Bluegrass Fans Talk Family History

Bluegrass fans shared unique stories and ideas as they visited the Perfect Memoirs table this past weekend at the IBMA Fan Fest in Nashville. A Florida woman writes her family history and poems in song form, and she sings them around the house to subliminally share family history with her children.  A devoted bluegrass fan and volunteer lives in a beautiful, historic inn – he would like to share that history with other inn visitors and guests. An Oklahoma woman ponders her family’s mixed history of Cherokee and English, both originating in eastern Tennessee, and recalls several of the many stories her deceased grandmother told. Several people wistfully spoke of loved ones that had passed, and stories gone forever. If you are in that situation, I recommend a tribute book of memories to preserve those people for their descendants. Over and over I find versions of the aphorism, “As long as someone remembers you, you are still living.” I believe that!

Attending the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention and Fan Fest is a highlight of our year. Many people were excited about all the stars at the IBMA Awards Show. I didn’t attend the show this year but I did get to talk to Laurie Lewis, co-host  along with Del McCoury, and her musical partner Tom Rozum, at their table. I’ve been a fan of Laurie for years as she puts effective stories, environmentalism and other great concepts into her songs. It turns out Tom is interested in family history, too!

In my previous role as a journalist I sought out artists and business people. But this year I talked mostly with fans who stopped by the table of Perfect Memoirs to chat about family history. If you saw us there, you also saw my husband’s display of Teye Guitars, custom electrics handmade in Austin. It was another great IBMA for us.  Please comment and share your IBMA stories, or beliefs and thoughts on preserving memories…

 

 

 

 

Bluegrass, family history, memoirs