The International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass convention is being held this week in Chattanooga. I chose not to attend again this year, as the IBMA is still too political for me to tolerate. Once the organization realizes that bluegrass has never been that political, but has left-leaning officials and board members that force their political and social views and rids these vermin, then I may consider attending.
With that said, let’s take a quick look at what has been reported so far.
For the awards on Thursday evening, my “kid sister” Vickie Vaughn won Bass Player of the Year for the third year in a row. Billy Strings took home Entertainer of theYear (no argument here), and the fiddle partnership of Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland took away three wins (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Collaboration of the Year). Most of the other awards were predictable, although Strings did not win Guitarist of the Year, that went to Trey Hensley.
Strings also was seen jamming with a number of elder Bluegrass statesmen, including opening the convention with a performance joining Junior Sisk. Ever since they first performed together back at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in June, there seemed to be a budding friendship. The best jam had to be when Strings joined Joe Mullins in the exhibit hall and sang a duet with the legendary Paul Williams.
Strings also provided the opening keynote address. He has had the biggest impact on bluegrass in the last 20 years, so it should be expected that sooner or later he would present this address at WOB. He talked about how music has always been a part of his life, and that bluegrass has helped him through his toughest times. He also talked about how traditional and progressive bluegrass artists and fans have to be more accepting of each other. While he has helped the format gain a humongous fanbase, I am not sure the full picture is visible to him and many others.
I’ve walked away from the IBMA (as well as the Americana Music Association) for non-musical reasons. Both groups have taken on a lot of political stands, which turned me off. The biggest one was supporting Black Lives Matter. IBMA never said anything about the vandalizing of the Bill Monroe statue during the George Floyd protests. And now that we are learning how corrupt the BLM officials were, using monetary donations to purchase mansions for themselves, there are no apologies.
One of my co-writers emailed me earlier in the week asking if I was attending. When I told him I was not but that he should still do as much to enjoy the week, he stated that he was sorry that I was not there but would check in with me in a few days. I don’t see spending hundreds of dollars on a conference that I don’t agree with politically just so I can do some jamming and possible networking. I actually enjoy attending SPBGMA in January much more because there is no politics, just people having good conversation as well as jamming in a much smaller area.
Chew on it and comment.
Luegra 