Billy Strings To Deliver Keynote At 2025 IBMA World Of Bluegrass In Chattanooga

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has selected Billy Strings as the keynote speaker for the 2025 World of Bluegrass Convention, set for September 16th–20th in Chattanooga, TN. Strings will sit down for a live, onstage conversation with acclaimed radio and podcast host Tom Power on Tuesday, September 16th at 4 p.m. ET at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Rather than a traditional keynote speech, the dialogue format promises a rare, in-depth glimpse into the mind of an artist who has become one of the most transformative figures in the genre’s modern era. Strings’ ability to honor bluegrass traditions while expanding its reach into arenas and mainstream audiences has made him a cultural force well beyond the bluegrass world.

In addition to delivering the keynote address, Strings is nominated for five IBMA Awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Guitar Player of the Year, and Instrumental Group of the Year. Over the past decade, Strings has racked up an impressive mantle of IBMA Awards, from Momentum Award (2016) to New Artist of the Year (2019), Song of the Year (2022), Guitar Player of the Year (2019, 2021), and a three-peat as Entertainer of the Year (2021–2023).

“Billy Strings represents the present and future of bluegrass by embracing—and building on—our past,” said IBMA Executive Director Ken White. “We couldn’t be prouder to present such an influential artist at this year’s conference.”

The keynote, presented by Turnberry Records in partnership with The Bluegrass Situation, is open to registered World of Bluegrass conference attendees. Single-day and full-week passes are available here.

The 2025 World of Bluegrass will also feature the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards on September 18th and the weekend festival IBMA Bluegrass Live!, which will feature performances by Sierra Ferrell, The Wood Brothers, Sierra Hull, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Alison Brown, Sister Sadie, Jim Lauderdale & The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and more.

After delivering the keynote address, Strings will head over to Chattanooga’s The Signal for a show that same night with Bryan Sutton and bassist Royal Masat. The two-night run at the 1,500-capacity Signal will cap off a sold-out, eight-show trio tour featuring Strings, Sutton, and Masat playing intimate venues throughout the Southeast. Tickets for the tour are non-transferable.