News

We need your help!   ABOTMA needs volunteers to help in the following roles Secretary – Executive committee – Duties: call for agenda items for the monthly Executive meeting, draft the Executive meeting agenda, record action/decision, generate minutes from the meeting and send these to the Executive ahead of the […]

✭We are happy to announce our next International Artist for Mountaingrass 2018 – Jeff Scroggins & Colorado.✭ Jeff Scroggins and Colorado is a high energy, high mountain “bluegrass explosion,” that features the amazing banjo playing of Jeff Scroggins. Jeff’s fiery style and lightning fast licks have earned him many fans […]

We are happy to announce the first of our International Artists for Mountaingrass 2018 – The Blue Ridge Broadcasters. Comprised of some of the most inspiring, innovative, and engaging young musicians on the old-time scene, the Blue Ridge Broadcasters perform a mix of driving fiddle tunes and traditional songs. The […]

ABOTMA are excited to announce the first Kiwigrass Bluegrass Festival in 2019 from 1-3rd February. Artist Applications for Kiwigrass open 31st March 2018. Head to their Facebook page to show your support for long standing ABOTMA members and supporters of Mountaingrass, Jenine Abarbanel, Barry Torkington, Paul Trenwith (QSM), Bruce Rhodes […]

As you are all aware Mountaingrass 2018 will be held in Beechworth VIC from November 9 – 11. You are, no doubt familiar with this lovely town from The Kelly Country Pick, celebrating its 20th year this year with a week-long pre-festival music camp. It is a beautiful historic town […]

Winners: 1. Johan van der Gaag mandolin: Nick Keeling 2. Paul Trenwith practice banjo: Shirley Hardiman 3. Double season pass to Mountaingrass 2018: Joseph Portnoff 4. Gerald Pink finger picks: Hercules Lathouras A huge thank you to Johan van der Gaag for supplying us with one of his beautiful mandolins […]

Every year we strive to bring you great raffle prizes for Mountaingrass. The raffle is our main source of fundraising of the year for ABOTMA. This year Johan van der Gaag, a luthier from the Waikato in New Zealand is building a mandolin for the raffle. Johan is a teacher […]

Before you go to buy your tickets, make sure you get your ABOTMA membership. Your $25 membership gets you $35 off your ticket, as well as other sweet benefits. Such a bargain! Couples can also buy a 2-person membership and purchase their 2 discount tickets at once, instead of having […]

Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Raffle! We hope you enjoy your prizes! Grundy open back banjo – Howard Gadd, Jingellic NSW Presto instrument case voucher – Terry McCarthy, Box Hill, Vic 2016 performer CDs – Paul Cooper (The Cherry Pickers). S.A. Double pass to Mountaingrass 2017 – Kristie […]

This 2016 Mountaingrass Raffle is not to be missed. Just look at these prizes!! You can purchase tickets via iWannaTicket, or at the festival. You do not need to be present to win.   First prize: Custom “Harrietville” model Grundy open back banjo! Second prize: Presto instrument case! (Instrument not […]

We have been working hard to get you more benefits for your ABOTMA membership dollars. As a result, ABOTMA members are now eligible for a special baggage allowance when they fly Virgin Airways. You can read all about this new benefit here: http://abotma.org.au/2016/09/28/extra-baggage-allowance/

  Laurie has just written from North Carolina after attending IBMA to tell us the “Harrietville” banjo is done. You can purchase your raffle tickets from iWannaTicket when you buy your festival tickets, or at the festival. We will draw the raffle on Sunday November 20th. The “Harrietville” Old Time […]

Many of you will have noticed Seb Broadbent filming at Mountaingrass last year.  Seb has put together a beautiful video of Mountaingrass, which has just been released.  It certainly makes us want to be there right now!  

Robin: “Holy Banana Bread, Batman!  The Stetson Family are playing at the Festival, as are The Sonoran Dogs from Arizona and our very own Kimberley Wheeler.” Batman: “Yes, Robin.  They will be in good company with The Company, Haywood Billy Goats of North Carolina,  and…..” Robin: “Holy Knock Out Drops, […]