Chattanooga’s Bluegrass Bonanza: IBMA’s 2025 Triumph

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Chattanooga, Tennessee, transformed into Bluegrass Central, the ultimate destination for pickers, stars, and fans. The city buzzed with the ring of banjos and a sawing of fiddles as the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) brought its World of Bluegrass to its new home at the Chattanooga Convention Center for a five-day celebration. Unless they were performing elsewhere, musicians of all ages flocked to seminars, jam sessions, shows, and lessons covering every facet of bluegrass.

Billy Strings visits with attendees in the exhibit hall.

Every day, attendees and locals spotted icons like Steve Martin, Billy Strings, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, and newly inducted Hall of Famers Hot Rize and the Bluegrass Cardinals grabbing a bite at local eateries or strolling between events. The energy was electric—riding up an escalator, I overheard a young fiddler excitedly recount jamming with a legend the night before, a moment that captured the festival’s magic.

The IBMA World of Bluegrass was a resounding success in its 2025 debut at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium hosted the annual Bluegrass Awards, emceed by Steve Martin and Alison Brown, featuring unforgettable performances. Standout winners included Fiddle Player of the Year Maddie Denton with East Nash Grass, and Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, who swept Song of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year for Outrun the Rain, plus Album of the Year. Authentic Unlimited won Vocal Group of the Year, The Traveling McCourys took Instrumental Group of the Year, and Jaelee Roberts earned Gospel Song of the Year for He’s Gone. Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, and Alison Brown claimed Instrumental Recording of the Year for Ralph’s Banjo Special.

Jam sessions were the heart of the event, with the convention center’s hallways alive with music. Every twenty feet, young players—from toddlers clutching tiny fiddles to teens wielding banjos—jammed alongside seasoned pros, their melodies echoing through the halls. After 9:30 p.m., when the convention center closed, diehards like members of the Tennessee Bluegrass Band migrated to the nearby Marriott, jamming into the early hours.

The Tennessee Bluegrass Band

Across the city, venues showcased talents like Wyatt Ellis, Becky Buller, Little Roy and Lizzy Long, and The Kody Norris Show, which won Video of the Year for The Auctioneer. Fans mingled with heroes, snapping photos and shaking hands.

Exhibit halls hosted global band showcases and youth performers debuting skills honed in dedicated workshops. Seminars highlighted bluegrass history, including a tribute to Hazel Dickens and a panel with legends Paul Williams, Doyle Lawson, and Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake. Dom Flemons led a session on African American Hall of Fame inductee Arnold Shultz’s influence on pioneers like Bill Monroe.

Billy Strings, Entertainer of the Year, wondered through the exhibit hall, picking up guitars and whipping out a tune including on Jimmy Martin’s guitar—available for anyone to strum, thanks to Martin’s son—and joining Junior Sisk and New Artist of the Year Red Camel Collective for a tune before his keynote address.

On Friday and Saturday, thousands filled Miller Plaza, where four stages, including one for youth talent, showcased acts like The Infamous Stringdusters, Carter and Cleveland, and Sister Sadie. Local Chattanooga stars, including Mountain Cove Bluegrass, the Landon Fitzpatrick Band, Carl Towns and Upward Road, and Emerald Butler dazzled international audiences with their homegrown flair.

Mike Bub and Randall Franks

I was honored to direct the Special Industry and Distinguished Achievement Awards alongside producer Chris Keenan and an amazing production staff, spotlighting talents like Missy Raines and Ron Thomason. Five-time Bass Player of the Year Mike Bub served as our host for the show. One unforgettable moment was watching a young guitarist, barely taller than his instrument, beam with pride as he played alongside a bluegrass legend, a reminder of the genre’s vibrant future.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the IBMA has made Chattanooga its home for the next three years. If you love bluegrass—or want to discover your new favorite band—mark your calendar for October 20–24, 2026, and October 19–23, 2027. Visit IBMA.org to plan your trip and join the celebration!

Lessons from a Lost Pocketknife

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When I was a small boy, like many up-and-coming business folks, my parents sought a getaway near the city—a haven from the hustle and bustle, but not too far for quick trips filled with camping, fishing, and swimming.

For my older brother and me, this sounded wonderful. He’d already experienced more rustic life on the family farm in the mountains before we relocated, but that spot was too distant for weekend escapes. My folks eyed two burgeoning options outside Atlanta: Lake Lanier in Hall County and Lake Capri in Rockdale County. They bought a lot at Lake Capri because it was closer to home. At the time, the lakes were neck-and-neck as getaways, but in hindsight, Lanier would have been the better choice.

