IBMA Showcases

[EastmanGordon]

It occurred to me that we should start up a topic here where we can post some of the not to be missed showcases that are happening in and around IBMA. I figured it would be a good way for us all to start planning on what we must see. I was talking today with Fred Carpenter at the Nashville Violin Store and he told me about a series of shows that they are doing at his store next week. They are all must see for mando players but one in particular has some guy with the last name of Steffey playing. :>) Aubrey someone or other is playing on another night.
The shows are being recorded and filmed for release on DVD and I for one will be there. here's the link: http://theviolinshop.net/concerts.html

Buy tickets in advance because they will probably be all sold by the time you get there. The number is 615-662-1570

Anybody else have any good recommendations?
Gordon

[BigJoe]

We will have quite a few groups playing at the Gibson booth as well as the stage. Look forward to seeing everyone there!

[Spruce]

I'm sure there will be a few high-end Bourbon tasting/World Series parties that morph into mando-jams at the Sheraton....

Should be an interesting week....

[ShaneJ]

Wish I could go! The Andy Leftwich concert will likely be a barn burner.

[kyblue]

Ah, Spruce, now you're talking.

The bourbon, not the Series! I'll be at the Sheraton, too, and I'm planning on taking a few bottles of our local brew with me (Woodford Reserve).

Paula

[Dale Ludewig]

Bruce, I expect an invitation! I'll try to bring a little something special along also. Jeez, think of paying for a night at the Renaissance and staying somewhere else. Eh- what the heck? Go Socks! Some good jamming. I won't get there 'til Wednesday. Will this World Series Jam thing be going on all week?

[Michael Lewis]

Cheer down a bit folks, and remember to pace yourselves, as this shindig will go on all week. There will be lots of showcasing free to IBMA members or anyone with a show pass. Several great suites will be sporting top quality bands starting about 11:00 pm each evening. Check the list on the IBMA web site, plus there will be many more hospitality suites that aren't listed. You will just have to poke around and find who is playing where, but don't even try to take it all in because there aren't enough hours in the day and you can't be in more than one place at a time. IBMA = I Been Mostly Awake

Be there or be square! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[kyblue]

Those Violin Shop shows look great. I wish I could get there earlier in the week, would like to see the one with Steffey and Bowman.

[EastmanGordon]

Since Big Joe did a promo for Gibson (looking forward to seeing you Joe, wanna have dinner?) I don't feel so guilty about putting in a plug for our Family Reunion that we are hosting on Saturday night at 11:00pm. Win a free mando and get to hear the Wilders at the Gospel Room at the Renaissance. No more promos, I promise.

Last year was my first year at IBMA and I have to tell you there is nothing like it as far as I know anywhere else on earth. I met people that hadn't slept in 3 days, had blisters all over their fingers, who didn't know whether it was day or night outside and still they kept going. It's like Disneyland for pickers except you don't see Mickey and Goofy wandering around you see all your heroes. It's possible to wander into a room and see the greatest players in the world sitting around swapping licks and stories. Totally amazing, if you are toying with the idea of going, stop toying and if you are going you shouldn't be reading this you should be in bed stockpiling some sleep time.
Gordon

Michael, are you bringing one of your Django mandos? The wife is coming too so I might be able to persuade her to let me make an investment (wishful thinking most probably).
Love that mandolin.
Gordon

[mandopete]

Get, I mean take lots of evidence, I mean photos!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Big Joe]

Hey Gordon...it's a date! Love to. See you next week.

[Mando4Life]

Wow, that Aubrey show and the Stuart show sound like they will be darn good.

Going to have to go one of these years....


WBL

[Hans]

While I won't be sponsoring any bands on stage or having any groups at the booth, won't have raffles, give-aways, no popcorn, no peanuts, I will have 10 mandolins and 1 mandola. Stop by and YOU can pick a few! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I would also remind everyone that we are stewards and representatives of IBMA, Cafe, and bluegrass music. We all have the responsibility of conducting ourselves accordingly. It was my feeling that last year was a travesty, with screaming drunks running down the halls, picking parties on quiet floors, cigarette butts put out on carpeting, beer bottles and trash all over. Let's all have a good time, but let's try to remember to be considerate. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Klaus Wutscher]

Hans,
I´m looking forward to checking out your instruments (esp. the mandola)
As far as the behavour, I am sure that the vast majority the things that we could have easily done without last year have been caused by teenage locals , at least that was my impression. Of course, some people just don´t know how to behave. But I found out that few of them can tell a mandolin from a banjer.

[straight-a]

Speaking from past experience, just start at one end and hit them all. I spent three days in the trade show and I look forward to doing it all over again. Never had so much fun picking all the different instruments and meeting the builders.

[EastmanGordon]

Hans,
I agree that things got a little out of hand last year, I know that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated by the security at the Renaissance. Since they are so tied in with the convention center they are well schooled in the art of idiot control. I agree that it seemed to be a very young element that gate crashed the Hotel last year. I can't believe that anyone here would behave in such a manner.

I thought about the whole list meet thing and I have a suggestion. Why don't we set aside the hours between 5 and 7 each evening starting on Thursday going through Saturday as mando cafe cocktail time. I will allow my room in the jamming section to be used and I'll provide the initial refreshments to get started. It will be a good place to meet friends before heading off to dinner or the evening's musical offerings. I am confident that there isn't anyone that I have met or ever expect to meet on this list that would abuse this opportunity (hey I'm offering my hotel room so you all had better be good). We used to do this at various trade shows and it works really well, you get to meet a lot of people and it's fun! All mandolins are welcome, it will be a mandocafe thing, not an Eastman promo and I for one want to see as many instruments as we can cram in there.
So waddya all think?
Gordon

[Spruce]

"I would also remind everyone that we are stewards and representatives of IBMA, Cafe, and bluegrass music. We all have the responsibility of conducting ourselves accordingl"

Hey, that wasn't the folks that paid their (significant) dues at the door...
That was the Louisville locals....
And a totally disgusting scene, IMHO.
If IBMA was at the Galt this year, I'd be home watching the Astros and the Sox....

