My T Fine String Band performing to a foot tapping audience - Ausgrass 2008

ALIVE 'N PICKIN Bluegrass band, Ausgrass 2008 TO SEE PHOTOS FROM 2008

The Festival Committee had ruled against the "Grass in the Park", section of Ausgrass and the intention of the organiser to expose Bluegrass Music to a wider audience so a dispute as to the future location of Ausgrass has eventuated. This explains the delay in posting details of Ausgrass 2009. With a measure of compromise on both parties, there will be Bluegrass Music on the Main Stage during the day, when and for how long is yet to be determined. So if you want to see Bluegrass musicians at this style of venue, make your opinion clear at the Festival Committee tent. The opportunities for talented acoustic musicians are very limited in Australia and the general public is fed tin can electrically produced sound at an alarming number of venues. SO STRIKE A BLOW FOR REAL MUSICAL TALENT

No longer is Ausgrass to be, "The best kept secret in Australian Country Music" quote from Country Music Capital News out of Tamworth. For Ausgrass to join in with this existing Festival event allows the producer to ease the burden of Insurance, promotion costs and rising venue costs. The Tumut Festival is fully sponsored by the Tumut Council and Business Community and provides a larger audience for a Bluegrass Music Event. The action is going to be non-stop, all weekend. * Another great incentive is that costs to attend for the weekend will be lower. * You can choose your own level of accommodation, your own style of meals from the huge selection of cafes, hotels and stalls. There is a lot going on as well as the Bluegrass Music, so if the wife comes along and she wants to shop till she drops, no problem. Or if you both want to sit in a lovely tree shaded park and listen to great music. Or how about just picking and grinning with good folks you have known for years.? Even if it is pouring with rain, there are plenty of hotels and other indoor venues in this country town. Believe me, it is all there, just waiting for you to come along, so no good just dropping in to find out, "What you just missed out on ?" Be there ! or miss out on the best Ausgrass, ever?

Late night Pickers brave the Tumut evening air On the Saturday morning, there are to be Street marches, instrument workshops, busking, stalls, woodworking exhibitions, fireworks, before the Saturday night concert, And on Sunday morning, the Gospel Session, blackboard concert and jamming before heading for home. I believe with a bit of effort on all our parts this event could become a real milestone in the Bluegrass Music calendar in Australia. With Ausgrass in Tumut, the future of GREAT BLUEGRASS MUSIC weekends in NSW is certainly assured.

Howard Miller - Event Producer - Ausgrass Events. updated - December 2008