Today
during a press conference in Raleigh at the Red Hat Ampitheater, IBMA
announced the extension of World of Bluegrass events’ dates in Raleigh,
NC through 2018.
An initial lineup of musicians who will perform at this year’s Wide Open Bluegrass Festival was also announced, including Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, Del McCoury Band with special guests, the return of Hot Rize (one of the most influential bluegrass acts of the ’80s, releasing their first new studio album since 1990), Gibson Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull, and the Wide Open Jam, featuring the superstar lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan.
Additional performers for both the ticketed (paid) portions of the
festival and the free Street Festival will be announced in the coming
months.
Also announced at the press conference was the return of PNC as presenting sponsor for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival, and, as last year, the inclusion of the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship as part of the World of Bluegrass festivities.