IBMA Artist Showcases

- Selection Committee
- "Routine" Showcases
- "Label Recommended" Showcases
- Private Showcases and Hospitality Functions

The following information is provided to acquaint artists, artist representatives, record labels and IBMA members with details about the selection process and criteria for artist showcases presented by the organization during its annual World of Bluegrass events. Additional information may be available by contacting IBMA. There are two primary types of showcases presented by IBMA during the annual convention for which selection procedures apply:

- "Routine" Showcases
- "Label Recommended" Showcases

Although there are similarities between the two and the presentation for each is almost identical, there are two separate application/recommendation procedures for these showcases. Those applying should familiarize themselves with both in order to maximize the opportunities presented. In additional, there are "informal" showcases arranged during the events that are generally held in private suites or at venues beyond IBMA's control. Those are explored in brief here, as well.

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"Routine" Artist Showcases Purpose

In its efforts to promote bluegrass and related forms of music, IBMA shall create and host artist showcase opportunities. Showcases shall be designed to introduce any one or all of the following to the various facets of the industry (i.e. event presenters, broadcasters, press, record companies) anticipated to attend a showcase.

(1) Emerging talent capable and willing to broaden their market,

(2) Established bands which need to introduce significant changes to their act, or,

(3) Artists who have significant new recorded product.

The extension of an invitation to showcase is most appropriate where such opportunity maximizes both the industry's overall needs and the individual artist's ability to benefit from the promotion.

Selection Procedures

• The artists, or their representative, shall submit five full promotional packages (including demo audio or video material) to the IBMA office prior to a pre determined deadline which shall allow sufficient time for the selection committee to give fair appraisal to each artist's potential in a showcase opportunity. There may also be an application fee required with the submission of material to help defray the expenses associated with the selection process. Material submitted should reflect the qualities, personnel, and type of material to be performed at a showcase. IBMA shall announce its criteria and will make publicly available this information to afford any artist the chance to become involved.
  
• Committee members shall be given a minimum of one week to evaluate every 20 artists which submit material for consideration. (The evaluation process usually takes four to eight weeks).

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• Established bluegrass artist(s) who have significant new recorded projects expected to be released within six months before or after the showcase presentation. The recording project may feature either of the following:
  -Single acts
  -Special collaborations of more than one act.
  
• Significant bluegrass artists new to the national bluegrass scene signed to the label within one year prior to the showcase presentation schedule. The extension of an invitation to showcase is most appropriate where such opportunity maximizes both the industry's overall needs and the artist's and record label's ability to benefit from the promotion.

Special Restrictions

These special showcases are limited in number and amount of time available (a total of six (6) thirty minute time slots--see sample schedule), and IBMA wants to assure the opportunities are spread evenly throughout the artistic and recording community as much as possible. Therefore:

• The six time slots will be filled by artist(s)/projects from six separate record labels. The exception shall be if the committee has fewer than six labels submit information for consideration.
• Artists who have appeared at the event as a showcase artist within the last two years (regardless of which label they are signed to) are ineligible for this particular opportunity.
• Artists participating in these showcases must be signed to an agreement with a record label that has national distribution of their product.

Selection Process

• IBMA shall notify all bluegrass recording labels of the opportunity and request that each label submit a listing of artists and/or recording projects which fit within the above stated purpose. A deadline shall be established for receipt of such listing and only information received prior to that deadline will be used in the selection of artists and projects to be showcased.
  
• IBMA's Showcase Selection Committee will use the above criteria and shall have the sole responsibility of reviewing the information and determining which artists and/or projects will be showcased. The committee will also handle arrangements for scheduling all such presentations.
  
• Performing members of all showcase acts are extended complimentary admission to the IBMA event at which they are performing. They are also responsible for any related fees associated with being a showcase artist for the events.

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