IBMA

[red7flag]

My favorite part was when it was a reasonable intimate affair in Owensboro. Pork chop sandwiches, picking all night in the Executive Inn, listening to Lynn Morris and Hazel Dickens do a acapella duet in a the Bluegrass Unlimited's suite's bedroom. Sitting next to Ralph Stanley and talking about how great a picker Larry Perkins (banjo player)is, and so much more. Not trying to take away from Nashville's IBMA, just not intimate.
Tony

[AlanN]

Never made it to Owensboro, did do Louisville a few times. Jimmy Martin holding 'court' in the lobby of the Galt House was precious, as was Loar fest. Also hanging out with Cliff Sargent (RIP). I hear the new Nashville scene is somewhat stilted, at least for jamming.

Have a good time if you go and report back.

[red7flag]

A friend was lucky enough to have a room on the "picking floor" at the Renaissance Hotel, which is connected to the Convention Center. I will be staying with him. I guess I will find out how stiled and will let you know.
Tony

[kyblue]

I, too, will have a room on a pickin' floor at the Ren.

Last year I was at the Sheraton, and didn't much like walking back in the early hours of the morning!

I found jams going on all over the place, so I'm not sure what someone means about stilted. They may have stayed elsewhere, don't know how much was going on at the other hotels.

Paula

[Mark Normand]

I love the vendor area, usually go back multiple times. Will load up on guitar and mando strings this year, shoulda done that last year. Came back with about 100 free picks, at my next home jam threw them out on the coffee table like confetti, folks thought that was pretty cool.
Dad and I scored an excellent free outside BBQ lunch sponsored by CMT.
Jamming last year was somewhat tough for this IBMA newbie. This year we're at the Sheraton, I should be roaming back/forth.
I just got the schedule for the late night showcases and stuff, kinda missed that last year.
Leaving out Thursday morning, whoohoo!