welcome

Welcome to the official web site of the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). MBOTMA is 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, a monthly magazine, and other events 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.

Since the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association was founded in 1975, we have grown to over 1100 active members. Please join MBOTMA to support traditional acoustic music in our region and to receive Inside Bluegrass every month with a complete calendar of events and articles about our music.

coming up next

Spring Fling MBOTMA Fundraiser. On Friday & Saturday May 9 & 10 (7:00 PM to Midnight) at Dulono's Pizza (607 W Lake St) in Minneapolis, a dozen bands will perform bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music to raise fund for MBOTMA. Among the bands are: The Roe Family Singers, Morgan's Run, The Blue Drifters, Bob & Lynn Dixon, Now And Then, Buggy Whipp, The Row Buckers, Last Known Whereabouts, Light Of The Moon, San Souci Quartet, and Blue Yodel #9. Admission is free but bring your pocketbooks to donate to a worthy cause.

The Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff. May 30 through June 1, 2008 at El Rancho Mañana Campground (20 mi W of St Cloud, MN). A three-day outdoor music & camping festival with stage shows by more than twenty regional performers of traditional bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Plus workshops, the Gathering Place, and plenty of campground jam sessions. El Rancho Mañana is the largest campground in Minnesota and boasts horse back riding, a swimming beach, boating, fishing, showers, and other amenities. Join us for an intimate musical weekend with some of the friendliest folks you are ever going to meet!

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival. August 7 through 10, 2008 at El Rancho Mañana Campground (20 mi W of St Cloud, MN). We are proud to say that our biggest event of the year was once again nominated in 2007 as the international Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Event of the Year (it was nominated for the same prestigious award in 2005). Five venues and four days of top national and regional bluegrass and old-time stringband music. The 2008 line-up will feature Mountain Heart, Grasstowne, Cadillac Sky, Mike Seeger, Balfa Toujours, Michael Cleveland & The Flamekeeper Band, The Dirk Powell Band, The Stairwell Sisters, Monroe Crossing, Sawtooth (2008 race For A Place Champions), The Bag O'Dirt Band, Bill & Kate Isles, Brennen Leigh, The DitchLilies, Morgans Run, Ivory bridge, Poor Benny, and The Roe Family Singers. Plus workshops, instrument showcases, dances, children's shows and activities, clogging demonstrations, and good food. All in a family friendly atmosphere at El Rancho Mañana Campground & Riding Stables.

Minnesota Flatpicking Guitar & Duet Championships. Held on the Heritage Square Stage at the Minnesota State Fair over Labor Day weekend. Congratulations to our 2007 top prize winners - in the duets, Reed Schilleman and Paul Dahlberg; in flatpicking guitar, Bill Liners. A complete list of prize winners is now posted, but special thanks are due to all who participated in the championships for representing bluegrass and old-time music so well at the State Fair!