This week's episode is a selection of interviews I carried out at IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina last week.

It was the last IBMA in Raleigh before the event moves to Chattanooga in 2025, and was an amazing week, full of great conversations, events, music, instruments, picking and people. I had a fantastic time and can't tell you how much it means to me to feel so welcomed by the bluegrass and string band community.

But it was also a devastating week for the people of western North Carolina and East Tennessee, as hurricane Helene devastated the area. In Raleigh we were lucky to escape with some rain and minor delays to the street festival - others were nowhere near so lucky.

There's a desperate need for help and resources in the area so, if you'd like to donate something (however small), there's a list here of places you can go to do that. 

OK, on with the interviews. In this episode you'll hear from:

• IBMA executive director Ken White, on IBMA WOB's move to Chattanooga next year
• Christopher Howard-Williams from IBMA, EBMA and Bluegrass in La Roche, on the international bluegrass scene and some of the challenges it faces
• Patricia Butler, co-founder of ArtistWorks, on receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award
• Steve Nall (Nully) of Collings Guitars, on why their new Hill Country series is a radical departure for Collings and why bringing them to IBMA is so valuable in terms of feedback
• Brenna MacMillan, on her brand new record Dear Life, and finding community amongst her fellow musicians
• Chris Eaton, UK dobro player, on coming to IBMA for the very first time

Thanks to everyone I met out in Raleigh. Back next week with another IBMA interview - in the meantime have a great week and happy picking.

Matt

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Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins

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