Nashville, TN (June 11, 2020) – The International Bluegrass Music Association is excited to announce finalists for the Songwriter Showcase. As a part of the Songwriter Track of the IBMA Business Conference, the Songwriter Showcase is a coveted opportunity which shines a spotlight on ten selected songwriters and their original compositions. The writers will perform for an audience of some of the best bluegrass artists and producers in the industry. The showcase is one element of IBMA World of Bluegrass, September 29-October 3, 2020.
The following songwriters were selected by the IBMA Songwriter Showcase Selection Committee as Songwriter Showcase Finalists:
Aaron Bibelhauser & Mike Finders – “Time In and Out”
Beth Lee – “Dreams Are Cheap in Tinseltown”
Forrest O’Connor – “It Never Ends”
Heather Kenney – “Whole Life of You”
Jaelee Roberts – “One’s Real Life”
Jeff Hovis – “This Old Man’s Tools”
Johnny Williams – “Sailor’s Regret”
Mark Kilianski – “Old Buffalo”
Nick Chandler – “Big Bill Johnson”
Theo MacMillan – “Burn Down the Sun”
In addition to the Songwriter Showcase, the Songwriter Track of the IBMA Business Conference provides writers with resources to cultivate their craft, develop solid business practices, network, and pitch material to bluegrass artists and producers.
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 IBMA 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.
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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.
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Press Info:
Judy McDonough, JEMMedia
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615-243-5994
General Info:
Casey Campbell, IBMA
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615-256-3222
Local Host Info:
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