IBMA Report-Wednesday

Terry and I are back to the room, after enjoying some great jamming in the suites this evening. Town Mountain...Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen...The Boxcars...The Dixie Beeliners.

I also got to do a little jamming with the guys from G2. How fun...

We appreciate the hospitality of Sugar Hill Records, Class Act Entertainment and Keith Case & Associates.

A lot of my day was spent at the historic Ryman Auditorium for sound checks and rehearsals for the 21st Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show. From Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out to the Sam Bush Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (with a new lead singer-Mike Rogers) Claire Lynch Band and guests (triple fiddles of Jason Thomas, Aubrey Haynie and Mike Cleveland!) Judging by the run-through of The John Hartford musical tribute, this performance will be just incredible! Thanks to Alison Brown and Garry West from Compass Records for the help in coordinating all these wonderful artists to participate.

Jerry Douglas, Cheryl White nd Sharon White are naturals as hosts. Their personalities really came through at their rehearsal. I am so looking forward to the actual show Thursday evening.

Tomorrow I will be presenting the award to the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year at the IBMA Awards Luncheon at the Nashville Convention Center, then the reminder of the sound checks at the Ryman.

IBMA Report-Tuesday

It has been another wonderfully busy day at the IBMA World of Bluegrass. Knee-Deep In Bluegrass has a booth in the Exhibit Hall and I was able to spend a good part of the day there. I recorded a couple of interviews for Knee-Deep In Bluegrass. The first was with band leader, Frank Solivan. The highlight of my day was visiting with one of Terry's former band mates from "Boone Creek", Steve Bryant. I also interviewed Steve about those days and that incredible music, as well as his work with J. D. Crowe and The New South. I attended an IBMA Awards Show dinner meeting, going over last minute details with script and technical elements. Following the meeting I caught back up with Terry so we get to the "Fisk Room" where Rural Rhythm Records was hosting the Bluegrass All-Star Jam showcase. I served as MC, while Terry was joined by fellow artists Tim Stafford, Kenny Smith, Amanda Smith, Rob Ickes, Sammy Shelor, Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Kim Fox, Ron Stewart, Jesse Brock, Justin Moses, Missy Raines, Chris Jones, Don Rigsby and Tim Hensley. Awards Show rehearsals start tomorrow at the Ryman.

IBMA-Monday Report

Hey everyone! Another busy day at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Nashville. The IBMA Board met from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm. This evening's Keynote Address Dinner featured Sam Bush. Sam did a wonderful job addressing the crowd in the Nashville Convention Center Grand Ballroom. He started by talking about attending the 1965 Fincastle, Virginia Bluegrass Festival as an eager 13 year old. He was engaging and held the crowd's attention talking about Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys over the years, as well as other musicians that made an impact on him: David Grisman, Roland White, Jimmy Gaudreau, John Duffey, Charlie Waller and more.

Following dinner, it was time for band rehearsal with "Sunset Drive". We have an Emerging Artist Showcase, sponsored by Mast Farm Inn on Friday (Terry, Ashby, Maro, Rachel and me)

I was also excited to become the newest endorser of NS Design Basses. More on the bass later in the week.

I still have a showcase to emcee before my day is fully complete.

It was fun to get to hang out for a bit with the Swedish Bluegrass Band, G2, as well as Shelly Burleson (Mrs. Jason Burleson of Blue Highway) and Rachel Johnson. Check back for another report from the IBMA World of Bluegrass. Thanks!~CB

IBMA World of Bluegrass-Sunday

Terry and I arrived in Nashville Sunday afternoon around 2:30. Check-in at the Renaissance went smoothly. I picked up our credentials for the week...and we're off and rolling.

Terry and I got to visit with our friends, Dr. Hironobu Oda and Maro Kawabata. I will be performing with Maro (as well as Terry, Ashby Frank and Rachel Johnson) and the band "Sunset Drive" Friday night at the Mast Farm Inn Emerging Artist Showcase. Plans are underway for a Bluegrass Tour to Japan with "Sunset Drive" in 2011, as well as shows in the United States. More about this showcase later in the week.

