A behind-the-scenes look at preparations for the 2014 Brown County Music Awards
On Saturday, March 8, many of Brown County’s favorite musicians are gathering at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN to mark another year of music making by making a joyful noise together. The 2nd Annual Brown County Music Awards is shaping up to be a grand old time, building on the success of the inaugural event last year and moving in new directions. More emphasis will be given this year on making the event a celebration of Brown County music the way we like best — by jamming together in new combinations, and expecting the unexpected. Judging by the energy generated at last year’s BCMA, this promises to be one of the Playhouse’s stellar concert events for 2014.
Last year, there were something like 9 award categories. That’s been pared down by half: Best CD, Best Song, Entertainer of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement. This should make for less bustling about over the awards and leave more time for making music. There will also be a guest performance by the winner of the BCMA Youth Showcase held earlier this month. And at the end, a good old-fashioned grande finale jam session. It’ll be an all-day endeavor for the participants, with rehearsals in the early afternoon, a more or less leisurely late-afternoon break to get into gig mode, and then the show that evening.
For this year’s event, I’m pleased to be working as BCMA’s first musical director, charged with organizing the BCMA Backline Band to provide a musical foundation for the festivities. The musicians sailing these uncharted waters are all experienced, versatile players who can think on their feet and go with the flow. Here’s the lineup:
BCMA 2014 Backline Band
- Del Sheets (bass)
- Barry Johnson (drums)
- Sarah B Kenny (fiddle)
- Marvin Parish (guitars)
- Jeff Foster (guitars & banjo)
Whatever happens, it’ll be fun. We won’t worry much about the occasional missed note, dropped chord, or even a busted string. The band, along with all the award-winning participants, are there for one reason: to make that joyful noise with our fellow musicians, and sharing it with our families, friends and neighbors. The music scene in Brown County has never been more vibrant, nor the possibilities for artistic collaboration more abundant, and the BCMA is a part of all that.
Come and join us if you can.
It’ll be a night to remember.
BTW — The show was a gas! You shoulda been there.