The Internet has been a warzone of bluegrass-related activity lately as words fly back and forth across the sticky lines of the WorldWideWeb. At least we know that folks out there are actually gobbling up the recent articles, posts, and emails about the IBMA and not saving them, cocooned in the silken threads of email boxes and favorite folders, to be savored at a later time.
As a lifetime member of the IBMA, I want to do whatever I can to help this valuable organization continue to be successful in the years ahead. The fact that membership is growing faster than anticipated is a good thing! It means that some things are being done right.
The World of Bluegrass event this year was a phenomenal accomplishment. Kudos are deserved by everyone who had a hand in it. Yet, anyone who has ever managed even a small festival knows about the exhaustion that sets in once the event is over. Think about rolling weddings, birthdays, graduations, holidays and anniversary celebrations into one week long, non-stop, overload of entertainment featuring the entire extended family. How would you feel when everyone finally left for home?
The pressures of putting on a world-class event of this type takes a toll and it looks like the Board Members of the IBMA paid a heavy price for it. I was sad to see that so many of those I respect and am privileged to call friends have decided that the price just isn’t worth it anymore. I don’t know all that went on behind the scenes and behind closed doors and perhaps there are some accountability issues here; but as a wise friend once told me, “Sometimes no reaction is better than the wrong reaction.” Cooler heads will eventually prevail and, hopefully, this wonderful organization will emerge even stronger and more committed to its primary goal: promoting bluegrass music globally.
In an effort to encourage solidarity, I’ve decided to throw my hat in the ring to be considered for one of the available seats on the Board. I may not be the best qualified for the task, but sometimes the dedication and devotion of a foot soldier can be the spark that unites a diverse group of battle weary leaders behind the ultimate goal. If elected, I have no intention of going into this fray with guns blazing, rather, I’ll be waving a flag of truce.
There are plenty of positive things about this organization that we need to capitalize on and develop so we can continue to gain respect in the world of music. In light of all the recent chatter, it’s easy to lose sight of the many good things the IBMA does to bring international attention to bluegrass music.
Any bluegrass organization knows that connecting with young people is the key to future growth. The IBMA does an outstanding job of reaching out through programs like “Bluegrass in the Schools” that includes Teacher Workshops, matching mini-grants, on-line tools and resources, as well as the newly updated educational DVD “Discover Bluegrass: Exploring American Roots Music.” Plus, the affordable Youth Membership Level provides full member benefits encouraging up and coming bluegrass artists to stay with the organization that has supported them from the start.
As a retired educator, I’m also impressed by the various options for continuing education that are available through the IBMA including Leadership Bluegrass which has over 350 graduates since its’ inception in 2000. Competition each year for the limited slots is fierce and why wouldn’t it be? The list of graduates reads like a “Who’s Who” in bluegrass! This outstanding program pools the talents of the whole bluegrass community into a classroom experience that helps foster an understanding about what it takes to be successful in this industry. In addition to the annual Leadership Bluegrass program, the IBMA offers affordable monthly webinars on all kinds of trending topics (to members and non-members, I might add!). But many bluegrassers don’t take advantage of these opportunities.
The benefits of belonging to an organization like the IBMA also include things like insurance plans and access to databases to help grow marketing lists. And, the IBMA looks out after those in the bluegrass community that have been affected by disasters, family emergencies, and other needs through grants and loans from the Bluegrass Trust Fund. There’s just so many great benefits to membership that maybe we tend to overlook them or, sadly, take them for granted.
The IBMA has met and continues to meet the needs of so many in this music industry. Personally, this organization has been instrumental in my development and success as an artist. Yes, there are other groups that also serve the bluegrass community, but it is my humble opinion that none are able to offer as much to their members as the IBMA. Rather than focus on the deeds of a few, if we look at the organization as a whole we can see that the IBMA is a silver lining in the sometimes cloudy sky of bluegrass.
Send me an email james@jamesreams.com and let me know your thoughts.