IBMA World of Bluegrass returns in September

The five-day event includes the IBMA Business Conference, the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcase series, the 32nd Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC.

Béla Fleck's My Bluegrass Heart featuring Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz and Bryan Sutton, The Del McCoury Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer & Odessa Settles, Sister Sadie and The Po' Ramblin' Boys are among the main stage performers for IBMA Bluegrass Live!

IBMA also has extended its contract with Raleigh through 2024.

"As our community emerges from some of the most challenging times in modern memory, this year's IBMA World of Bluegrass takes on added importance," said Pat Morris, IBMA's executive director. "We urge everyone who loves bluegrass to be at this fall's event and re-engage with others, share fresh ideas, and learn innovations - some launched because of the pandemic. Most importantly, it's the chance to get fully immersed in what we all sorely missed in 2020: live music."

"We're also excited that World of Bluegrass will continue to call Raleigh home through 2024," said Morris. "Raleigh is welcoming, flexible and creative, and has become the essential stop each year for those in the bluegrass community."

The event will incorporate health and safety measures per local, state and CDC recommendations at the time of the event. The organization will also supplement with virtual access to many of the week's events.

Some acts have been selected from a competitive pool of applicants to perform at the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, a series of showcases: Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves, Armchair Boogie, Bella White, Bowregard, East Nash Grass, Henhouse Prowlers, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road, Lindley Creek, MohaviSoul, Rock Hearts, Starlett & Big John, Stillhouse Junkies, The Amanda Cook Band, The Arcadian Wild, The Martin Gilmore Trio, The MilBillies, The New Acoustic Collective, The Sweet Lillies, The Wooks and Twisted Pine.