I proudly represent Bluegrass Broadcasters on the IBMA Board. Our Board meeting begins at 8 am Monday. The Monday evening dinner will feature the keynote address by Sam Bush.

KNEE-DEEP Playlist

Russell Moore, band leader and founding member of IIIrd Tyme Out, is my special guest this week on KNEE-DEEP IN BLUEGRASS! Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out have several IBMA Nominations this year. They will be performing on the Awards Show. Russell and I talk about several great things happening with the band.

(Hour One)

Quicksand---Randy Kohrs
My Florida Sunshine---Claire Lynch
Wonder Valley Gals---Bryan Sutton

Any Ole Time---Lonesome River Band
Sycamore Hollow---Blue Highway
Julie's Train---Balsam Range
Breakpoint---Andy Leftwich

How Many Times---Dan Tyminski
Pride of Man---Tony Rice
Ramblers Blues---Kenny & Amanda Smith
Old Brown County Barn---Michael Cleveland

(Vintage Vault): JOE GREENE
Katy Hill / Grey Eagle

Highway 52---Dave Evans
If Here Is Where You Are---Del McCoury Band

(Knee-Deep Artist Spotlight)-RUSSELL MOORE
Hard Rock Mountain Prison ('Til I Die) / My Angeline

Girl In The Valley---Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
John Henry Blues---Jim Mills w/Tim Stafford
Secret of the Waterfall---Country Gentlemen

(Concert Cuts) NEW GRASS REVIVAL Live In France
One More Love Song---New Grass Revival

Big Wheel---The Whites w/Ricky Skaggs

THANKS for listening!!! ~CB

Knee-Deep PLAYLIST

Tim O'Brien is my special guest this week in The Knee-Deep Artist Spotlight! Tim and I chat about his new CD, 'Chicken and Egg' and about the upcoming 'Hot Rize' Reunion Tour this Fall.

(Hour One)

Turn Up The Bottle---Steep Canyon Rangers
Ring The Bell---Gibson Brothers
Don't Take Me Tonight As I Am---Balsam Range

(Bluegrass News)

Rusty Old Halo---Dale Ann Bradley
Be Assured---Ron Block
Teddy Bear Revival---Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Who's Your Uncle---Jerry Douglas

I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome---Grascals w/Hank, Jr.
Whiskey Before Breakfast---Carpenter & May
The Reckless Side of Me---Steel Drivers

(Vintage Vault): THE STAINED GLASS HOUR
Gospel Plow---Nashville Bluegrass Band
Hold To God's Unchanging Hand

(Hour Two)

TIM O'BRIEN
Sinner / Suzanna

You're Dead To Me---Dierks Bentley with Tim O'Brien and Jon Randall Stewart
You Ate The Apple---Tim O'Brien

Try A Little Kindness---Bobby Osborne
I've Already Turned That Page---Don Rigsby
Would You Go With Me---Shawn Camp
Half Past Four---John Hartford Stringband

(Concert Cuts): CHRIS JONES Live In Holland
I'm Ready If You're Willin' / This Weary Heart You Stole Away

When You Are Lonely---Wildwood Valley Boys

THANKS for listening!~CB

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!!!

In two separate contests, Knee-Deep In Bluegrass gave away 2 VIP Tickets to the IBMA Awards Show, 2 VIP Weekend Passes to Bluegrass FanFest and 3 Nights Lodging at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Nashville.

From in-person, festival registration, the winner is: LINDA MCDANIEL OF Pilot Mountain, NC

From on-line, website registration, the winner is: GARY BOULIER of Cartersville, GA

Linda and Gary each are winners of the prize package from Knee-Deep In Bluegrass. They, with their guest, will enjoy the IBMA Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, September 30th, followed by three days of Bluegrass FanFest at the Nashville Convention Center.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to register. I look forward to seeing many of you for all Bluegrass fun during IBMA's World of Bluegrass!

~CB