A dozen songwriters have been chosen to perform 10 original bluegrass songs for an audience of artists, producers and other industry professionals during a Songwriter Showcase at this year’s IBMA Business Conference that’s part of the 2026 World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga, Tennessee, hosted by the International Bluegrass Music Association in October.
The 10 songs to be featured in the 2026 IBMA Songwriter Showcase and their songwriters are:
“Can’t Buy Me” – Dakota Rose
“Highway Eleven” – Johnny Williams
“Dark Rolling Deep” – Katelyn Mabry
“How Much He Loved Her” – Mei Lin Heirendt
“Me and Tom Merton” – Sandy Emory Lawrence
“Any I Love You’s” – Tim Williams
“Five Hundred Year Flood” – Adam Pope
“Paperboy” – Ali Vance & John Gray
“I’m a Sure Thin” – Russell Johnson
“The Man on the Hill” – “Jack McKeon and Elliot Russo
The songs were chosen via a juried selection process that took into account the quality of each applicant’s work and its appeal to bluegrass audiences. Songwriters had to submit an application that included a demo recording of the song, song lyrics, high-res photos and bios of each songwriter credited on the song, along with names and email addresses.
Although there was no application fee and applicants were not required to be IBMA members, those selected to participate and perform their song live in the Songwriter Showcase must register for the IBMA Business Conference. Slate for Oct. 20-22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, this portion of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass will feature a wide array of professional development programming, a gig fair, artist showcases and late-night hospitality functions, an exhibit hall, and plenty of networking and relationship-building opportunities.
Extending from October 20-24, IBMA’s World of Bluegrass is considered the genre’s annual industry gathering and family reunion. In addition to the business conference, it also includes a two-day live music festival, an IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards show recognizing outstanding achievement and pioneering effort in bluegrass music, and artist showcases at various venues throughout downtown Chattanooga. All are presented by the IBMA – a nonprofit music association that connects, educates and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide.
Earlier in June, the IBMA announced that Paul Schiminger had agreed to take the helm of the organization as its interim executive director to ensure a successful World of Bluegrass and transition to new leadership following the resignation of Ken White.
For his part, White had this to say in a news release issued by IBMA: “It has been a dream of a lifetime and a privilege beyond measure serving as the executive director of this organization. I gave my whole heart to this music that stole it 60 years ago in my home state of Kentucky… I was preaching the gospel of bluegrass music long before I came to Nashville [where the IBMA is based] and I’ll be singing the tenor part and picking an old Martin forevermore.” White noted that he continues to be a proud lifetime member of the organization.
“With six and a half years of experience as a former IBMA executive director, Paul [Schiminger] brings valuable knowledge, familiarity, and a deep commitment to our community,” said Anna Frick, chair of the IBMA board of directors. “The IBMA board is ready for this next chapter. We are focused on serving our members, strengthening the organization, and creating a better future for bluegrass. We’re grateful for the support of our community as we move forward.”
For more ore information on the IBMA and its World of Bluegrass may be found online at www.ibma.org and worldofbluegrass.org.
