Jack & Molly Tuttle At Merlefest (Photo: Brooks Pearce)

Northern California Bluegrass Society member Molly Tuttle won the Songwriter Contest (General Division) at Merlefest, held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina this weekend. Over 1000 songwriters from across the nation entered this competition.

Her father, Jack Tuttle, accompanied her in her contest performance and again on the main festival stage on Friday evening.

The Palo Alto native is a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Her winning song, “Walden,” was written while she was a high school junior in a combined high school/college program at Foothill College.

Performance Video (Brooks  Pearce)

Northern California Bluegrass Society Members will receive a discount to the International Bluegrass Music Association webinar (online seminar) How To Present & Book Bluegrass Programs At Schools. The Thursday, March 15, 2012, 4:00-5:30pm (Pacific) online class will be taught by Greg Cahill of the Special Consensus and Matt Munsey of Monroe Crossing.

Seminar Details

Regular price: $40; NCBS Member Price: $20. NCBS is an International Bluegrass Music Association member organization and NCBS members receive the discount IBMA member price. Register: (615) 256-3222.

NCBS Membership

The Ryman Auditorium

The Northern California Bluegrass Society is a long-time organizational member of the International Bluegrass Music Association. Many NCBS Members attend the IBMA’s World Of Bluegrass week in Nashville, receiving the NCBS Member Discount.

Is this your year to join us?

The World Of Bluegrass is set for September 24-30, 2012, and includes the IBMA Business Conference, International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, and the Bluegrass Fan Fest.

CBA Suite Jam Session

The IBMA’s current contract in Nashville expires after this year. IBMA is now considering bids from Nashville and other cities for the 2013-2015 conventions. So, this could possibly be the last IBMA WOB in Nashville for awhile. Other cities have their charms, but there is nothing quite like being loose on the historic streets of The Music City for a week of great bluegrass music. If you have been thinking about going, this September is the time!

Tickets will be available in a few months for all or part of the event. Now is a good time to plan your trip to Tennessee and take advantage of the current low airfares.

The Nashville skyline after dark

The Northern California Bluegrass Society offers members the opportunity to lead and organize important existing and new bluegrass projects.

Our volunteer leaders shape the landscape of San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey Bay Area bluegrass. Our best ideas come from you — and you do our best work!

Contact (Michael Hall) hallmw (at) gmail (dot) com to become a volunteer leader.

SEPTEMBER

1 — Discount advance ticket mail order deadline (NCBS Member Discount), Bluegrassin’ In The Foothills.

5 — Extended online advance ticket deadline (NCBS Member Discount), Bluegrassin’ In The Foothills.

9 — Discount advance deadline (NCBS Member Discount — IBMA Organizational Member) for IBMA World Of Bluegrass Music Pass.

19 — Deadline for NCBS Member Nominations for Northern California Bluegrass Awards.

22 — Discount advance ticket deadline (NCBS Member Discount), NCBS Jake’s Brown Barn Bluegrass Festival.

OCTOBER

31 — Independent documentary film submission deadline, NCBS International Bluegrass Music Museum Film Festival.