Nashville, TN (May 12, 2020) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced the first round of Official Showcase Artists for the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, the innovative showcase series which takes place at select venues throughout downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, September 29-October 1. The IBMA Bluegrass Ramble is one element of IBMA World of Bluegrass, September 29-October 3, 2020.
“We believe this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass will be more important for our industry than ever, and the IBMA team is working hard (from home, of course!) to produce an event that will be a key part of our industry’s recovery effort. The events remain as scheduled as we build plans for live and/or virtual formats, depending on what is allowed and prudent for the health of our community,” said IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger.
The following artists were selected by the IBMA Showcase Selection Committee as Bluegrass Ramble Official Showcase artists:
Ali Shumate – https://alishumatemusic.com
Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves – https://www.tatianahargreaves.com
Amanda Cook – https://amandacookbluegrass.com
Becky Buller Band – https://beckybuller.com
Colebrook Road – https://www.colebrookroad.com
Jussi Syren And The Groundbreakers – http://www.syren.fi
Kristy Cox – https://www.kristycox.com
Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys – https://ralph2.com
Serene Green – http://www.serenegreenbluegrass.com/
Special Consensus – http://www.specialc.com
Stillhouse Junkies – https://stillhousejunkies.com/
The Arcadian Wild – http://www.thearcadianwild.com/
The Kody Norris Show – https://thekodynorrisshow.com/home
Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa – http://www.waynetaylorproductions.com
Williamson Branch – https://www.williamsonbranch.com/home
Additional showcase artists will be announced later in June.
These artists were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants from all over the world, with the goal of presenting the broad spectrum of styles, regions and personalities who represent bluegrass today.
“The event remains scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 1. However, we are aware that a return to normal operations remains uncertain, and we are monitoring measures and recommendations issued by government and health officials,” said Schiminger.
Additional updates and information about IBMA World of Bluegrass will be shared across the organization’s social media platforms, through email notification, and on worldofbluegrass.org. Updates will also be available via our Raleigh partners’ social media platforms and email newsletters, including PineCone, the Raleigh Convention Center, and the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (visitRaleigh).
In response to the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our music community, the IBMA Trust Fund Board of Trustees has established a COVID-19 relief effort to assist eligible bluegrass music professionals affected. To donate or apply for assistance, visit: https://ibma.org/bluegrass-trust-fund/covid/. The festival component of IBMA World of Bluegrass, renamed this year as IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, is a fundraiser for the Trust Fund.
IBMA continues to offer a Community Resource page with updated information about COVID-19 that is relevant to the bluegrass community.
More info about IBMA World of Bluegrass
IBMA World of Bluegrass is a five-day annual bluegrass music homecoming and convention. The IBMA World of Bluegrass week encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, September 29-October 1; IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of band showcases, taking place September 29-October 1 in downtown Raleigh and at the Raleigh Convention Center; the 31st Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, October 1; and IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, October 2-3, a two-day festival.
As in years past, events during IBMA World of Bluegrass 2020 will take place at the Raleigh Convention Center, the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, the Red Hat Amphitheater, and at various venues in town.
Volunteer for IBMA Bluegrass Live! and other IBMA World of Bluegrass events: https://worldofbluegrass.org/participate/volunteer/
Learn more about accessibility efforts that are part of the whole IBMA World of Bluegrass, including IBMA Bluegrass Live!: https://worldofbluegrass.org/accessibility/
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that last year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass events generated $18.65 million in direct visitor spending for that region, with total attendance for the week’s activities estimated to be at least 218,000 people. Over 200 acts performed throughout the entire week of IBMA World of Bluegrass.
# # #
About IBMA
IBMA – the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the nonprofit professional organization for the global bluegrass music community. The organization’s successful run in Raleigh is the product of their partnership with The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Raleigh Convention Center, PineCone—The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, the City of Raleigh and a local organizing committee.
# # #
Press Info:
Judy McDonough, JEMMedia
[email protected]
615-243-5994
General Info:
Casey Campbell, IBMA
[email protected]
615-256-3222
Local Host Info:
Jamie Katz Court, PineCone
[email protected]
919-664-8333 x4
