IBMA offering discount on new Professional Memberships during April

If you’re not currently a member of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and consider yourself “professionally” involved in the world of bluegrass, now is the time to think about joining.

The IBMA is currently offering year long memberships at a 35% discount for new members who qualify under the professional membership designation. The normal price is $70 dollars for a professional individual membership but during the month of April new members can get a year-long membership for $45.

To join the IBMA call 1-888-438-4262 or visit the IBMA website.

Membership in the IBMA can benefit you several ways including:

• You have a voice…voting on the IBMA Awards and leadership elections, participation in meetings and shaping decisions.
• Critical information…through online and print publications, educational events, forums and research that help focus on the best opportunities and what’s new.
• Key connections…personal contacts you need with people anxious to engage with you at IBMA events and through our extensive databases.
• Promotions…opportunities to see and be seen by the people and companies that make decisions and can help foster your success.

As a Bluegrass Broadcaster, IBMA membership has proven to be a very valuable tool in my career. Not only do I have access to the latest industry news through the IBMA Newsletter and website, but I find that networking with other association members is the best way to advance Bluegrass Music in so many different ways. Being an IBMA member definitely makes my job easier! Cindy Baucom, Knee-Deep In Bluegrass, Charlotte, NC

Share This

No comments

Leadership Bluegrass, now in its ninth year with more than 180 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music along with related leadership issues.

Leadership Bluegrass will be hosted again this year at the BMI offices in Nashville, March 25-27, and will be facilitated by Fred Bartenstein. Please contact the IBMA office for information on future Leadership Bluegrass programs: (615) 256-3222, nancyc@ibma.org.

The International Bluegrass Music Association is pleased to announce the following participants in the 2008 class of Leadership Bluegrass:

• Serge Bernard; Diamond Productions PEI; Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada
• Ethan Burkhardt; Pinecastle Records; Columbus, N.C.
• Ron Cox; Avenue Bank; Nashville, Tenn.
• Katy Daley; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, D.C.
• Debbie Durant; Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival; Landenberg, Penn.
• Arnie Fleischer; The Emelin Theatre; Mamaroneck, N.Y.
• Tim Graves; Tim Graves & Cherokee; Northport, Ala.
• Cindy Gray; The Nevada Bluegrass Project; Reno, Nev.
• Bill Hartley; Birthplace of Country Music Alliance; Bristol, Tenn.
• Richard Hurst; Ulster American Folk Park, EBMA; Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
• Carl Jackson; Colonel Rebel Music; Nashville, Tenn.
• Diane King, Music Business Mgt.; Franklin, Tenn.
• Katy E. Leonard; IBMA; Nashville, Tenn.
• Matt Lindsey; Matt Lindsey Music LLC; Nashville, Tenn.
• Michael W. Marceau; D.C. Bluegrass Union; Kensington, Md.
• Tim McFadden; Tim McFadden Management LLC; Brentwood, Tenn.
• Marty Raybon; Marty Raybon & Full Circle; Tuscumbia, Ala.
• Roger Ryan; CMA of Ireland; Cork, Ireland
• Roger H. Siminoff; Siminoff Banjo & Mandolin Parts; Arroyo Grande, Calif.
• Lorraine Short; Prime Tyme Solutions; Raleigh, N.C.
• Wayne Taylor; Raincoe Music; Crofton, Md.
• Dana Thorin; Breezy Ridge Instruments, John Pearse Strings; Scotts Valley, Calif.
• April Verch; April Verch Band, April Verch Music; Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
• Lucy Weberling; Festival Yoga/ Inner Smile Productions; Skiatook, Okla.
• Rebekah Weiler; Middle Tennessee State Univ.; Murfreesboro, Tenn. (student monitor)

Share This

No comments

With the encouragement and support of IBMA, a new non-profit charitable organization, the “Foundation for Bluegrass Music” has been created to serve as an “umbrella” under which funds can be placed and disbursed to support educational, literary and artistic activities of public benefit. The foundation was recently incorporated in Tennessee and is in the process of filing for 501c3 tax status. Such status means funds entrusted to the foundation are tax deductible as charitable donations.

According to the IBMA, “contributions may be designated to create or sustain a particular program, either one in existence if already created or one created at the wishes of the donor. Donations may also be unrestricted and left to the discretion of the board as to where they can best be used.”

At the recent World of Bluegrass event, Bill Taylor (executor of the Richard Barnhart Estate) announced a leadership gift to the foundation expected to be approximately $200,000.00 once the estate is settled. Barnhart was a lifetime member of the IBMA from northern Virginia who passed away in 1995. Richard Barnhart requested that a portion of his estate be used for programs that would expose young people to bluegrass music. According to Mr. Taylor, “Richard loved children but never married. He wanted his estate to do something for children and something for bluegrass at the same time.”

The Foundation’s leadership envisions a variety of programs that can grow under this umbrella. Some examples include:

• Bluegrass in the Schools (grants, workshops, other resources)
• Academic conferences
• Literary work and related efforts
• Public artistic presentations of an educational nature
• Historic preservation
• …and other works of a charitable nature

The foundation board includes: Richard Tucker (president), Carl Pagter (treasurer), Tom Kopp (secretary), Greg Cahill and Jed Malischke.

More information can be found on the IBMA website or by contacting the foundation:

The Foundation for Bluegrass Music
2 Music Circle South – Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37203
615-256-3222

Share This

No comments

GAC ’s “The Edge of Country” series will feature backstage coverage and interviews with your favorite bluegrass artists from the recent IBMA convention on this week’s episode.

The show is scheduled to run Oct. 19 at 10:00pm and again on Oct. 20th at 2:00am and 12:00pm. All times listed are Central Time. Check your local television listings for times and channels in your area.

Update: according to our sources, Williams and Clark Expedition and Donna Hughes are among the artists that GAC interviewed for this episode of “The Edge of Country.”

Share This

No comments

Share This

1 comment