I just want to share a few memories and photos from IBMA this year. Things were fading in Nashville a couple of years ago, and now that they've relocated to Raleigh, NC. Things there were completely happening, with many downtown concerts, a statue of Sir Walter Raleigh surrounded by hundreds of factory second Deering rims and necks. Very surrealistic....and cool! (More Photos below, click Read More!) 

I had a chance to do a long interview with Eddie Adcock, the winner of this years Steve Martin award for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. He played a lot and talked a lot about his days with Bill Monroe, Don Reno, The Country Gentlemen and much more. I'm very excited to have captured this living bluegrass legend on film for our site.

Eddie adcock in front of a statue of sir Walter Raleigh and a plethora of Deering necks and rims. Am I dreaming?

I also interviewed Murphy Henry, she of Murphy Method fame. She was completely generous with her ideas and time and I know you're really going to enjoy what she had to say. Lastly, I interviewed our own Jake Schepps who's carving out new banjo niches for Brazilian Choro music, Classical music and his own compositions. Some wonderful playing awaiting you when we load it onto the site.

Me, Bela Fleck and Jens Kruger backstage at the awards show

I had a great time hanging out with Bela at the Awards Show, and we even got to sing an unaccompanied duet on "Bury Me Beneath the Willow", just before handing out one of the awards. I'm not sure how many radios and computers crashed after that, but I still think we could pursue a new career path as a vocal group.

The Deerings in front of Sir Walter Raleigh and a gaggle of their necks and rims

Just before leaving on Friday I made it down to the ArtistWorks table and jammed out with Bryan Sutton, John Mailander, Molly Tuttle and some other folks. This was filmed and will surely make it onto the Academy of Bluegrass as soon as it's formatted.

Me and Alan Munde 

Many more memories, but that gives you a quick snapshot. Anyone who can make it down there next year should! It's an amazing time!

Me, Adam Hurt and Noam Pikelny at the IBMA banjo workshop