NEW MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN BLUEGRASS

AIRPLAY DIRECT CO-SPONSORS THE IBMA WOB  CONFERENCE & THE IBMA MOMENTUM AWARDS FOR 2014

 

“AirPlay Direct is proud of our on-going strategic partnership with the IBMA.  This year was no exception.  We are particularly proud of our involvement and co-sponsorship of the IBMA “Momentum Awards” for 2014.  Listed below are the winners of the various IBMA “Momentum Awards”.  Each artist “Momentum Award” recipient was also awarded an AirPlay Direct “Marketing & Awareness” package to promote and market their music to APD’s 9,200 radio station members globally.”  

                                        Robert Weingartz, Chairman & Creator – AirPlay Direct

 

IBMA Momentum Award Winners for 2014:

• Instrumentalists of the Year:  Dominick Leslie (mandolin), Jake Stargel (guitar), Cory Walker (banjo)

• Vocalist of the Year:  Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)

• Band of the Year:  The Barefoot Movement

• New Festival or Venue of the Year:  Bluegrass Situation Showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association

• Industry Involvement of the Year:  Ashlee-Jean Trott, Music City Roots / Bluegrass Underground

• Mentor of the Year:  Tim Surrett

HOW BLUEGRASS MUSIC GOT IT'S NAME

FROM THE IBMA FACEBOOK PAGE:

(This began with a discussion of actual Kentucky bluegrass, which many treasure for their home lawns, and a bit of the history of the state of Kentucky and then on to the following.)

Happily, the least offensive nickname stuck, so “The Bluegrass State” it is. It’s fortunate too, because the moniker also gave its name to a style of music that became the essence of Americana. It’s credited to Bill Monroe, a Kentucky native whose band, The Blue Grass Boys, helped popularize that music and bring it to the masses. The music didn’t originate with Monroe and his musicians; its roots were in the traditions that Irish and Scottish settlers brought with them when they resettled in Appalachia. Early old country ballads such as “Cumberland Gap,” “Pretty Polly,” “Barbara Allen” and “Cuckoo Bird” were adapted and transformed over the decades, adapted into tunes that could be plucked, picked and played on banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin, making for a communal sound ideally suited for informal gatherings on the back porch in the company of neighbors, friends and family. With multi-part harmonies and shared vocals tossed back and forth, bluegrass evolved into a uniquely American form, an original root of Americana, a popular offshoot of both folk and country and a style tagged as hillbilly music due to its specific demographic appeal.
Nevertheless, it took Monroe to put a name to it, a name that offers homage to a particular place where the music was born and bred. He made it a commercial form of old time mountain music and adapted it for the radio. He also wanted something snappier and more focused than the music he grew up with. Once he made it to the Grand Ole’ Opry, his music was broadcast over the radio to most of the population of the eastern U.S. Though it certainly was something rural folks could identify with, others began taking note and its popularity spread well beyond those original realms.
And that’s why we should all give thanks to Mr. Monroe . . . 

IS THE IBMA ON IT'S LAST LEGS?

The International Bluegrass Music Association may be going downhill fast. Shortly after the close of the 2014 World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC, IBMA executive director Nancy Cardwell has announced her resignation. She has served since 2011 following the resignation of longtime executive, Dan Hays. Hays was in charge during the development and growth of the IBMA over some 20 years of leadership. His departure left some questioning the financial stability of the IBMA. Now the timing of Cardwell's resignation seems to suggest that the 2014 WOB may not have been the booming success that was claimed.  What does all this mean for both the IBMA and bluegrass music generally?  Only time will tell, but it does not sound positive to this blogger.

IBMA 2014 AWARDS WINNERS

Entertainer of the Year – Balsam Range
Vocal Group of the Year – Balsam Range
Instrumental Group of the Year – Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Song of the Year – ‘Dear Sister,’ Claire Lynch, written by Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscomb
Album of the Year – ‘Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe,’ Noam Pikelny, produced by Gabe Witcher, Compass Records
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year – ‘Won’t It Be Wonderful There,’ Dailey & Vincent, from ‘Brothers of the Highway,’ written by Mildred Styles Johnson, produced by Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, Rounder Records
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year – ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy,’ Special Consensus with Buddy Spicher, Michael Cleveland and Alison Brown, from ‘Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver,’ written by John Martin Sommers, Compass Records
Recorded Event of the Year – ‘Wild Montana Skies,’ Special Consensus with Claire Lynch and Rob Ickes, produced by Alison Brown, Compass Records
Emerging Artist of the Year – Flatt Lonesome
Male Vocalist of the Year – Buddy Melton
Female Vocalist of the Year – Amanda Smith
Instrumental Performers of the Year
Banjo – Noam Pikelny
Bass – Barry Bales
Fiddle – Jason Carter
Dobro – Phil Leadbetter
Guitar – Bryan Sutton
Mandolin – Adam Steffey

YBA FALL SHOWCASE COMING UP

FROM PADDY MOORE AND SONGDOG SERENADE'S FACEBOOK PAGE:

Howdy Bluegrass fans and friends! Check out the "featured bands" in this here poster. We'll be teaming up with 7 other bands in an all out effort to raise some cash for our friends at the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch on October 24. Y'all come and show the kids that we care!