Summer Sounds voting is now live!

To vote, go to the Central Texas Bluegrass YouTube page and like your favorite videos. There are three categories: solo instrumental, multi-instrumental and youth/family.

Voting will end at 11:59PM on Sunday, August 16th and winners will be revealed on Monday, August 17th.

The video in each category with the most votes will be posted on the CTBA website, Facebook, and Instagram pages!

Thank you to everyone who took time to submit a video (or two)!

And, heck, while you're on the CTBA YouTube page, please take a second to subscribe.

Happy Pickin’ Y'all!

To our CTBA community,

While this certainly has been an unconventional year to be a Board Member, we are doing everything we can to ensure that music continues to bring joy to our friends in the community.

Our Summer Sounds Video Competition submission date has been extended to July 31st! Voting will take place August 1-4th on the official CTBA YouTube page.

For more details about submitting videos, the entry guidelines can be found at Tiny.cc/Summer_Sounds.

Thank you to everyone who has put so much time and effort into creating the wonderful videos we have received thus far. We can’t wait to share them all! Remember - we will feature winning videos on the CTBA website as well as the CTBA social media sites.

For those of you who may be looking to refine or learn some new tunes during these dog days of summer, we have a stellar lineup of pickers on our Instructor Page that we highly recommend you look into for lessons. And almost everybody teaches online! On the other hand, if you are teaching lessons and would like to be listed, please drop us a line at CTBA@CentralTexasBluegrass.org. For more information visit CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Instructors.

We are happy to announce that over the last ten months we have more than doubled our membership!!! We take great pride in being able to support our growing Bluegrass communities through education, engagement, and scholarships. Your memberships help us continue to serve you, our members and friends. If you or someone you know would like to join, renew, or become a lifetime or band member, you can do so at CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Join.

Last but not least, here are some fun facts about the CTBA, by the numbers...

The CTBA awarded seven CTBA/ArtistWorks Scholarships in June.

CTBA Scholarship recipients ranged in age from 13 to 72.

The CTBA was formed 42 years ago.

The CTBA membership extends beyond Austin, with 48% living outside Austin City Limits.

The CTBA living furthest from CTBA headquarters in Austin is 258 miles away in Vidor, TX.

We hope all of you are well and staying safe. We look forward to being able to sit out under the Texas stars enjoying bluegrass together soon. Happy pickin’ y’all!

Libby Mayfield Brennan

President, CTBA

The Central Texas Bluegrass Association exists in order to celebrate, promote, and preserve Bluegrass music. Along with this, we hold a responsibility to encourage diversity and inclusion within the Bluegrass community. Standing in solidarity with the Black community and all people of color, we, the CTBA board, commit to the following:

• Recognize the important and impactful contributions that People of Color, e.g. Deford Bailey, Arnold Shultz, Rhiannon Giddens, and many others have made to Bluegrass music.
• Emphasize the spirit of inclusion at CTBA events, without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, or financial status.
• Promote​ ​just and fair treatment for all people.
• Contribute to a spirit of unity within our community through connection, education, tolerance, and, of course, through music.

To our CTBA community,

Even in these challenging times, the CTBA board continues to brainstorm new ways of adapting to life while promoting and supporting bluegrass communities across the globe. While pickin’ circles and bluegrass nights have all been postponed, we are utilizing new technology that continues to keep us united. We have modified our scholarship program to represent a wider group of promising young pickers and even have some exciting perks for our active members!

While we are all doing our best to socially distance ourselves, please know that we are here for you. Feel free to reach out at any time, whether through social media, email or if you want to talk on the phone.

Let’s look ahead to days when porches are filled with pickers and two steppers dance into bluegrass nights.

Thank y’all for the continued support. Happy pickin!

Libby Brennan
President, Central Texas Bluegrass Association

2020 SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
Due to the cancellation of bluegrass camps and workshops, we have modified the Willa Beach-Porter scholarship to adapt to online learning courses. We are partnering with ArtistWorks, an online community that provides a series of lessons from introductory to advanced courses. Each scholarship will be awarded a year-long membership.

There will be a total of five scholarships awarded. Three scholarships will be awarded to students ages 12-21; the remaining two scholarships awarded to those 22 and older who are active members of the CTBA. All scholarship recipients must currently live in Texas and submit (1) the online application and (2) two letters of recommendation no later than May 15th, 2020.

