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Northern
Indiana Bluegrass Asociation
This
article ran in the Summer 2005 Issue of the Bluegrass Journal
Written
by Sherri Chekal• All Rights Reserved by the Author, July
2005
Reprint Rights Available by Contacting the Author or The
Bluegrass Journal Editor
When bluegrass
music organizations are mentioned in the tri-state area of Indiana,
Michigan and Ohio, there is one group that stands out from the
crowd. It is often mentioned first as one of the premier volunteer
organizations supporting bluegrass. The Northern Indiana Bluegrass
Association is that fine example of how a professional organization
should be run. Their dedication to the music is showcased in
the fine musical events they successfully operate, the educational
outreach to the communities they serve and their enthusiasm
for nurturing and sponsoring the music.
President
Jim Winger is quick to note that the volunteer spirit in his
organization is the key to their success. Twice a year in Kendallville,
Indiana, the NIBGA produces an outstanding set of festivals
that offer national talents such as Karl Shifflett and Big Country
Show, Blue Moon Rising, Audie Blaylock & Redline and Carolina
Road as well as regional favorites such as Northwest Territory,
Harbourtown, Jenni Lyn Band and more. They always include up
and coming local bands from the tri-state region, giving many
their first taste of a large festival venue. Each festival offers
plenty of activities such as non-stop jamming, and workshops
for musicians as well as schoolteachers to help encourage bluegrass
in the schools. When they say 31 hours of bluegrass, NIBGA means
31 jam-packed hours of bluegrass paradise. The last festival
drew in over 8,000 fans and even with rain dampening the spirits
of some, the festival was a success. Festivals run on Memorial
Day weekend and Labor Day weekend of each year, kicking off
the summer festival season and then ending it in style for many
of the tri-state bluegrass fans.
Originally
started in 1976 as primarily a social organization, NIBGA is
a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to educate the
public to, and promote awareness of, bluegrass and old time
country music. Several scholarships for young people have been
established and granted over the years to up and coming talented
youngsters. A program to place instructional videos, books and
DVDs in the school and public libraries has been very successful
in giving people an introduction to bluegrass music that they
might not have gotten before. And their free schoolteacher workshops
have been very successful in presenting the pure Americana music
form of bluegrass to music teachers throughout the region. Working
with the IBMA, NIBGA has given a grant to help produce a videotape
for grade school children can learn about traditional American
music with the bluegrass group, Special Consensus. Over 13,000
students have experienced bluegrass music through this video
program.
Over the
winter months, NIGBA holds winter jam-meetings at the Marine
Corp League in New Haven, Indiana. October, November, NOT December
and January through April. At this time you can gather on the
third Sunday of the month for informal get-togethers where all
levels of musicians can jam and pick. There is a full bar and
restaurant available and the public is invited. Music starts
at noon until 6 p.m..
The NIGBA
website is one of the finest informational websites in the region,
with information on all tri-state bluegrass events as well the
organizationŐs efforts. You can find a local show, check out
festivals in the region and learn news and information to help
you enjoy your music.
If you are
interested in joining NIBGA (and you do not need to live in
the region to do so as this group actually counts international
members in itŐs ranks!) you can send $5 for your yearly membership
fees and this includes 11 newsletters mailed to you. The membership
year runs from May 1st to April 30th of a given year. Membership
grants you a $2 discount on the pair of festivals, so itŐs a
great deal! You help to support their strong dedicated efforts
in bluegrass music.
Overall,
if youŐre looking for a great bluegrass music organization with
plenty of volunteer spirit and strong efforts towards the preservation
of bluegrass music, the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association
is one worthy organization.
Northern
Indiana Bluegrass Association
Jim Winger
(260) 432-4485 5034
Wapiti Ct - Ft. Wayne, IN 46804-4946
www.BluegrassUSA.net
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