2000 in Washington, D.C., are Pete Seeger, left, Bobby Short, Ralph Stanley, Gloria Steinem and Isaac Stern. Credit: Dennis Cook / AP Photo

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Ralph Stanley, 1970. Credit: Michael Ochs / Getty Images

Ralph Stanley signing autographs after a concert in Tokyo. Taken during his first Japanese tour with Roy Lee Centers, Curly Ray Cline & Jack Cooke. Photo by Komoriya, Nobuharu

Ricky I n t e Ralph r n a tStanley i o n aand l BKeith l u eWhitley g r a s scirca | 1970.

J u l yCredit: 2 0 1www.bluegrasstoday.com 6 1 6 Skaggs,

Ralph Stanley, 2010. Credit: Chris Felver / Getty Images

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A teen-aged Don Rigsby with Ralph Stanley and his dad, 1970s. Photo courtesy Don Rigsby.

Ralph Stanley with Don Rigsby’s son, Andrew, and father.

Ralph Stanley is awarded his honorary degree by Yale President Peter Salovey, a longtime member of the Professors of Bluegrass. Photo by Michael Marsland

Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys performing on the Grand Ole Opry. Ralph joined the Opry in 2000.

I n t eCredit: r n a www.opry.com tional Bluegrass

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The IBMA World of Bluegrass Business Conference Talent Buyer Track: An Overview Now in its third year, IBMA’s Talent Buyer Track Committee continues to improve upon its efforts to cultivate a space that allows agents and talent buyers to effectively conduct business during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass. Check out all the events below, RSVP and make the most of your World of Bluegrass Business Conference!

Tuesday | september 27, 2016 2:15 pm – 4 pm The Artist/Talent Buyer Gig Fair **Note: The Gig Fair will kick off the week on Tuesday this year, allowing talent buyers the chance to meet artists before the showcasing begins!

The event, a rare meet-and-greet opportunity in the midst of a hectic and fast-paced music industry event, serves as an organized information exchange for emerging artists and event producers. We envision the Gig Fair as a first step in building business relationships, and it has become one of the most popular events of the World of Bluegrass week! Check out more information about the Gig Fair here.

RSVP for the Gig Fair now so that artists can start scheduling to meet with you!

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talent buyer track

Wednesday | september 28, 2016 9 am Breakfast 2 Business While our Agent Pitch Sessions have been successful, this year we are taking it up a notch by providing a place for buyers and agents to connect over a gratis hot breakfast at the first-ever Breakfast 2 Business. Learn more about this RSVP-only event, and see the invitation on the next page.

5 pm – 6:30 pm Agent/Talent Buyer Reception As always, our Agent/Talent Buyer Reception promises to be a relaxing and engaging networking session. It is the perfect time to connect with new and old colleagues over hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Why not? The first drink is on IBMA!

*Registration for artists will open later this summer, after talent buyers and event producers have signed up.

all week The Bluegrass Ramble & Artist Showcases The Bluegrass Ramble & Artist Showcases are a core component of World of Bluegrass, the way the hottest new talent is introduced to the bluegrass industry. This year more than ever, our showcase artists demonstrate the diversity and breadth of bluegrass music.

all week Talent Buyer Track Educational Panels The IBMA Education Committee has been working with the Talent Buyer Track Committee to provide educational panels focused on the specific needs and interests of buyers, promoters and agents. Our seminars hold some of the most valuable take-away material at World of Bluegrass, and we know that you won’t want to miss a single opportunity to be part of the discussions on the issues facing today’s leading talent buyers, event producers and booking agents.

Join us for an unmatched week of networking and business opportunities!

World of Bluegrass Talent Buyer Track Sponsored by:

Supporting the Talent Buyer Track for Three Years

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talent buyer track AGENTS, TALENT BUYERS & EVENT PRODUCERS

You’re invited to attend The First Annual Breakfast 2 Business RSVPs are required for this limited capacity session.

Rosters are constantly changing and new buyers/event producers are always emerging. Join us to start your day off right over a delicious complimentary breakfast while participating in a valuable session that helps to prepare you for a successful conference experience. Your participation is vital to this program and IBMA’s efforts to foster growth within our industry.

Talent Buyers & Event Producers - come together with your peers, both new and old, to be brought up to speed through a quick agent introduction that will include a rundown of their roster and a detailed timeline of where you can catch them and their acts throughout the WOB week.

Attendance Prerequisites:

Agents - take advantage of this opportunity to promote your current roster, artists’ WOB schedules and learn who the new players are. Foster relationships that will pay forward for countless years to come. Reconnect with your long-standing buyers and network with the buyers you have been pitching for months.

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Must be an agent working under an agency, OR a talent buyer, event producer or programmer

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Please RSVP below - no on-site walk ups will be accepted

RSVP for Talent Buyers & Event Producers

RSVP for Agents

**Artists without professional agency representation may take advantage of the opportunity to get into a room with leading talent buyers, event producers and programmers by signing up for the Gig Fair when artist registration opens later this summer. *You must be registered separately for the IBMA Business conference in order to participate in the Gig Fair.