To learn more and apply today please visit CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Scholarship.

MEMBERSHIP PERK
Are you currently an active member of the CTBA? If so, ArtistWorks is offering $80 off a year-long membership! All you have to do is email President@CentralTexasBluegrass.org to get your redemption code. This offer expires April 30th, so don’t wait!

Not a member yet and want to take advantage of this opportunity? Join the CTBA today at CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Join.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates, pick-a-longs, livestream schedules and more!

CTBA BUSINESS MEMBERS
We would also like to take a moment to thank the businesses who have shown their support of bluegrass in Central Texas by hosting events, promoting bluegrass, or just supporting our community. If you are able to support them by purchasing to-go items, gift cards, merch...or heck just following them on social media, please do consider doing so. Every action counts!

CAPITAL CITY BUSINESS CONSULTING
COUNTRY GUITAR ONLINE
EASY TIGER BAKE SHOP & BEER GARDEN
HEARTS & HANDS MASSAGE
JESTER KING
ST. ELMO BREWING CO
TEXAS MUSIC DUDE
TEXAS BLUEGRASS MUSIC AT SALMON LAKE
VISTA BREWING

The Central Texas Bluegrass Association has long been committed to the education of young musicians carrying on the bluegrass tradition.

These are uncertain times, and the cancellation of face-to-face camps, lessons, and workshops can be difficult. But now it is ever more important to continue providing music education! And to that end, the CTBA Board unanimously decided to modify our scholarship program for 2020.

The CTBA has partnered with ArtistWorks, an online community that provides a series of lessons from introductory to advanced courses. ArtistWorks instructors include some of today’s very best musicians, including several IBMA "Best of the Year" recipients. Among the instructors are Bryan Sutton, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Tony Trischka, Noam Pikelny, and Missy Raines. You can check out everything ArtistWorks has to offer at ArtistWorks.com.

This year, the CTBA will be offering our Willa Beach-Porter scholarship as online scholarships through ArtistWorks. Each scholarship recipient will receive a one-year ArtistWorks membership to the study track of their choice from the 30+ courses offered through ArtistWorks. We, the CTBA, are very happy to be able to offer these scholarships to young folks wanting to further their music explorations in a safe, socially-distanced, and very fun manner!

There will be a total of five scholarships awarded. Three scholarships will be awarded to students ages 12-21. While CTBA membership is encouraged for these three recipients, it is not mandatory. The remaining two scholarships will be awarded to two active CTBA members 22 and older.

All scholarship recipients must currently live in Texas and must (1) submit the application at CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Scholarship and (2) email two letters of recommendation to Scholarship@CentralTexasBluegrass.org by May 15, 2020. The recipients will be selected by the Scholarship Committee and announced on Monday, May 25th.

The CTBA Board is pleased to offer these opportunities to our members as well as the community we serve. We hope everyone who qualifies will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Head on over to CentralTexasBluegrass.org to learn more and apply today!

We hope that this message find you and your loved ones well. Happy pickin' y’all!

Libby Brennan

President, Central Texas Bluegrass Association

Spring is in full swing, and we have some fun and new opportunities for our members this month from new membership benefits to events.

First, the board would like to present our new membership benefits packages. We wouldn’t be where we are without you, our members, so these benefits are a small token of our thanks for supporting the Central Texas Bluegrass Association.

AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, MEMBER OR NOT
- access to CTBA website
- access to the CTBA Facebook page
- monthly e-blast/newsletter from the CTBA President and/or board
- quarterly CTBA newsletter
- opportunities for scholarship to bluegrass camps or workshops (ages 12-21)
- CTBA-sponsored jams and events including but not limited to:

· Sunday jam at Oskar Blues Brewery Austin
· bi-montly beginner/intermediate jam at Wildflower Terrace
· monthly jam at St. Elmo Brewing Company
· annual Band Scramble and Garage Sale
· CTBA Annual Meeting and show

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
...all this PLUS:
- "grass" sticker, while supplies last
- access to CTBA Event/Jam Calendar submission form
- access to CTBA membership database

FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS
...all this PLUS:
- special pricing for families (i.e. save 50% on a second membership)
- all the privileges of two memberships, e.g. two votes in all CTBA elections

STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS
...all this PLUS:
- special reduced pricing for students
- opportunities for scholarship to bluegrass camps or workshops (ages 12-21)

BAND MEMBERSHIPS
...all this PLUS:
- listing on CTBA "band" page
- listing in CTBA newsletter
- priority performance/stage time at CTBA-partnered events
- priority consideration for "band" articles and/or mentions in the CTBA newsletter

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS
...all this PLUS:
- listing on the CTBA "business" page (coming soon!)
- listing/advertisement in CTBA Newsletter
- priority consideration for business mention in the CTBA newsletter

SAVE THE DATE(S)
This month, the CTBA is thrilled to add a new Bluegrass event at Vista Brewing in Driftwood! This beautiful property features a brewery, a sustainable kitchen, a kids play area and a beautiful outdoor stage. The event will take place every 2nd Saturday from Noon-3PM.

And April 16-19, members of the CTBA Board will be at Old Settler's Music Festival in Dale, TX. We hope to see you all out there to dance through the day and pick through the night!

Please check our calendars for more jams and events happening in the area! To learn more or to join the CTBA please visit CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Join.

SCHOLARSHIPS
The Central Texas Bluegrass Association takes pride in furthering the future of Bluegrass by encouraging the study and practice of the next generation of Bluegrass musicians. Each year we award one or more students the opportunity to attend a Bluegrass camp or workshop of their choice through our Willa Beach-Porter Scholarship. The recipient(s) must be a resident of Texas and aged 12-21. The application must be received by June 1st but please note that students need not be a CTBA member to apply; in fact, scholarship recipients also receive a one-year CTBA family membership! To learn more and apply please visit CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Scholarship.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions, comments or concerns. My email is always open at President@CentralTexasBluegrass.com.

Happy pickin' y'all!
Libby Brennan – CTBA President

Hello! I would like to begin by introducing myself for those of you who may not know me yet. My name is Libby Brennan and I am currently serving as the President of the CTBA.

With the new year come new conversations, new ideas and new momentum. The 2020 CTBA Board of Directors is just one month old and we are making good progress.

This year will be one of growth as we hope not only to expand our members’ opportunities to pick and connect but also grow our membership. If you haven’t already, check out the calendars on the new CTBA website. There you will find separate calendars for ”Upcoming Events” and “Upcoming Jams.” “Upcoming Events” are paid performance events that are open to the public. “Upcoming Jams” are just that – jams – and anyone that wants to come and jam is welcome. Keep your eyes open for more opportunities to enjoy bluegrass and pick this year!

The Board is currently creating new membership benefit packages to reflect the needs of our members and to show our appreciation for your ongoing support of the Central Texas Bluegrass Association. CTBA Board Members will be present at more events around the state this year, so please stop by and say hello.

Speaking of events, I'm happy to announce that the Band Scramble and Garage Sale are back by popular demand. Mark your calendars for June 28th. More details to come.

Along with growth, another goal of the CTBA Board is communication. This year marks the return of our highly sought-after newsletter! You should see your first newsletter by mid-March, and then every couple of months thereafter. An e-blast like this one will be the interim means of communicating any important news and key dates.

Please know that we are listening to you, our members, as your feedback is important to how we continue to move and grow. My inbox is always open at president@centraltexasbluegrass.org.

If you are currently not a member, we invite you to join online at CentralTexasBluegrass.org/Join.

Keep Texas Grassy.

Libby Brennan
CTBA President

Reminder that we're jamming at the Oskar Blues Brewery Austin (just about) every Sunday 3-5PM! And our Beginner/Intermediate jam is held every second and fourth Saturday at Wildflower Terrace. Learn that new tune and try it out in a supportive environment! Or, heck, let's call 'em fast and burn it all down :) See y'all there!

Welcome, everyone, to the brand- new CTBA website! It looks a little different, sure, and the looks will certainly change a bit over the next few weeks as we fine-tune everything. But we are EXCITED. Because the new website allows us more flexibility and - this is key - MEMBERSHIP MAINTENANCE. No more spreadsheets and awkward emails from our membership chair. Now we have AUTOMATION. And MEMBER ONLY FEATURES. And on and on. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, much more to come from the CTBA!!!