Special Performances Abound at 2012 World of Bluegrass Week

Nashville, TN -- The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass Week, Sept. 24-30, will get off to a festive start this Sunday when “The Travelin’ McCourys and Friends” host their free show at Cumberland Park after the Tennessee Titans game.

That’s just the start of the incredible music performances at World of Bluegrass, a week of activities that includes a Business Conference, Thursday’s International Bluegrass Music Awards show and the weekend’s Fan Fest, all taking place at the Nashville Convention Center and the Ryman Auditorium.

Savvy bluegrass fans know to expect special performances each evening on Monday (Sept. 24), Tuesday (Sept. 25), and Wednesday (Sept. 26) after the day’s work is done at the Business Conference. On these evenings, dozens of groups -- ranging from rising stars to beloved veteran musicians -- will showcase their bluegrass, and unique, star-filled events will take place.

Highlights include:

• Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Laurie Lewis, Claire Lynch, Dudley Connell, James King, Della Mae, Tom Rozum, Sally Love, Todd Phillips & Special Guests: “Heart & Soul: A Concert Honoring Hazel Dickens” (Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:15-7 p.m.); Nashville Convention Center, Level 1 Center Hall. Admission to this event is included in the day’s registration for the Business Conference registration, or available with a $25 one-night ticket at the door.
• Slidegrass: Honoring the Music of Dobro Pioneers Josh Graves & Pete “Bashful Brother Oswald” Kirby (Monday, Sept. 24, 6:15-7 p.m.); Nashville Convention Center, Level 1 Center Hall. Admission to this event is included in the day’s registration for the Business Conference registration, or available with a $25 one-night ticket at the door.
• 40th Anniversary Will the Circle Be Unbroken Sing-along with John McEuen & Friends (Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6:15-7 p.m.); Nashville Convention Center, Level 1 Center Hall. Admission to this event is included in the day’s registration for the Business Conference registration, or available with a $25 one-night ticket at the door.
• "The Doc Watson Hour:" Music In The Round with Buddy Greene, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Jones, Jack Lawrence, Bryan Sutton, & Missy Raines (Tuesday, Sept. 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m.); Nashville Convention Center, NCC 209/210. Admission to this event is included in the day’s registration for the Business Conference registration.

A detailed schedule of the many events, professional development sessions, activities and performances that take place during IBMA’s 2012 World of Bluegrass may be found at www.worldofbluegrass.org .

“On every day of the World of Bluegrass schedule and around every corner at the Nashville Convention Center, at the Ryman -- really, all across town -- there will be literally dozens of exciting, absolutely ‘can’t miss’ events planned,” said Nancy Cardwell, Executive Director of IBMA.

IBMA – the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the professional trade organization for the global bluegrass music community.

For more information on World of Bluegrass, including the International Bluegrass Music Awards, Fan Fest and the many activities of the week, visit www.ibma.org, join IBMA’s Facebook group, or call 615-256-3222 (888-GET-IBMA). Tickets will be on sale at World of Bluegrass Registration, located at the main entrance of the Nashville Convention Center, Sept. 24-29. Awards Show tickets are also available from the Ryman box office at (615) 889-3060 or http://www.ryman.com/event/detail/ibmaawards12.html.