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The Billy Strings Merchandise section of the Gift Store at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum // Photo by jamie plain

Billy Strings Pop-Up Store

Earlier this summer, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum collaborated with Billy Strings to create a pop-up store in its gift shop.  The museum collaborated with the artist’s team to create a unique display that features Billy Strings merchandise which includes apparel, vinyl records, and CDs.  The museum store is located near the…

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The Dupree School House. Photo By Meg Johnson

Dupree School House

How One Girl Ended up Down at the Bluegrass Crossroads (and got her soul back….) On the morning of Saturday, May 25 I had a rude awakening. My weather obsessed daughter made a 6 a.m. appearance at my bedroom door. I knew as soon as I saw her face that we would be having tornados for breakfast…

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Building New/Old Vintage

There is a mystique around guitars built prior to World War II in what is widely considered the golden age of guitars.  If you have ever heard someone pick a Martin or Gibson from that era, then you know they are something special. Guitars from that period are prized by players and collectors alike, and…

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Les Butler. Photo Courtesy of Les Butler

REAL Traditional Southern Gospel Music 

At the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum New Years Eve 2021, I was walking down the hallway at the Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival when I heard someone say, “Hey REAL Southern Gospel Music man!”  I turned around and saw an elderly couple seated on a bench in the hallway waving for my wife…

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The New IBMA Exhibit at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Museum Executive Director Chris Joslin (left) stands with Mike Simpson, former IBMA Board Chairman. // Photo by jamie plain

New IBMA Awards Exhibit

Earlier this summer, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky launched a new exhibition honoring the current International Bluegrass Music Association award winners.  The organizations already collaborate with the museum’s exhibition of the Hall of Fame inductees, chosen by IBMA.  In 2022, former IBMA chairman Mike Simpson pitched the idea to…

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Ida 2

Ida Clare offers a new project of original material that blends their mix of bluegrass styles. The band is based in Louisville, Kentucky and includes Lea Cockrell (vocals, guitar), Jim Wheatley (vocals, mandolin, harmonica, guitar), Robin Thixton (vocals, banjo), and Nick Stevens (bass, piano). Others include Rob Edwards (percussion), Jeff Guernsey (fiddle, resonator guitar), Todd…

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