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the bluegrass ramble &

artist showcases The Bluegrass Ramble at the World of Bluegrass Business Conference is the premier platform for introducing the hottest new talent to the bluegrass industry. This year more than ever, our showcase artists demonstrate the diversity and breadth of bluegrass music. *Please note: All showcase artists will perform at both the Raleigh Convention Center AND at The Bluegrass Ramble in venues around downtown Raleigh.

Afternoon showcases

Sponsored Artist Showcases will take place

The bluegrass ramble will take place

wednesday | september 28| 2 pm - 5 pm

tuesday | september 27| 7 pm - 2 am

official Artist Showcases

wednesday | september 28| 7 pm - 2 am

will take place

Thursday| september 29| 2 pm - 5 pm

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thursday | september 29| 7 pm - 2 am

World of Bluegrass

This year we are thrilled to welcome to The Bluegrass Ramble & Artist Showcase stages:

ANNIE LOU BILL AND THE BELLES 10 STRING SYMPHONY CARDBOARD FOX CAROLINA BLUE HACKENSAW BOYS HANNAH SHIRA NAIMAN HIGH PLAINS JAMBOREE HOT BUTTERED RUM J2B2 JENNI LYN JOE WALSH KAIA KATER MISSY RAINES AND THE NEW HIP MOLLY TUTTLE BAND

OLD SALT UNION RED WINE RUN BOY RUN STEEP REVINE TELLICO THE ANDREW COLLINS TRIO THE HONEY DEWDROPS THE Lil’ SMOKIES THE LOOSE STRINGS BAND THE UNSEEN STRANGERS TIM CARTER AND BANG BANG TOWN MOUNTAIN TROUT STEAK REVIVAL VALERIE SMITH AND LIBERTY PIKE ZOE & CLOYD

For more information on any of our 2016 Showcase acts, please visit our Bluegrass Ramble lineup page.

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World of Bluegrass

songwriter showcase participants announced The IBMA Songwriter Committee is happy to announce the participants for the World of Bluegrass Songwriter Showcase. Those showcasing at the Raleigh Convention Center with their original songs on September 29 at 1 pm will be: Aaron Bibelhauser - “Blue Collar Dreams” Anya Hinkle - “Ever What They Say” Ashleigh Caudill - “Franklin County” Christopher Burton - “Textbook Definition of the Blues” CJ Cain - “Widow’s Ghost” Galen Green - “Little Circles” Jenni Lyn Gardner - “Burn Another Candle At Both Ends” Kevin Williamson - “The Miner’s Song” Korby Lenker - “Friend and a Friend” Lee Leanders - “Birmingham to Jackson”

Thank you to all who submitted a song!

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Look For‌Your THIRD Round

IBMA Awards Ballot

The 3rd round of voting for the IBMA Awards will begin August 1 and run through August 15, 2016. Professional and Organizational members of the IBMA will receive their ballots with instructions for casting their votes.

The 3rd round of voting WE NEED YOU, so will determine the win- please vote. ners in each category.

The recipients of the 2016 We cannot overstress IBMA Awards will be anthe importance of vot- nounced at the IBMA ing. Without the active Awards Show as part of voices of every IBMA World of Bluegrass week member, the awards in Raleigh, North Caroprocess cannot properly lina, on Thursday, Sepreflect the current tastes tember 29. and successes of bluegrass music.

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We’ve Added More Music to Wide Open Bluegrass The 2016 PNC Presents Wide Open Bluegrass festival at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, North Carolina, promises to be a feast of bluegrass music. Eleven-time IBMA winner Ricky Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, have been added to the Friday, September 30, lineup. Additionally, Alice Gerrard will join previously announced Laurie Lewis & The Right

Ricky Skaggs

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Hands as a special guest Friday night, and Symphony of the Mountains joins previously announced Kruger Brothers on Saturday, October 1. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet for the September 30 – October 1 party, tickets can be obtained by going to ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass/buy-tickets or calling 1-800-514-3849. You’re going to want to see this lineup!

Alice Gerrard

WOB lineup announced

Friday, September 30 (listed in alphabetical order by first name) Dailey & Vincent Jerry Douglas Presents The Earls of Leicester Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands with Special Guest Alice Gerrard Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Saturday, October 1 The Becky Buller Band The Del McCoury Band Greensky Bluegrass John Cowan with Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Kruger Brothers with Special Guest Symphony of the Mountains Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out Steep Canyon Rangers

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IBMA Health Fair Returns to World of Bluegrass It can be tough to be in the music industry and have access to quality healthcare. Whether you are an artist, business owner, event producer or whatever your role in the industry, it can be a challenge to keep yourself healthy and find affordable providers for your healthcare needs.

