A story by BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF MAINE from 1990s
Bluegrass music originated in southern Appalachia during the 1930-40s; acoustic music played on banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and bass. It spread north via radio, and when some bluegrass musicians migrated to Maine, they brought the music with them. Such as the Lilly Brothers from West Virginia, who in 1957, recorded at Al Hawkes’ Event Records in Westbrook. By 1972, the first bluegrass festival in Maine was organized by Jimmy Cox in Phippsburg.
In 1995, Al Hawkes spearheaded a group of bluegrass music enthusiasts to create the member driven organization, Bluegrass Music Association of Maine. Incorporated in 1996 as a 501©3 non-profit, the membership grew quickly.
The purpose is to encourage participation by fostering an appreciation of bluegrass through education about the history and culture, promoting bluegrass events around the State as family entertainment, providing workshops and educational opportunities, supporting local musicians and promoters, and preserving the memory of the Maine bluegrass pioneers.
BMAM maintains an active schedule of current news, a calendar of events, bluegrass links to other organizations, a bluegrass forum, and archived items. BMAM hosts jams and concerts statewide, and sets up booths at various festivals and events.
BMAM is a member of the International Bluegrass Music Association, and supports the Maine County Music Hall of Fame & Museum that has inducted many bluegrass musicians and promoters over the years.
Friendly URL: https://www.mainememory.net/mymainestory/BMAM
