2012 National SPBGMA Convention

It's the love of the music that drew thousands of enthusiastic musicians, artists, promoters, fans, and anyone that holds a genuine love for bluegrass music to the 2012 National SPBGMA Convention at the Music City Sheraton in Nashville, Tennessee on 2/2 - 2/5, 2012.  www.spbgma.com

SPBGMA = Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America

Jam sessions multiplied as the warm temperatures allowed the jams to extend from the lobby of the hotel to the outside balconies and the courtyard poolside.  It was an atmosphere that personifies the ultimate bluegrass experience; where every level of expertise and every age group  joined together for the grandest of celebrations in honor of bluegrass music. 

The National SPBGMA Convention combines performances by the best in bluegrass such as the Multi-Award Winning Rhonda Vincent & The Rage to newcomers like Dailey & Vincent, along with a band contest that awards top prize money, along with the opportunity to be heard by Top Promoters around the country, like D. A. Calloway from the Event of the Year Winner "Silver Dollar City" www.silverdollarcity.com/      http://daileyvincent.musiccitynetworks.com/    www.rhondavincent.com

Vendors, Songwriters, Bus Companies, along with every aspect of the business of bluegrass is also represented.  This year's winners of the 2012 International Band Contest is "Flatt Lonesome"  http://www.flattlonesome.com/aboutus.cfm   

SPBGMA combines the business of bluegrass with a family atmosphere, and encompassed every aspect for those in attendance to celebrate their love of bluegrass music in a very personal way.   

The hotel and surrounding hotels were sold out, parking reached out to more than half a mile from the Music City Sheraton; and everyone enjoyed the performances, jam sessions, and overall comradery shared.  If you missed it in 2012, make plans NOW to attend in 2013!    www.spbgma.com

 Photos from the 2012 National SPBGMA Convention

Complete List of 2012 SPBGMA Award Winners

Radio DJ - Joe Mullins WBZI
Songwriter - Leigh & Eric Gibson
Album - The Gibson Brothers
Bass Fiddle - Darrin Vincent
Dobro - Tim Graves
Guitar - Josh Williams
Mandolin - Larry Stephenson
Banjo - Kristin Scott Benson
Fiddle - Michael Cleveland
Female Vocalist (Contemporary) - Rhonda Vincent
Female Vocalist (Traditional) - Jeanette Williams
Male Vocalist (Contemporarty) - Jamie Dailey
Male Vocalist (Traditional) - James King
Gospel Group (Contemporary) - Dailey & Vincent
Gospel Group (Traditional) - Paul Williams & Victory Trio
Vocal Group of the Year - Dailey & Vincent
Instrumental Groupof theYear - The Grascals
Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall) - Dailey & Vincent
Song of the Year - "Help My Brother" by The Gibson Brothers
Entertaining Group of the Year - Nothin' Fancy
Entertainer of the Year - Jamie Dailey
Promoter of the Year - D. A. Callaway
Hall of Greats Inductee - Kenny Ingram