The Nashville-based trade organization International Bluegrass Music Association will keep its World of Bluegrass event (including the Wide Open Bluegrass festival) in Raleigh, N.C. through 2018.
The initial lineup of performers for World of Bluegrass 2014 will include Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, Del McCoury Band with special guests, the return of Hot Rize (one of the 1980s’ most influential bluegrass acts, Hot Rize will release their first new studio album since 1990), Gibson Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull and Wide Open Jam, which will include a lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan.
IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event includes four parts: the IBMA Business Conference (Sept. 30-Oct. 2), the 25th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards (Oct. 2), the Wide Open Bluegrass Music Festival (Oct. 3-4) and the Bluegrass Ramble, a series of showcases dubbed the Bluegrass Ramble (Sept. 30-Oct. 2).
“The immense success of moving IBMA’s World of Bluegrass events to Raleigh last year had a huge impact on raising the profile of bluegrass music and the IBMA as an organization,” said IBMA’s Nancy Cardwell. “We continue to receive compliments about last year’s events, we’ve seen a 39 percent increase in membership during the past two years, and the support and enthusiasm of the Local Organizing Committee in Raleigh and everyone in North Carolina has been so gracious and genuine. We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Raleigh, North Carolina through 2018, and we look forward to adding even more exciting elements to World of Bluegrass Week, as we continue to facilitate connections in the bluegrass music industry and work together to introduce the best music in the world to new audiences and fans. If bluegrass music moves you, I invite you to attend the event that moves the bluegrass music world.”
Last year’s World of Bluegrass welcomed a total estimated attendance of more than 154,000 to witness over 300 performances from more than 160 different artists.
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Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
