That’s the alternative interpretation of the initials I.B.M.A. denoting the International Bluegrass Music Association but also reflecting the reality of what this annual gathering of the industry in Nashville means…long hours, late nights and an overwhelming torrent of musical experiences metaphorically mimicking the real flood that hit Music City last spring. Recovery is, by most measures, nearly complete…witness the reopening of the heavily-damaged Grand Ole Opry House over the weekend. With a significant number of the industry’s top working musicians based here and the honky tonks of Broadway, the R
yman Auditorium and the Country Music Museum just down the street, the yearly event has found a proper home. The mother church of bluegrass, the Station Inn, where we caught the smokin’ Lonesome River Band (below) last Wednesday, is a short cab ride away. It’s a multi-faceted week with a trade 
show (record labels, instrument makers, educators, bands looking for work), a quality awards show and a three day indoor festival featuring the music’s top names and the up-and-comers as well. Add to that a full schedule of workshops and seminars, late night showcases both planned and spontaneous and a wonderfully organic opportunity for renewing old friendships and cultivating new ones. It’s a good tired.
My first taste of the Cleverlys…you’ll remember yours.
I took a ton of pictures and I have so much I’d like to share about the IBMA experience, but time is tight this week with the Richmond Folk Festival nipping at my heels. So I’m just gonna throw up some random shots with brief captions that I hope at least provide a taste of this self-serving labor of love on behalf of those who make bluegrass music and those who live for it. A look back at the 20th edition of the IBMA Awards Show held in the Ryman Auditorium…
Stuart Duncan, Jon Randall & Dierks Bentley open the Awards Show with “Fiddlin’ Around” from Dierk’s new CD.
Old bandmates Cheryl White, Jerry Douglas and Sharon White Skaggs are reunited as hosts for the big show. Here they wait to lead the pledge of allegiance to Buck.
The ageless Buck White accepts.
Fiddle player of the year Michael Cleveland (right) asks Tom Adams if this is really his eighth one.
Boxcars leader Adam Steffey shares his 7th win for mandolin player of the year with lady love Tina.
Dailey & Vincent sing “Elizabeth” with the guy who wrote it, Statler Brother, Jimmy Fortune.
Claire Lynch takes female vocalist for the first time since the 1900’s. Mark Schatz is pleased.
Leigh and Eric Gibson snag Gospel Recorded Performance and Gospel Song of the Year for “Ring The Bell.”
Darrell Scott offers a strong take on his tune “Bleeding For A Little Peace of Mind” with Blue Highway and Richmond’s own Wayne Taylor on bass.
Kristin Scott Benson busts through the “grass ceiling” with a three-peat as Banjo Player of the Year.”
Darren Vincent and Jamie Dailey are still on a roll, scoring on five of their ten nominations including the big one, Entertainer of the Year...again.
Alison Krauss & Union Station with Dan, Ron and Barry reunite to mark the 10th anniversary of Oh Brother.
The glamorous and fully engaged Kitsy Kuykendall makes a compelling case for Owensboro and the International Bluegrass Music Museum.
Gary, Earl and Randy Scruggs acknowledge the induction of Earl’s late wife and manager (and their mom) Louise into the IBMA Hall of Fame.
Emerging Artist winner Josh Williams also is crowned Guitar Player of the Year and plays with mentor Tony Rice to boot. Don’t miss Tony and Peter Rowan at this weekend’s Richmond Folk Festival.
Tim O’Brien hoists the world’s largest banjo to pay tribute to departed dancing troubadour John Hartford as John takes his place in the Hall of Fame.
Jerry “Flux” Douglas pays homage to his pal Ricky Skaggs’ recent aversion to the barber shop. (Stay tuned)
The dashing Travelin’ McCourys even let Del play that night
Mild mannered Marshall Wilborn takes Bass Player of the Year after beloved wife Lynn Morris take an IBMA Special Achievement award.
Sam Bush renders Song of the Year nominee “The Ballad of Stringbean and Estelle” he wrote with Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson. Guitarist Stephen Mougin (coming to town @ In Your Ear Recording with banjo man Ned Luberecki on October 26) looks on. Make your reservations here.
Darlin’ Family cut-up and IBMA Hall of Famer Rodney Dillard plays harmonica in his mouth with no hands! Now that’s entertainment.
The Award Show at the Ryman wraps with an all-star tribute to John Hartford as Tim O’Brien leads “Gentle On My Mind.”
For a well-done review of the Award Show, click on this full accounting from the IBMA. Kudos to Cindy Baucom and Trisha Tubbs for a tight, entertaining show and our veteran MerleFest wizards Cliff Miller and Buck Parker of SE Systems for great house sound. And to Carl Jackson and Mark Newton for recruiting the stellar lineup for FanFest, where all donate their time and talent for benefit of the Bluegrass Trust Fund. Photos from FanFest along the right column. And let’s not forget the forgotten in Nashville in the aftermath of the flood…watch Cadillac Sky’s “Hangman” video shot to bring focus on the Tent City on the banks of the Cumberland River where weeks later, 140 homeless souls lost everything they had. So long Nashville…for another year.
If you haven’t heard, Nashville picks up where we and Butte, Montana left off as three-year home to the National Folk Festival in 2011. Of course we’ve kept the party going here along the James as our third Richmond Folk Festival looms. It will be free and it will be fabulous. Ask anyone who’s been to any of the past five cultural explosions…a must if this town’s ever seen one…join us. Or listen on WCVE Public Radio…better still, come on down. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There’s so much more than the ear can hear. Here are links to background pieces we were part of in RVANews and Richmond.Com. This is us…at our best.
TT
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