Still, we became Lake Capri owners, and our treks began. We’d load the fishing gear, lawn chairs, and Coleman stove into the camper on our pickup truck. The cooler brimmed with potato salad, cold cuts, bread, ketchup, mustard, and Mom’s chocolate-frosted cake—plus breakfast items for overnights. Off we’d go.

During grass-mowing season, we’d add a push mower and gas can. That was an unforeseen chore my brother and I hadn’t anticipated: more acreage meant more legwork for us. It was worth it, though. After a couple of hours mowing, we’d switch to swimming trunks for a dip or grab rods for bank fishing.

There was always a peacefulness about sitting on the lake shore as puffy white clouds drifted across the blue sky. All you could hear were crickets chirping in the bait box, awaiting their dunking in hopes of dinner. Of course, we had plenty of red wigglers ready for a bath, too. While my older brothers became skilled fishermen, I never inherited the gene. I tried, but sometimes I felt like the jinx from The Andy Griffith Show who spoiled every catch.

I remember one trip when I’d gotten my first pocketknife as a gift. I was so proud—it was a tool, a rite of passage marking my progress from boyhood to manhood, like getting a BB gun and later a .22 rifle. I carried it everywhere, even to school back then. My swimming trunks had pockets, so in went the knife without a thought.

We fished first that day. I’d cast my line and set down my small rod, distracted by something. Suddenly, a fish big enough to yank it into the water struck. I chased after it, blending fishing and swimming in one frantic splash. Waist-deep (which wasn’t far for my size), I grabbed the rod and tried to set the hook, but the fish had skedaddled with my bait.

The sad part: in my enthusiasm, my pocketknife slipped out and sank to the lake bed. Heartbroken, I went back in and searched frantically, but to no avail.

My parents consoled me, but it stung. In my mind, I’d stepped backward on the path to manhood by losing that possession. I was still the same boy, of course, and they soon replaced the knife—perhaps I guarded it better because of the lesson. That mishap, and those family times, left a sharp memory I’ve cut my teeth on all these years later. Are you making lasting memories with your family? Maybe today is a good time to start.

Treasures of Forgotten Lives

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The musty scent of old books, vinyl records, and mothballed clothes greets you at an estate sale, where the remnants of someone’s life spill across makeshift tables, counters, and shelves. Clothes, tools, knickknacks, furniture, jewelry, even leftover cleaning products and unused hardware—each item whispers a story. I’ve spent many pleasant afternoons rummaging through these sales, piecing together the lives of strangers through the things they left behind.

In the garage or basement, you often find the “men’s domain”—a workshop brimming with neatly stowed tools, screws, nails, and bolts. I’ve snagged bargains on hardware I might use someday, like a box of screws for a future project or a half-used can of paint. These items, carefully organized, hint at hobbies, repairs, or dreams of building something new. The living room, by contrast, is often the woman’s realm, adorned with porcelain figurines, Christmas villages, crystal, and delicate artwork. The kitchen overflows with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils—testaments to meals shared, holidays celebrated, and daily routines now stilled. I love visiting on the final day, when prices plummet and overlooked treasures, like a quirky teapot or a vintage record, become fire-sale finds.

Yet the saddest discoveries are the photo albums, brimming with smiles from birthdays, weddings, graduations, and vacations. These moments, once cherished enough to frame or tuck into sleeves, now sit abandoned, their owners likely without children or grandchildren to claim them. I’ve flipped through these albums, marveling at the joy captured in faded Polaroids or black-and-white prints—families gathered around Christmas trees, couples dancing at receptions, kids blowing out birthday candles. Once, I found an album with a familiar face, perhaps a distant acquaintance or neighbor from years past. I couldn’t leave it behind; it felt like rescuing a piece of their story. Now it rests in my home, where those faces are known, if only to me.

Sadder still are boxes of framed photos or old slides, relics of a time when families gathered to watch slide shows, sharing stories of vacations or funny mishaps. These visual memories, so carefully preserved, meant everything to someone. When I see them discarded, I can’t help but feel their song will no longer be sung, their names and faces lost to future generations. For years, I found comfort seeing similar photos on the walls of Cracker Barrel restaurants across the country. Strangers’ faces, frozen in time, gazed out at diners, their images preserved even if their names were forgotten. Now, with corporate remodels stripping away these tributes, another layer of sadness settles in, as if the past is being erased once more.

In today’s digital age, our memories face a new threat. Photos and videos, stored on old computers, hard drives, or forgotten cloud accounts, may vanish faster than dusty albums. Unlike physical photos, which can be stumbled upon at a sale, digital files are often inaccessible without the right device or password. I’ve wondered about my own collection—decades of snapshots, concert tickets, and mementos from a life immersed in music. I’ve earmarked some for music-related archives or museums, but even then, they’ll likely sit in a box or filing cabinet, deep in storage, rarely seen.

