BILLY STRINGS ANNOUNCED AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER at the 2025 IBMA BUSINESS CONFERENCE, PRESENTED BY RIVERVIEW FOUNDATION, in CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
Photo credit Alysse Gafkjen
“Billy Strings in Conversation with Tom Power”
presented by Turnberry Records, in partnership with IBMA Official Media Partner, The Bluegrass Situation, Will Take Place Tuesday, September 16 at the Chattanooga Convention Center
Award-winning radio/podcast host Tom Power will conduct a live, sit-down interview with the celebrated artist as part of the three-day business conference.
NASHVILLE, TN (August 21, 2025) – Billy Strings, one of the most celebrated and revered musicians across all genres of music, will be the keynote speaker at the IBMA Business Conference, presented by Riverview Foundation, in Chattanooga, TN on Tuesday, September 16, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced today. “Billy Strings in Conversation with Tom Power,” sponsored by The Bluegrass Situation and Turnberry Records, will be presented as a live interview at the Chattanooga Convention Center; acclaimed radio and podcast host Tom Power will engage the GRAMMY Award-winning artist in conversation for the assembled business conference attendees. The session is scheduled to start at 4pm ET; famed Turnberry recording artist and IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winner Junior Sisk will perform a special set before the keynote.
To attend the in-person keynote on September 16, a conference pass for that specific day is required. Passes for September 16, as well as for September 17 and 18, are currently available at the discounted Summer Rate through Saturday, August 23. After that, prices will increase to the Final Rate. For complete details on pricing, conference sessions, artist showcases, and networking opportunities at the IBMA Business Conference, visit worldofbluegrass.org.
“Through my work on (the podcast) Toy Heart, I’ve had the chance to talk with some of the legends of bluegrass,” said Power. “I’ve spoken with the artists who’ve lived the music and carried it forward across generations. What struck me was how often those conversations, after the mics were off and I was wrapping cables, turned to Billy Strings. Long before the arena shows and awards, they were already calling him a transformational figure.”
“I’m grateful for the chance to talk with Billy now, not at the end of a road but right in the thick of it – to ask about his relationship to bluegrass today, how he moves within it, and what he may have found in this music that’s opened it up to so many in a way we haven’t seen since the earliest days of Bill Monroe.”
“We couldn’t be prouder to present such an influential artist at this year’s conference,” said Ken White, Executive Director of IBMA. “Billy Strings represents the present and future of bluegrass by embracing – and building on – our past. We recommend that conference attendees circle this keynote address on their schedule for Sept. 16; we’re predicting standing room only for this session!”
About Billy Strings:
Raised in Michigan, Billy Strings is known as one of music’s most compelling artists. His most recent studio album, Highway Prayers, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart—the first time in 22 years that a bluegrass album has been the top-selling album across genres. Additionally, he recently joined forces with renowned guitarist Bryan Sutton to surprise release a new collaborative album, Live at the Legion, which was recorded live at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82 and features the duo performing 20 traditional bluegrass and folk songs, and released his first live album, the Grammy Award-winning Billy Strings Live Vol. 1, last summer.
Beloved by fans and critics alike, GQ calls Strings “the hottest roots-music phenomenon in decades,” while Pitchfork declared, “the bluegrass wunderkind expands his palette, exploring new textures and emotional registers while staying true to his beloved genre.” Since his 2017 debut, Strings has been awarded Best Bluegrass Album at the 67th and 63rd GRAMMY Awards, Artist of the Year at the 2023 and 2022 Americana Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year at the 2023, 2022 and 2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards, Best New Headliner at the 2022 Pollstar Awards and Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic at the 2021 Pollstar Awards among several other accolades. Known for his electric live shows, Strings has performed countless sold-out dates worldwide and will continue to tour through this fall with headline dates across North America and Europe as well as a special series of intimate sold-out shows with Bryan Sutton.
About Tom Power:
Tom Power is the award-winning host of Q on CBC Radio One, where his thoughtful, conversational interview style has earned international acclaim. Since taking over in 2016, he’s won multiple Gold medals at the New York Festivals for interviews with Michael J. Fox, Bono, and Mick Jagger. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Tom became the youngest national radio host in CBC history at 21 with Deep Roots. He later moved to Toronto to host Radio 2 Morning before stepping into his current role. He is the co-creator and host of Toy Heart, from The Bluegrass Situation, considered the preeminent interview podcast about bluegrass. The show features intimate conversations with legends like Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Jesse McReynolds, and Jerry Douglas.
The 2025 IBMA Business Conference is part of IBMA World of Bluegrass®, in partnership with Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, which runs September 16-20, 2025. The week, the most important in bluegrass music, encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, presented by Riverview Foundation, Sept. 16-18 at the Chattanooga Convention Center; the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, presented by Chattanooga Coca-Cola, which is an innovative series of showcases taking place Sept. 16-18 in local Chattanooga venues; the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, presented by Get It Played, scheduled for Thursday evening, September 18 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium; and IBMA Bluegrass Live!®, Sept. 19-20, a two-day festival of live performances and fan experiences.
Tickets are now on sale for all IBMA World of Bluegrass® events; visit worldofbluegrass.org for details.
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About the IBMA:
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) is the non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide. The organization hosts IBMA World of Bluegrass®, an annual event featuring a business conference, showcases, awards show, and street festival highlighting the best in bluegrass talent. The event supports the IBMA and the IBMA Trust Fund. Other special IBMA initiatives include the IBMA International Band Performance Grant, Leadership Bluegrass, and Kids on Bluegrass. Learn more at ibma.org and worldofbluegrass.org.
About Tennessee Department of Tourist Development:
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.
About Chattanooga Tourism Co.:
About Chattanooga Tourism Co.: The Chattanooga Tourism Co. is the official destination marketing organization for Hamilton County, dedicated to sustainably increasing visitation and connecting guests with authentic Chattanooga experiences. The organization aims to strengthen the local economy and enrich the community by establishing Chattanooga as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events, cultural festivals, and leisure travel. Annually, Hamilton County welcomes over 10.7 million visitors who contribute $70 million in local taxes, saving each resident household $1,205 in taxes and supporting more than 30,000 jobs. https://www.visitchattanooga.com/.
About Riverview Foundation:
The Riverview Foundation seeks to enrich the livability and stewardship of select communities and natural areas located within the Buffalo Bayou, Broad, Horsepasture, Lower Tennessee, Medina, and Oconee River watersheds. The foundation’s grantmaking priorities include the performing (musical) arts, habitat and wildlife conservation, parks and greenways, and other projects of interest to the Trustees. https://riverviewfdn.org.
About The Bluegrass Situation:
The Bluegrass Situation (or BGS, as it’s come to be known) is the world’s largest community for American roots music, culture, and lifestyle. Co-founded by lifelong music fan Ed Helms (The Office; The Hangover) and executive director Amy Reitnouer Jacobs in 2012, BGS proudly represents a unique gathering place: Supporting and uplifting the rich, diverse, and varied history of these musics (as well as the artists and fans who keep them alive), while looking ahead with a progressive vision to transform these folkways and traditions into a carefully curated, 21st century lifestyle open to all. Join us at https://thebluegrasssituation.com/.
About Turnberry Records:
Founded with a passion for preserving the rich traditions of roots music while embracing contemporary sounds, Turnberry Records works with both seasoned artists and emerging talent to bring authentic and timeless music to a wider audience. Turnberry Records prides itself on being a home for music that resonates with the heart and soul – where tradition meets innovation, and the spirit of bluegrass lives on.
https://turnberryrecords.com.
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Press/General Info: Elizabeth Dewey, IBMA
[email protected], 615-673-4811
