Chattanooga Welcomes IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival

Chattanooga, September 18, 2025

News Summary

The IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival has arrived in Chattanooga, featuring a keynote address by Billy Strings and a diverse lineup of performances. The festival aims to promote inclusivity within the bluegrass community, as Strings highlights the need for acceptance of new voices. With renowned artists and the Kids on Bluegrass program showcasing young talent, this inaugural event in Chattanooga promises to be a vibrant celebration of bluegrass music.

Chattanooga Hosts IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival

A crowd gathered outside Banquet Halls E and H in Chattanooga on Tuesday, one hour before Billy Strings was set to deliver his keynote address at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass. The event took place at the Chattanooga Convention Center and featured numerous noteworthy performances and discussions.

The atmosphere was lively as Junior Sisk and the Junior Sisk Band warmed up the audience, culminating in a performance by Billy Strings himself. Strings delivered an evocative rendition of the Stanley Brothers song “Think of What You’ve Done” prior to his keynote speech, further engaging festival attendees.

Billy Strings Discusses Exclusion in Bluegrass

During his address, Strings reflected on his personal experiences with exclusion within the bluegrass community. He shared anecdotes of facing resistance at bluegrass jams and festivals early in his career, potentially due to his appearance, such as having tattoos and a relaxed demeanor, rather than his musical talent.

Strings called for a broader acceptance of new voices and diverse perspectives within bluegrass to infuse the genre with fresh ideas and creativity. He characterized bluegrass as a true American art form with deep roots that require significant skill, urging the community to move beyond a stereotypical narrative of country living.

A Diverse Audience and a Vibrant Festival

This year’s festival attracted a diverse audience, with attendees showcasing a range of personal styles from overalls to tie-dye while carrying a variety of instruments like banjos and guitars. Patsy Kline from Hershey, Pennsylvania, expressed her dedication to the bluegrass community as a treasurer of the Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association. She actively searched for an instrument check booth at the conference, highlighting the practical logistics involved in such large gatherings.

The festival featured many prominent bluegrass artists, including Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Alison Brown, Jim Lauderdale, and the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. This year’s event marked a significant moment as Chattanooga hosted international talents and aimed to foster artistic collaboration through industry discussions and performances, including a highly anticipated awards show co-hosted by actor Steve Martin and musician Alison Brown.

Festival Highlights and Future Plans

The IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival runs from Tuesday through Thursday, featuring a comprehensive business conference along with an awards show. A standout program called “Kids on Bluegrass” will showcase 150 young performers, indicating a commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Changes to the lineup included Sierra Ferrell dropping out, with performances scheduled for Gillian Welch and David Rawlings stepping in to perform on the same day.

This year was historic as it marked the festival’s inaugural occurrence in Chattanooga, which has been set as the host city for the IBMA World of Bluegrass for the next three years, from 2025 to 2027. The festival previously took place in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Additional Resources

• Local 3 News
• Wikipedia: Bluegrass music
• Times Free Press
• Google Search: Bluegrass music festival
• WDEF News 12
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Bluegrass
• Chattanooga Pulse
• Google News: IBMA World of Bluegrass 2025
• Local 3 News
• Google Scholar: bluegrass music festivals
• Times Free Press
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Music

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.