World of Bluegrass
International festival finds its roots in Chattanooga
Donna “Elle” Harrison’s favorite memories revolve around music. The veteran Chattanooga broadcaster vividly recalls joining her mother and grandmother at Riverbend to see B.B. King. She smiles wide at the recollection of broadcasting live for Power 94 and Groove 93 FM from the Bessie Smith Strut. Music brought people together from all walks of life to dance and sing and eat barbeque and be together.
“These are the places and experiences my grandmother dreamt of for us,” Harrison says. “Music lets people enjoy life and take in the moment. My work today is a full circle moment. As a teenager I played emerging artists like Usher on the radio and now I have the mic to honor local acts including Mystic Click and Real Tight at Make Music Day with both Mayor Tim Kelly and Mayor Weston Wamp in attendance.”
Harrison is Chattanooga Tourism Company’s Director of Cultural Tourism. She brings her twenty-plus years of experience to the work, which is dedicated to ensuring that Chattanooga is known for our culture, heritage, and arts experiences.
“Chattanooga has a rich musical heritage, and our 2022 Music Census showed us that our city is still home to significant talent – from musicians and songwriters to the people behind the scenes, including producers and technical professionals,” Harrison explains, “We need more community alignment, advocacy, partnerships, and collaboration to ensure our local artists and venues are highlighted and welcomed to the table.”
To that end, Harrison and her team are thrilled to announce that Chattanooga will be the new home of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass event – the largest urban bluegrass festival in the world.
A World of Opportunity
After 12 years in Raleigh, North Carolina, the IBMA World of Bluegrass will make a home in Chattanooga for its events in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
“I see this as a homecoming,” Harrison says. “Chattanooga gave birth to the Big 9. Bluegrass and Black string bands are the roots of everyone’s music. Soul, R&B, jazz, and country music can trace their heritage back to here, and now native Chattanooga artists including Grammy award-winner Amethyst Kiah (a 2024 festival headliner) are expanding the genre and reimagining it.”
To ensure that Chattanooga’s music and events professionals are fully engaged in IBMA World of Bluegrass, Harrision is convening a local organizing committee including musicians, artists, food vendors, and event producers.
In addition to the two-day music festival, the IBMA World of Bluegrass will feature an Awards Show, artist showcases in venues throughout downtown, and a business conference. The conference includes tracks for talent buyers, broadcasters, and songwriters. There will be a “gig fair” to connect artist and talent buyers (think speed dating) and career development sessions for bands and brands.
Roots and New Growth
“Chattanooga is the perfect fit for World of Bluegrass,” says Barry White, President and CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Company. “Our community attitude and our focus on cultural tourism lets us tell our stories in an authentic way. Partnering with the International Bluegrass Music Association can help define us – and we can help define IBMA World of Bluegrass for them.”
Harrison’s team has worked for two years to secure the festival, and describes it as another powerful full-circle moment.
“I thank God for putting me in a place where I can bring new events to Chattanooga,” she says. “Music was and is born here. This is a moment for our entire musical community to shine.”
Learn more about IMBA World of Bluegrass here.