Scottish Bluegrass Association

Mission Statement

Scottish Charity No. SC034759

• To promote Bluegrass amusic in Scotland recognising and celebrating the Celtic connections, roots and influences in the ‘world music’ known as ‘Bluegrass’ music.
• To advance public education in accordance with our constitution.
• To present Bluegrass events in Scotland by promoting concerts, festivals, picking sessions, workshops, Bluegrass Academy, radio and media exposure and a Bluegrass in The Schools Programme.
• To encourage and seek sponsorship, broader awareness and support for Scottish Bluegrass events from a wide range of sources.
• To publicise Scottish Bluegrass Association events via the internet and mailed newsletter
• To honour  a commitment sought by Bill Monroe, the "father" of Bluegrass music, from the Scottish Bluegrass Association organisers at a personal meeting on Sept. 22^nd 1995 in Rosine, Kentucky. In emphasising his Scottish ancestry and the Scottish dimension to his music, Bill Monroe asked the organisers to promise faithfully to promote Bluegrass music in Scotland - his ancestral homeland. The Scottish Bluegrass Association's mission is an expression of this promise.
• The Scottish Bluegrass Association is a legally recognised Scottish Charity number. SC03475 operating on a 'not for profit basis.

 The Founding of the Scottish Bluegrass Association

In August 1987 the first Guildtown Bluegrass Festival was organised by John Sheldon with the support of Dave Logan, a pioneering Scottish Bluegrass promoter; Mike Craig, record collector; the Mairs brothers, and a range of talented Scottish Bluegrass and Old Time musicians. The idea was to bring together as many Scottish Bluegrass and Old Time music fans, musicians and bands as possible and to form a strong network and affiliation to encourage and enable the development of Bluegrass music in Scotland. The festival succeeded in this aim and has led to a strong Association of volunteer activists - The Scottish Bluegrass Association.

From 1975,when Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass boys made a historic visit to Scotland and all through the eighties,when many great American bands visited and played in Scotland a firm foundation for Bluegrass and Old Time music was being laid. These tours were at the instigation of Dave Logan, Mike Craig and the Mairs brothers and were supported by loyal fans. The visits inspired Scottish fans and musicians alike to work together to support Bluegrass concerts and to produce the  annual showcase that is now the Guildtown Bluegrass Festival. In February 2001, building on this wide network of support and the re-establishment of a Scottish Parliament with our strong national identity, the Scottish Bluegrass Association was officially founded with a written constitution. Charitable status was granted to the Association in 2003.

The Scottish Bluegrass Association now runs a comprehensive network of events including a concert series of monthly shows, picking sessions,  a Bluegrass in the Schools programme, a Bluegrass Academy, Bluegrass master classes as well as organising recording projects and a resource library. The Association is established in touring visiting bands and in obtaining  the legally required Work Permits for visiting Bluegrass and Old Time musicians from out-with the European Community.

The SBA - an open democratic, non-profit organisation - is now uniting and promoting Scottish Bluegrass in alliance with The International Bluegrass Music Association and in full co-operation with the Bluegrass music associations in Europe.

Regular updates and information on SBA activities are free. Prospective members are requested to download and complete the membership application form. returning it to the membership secretary.

• The SBA Website - www.scottishbluegrass.com is the main communication medium - stating the organisations' purpose and mission - with historical background, e-magazine, up to date information, events, photo's and bio's from visiting bands and those musicians performing at SBA events. Also listed is the International Bluegrass Music Association and other European Bluegrass Music Associations with direct links to their websites.

• A Free Bluegrass e-magazine 'Scottish Bluegrass News' is maintained on the SBA site relating to the Scottish Bluegrass music scene, with news and views, articles on bands and festivals it is open to all bluegrass musicians and fans throughout the world. Contributions to the Scottish Bluegrass News Magazine are welcome from everybody! Just mail them to the SBA secretary Content is varied so mail your news, views. opinions, music tabs and small ads. The Bluegrass e-Magazine will be reviewed and updated every two months, free for all to read and download and contribute to.

• An Annual General Meeting of the SBA is held at the Guildtown Festival in accordance with the constitution in August every year, to report progress, discuss and decide on the way ahead for developing Bluegrass and Old Time music in Scotland. The meeting also has the function of appointing the office bearers and committee members. The office bearers and committee are appointed by the association for a one year tenure and are required to be accepted by a majority vote of SBA members. All of the Association activities are open for review and debate at the AGM and will be decided upon by a majority vote of those SBA members present. The Association is a joint effort by dedicated volunteers and enthusiasts and is supported by a growing fan base.

Buy SBA membership: