A Pause to Celebrate

Years ago, while our kids were still emptying Trick-or-Treat bags and comparing their Halloween haul, my wife Susan looked at our family calendar and sighed:  “After tonight I feel like we’ve been shot from a circus cannon and won’t land until after the New Year.”

We now realize we had a small-caliber schedule, at least compared to the events hitting the calendars of folks in the Bluegrass community.

That packed itinerary starts with fun but sleep-deprived nights at IBMA. Back home again, there’s the rush to do laundry and get on the road for the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge and countless Fall Festivals across the country.

Next, pause to give thanks, eat more than we should, and head off to rounds of Bluegrass holiday performances. Celebrate Christmas and harmonize on “Auld Lang Syne.” Then put down that eggnog and get ready for SPBGMA, coming up January 22-25 at the Music City Sheraton.

It’s fitting, though, to first take a break and celebrate people who’ve worked behind the scenes so we could have a first-class event at IBMA’s first year in Chattanooga. IBMA staff, committees, sponsors, performers and volunteers joined with City of Chattanooga and venue employees to deliver a week of good fellowship, career development opportunities, amazing entertainment, and well-deserved awards. 

Songwriters Track Sessions

As a writer, I especially enjoyed IBMA’s Songwriters Track sessions. Chair Mike Mitchell, founder of Virginia’s Floyd Music School as well as a writer and recording artist, knows how to put together practical programs. He credits committee members Joe Dan Cornett, Helen Lude, Nancy Posey, Kevin Slick and Johnny Williams for their contributions and hard work.

During one-on-one Mentor Sessions, more than a dozen established writers, publishers and artists shared lessons learned with newer writers. Another program was modeled on “speed dating,” enabling writers to meet several publishers in a short time.  Mentor Marty Falle gave me good advice from his perspective as a hit writer/artist, as did Mike Mitchell and Joe Dan Cornett in the earlier session.

A ”Know Your P.R.O.” panel provided step-by-step instructions on monetizing songs, from first drafts to chart hits (and from church hymnals to novelty “singing fish”).

Sherrill Blackman, SDB Music Group publisher, moderated that session. Panelists included Amanda Cook, artist and CEO of Mountain Fever Records; songwriter Dawn Kenney; and Joe Dan Cornett, then Director of Publishing for Billy Blue, now with North Chapel Music.

In a Song Analysis program, two writers each had a song evaluated by music industry pros. Offering advice were Hall of Fame Broadcaster Kyle Cantrell, founder of Banjo Radio; Jerry Salley, Billy Blue Records label head and singer/songwriter/producer; and Becky Buller, Dark Shadow recording artist and songwriter.

“Songwriting for JamGrass” explored unique aspects and challenges of crafting and arranging songs in this growing sub-genre that’s introducing more rock performers and their fans to roots music.

The Jamgrass session was led by Nancy Posey, Lipscomb University faculty member and writer. Other panelists included singer/songwriter Jeff Daugherty; Grammy-winning Americana artist/writer Jim Lauderdale; Ali Vance, 2025 Momentum Vocalist of the Year; Melody Walker, Grammy-winning writer and vocalist with Front Country band; and Jon Weisberger of Mountain Home Music, 2025 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.

Song Circles helped writers get to know each other and hear potential co-writers’ approaches to songwriting, while IBMA’s Songwriters Showcase gave selected writers a chance to perform their songs before a wider audience.

Tribute To Paul Williams

A highlight of this year’s IBMA was the tribute to Hall of Fame member Paul Williams (Humphrey).  He was honored for a career that spans seven decades as a Bluegrass writer and performer, including being part of the groups Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, and the Victory Trio.

Mike Mitchell introduced Paul and an all-star group of hitmakers for songs and stories. Playing Jimmy Martin’s guitar (courtesy of son Buddy Martin) was Doyle Lawson, Paul’s fellow Hall of Famer and friend and collaborator.

Harmonizing with them were Greg Blake, Turnberry Records’ 2025 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, and Johnny and Jeanette Williams, award-winning songwriters and recording artists currently in Shelton & Williams.

It was a special moment when this instant “supergroup” performed some of Paul’s best-known songs and invited the appreciative audience to sing along. There was even an encore performance later that day at an event hosted by Keith Barnacastle, Turnberry Records exec and publisher of The Bluegrass Standard.

At a packed reception, we learned Paul Williams has a new publisher. He will write with Tall Oaks Music, the new Turnberry-affiliated publishing firm led by Bluegrass icons Doyle Lawson and Donna Ulisse. With that collection of talent, you can expect more chart-topping songs are on the way.