Where to Hear It

What is bluegrass? Decide for yourself at these two area bluegrass festivals:

Right here in Louisville, Gary Brewer presents the Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Iroquois Park on Sept. 8 and 9. Fiftenn bands from ten states will perform, including the Bluegrass Cardinals, the Sullivan Family, Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers, Vince Combs, Wendy Smith, Rob Morgan, Eastbound and Gary Ferguson. Music plays on Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be arts and crafts and children's activities in addition to the bluegrass music.

For more information about the Strictly Bluegrass Festival, call 502-448-9107.

The week-long event called IBMA's World Of Bluegrass starts Tuesdaym Sept 19 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 24 in downtown Owensboro, Ky. From Tuesday through Thursday, it's a trade show featuring booths run by luthiers, record labels and the like, plus daily performance showcases and workshops. On Friday, the Fan Fest begins – IBMA's World Of Bluegrass turns into a world-class bluegrass festival. Their lineup is a progressive one featuring some of the most popular acts currently performing.

Specificially, Friday's scheduled acts include The Boys From Indiana, the Cox Family, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Peter Wernick, Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Lonesome River Band, Laurie Lewis, Third Tyme Out, and a supergroup featuring Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and Tony Rice. The music starts at 3:30 p.m. and runs until almost midnight.

Saturday's roster includes Lou Reid, Terry Baucom & Caroline, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Del McCoury Band, Doc Watson & Jack Lawrence, and the Whites with Jerry Douglas. Music starts at noon and runs until 11 p.m.

Sunday is traditionally gospel day, and The Bass Mountain Boys kick off things at 11 a.m. They are followed by Jim & Jess and the Virginia Boys, The Lynn Morris Band and the Sidemen, among others.

For more information regarding tickets, prices and lodging at IBMA's World Of Bluegrass, call the IBMA at 502-684-9025