POLITICS AND BLUEGRASS

Most Montanans  have become fatigued with all the political advertising which has dominated radio and TV during the recent primary election period. Well there is plenty of "politicking" going on in the world of bluegrass, too. The process of selecting the winners of the annual IBMA 2014 awards is in full swing. The e-mail boxes of professional members of the IBMA have been full of unabashed pleas for votes by many artists and record companies. The initial aspect of the nominating process has been completed. This is similar to the nominating committees of political parties in selecting who will be allowed to compete in coming elections. This will result in a small number in each IBMA category to be placed on the next ballot and will be further narrowed down for a final ballot to select the final winners. These are announced at the annual IBMA World of Bluegrass in the fall and are very valuable in selling recordings and tickets for festivals and concerts.  So the politicking will continue for two more elections and some of us will continue to have our e-mails congested throughout the summer. Next spring it will start all over again.  Politics is politics is politics whether in government or in music.