World of Bluegrass 2014 is taking place this week in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event runs from September 30 through October 4 and is organized by the nonprofit International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
Raleigh is an appropriate location for this gathering of bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts. North Carolina is home to numerous traditional and contemporary bluegrass artists as well as essential music festivals. Many of the bluegrass innovators and legends hail from the region, including Earl Scruggs, Don Reno, and Bobby Hicks. Contemporary masters like Jim Mills, Terry Baucom and Tony Williamson continue to live in the state.
A new bluegrass commercial radio station, WFNL 102.3 FM, was launched by Curtis Media Group, covering central North Carolina. Curtis Media Group Executive Vice President, Trip Savery said: “Our commitment to Bluegrass started when WPTF hired Flatt & Scruggs in 1952. We are very proud to bring a part of our heritage back to the airwaves.”
The weekend evening show Back Porch Music on the widely heard public radio station WUNC 91.5 FM (Durham) provides an influential outlet for the bluegrass community. The station programs an annual series of bluegrass concerts at Durham’s American Tobacco campus.
The bluegrass summit World of Bluegrass attracts industry professionals and lots of musicians from the United States and abroad. The event includes concerts, scheduled and improvised jams, workshops, conferences, awards, a trade show and other activities.
The 2014 IBMA Momentum Awards were announced October 1 at a luncheon Raleigh. The Momentum Awards celebrate rising bluegrass talent.
Performance Award – Band
Barefoot Movement
Performance Award – Vocalist
Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)
Performance Award – Instrumentalists
Dominick Leslie (mandolin)
Jake Stargel (guitar)
Cory Walker (banjo)
Festival/Event/Venue Award
Bluegrass Situation showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association
Industry Involvement Award
Ashlee Jean Trott, Music City Roots – Bluegrass Underground
Mentor Award
Tim Surrett (Balsam Range)
On October 2 we visited the business conference side of World of Bluegrass at the Raleigh Convention Center. First, we headed to the Bluegrass Marketplace. This is an exhibit area for small businesses and artists to promote their products.
The first table we visited belonged to Hearth Music, a Seattle-based publicity company that has been sending us great music in the past years. Devon Léger promotes Americana, bluegrass, Celtic and world music artists.
Devon Léger, Hearth Music – Photo by Angel Romero
Next, we talked to William Gerringer, host of Tobacco Road Bluegrass on www.bluegrassmix.com, a bluegrass only 24/7 Streaming Bluegrass Internet Radio station.
William Gerringer, host of Tobacco Road Bluegrass – Photo by Angel Romero
Eric Schlange runs Hangout Network which includes various websites specialized in folk music instruments: banjohangout.com as well as fiddlehangout.com, flatpickerhangout.com, mandohangout.com, and resohangout.com.
Eric Schlange of Hangout Network – Photo by Angel Romero
Terry Wittenberg and Matt Slocum had a display representing the DC Bluegrass Union, a nonprofit organization that promotes bluegrass music in the Washington Dc area and provides concert ticket discounts, a newsletter and various other services.
Also at the Bluegrass Marketplace we met John Hotze, organizer of the John Hartford Memorial Festival, a 3-day family-friendly bluegrass and old time music festival in Bean Blossom, Indiana.
As well present in the Bluegrass Marketplace was Merlefest, the best bluegrass festival in the United States. This annual event is held annually in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
We’ll continue coverage with articles about the award winners, the trade show and showcases.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.