2008 IBMA World of Bluegrass

The International Bluegrass Music Association is packing a whirlwind of events into its annual World of Bluegrass and Fan Fest, set for Sept. 29 through Oct. 5 in Nashville, Tenn.

The convention will be headquartered at the Renaissance Hotel, but the convention’s highlight — IBMA’s annual awards show — will take place from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on the historic stage of the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 2. It will be hosted by Del McCoury.

Between band showcase performances and IBMA’s fan fair, literally scores of concerts featuring the famous, the super-famous and the up-and-comers will be presented during the convention.

Here’s a complete schedule:

Monday – September 29, 2008 – Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom
Evening Showcase Performances – Sponsored by Huber Banjos

• 8:00 pm — Dixie Bee-Liners
• 8:30 pm — Cumberland Gap Connection
• 9:00 pm — Dappled Grays
• 9:30 pm — Widow Maker
• 10:00 pm — The Gibson Brothers
• 10:30 pm — The SteelDrivers

Tuesday – September 30, 2008 – Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom
Evening Showcase Performances – Sponsored by Stelling Banjos

• 8:30 pm — Red Wine
• 9:00 pm — Donna Ulisse
• 9:30 pm — Charlie Sizemore Band
• 10:00 pm — Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
• 10:30 pm — Valery Smith & Liberty Pike

Wednesday – October 1, 2008 – Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom
Brunch Showcase Performances – Sponsored by Good Home Grown Music, Rural Rhythm Records & The California Bluegrass Association

• 11:30 am — Alecia Nugent
• Noon — Lonesome River Band
• 12:30 pm — Sawmill Road

Evening Showcase Performances – Sponsored by Gibson Instruments

• 8:30 pm — The Farewell Drifters
• 9:00 pm — Balsam Range
• 9:30 pm — Blue Highway
• 10:00 pm — Ernie Thacker & Route 23
• 10:30 pm — Kathy Mattea

Thursday – October 2, 2008
Sponsored by Martha White Foods, GAC-TV, MerleFest, Deering Banjos,
Pinecastle Records & GHS Strings

• The International Bluegrass Music Awards Show — 8:30 to 11 PM – Ryman Auditorium – Hosted by Del McCoury

Friday, October 3 – Bluegrass Fan Fest 2008
Sponsored in part by Martha White Foods, Martin Guitars, Knee Deep in Bluegrass & WSM-AM 650

MAIN STAGE – Nashville Convention Center – Lower Level

• 10:45 AM — Kids on Bluegrass 2008 – Featuring: Aimee Anderson, Daisy Anderson, Ethan Anderson, Paige Anderson, Lindsey Batts, Danielle Bishop, Courtney Burroughs, Houston Caldwell, Casey Campbell, Kendra Coomes, Emily Dean, Stephanie Dilling, Ben Doerfel, Eddie Doerfel, Joey Doerfel, Kurt Doerfel, Tommy Doerfel, Ethan Haithcox, Kayln Hall, Kati Huntley, Jacob Joins, Nick Keen, Aissa Lee, Daniel Perry, Sydni Perry, Seth Taylor, Brandon Toney, Molly Tuttle, Jarrod Walker,Tyler Walker, Tyler White, Austin Wilder and Grace Wilson
• 11:05 AM — Keith Sewell
• 11:35 AM — Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
• 12:05 PM — Blue Moon Rising
• 12:35 PM — Balsam Range
• 1:05 PM — Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
• 1:35 PM — Marty Raybon & Full Circle
• 2:05 PM — The Infamous Stringdusters
• 2:35 PM — Sierra Hull & Highway 111
• 3:05 PM — Tony Trischka
• 3:35 PM — Josh Williams Band
• 4:05 PM — Grasstowne
• 4:35 PM — Blue Highway
• 5:00 PM — (INTERMISSION)
• 6:00 PM — Dale Ann Bradley
• 6:30 PM — Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• 7:05 PM — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• 7:55 PM — Cherryholmes
• 8:45 PM — The Dan Tyminski Band
• 9:35 PM — The Grascals
• 10:25 PM — Tony Rice & Mountain Heart

THE ROOTS & BRANCHES STAGE – Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom
Sponsored by CMT

• 1:00 PM — The April Verch Band
• 2:00 PM — The Freight Hoppers
• 3:00 PM — Mike Seeger
• 4:00 PM — The Red Desert Ramblers
• 5:00 PM — Robin and Linda Williams and their Fine Group

Martin Guitar’s “Midnight Jam” Celebrating their 175th Anniversary

• Midnight — The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band
• 12:30 AM — The Mark Newton Band
• 1:00 AM — Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time
• 1:30 AM — Cadillac Sky

MASTER’S WORKSHOP STAGE
Sponsored by Bluegrass Now

• (schedule to be announced)

GRAND MASTER FIDDLER CHAMPIONSHIP

• schedule to be announced

Saturday, October 4 — Bluegrass Fan Fest 2008
Sponsored in part by Martha White Foods, Martin Guitars, Knee Deep in Bluegrass & WSM-AM 650

MAIN STAGE – Nashville Convention Center – Lower Level

• 11:00 AM — G2
• 11:30 AM — Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain
• 12:00 PM — Wildfire
• 12:30 PM — The Chapmans
• 1:00 PM — Audie Blaylock & Redline
• 1:30 PM — Newfound Road
• 2:00 PM — The Circuit Riders
• 2:30 PM — Special Consensus
• 3:00 PM — Alecia Nugent
• 3:30 PM — Jesse McReynolds Family & Friends
• 4:00 PM — Michael Martin Murphy
• 4:30 PM — The Greencards
• 5:00 PM — (INTERMISSION)
• 6:00 PM — Ralph Stanley II
• 6:30 PM — Ronnie Bowman
• 7:00 PM — Grand Master Fiddler Champion
• 7:25 PM — Dailey & Vincent
• 8:05 PM — (Martin Guitar Prize Drawing)
• 8:15 PM — Vince Gill
• 9:05 PM — Bradley Walker
• 9:55 PM — Kathy Mattea
• 10:45 PM — The Lonesome River Band

THE ROOTS & BRANCHES STAGE – Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom
Sponsored by CMT

• Noon — Si Kahn
• 1:00 PM — Dennis Cash and Friends
• 2:00 PM — The Buddy and Tina Wright Group
• 3:00 PM — Ramona Jones, Family and Friends
• 4:00 PM — The Songcatchers
• 5:00 PM — The Maybelles

MASTER’S WORKSHOP STAGE
Sponsored by Bluegrass Now

• (schedule to be announced)

GRAND MASTER FIDDLER CHAMPIONSHIP

• schedule to be announced

Sunday, October 5– Bluegrass Fan Fest 2008
Sponsored in part by Martha White Foods, Martin Guitars, Knee Deep in Bluegrass & WSM-AM 650

MAIN STAGE – Nashville Convention Center – Lower Level

• 9:00 AM — Chapel Service & Singing
• 9:45 AM — Paul Williams & Victory Trio
• 10:10 AM — David Parmley & Continental Divide
• 10:35 AM — Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad
• 11:00 AM — The Larry Stephenson Band
• 11:30 PM — Don Rigsby & Midnight Call