Key October Northern California Bluegrass Events 2023

Here are the key October bluegrass music events of interest to Northern California Bluegrass fans:

OCTOBER

6 – Nickel Creek, Fox Theatre, Oakland.

6 & 7 – Billy Strings, Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford.

6-8 — Rebels & Renegades, Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey.

6-8 – Huck Finn Jubilee, Bonelli Park, San Dimas.

7 — Roaring Camp Brewgrass Festival, Roaring Camp, Felton.

7 — Santa Barbara Old-Time Fiddlers Festival, Stow House, Goleta.

9-15 — CBA Fall Campout, Grape Festival Fairgrounds, Lodi.

19-22 – Sugar Pine Music Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. (Note: was Hangtown Halloween Ball)

Billy Strings

New Dates Set For 2024 Brookdale Bluegrass Festival — March 15-17

The Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will be held March 15-17, 2024 (note new dates) at the Brookdale Lodge in Brookdale (San Lorenzo Valley) in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The cabin fever indoor fest is presented by the Brookdale Lodge and the Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes this event. NCBS past president Eric Burman founded the festival in 2000 and has booked the event since then.

 

North Bay’s David Grisman Inducted Into The Bluegrass Hall Of Fame

David “Dawg” Grisman, a longtime North Bay resident and mandolin virtuoso, has been inducted into the Bluegrass Hall Of Fame. The honor was bestowed during the IBMA Awards Show during the World Of Bluegrass Convention in Raleigh NC.

Grisman came to bluegrass in New York City when he joined the weekly jam at Washington Square Park. He later settled in California, where he expanded the bluegrass literature to include his signature Dawg Music style. In addition to leading his own band for decades, he is famous as the mandolin player in the classic San Francisco bluegrass band Old & In The Way.

A special committee of the International Bluegrass Music Association selects the nominees for inclusion in the hall. The elite Board of Electors for the organization then chooses the winners. The Hall itself is located at the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY.

David Grisman

Four Week Reminder: Applications For The 2024 Leadership Bluegrass Class Are Due October 31 2023

Four Week Reminder: Applications will close on OCTOBER 31, 2023 for the 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association Leadership Bluegrass Class. The class will be held March 4-6, 2024 in Nashville.

NCBS is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA. NCBS Members are encouraged to apply for this rare opportunity. NCBS president Michael Hall (Class of 2003) will be happy to answer questions and consult about applications.

Leadership Bluegrass Information

2024 Event Will Be Last World Of Bluegrass Convention Held In Raleigh

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced that 2024 is the last year that the IBMA World Of Bluegrass Convention will be held in Raleigh, NC. A new location has not been selected for the 2025 event.

The convention has been held in Owensboro (KY), Louisville, Nashville, and Raleigh during its four-decade run. A new bluegrass festival will be held in Raleigh to replace the convention.

The NCBS is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.

 

Crooked Tree Writers & Performers Are Honored At IBMA Awards Show

The former Bay Area writers and performers of the hit new bluegrass song “Crooked Tree” were honored last evening at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Show in Raleigh, NC.

Former Northern California Bluegrass Society member Molly Tuttle (from Palo Alto) and Martinez native Melody Walker were the songwriters. Both have performed on NCBS stages and now both live in Nashville. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway recorded the song and album. The honorees took home awards for Best Song, Best Album, and Best Female Vocalist.

The NCBS is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.

Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band Wins 2023 Band Of The Year IBMA Momentum Award

The Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band based in Alameda has won the 2023 Band Of The Year Momentum Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association. The award for the nation’s top up & coming young bluegrass band was announced today at a ceremony during the IBMA World Of Bluegrass Convention in Raleigh, NC.

Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band

The band’s members have been regulars at Northern California Bluegrass Society events since they were small children. Miles Quale, Teo Quale, and Andrew Osborn were original CUBB members. Earlier this year, they were joined by 2023 National Guitar Flat Pick Contest Champion Ian Ly, who replaced original CUBB member John Gooding (he left to move east when he had a chance to join a major full time touring bluegrass band). Congratulations from the NCBS!

The NCBS is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.