That's the way Tim O'Brien described the International Bluegrass Music Association's annual gathering when it was held along the Ohio River in Louisville in the documentary Bluegrass Journey from 2003. (highly recommended). We outgrew the funky old Galt House, our host hotel, so for the past three years we've been here in Nashville, which by most accounts gave birth to bluegrass in 1945 when Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, then comprised of Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise and Cedric Rainwater gave bluegrass music its defining identity in performance at the Ryman Auditorium. The IBMA World of Bluegrass is a full week of all day and all night jam sessions, seminars for producers, record labels and artists, showcases for new bands and festival promoters...pretty much a full convergence of nearly everyone involved in the industry, culminating in the 3-day indoor FanFest featuring 60 of the genre's best bands all performing gratis to benefit the IBMA Foundation. The phone photo above was taken on the 21st floor of the Renaissance Nashville, the host hotel, where Mountain Heart did a 3o-minute unamplified performance for a fortunate few. Clay Hess has replaced Clay Jones on lead guitar by the way, and rumor has it that Adam Steffey will depart MH in '08 to join former Union Station bandmate Dan Tyminski on the road as Alison takes a year off. So we're off and running on a week that offers an unparalleled opportunity to absorb an overwhelming quantity of quality music and commune with the folks who make it. The focal point is the annual awards show now held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Opryland where the industry honors its best work or at least the most popular. The proceedings will be carried live at 9pm on XM Satellite Radio and results posted immediately on The Bluegrass Blog. I've never tried this before, except when filling out my ballot every year, but I'm going to take a stab at making some picks in the bigger categories, just for the heck of it. I'll be ready for a slice of humble pie in the wee hours of Friday morning.
Anyway, here goes:
Emerging Artist: Bradley Walker will be tough to beat...he's had a big year, but the buzz and votes will go to The Infamous Stringdusters.
Male Vocalist: A highly competitive category, but I have a hunch that young Bradley Walker will walk away with it this year.
Female Vocalist: I'd love to see Dale Ann Bradley get her due, but it's probably Rhonda's...again.
Vocal Group: It's a long shot but Doyle's well-deserved string might be broken this year by The Isaacs.
Instrumental Group: Skaggs & Company will most likely extend their ownership of this category but it's time to recognize Alison and Union Station for the pure elegance of their playing.
Song: (to the writer) It'll either be "The Last Suit You Wear" done by Larry Sparks and written by Larry Shell, Larry Williams and Kim Williams or "Fork In The Road" from the Stringdusters, written by Chris Jones & John Pennell...my guess is the latter. It should have been "Born Lonesome," Cadillac Sky's powerful piece penned by their own Bryan Simpson. Not even nominated.
Album: The Dusters' momentum might push them up the Opry steps to grab this one too for Fork In The Road but the safe bet would be Sparks' The Last Suit You Wear.
Recorded Event: Despite the highly-touted Skaggs/Hornsby collaboration, I'm going with Tony Trischka's Double Bluegrass Banjo Spectacular.
Anyway, here goes:
Emerging Artist: Bradley Walker will be tough to beat...he's had a big year, but the buzz and votes will go to The Infamous Stringdusters.
Male Vocalist: A highly competitive category, but I have a hunch that young Bradley Walker will walk away with it this year.
Female Vocalist: I'd love to see Dale Ann Bradley get her due, but it's probably Rhonda's...again.
Vocal Group: It's a long shot but Doyle's well-deserved string might be broken this year by The Isaacs.
Instrumental Group: Skaggs & Company will most likely extend their ownership of this category but it's time to recognize Alison and Union Station for the pure elegance of their playing.
Song: (to the writer) It'll either be "The Last Suit You Wear" done by Larry Sparks and written by Larry Shell, Larry Williams and Kim Williams or "Fork In The Road" from the Stringdusters, written by Chris Jones & John Pennell...my guess is the latter. It should have been "Born Lonesome," Cadillac Sky's powerful piece penned by their own Bryan Simpson. Not even nominated.
Album: The Dusters' momentum might push them up the Opry steps to grab this one too for Fork In The Road but the safe bet would be Sparks' The Last Suit You Wear.
Recorded Event: Despite the highly-touted Skaggs/Hornsby collaboration, I'm going with Tony Trischka's Double Bluegrass Banjo Spectacular.
Guitar Player: I think it's Tony's turn again, especially in the wake of his moving tribute tour with AKUS.
Banjo Player: Crowe, Shelor and Mills are multiple past winners. Cia Cherryholmes likely won't win with her first nomination, so Tony Trischka should be recognized for his influence and imagination.
Mandolin Player: Except for Doyle Lawson, all the nominees are past winners and all are worthy, but let's reward the Award Show's host Sam Bush for his singular style and for keeping the music fresh for all these years.
Dobro Player: Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes have each won this like eight times, Phil Ledbetter once. That's it. Only three winners ever. Mike Auldridge will receive a Distinguished Service Award at the special Thursday luncheon. He should win that night too. Hands down.
Mandolin Player: Except for Doyle Lawson, all the nominees are past winners and all are worthy, but let's reward the Award Show's host Sam Bush for his singular style and for keeping the music fresh for all these years.
Dobro Player: Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes have each won this like eight times, Phil Ledbetter once. That's it. Only three winners ever. Mike Auldridge will receive a Distinguished Service Award at the special Thursday luncheon. He should win that night too. Hands down.
Bass Player: Union Station's Barry Bales hasn't won before...it's time.
Entertainer Of The Year: Doyle's never taken the big one before so this could be his year unless Cherryholmes takes it back from the Grascals.
Tune in on XM and keep score...having King Sammy in charge should make it one of the best shows ever. Good morning from Nashburg...TT
Entertainer Of The Year: Doyle's never taken the big one before so this could be his year unless Cherryholmes takes it back from the Grascals.
Tune in on XM and keep score...having King Sammy in charge should make it one of the best shows ever. Good morning from Nashburg...TT
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