We are pleased to announce that several SFBA members will attend the IBMA World of Bluegrass Conference in Nashville, Tennessee this year. Among them are Mark Anton, Bill Ballew, Tim Capps, Ed Pierce and Dean Roberts. Planning for the Conference has been going on for months – travel arrangements, selecting workshops to attend, scheduling bands to play at our after hours showcases and preparing SFBA promotional material.
The personal development workshops offered at IBMA help to educate our attending members on contemporary issues concerning festival management and promotion, liability concerns, contracts and business associations, applying for grants and responsible fiscal accountability. This information is valuable to keeping our Association progressive while preserving the heritage of Bluegrass music. The exhibition hall at the IBMA Conference features well over 100 exhibitors including everything from event insurance brokers to supply vendors to custom instrument luthiers. It is a great resource to get a sense of “what’s out there”. Attendees can scout for talented Bluegrass performers at the showcases sponsored by recording labels as well as other Associations.
The SFBA’s national profile is increased by holding our own showcases that others are invited to attend. This year, we have scheduled established artists such as Audie Blaylock, James King, Gloria Belle & Tennessee Sunshine and Monroe Crossing to perform along with some very special up and comers. The IBMA Conference wraps up with the Bluegrass Music Awards followed by Bluegrass Fan Fest.
The awards night is exciting as outstanding artists are recognized and excellent performances are given on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium. Fan Fest follows with some of the best music played by some of the best loved performers in Bluegrass music today. This is wonderful opportunity we have every year to network with other Associations, talent, promoters and Bluegrass fans.
Our members are able to attend and represent both South Florida and the SFBA in a positive manner. They do this at their own expense; the Association does not contribute towards the cost of their attendance. But the SFBA certainly reaps the benefits of their contribution.