The timing of the IBMA Holiday Benefit Concert at Station Inn on Monday, December 11, just two days after the greater Nashville area was hit by tornadoes, was a poignant reminder of why the IBMA Trust Fund and IBMA Foundation exist.
Hosted by Missy Raines and Allegheny, the evening presented a full slate of bluegrass talent. As the house band, Raines and Allegheny, composed of Tristan Scroggins on mandolin, Ellie Hakanson on fiddle, Ben Garnett on guitar, andEli Gilbert on banjo, opened with songs from their upcoming album Highlander due out February 9. They were joined by Deanie Richardson on fiddle and Ben Surratt on harmony for one number.
The show featured several 2023 IBMA awards recipients. Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake, who performed “Christmas Cookies,” and Vickie Vaughn, Bass Player of the Year, was joined by Casey Campbell and members of the house band for “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Rob Ickes, 15-time dobro player of the year, also performed throughout the evening.
Songwriter Jerry Salley sang “What Wise Men Believe” and Stephen and Jana Mougin performed a medley of two Slovakian Christmas songs, one a lullaby for the baby Jesus and another, a celebration of his birth, along with “Pretty Paper” and “Silent Night” in Slovakian and English, inviting the audience to sing along. Billy and Marjia Droze were joined by Richardson for “The Greatest Gift.
A special treat of the evening was a performance by the Belmont University Bluegrass Ensemble, featuring vocalists and instrumentalists opening with “Tender Tennessee Christmas,” then leading into “Two-Stepping around the Christmas Tree.”
Another highlight, dubbed “mando mania,” featured a half dozen mandolinists playing the Bill Monroe tune, “Old Ebenezer.”
The holiday songs ranged from “Christmas Time’s A-Comin’” to Prine’s “Christmas in Prison,” performed by Josh Rilko. Wyatt Ellis introduced the Bill Monroe tune “Santa Claus,” pointing out that it was not a Christmas song but was, instead, named for the Indiana town by that name.
The night continued with ensemble performances featuring C. J. Lewandowski, Rob Ickes, Mike Bub, Wyatt Ellis, Avery, Roberts, Kristen Bearfield, and Josh Rinkel. IBMA board members and staff also served as emcees, as well as performing. Anna Kline and Josh Rooney, who perform as Swift Silver, delivered a bluesy bluegrass version of “Please Come Home for Christmas.” Incoming executive director Ken White and Robin Macy sang “You Fill My Cup.”
Jim Lauderdale also moved off the Christmas song playlist, performing the Don Reno song “Wall Around Your Heart” and “Headed for the Hills,” also an audience singalong. John McEuen closed the night with the house band, leading “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” a nod to the groundbreaking Nitty Gritty Dirt Band project that brought new attention to bluegrass music more than fifty years ago.
For bluegrass fans looking for other opportunities to share in the holiday giving spirit, a benefit will be held Wednesday night for Room in the Inn.