Your health is important to the IBMA, and that is why we are delighted to once again partner with several providers, including Sight & Sound Vision Care and MusiCares, The Recording Academy’s healthcare outreach, to bring you the World of Bluegrass Health Fair in Raleigh. These are some of the benefits that will be available to qualifying World of Bluegrass attendees:

Sight & Sound Vision Care – Free Vision Exams and Eyewear MusiCares – Free Dental Clinic and Ear Impressions for custom ear plugs Vision Clinic:

Sight & Sound VISION CARE FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Sight & Sound has partnered with the America’s Best Glasses and Contacts to provide free vision screenings and eyewear to all registered conference attendees.

“Sight & Sound, as a provider of eye care to those in the music industry, is thrilled to be working alongside the International Bluegrass Music Association,” says Mark Lindsey from Sight & Sound.

“We understand that not everyone has access to regular eye care. We look forward to providing care to all attendees and hearing some terrific bluegrass music. Please come by our clinic this year for free exams and eyewear (glasses, readers, sunglasses). Special thanks to America’s Best Glasses and Contacts for their donations of time, equipment and resources.”

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health fair

Dental Clinic Information: MusiCares, in conjunction with the Smiles program, will be providing dental screenings, teeth cleaning, and complete x-rays to uninsured music professionals in need.

Hearing Clinic and Ear Impressions for custom ear plugs: MusiCares, in partnership with Audibel, will also be offering ear impressions for free custom ear plugs.

MusiCares also works to address the health and wellness needs of music professionals. In support of these efforts, MusiCares will be joined by an audiologist who will be onsite during select hours to provide valuable information on the importance of hearing conservation. It is offering ear impressions for FREE* custom musicians’ earplugs, which are will likewise be provided compliments of MusiCares.

Danielle Bowker, Manager of MusiCares, notes, “MusiCares is honored to again participate in the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Business Conference. IBMA does an extraordinary job of prioritizing health and wellness and helping MusiCares take care of the overall health of the Bluegrass community.”

There will be additional health-related events presented at World of Bluegrass, with the details still to come. Stay tuned IB: International Bluegrass and your Inbox for all the details! ** Important Note: Dental and hearing clinics are limited to music industry professionals who can document eligibility and those who sign up in advance.

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welcome to the family We would like to give a huge welcome and shout-out to our new IBMA members, all of whom joined in May and June. Thank you for supporting the IBMA and bluegrass music!

Individual Members Devon Aldridge Piero Biasi Lucas Bellotti Charles Brewster Richard Cifersky Andrew Collins Martino Coppo Deborah Cousins

Rick Denning Marco Ferretti Katrina Hennigar Nancy Hight Justin Hiltner Claudia Honeycutt Uwe Kruger James McEleney

Carla Melton Mike Mezzatesta Kathy Mougin Cason Ogden Will Padgett Paige Park Leo Posch John Posey

Grass Roots Members Mitchi Baker David Bloxham Kalyn Bruin Matt Fleury Benjamin Furstenberg A.C. Garner

Nancy Haywood Elizabeth Hemric Greg Howes Bill Kappa Kelly Kessler Kent Leadbetter John May

John Nelson Betsy Phillips Maureen Roddy Albert Segars Kathy Shipp Brian Smith Kellie Tew

Jim Sharpley Mikaya Taylor Jason Tomlin Justin Tomlin Ronald Vines William Walker Stan Wass

Organizational Members Andrew Collins Trio The Deer Creek Boys Listen & Learn, Inc. Red Wine

If you are not yet a member of the IBMA, what are you waiting for?!

Be a part of all that is great about bluegrass - yesterday, today and tomorrow. Visit www.ibma.org/membership, or call to speak with our Membership Services Director, Leah James, at 615-256-3222.

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A Note from your IBMA Board of Directors Vice-Chair

Ben Surratt

July Update

This is to notify all IBMA members where we are in the IBMA Board election process. Applications for seats in: 1. Associations 2. Artists, Composers & Music Publishers 3. Merchandisers and Luthiers 4. At-Large (member-elected) were received through July 1.

On or about July 15, the Nominating Committee will review all applications and will vote for the top 2 or 3 candidates for each available position. The Nominating Committee (per the bylaws) consists of 3 IBMA board members and 2 nonboard members of the organization. Ballots will be sent to members electronically by late July.

Please direct questions to: IBMA Nominating Committee Chair Ben Surratt ben@bensurratt.com

August 15 is the deadline for members to vote. On or about August 16, the results of the election will be known and all candidates will be notified. The membership will then be notified.

Voting shall be by electronic ballot, and will be received by the IBMA office staff.

Newly-elected IBMA board members will be invited to attend the IBMA Board meeting Monday and Tuesday, September 26 and 27, 2016 at the beginning of the Business Conference in Raleigh. Incoming Board members will take their seats at the end of Board meeting.

International Bluegrass

| July 2016

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Bluegrass Unlimited celebrates 50 years of bluegrass music. We look back on five decades of bluegrass music with the game-changing magazine that continues to chronicle and support the genre.

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