Estate sales teach us that our treasures are fleeting. The albums and keepsakes we cherish may end up unrecognized by our children or grandchildren, who may not know the faces or stories behind them. Only a handful of memories make it to their piles, the rest discarded or sold to strangers. As I browse these sales, I’m reminded to plan ahead.

Share America Foundation Names Wyatt Ellis as 2025 David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Recipient

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Randall Franks (left) and Marty Hays (right) present Wyatt Ellis with his David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship certificate at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville, near Nashville. (Photo: Teresa Ellis/Share America Foundation)

The Share America Foundation, Inc. proudly announces 16-year-old singer and mandolinist Wyatt Ellis of East Tennessee as the 2025 recipient of the David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship, honoring students who excel in Appalachian musical arts.

The late Bluegrass star David Davis is remembered with a scholarship.

This scholarship commemorates bluegrass legend David Davis, mandolinist and leader of the Warrior River Boys for 40 years, who passed away in September 2024.

Ellis, a former student of Davis, first met him at age 12 during Monroe Mandolin Camp. “David was an incredible High Lonesome singer with such passion,” Ellis recalled. “He saw my love for singing and playing mandolin and took pride in nurturing it. I hope to honor his legacy by carrying forward that same passion.”

Cindy Davis, David’s widow, personally congratulated Ellis.

“I wish you great success,” she said. “David would be so proud of how you’re carrying on with what he shared with you.”

Marty Hays, a 30-year veteran of the Warrior River Boys, presented the award alongside Randall Franks, representing the band’s support.

“David shared the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe and others with his unique style,” Hays said. “It brings joy to my heart to see a musician of Wyatt’s age, singing Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley songs on the Grand Ole Opry.”

Ellis, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart with his album Happy Valley, featuring instrumentals written at age 11. A 2025 IBMA New Artist of the Year nominee, he began performing at the Grand Ole Opry at 13 and now leads the IBMA Momentum Award-nominated Wyatt Ellis Band. His latest single, “Country Boy Rock and Roll,” is finding wide appeal, and he is featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents exhibit.

Ellis will receive the scholarship funds upon enrolling in college. He and his band will appear at the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival in Rosine, Ky. On Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 on an evening when the festival will also share a memorial tribute to David Davis. For more information, visit https://jerusalemridgefestival.com/.

Davis and his troupe toured with Randall Franks’ country variety show, now in its 80th year – The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree, beginning in the 1990s.

“Wyatt’s talent is inspiring youth and adults to embrace traditional bluegrass,” said Randall Franks, Share America Foundation board member. “My late parents, Pearl and Floyd Franks, for whom this scholarship is also named, would be proud of how Wyatt is expanding the reach of Appalachian music.”

The scholarship is funded through donations, grants from organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Fort Oglethorpe and the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment, special events, and projects like the Share America Foundation’s #1 Global Americana CD, Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia, available for donation at ShareAmericaFoundation.org, Amazon, and iTunes, and the upcoming A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs.

Follow Share America Foundation, Wyatt Ellis, and Randall Franks on Facebook and other social media platforms.

About David Davis
David Davis, a mandolinist and vocalist, was a key figure in preserving the stylings of Bill Monroe and Appalachian roots music. Leading the Warrior River Boys since the 1980s, he earned acclaim through Rounder, Time Life, Wango, and Rebel recordings, including Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole. A 2010 Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee and 2014 National Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame honoree, Davis mentored countless musicians through performances and workshops.

About Wyatt Ellis
Wyatt Ellis, 16, is a rising bluegrass star from East Tennessee. A singer, mandolinist, and multi-instrumentalist, his debut album Happy Valley topped Billboard’s Bluegrass chart. A 2025 IBMA New Artist of the Year nominee, Ellis performs with his Wyatt Ellis Band and has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry and in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents exhibit. Learn more at https://WyattEllis.com.

About Randall Franks
Multiple music hall of fame inductee and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Legend Randall Franks, known as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s In the Heat of the Night, is an actor, musician, author, and Share America Foundation board member. A former collaborator with David Davis through both the Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree and the Warrior River Boys, Franks is dedicated to preserving Appalachian music traditions. He currently hosts the TV show Appalachian Sounds. Visit RandallFranks.com for more information.

About Share America Foundation, Inc.
The Share America Foundation, Inc., based in Northwest Georgia, supports the preservation of Appalachian music through scholarships, events, and projects. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of Randall Franks. Its board includes Franks, Chairman Gary Knowles, Vice Chairman John Brinsfield, Secretary James Pelt, and Vice President Jerry Robinson, Sr. Learn more at ShareAmericaFoundation.org.