"I know that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated by the security at the Renaissance."

They had better reign it in right off the bat, or suffer the same fate that the Galt had to go through...
I think most of those folks cluttering the halls of the Galt at 3 a.m. were there for the "free" music and "free" beer that had become a local annual tradition....

It wasn't so "free" for the rest of us....

[Ted Eschliman]

It's like Disneyland for pickers except you don't see Mickey and Goofy wandering around.
What?
See, now I thought Dale Ludewig told me he WAS there last year...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Dale Ludewig]

Ya know, there are some comments that can just leave a guy speechless, Mr. Eschliman. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[punkpicker]

OK, Here's what we have going on- As always, thanks to Scott for all his support. And I look forward to meeting everyone from the cafe.
Black Crow Booking - IBMA Showcase Schedule

-Mike Compton and David Long "Mandolin Duets"

presented by: Kimble Mandolins, mandolincafe.com, and Cotten Music
Wednesday, October 26th at 8pm # #
Bongo Java - 2007 Belmont Blvd #(615) 385-JAVA.

- The Chris Sharp & David Long Band #http://chrissharpanddavidlong.com
Monday, October 24th
11pm - Boston Bluegrass Union Showcase, Music City Ballroom - Renaissance Hotel
Friday, October 28
2:00 pm Roots & Branches Stage - Nashville Convention Center – Room 206 (Level 2) *Supporting Curly Seckler
11:00 pm The Rock Room - Chris Clarke Presents -Renaissance #4th floor
12:45 am The Rock Room - Chris Clarke Presents- Renaissance #4th floor
1:30 am California Bluegrass Association (Sat. morning) Nashville Convention Center - Room 202
Saturday, October 29th
11:30 pm The Rock Room - Chris Clarke Presents- Renaissance #4th floor
12:30 am The Rock Room - Chris Clarke Presents- Renaissance #4th floor

-Butch Robins www.butchrobins.net
Saturday, October 29
12:00 mid The Rock Room - Chris Clarke Presents -Renaissance #4th floor #
Butch (www.butchrobins.net) will be hosting "Unkle Butchie's Bar, Boutique, and Metaphysical Learning Center" at his suite. Try to drop by, as there will be some MASSIVE music going on, and very special guests dropping by.

[JimRichter]

I'll tag team Alana there and give two big thumbs up for the Compton/Long, Long/Sharp, and Robins showcases. I especially want to encourage everyone to come out to Butch Robins' suite at the Ren, cause it's bound to be happening.

Jim

[Michael Lewis]

Gordon, no Django this year, barely have enough mandolins left to put on a table but I'll be there sharing a booth with OME Banjos, Gallagher Guitars, and Clinesmith resos.

I hate going to IBMA because of all the great music and friends that get missed because you just can't possibly do it all. If you really work hard you might be able to take in maybe 10% of what goes on but you will get NO SLEEP.

I'm looking forward to seeing lots of old friends again. New territory to explore, finding where to eat, where best jams are, showcase suites, etc. I'm getting tired already. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Dano Reible]

WOW, I am new to all this but this looks like a great time at least according to the posts. Is this like a NAMM show of bluegrass or what?
I will go find the site.....

[Dano Reible]

WOW

I just looked at the site...........I will have to get my week to end up in Nashville wont I. I have my own roon on the road so hotel reservations wont be a problem.
I will have to work this out. Maybe I could start my week there. Is Sunday a good day there or is everything winding down too much? I could get a load running through Nashville to deliver Manday and get to Nashville by 10/11a.m. on Sunday or get there Friday and leave Saturday Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Sunday easier but we will see. So what is Sunday Like?

[Dale Ludewig]

From my experience, Friday and Saturday are the hottest times. Sunday isn't anything like the rest of the week. Everybody is so burned out by then..

[pglasse]

While not a showcase, Austin luthier Tom Ellis will be at IBMA this year, with an exhibit, showing some of the new F-5 style mandolins he's started building. I had the opportunity to play several of these this past Saturday and would encourage folks to drop by the booth and check out Tom's latest work -- really great stuff, if you ask me -- very handsome workmanship and excellent sound.

Anyway, those of you attending IBMA can decide for yourself.

Have fun,

Paul Glasse
Austin, Texas

[mrmando]

Well, I'm there for one day (Friday only) and I'll be like a kid in a freakin' candy store. I have a 4 p.m. gig on the Roots and Branches stage (don't ask me how) and the rest of the time I'll either be wandering around the exhibits or jamming or listening. Try and stop me. Hope to see Spruce and everyone else.

[flairbzzt]

Gordon- I hear there's gonna be an Eastman mandola there? Any octaves? If so, I hope you'll post pics...

[Kevin K]

Update...
The Violin Shop Tuesday night concert was great. As always, super nice folks there at the shop and the guys put on a heck of a show. The only downfall was they could have used a small pa but other than that it was very good and up close. Adam rocked on his Daley.

Looks like this week is gonna be something in Nashville.

[Mark Normand]

Leaving hurricane alley (Lafayette, LA) this afternoon at 4pm, should be buying my weekend pass tomorrow (Fri) morning.
I have a Weber Fern and sure would like some expert advise on lowering the action. Don't really want to try that myself without some help the first time.

This should be so much fun, can't wait!
Mark