G2 - Swedish Bluegrass Group
Carrie Hassler
Carl Jackson & Carrie Hassler
Audie Blaylock & Redline
Tim Shelton of New Found Road
Jaret Carter of the Circuit Riders
Darin Aldridge of the Circuit Riders
Special Consensus
Ashby Frank of Special Consensus
Greg Cahill of Special Consensus
IBMA President
Special Consensus & Carl Jackson
Melonie Cannon & Alicia Nugent
Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey
Carol Young of the Greencards
The Greencards
Williams & Clark Expeditions with Carl Jackson
Ralph Stanley II
Ronnie Bowman
Donica Christensen of Ronnie Bowman and Sugar Hill Records
Ronnie Bowman
Darrin Vincent & Jamie Dailey
Dailey & Vincent
Jeff Parker of Dailey & Vincent
Carl Jackson Receives Award from Dan Hayes, IBMA Exec. Dir.
Vince Gill
Vince Gill
Vince Gill
Carl Jackson & Vince Gill
Vince Gill w/Jarrod & Tyler Walker
Terry Baucom
Bradley Walker
Bradley Walker
Bradley Walker Band with Carl Jackson
Kathy Mattea
Lonesome River Band
Brandon Rickman of LRB
Sammy Shelor - LRB
I would have liked to put pictures of every band and every performer at Fan Fest on this blog, but there were just too many good bands. The IBMA conference and Fan Fest have left me with much to think and write about concerning our music. Over the next few weeks I'll have more to say about why IBMA is important to fans of bluegrass music as well as musicians. I'll also be writing a good deal about the importance for bands and promoters to gear up to work and live in this new world of high technology and tough, competitive world in a declining economy. But for now, enjoy the pictures, and let me hear some of your responses, either on the comment section here or on the forums.
Once again--a great bunch of photos Ted. And this time my favorite goes to Sammy Shelor. He looks "wowsville". This band has been roasted for their dress but I've got to say--the shirt is sharp and the Sam-man is hot! Just MHO.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Nina
Like others, Ted, I've appreciated both the pictures and the comments which have helped us to vicariously enjoy Nashville and the IBMA festivities. Your closing comments made me do some thinking and ask some questions.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it centers around the apprehension that the bluegrass world will not be able to continue walking the thin line between commercial popularity and its deep anti-cultural roots. The pictures you've posted, for instance, show a glitzy bluegrass far removed from what most of us understand its genius to be.
As one who grew up on country music in West Virginia and who loved its earthy sounds, the rhinestones (too lazy to spell check!) and trivial lyrics turned me off.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not against bluegrass evolving, and I've nothing against drums and neckties and WWW usage and other peripheral issues. They're sort of the "lapel pin flags" of bluegrass, perhaps! Let's continue to try new ways to express the old truths of bluegrass, but do it without sacrificing its soul.
That's the issue, it seems to me, facing bluegrass, and that's what forums such as this one have the potential to become. Thanks for your contributions.
Bob - I take your point, but don't confuse the background with the music. At Fan Fest, the stage set was bright and well hung, with lots of lights. The bands, many of them, were the same as we see from week to week on the bluegrass circuit. Because Fan Fest was held in Nashville and produced by mega-singer/songwriter Carl Jackson, it may have included a few people we don't ordinarily see. However, Vince Gill threw down a pure bluegrass set that would happily grace any festival. It shouldn't be held against him that he actually can make a living in country music...well, maybe more than just a living. Kathy Mattea's set of songs from her albu, "Coal" may not have been bluegrass, but it was deeply affecting for the audience. Mostly, what set Fan Fest aside from the usual run of the mill bluegrass setting was solid performances from one end to the other. - Ted
ReplyDeleteJust to echo what Bob says above.. What is it that we're seeing in the IBMA event that makes us feel like...."Let's continue to try new ways to express the old truths of bluegrass, but do it without sacrificing its soul." I've said and felt something similar to that affect also. It is as if something is being extracted from the music that shouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteLisa/mom/picker/etc..
were you stalking Carl Jackson, or was he stalking you?
ReplyDeleteenjoyed the photos Ted, IBMA is the "black tie" weekend for BG, sort of like homecoming or the prom.
-kelly
were you stalking Carl Jackson, or was he stalking you?
ReplyDeleteenjoyed the photos Ted, IBMA is the "black tie" weekend for BG, sort of like homecoming or the prom.
-kelly