Acclaimed musician Billy Strings will be the keynote speaker at the International Bluegrass Music Association business conference, the organization announced in a press release Thursday.
Strings will participate in a live interview with radio and podcast host Tom Power at 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St., the press release said. Musician Junior Sisk will perform before the keynote.
“We couldn’t be prouder to present such an influential artist at this year’s conference,” association Executive Director Ken White said. “Billy Strings represents the present and future of bluegrass by embracing — and building on — our past.”
A conference pass for Sept. 16 is required for those wanting to attend the keynote, the press release said. The conference runs from Sept. 16-18, with single-day, two-day and three-day passes available for purchase. A single-day pass costs $145 for members and $165 for nonmembers through Saturday , and the price increases to $165 for members and $185 for nonmembers Sunday.
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The business conference is part of the association’s larger World of Bluegrass event that has moved from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Chattanooga for three years. The event runs from Sept. 16-20 and in addition to the conference includes showcases of new talent, an awards show and music festival, according to the event’s website.
For more information, visit worldofbluegrass.org.
— Compiled by Sam Still