The Biden/Palin debate isn't the only big deal going down Thursday night. Here at the mother church of country music, Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, the IBMA Awards, the Grammys of bluegrass, will be handed out as the main event of a whole week dedicated to the music, its artists, promoters, instrument makers, record labels and fans. It's a heady and exhausting experience catching up with old friends and making new ones and trying to summon up enough energy to take full advantage of the 24/7 offerings of performances both formal and informal. The list of finalists in all categories and who's leading in the unofficial poll conducted by The Bluegrass Blog is found here. I'm gonna pass on predictions this year except to say I think it's gonna be a big night for Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent. As alums of Doyle Lawson's and Ricky Skaggs' bands respectively, these two guys hit the road running a year ago and have won wide acclaim. Not being out there yet, I don't have a read on the "buzz" so I'll be surprised with the rest of you as the show, hosted by Del McCoury, rolls on. I'm pretty sure it's being carried live on XM track 14, Bluegrass Junction. The three day FanFest runs Friday thru Sunday with an amazing lineup of artists all waiving their fees to benefit the IBMA Trust Fund for musicians facing tough times. I get to introduce Bradley Walker, Kathy Mattea and the Lonesome River Band as emcee on Saturday night. I'll try to post a few times from Music City but it may well have to wait 'til I get home. There's too much to miss while sitting in your room at the laptop.
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It's always a treat to hear Tony Rice play, even when you have to stand up next to the house stacks to hear over the cumulative din of all those folks who paid for the Science Museum concert but only seemed to want to run their mouths. I'll never understand. But it was fun to see a new "Unit" comprised of brother Wyatt, Bryn Davies on bass, Josh Williams on mando and the always tasteful Rob Ickes on dobro. I'm looking forward to hearing Tony's new Rounder compilation Night Flyer that includes some of his best vocal material and three previously unreleased tunes including a Rice original called "Never Meant To Be." Fortunately for us though, he apparently was.
And if you're looking for a great night of music close by, AC&T welcomes back gifted singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves Thursday night accompanied by Richmond's own Mr. Versatility Charles "King" Arthur. Should be delicious.
Take care of things...TT
1 comment:
The reason I avoid large events where booze is available is because of people who cant shut up and listen.
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