WELCOME

Welcome to the official web site of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a 501c3 nonprofit, volunteer-based organization serving Minnesota and the Midwest. Our mission is to preserve and promote bluegrass and old-time string band music in Minnesota.

Our activities include four annual festivals, plus numerous concerts, dances, jam sessions, workshops, educational programs, and a monthly magazine called Inside Bluegrass. Events and programs that keep people who love to play and listen to traditional acoustic music busy throughout the year and throughout the state of Minnesota. Check out our calendar of events for a full list of what is coming up.

April was our annual Inside Bluegrass Magazine festival issue, with news, strories, and ads from over fifteen festivals in the Midwest to help you make your summer travel plans. Even if you missed the magazine you can still download flyers for these festivals from our Inside Bluegrass page.

coming up next...
	It's our 30th Anniversary! The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival takes place August 6-9, 2009 at El Rancho Manana. There will be a big show on the big stage each night with the legendary JD Crowe & The New South on Thursday, the 2008 Entertainers of the Year Dailey & Vincent on Friday, and the 2007 & 2006 Entertainers of the Year The Grascals on Saturday. Tell your friends and help us pass it on. Four days and nights of music on multple stages, great national and regional bands, workshops and showcases. Nominated as IBMA Event of the Year in both 2005 and 2007! Click here to download a flyer.
	Registration is now open for the 2009 Minnesota Flatpicking Guitar & Duet Championships, held at the Minnesota State Fair on Friday, September 4 (Duets) and Saturday, September 5 (Guitars). In addition to cash prizes and trophies we have new grand prizes this year: a PAIR of “Baby Taylor” travel guitars from guitarrodeo.com ($600 value) for the Duet Championship and a hand-built “Slope D” Dreadnought Guitar by David Vincent Guitars! ($2500 value) for the Flatpicking Guitar Championship.
recent events...
	The Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff took place May 29-31 2009 (the weekend after Memorial Day). El Rancho Manana near Richmond MN was the scene of three days of stage shows, workshops, the Gathering Place, and plenty of campground jam sessions.
Spring Fling Fund Raiser	The two day Spring Fling Fundraiser was held in Minneapolis at Dulono's Pizza on Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, 2009. Thanks to Phil Nusbaum for organizing and serving as MC, to Jed Malischke for running the sound system, and to all the bands who donated their time and talent to the event!

		Funding for Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Assocation events is provided in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders.