The festival will engage around 15 bands and workshop presenters. When selecting artists we use the following criteria:
a) Type of Material Performed: In accordance with the charter of ABOTMA to encourage bluegrass and old-time music performance, we will only select acts playing bluegrass and American old-time music with acoustic instruments.
b) Type of Performances: In most cases, artists will be given at least two concert spots. Performers who can also provide a workshop or lead a slow jam related to bluegrass or old-time music will be given preference, as will artists prepared to stay for the entire festival including Sunday evening. Being a participative event, it is considered important that all performing artists join in on sessions over the weekend.
c) Performing Experience and Profile: To be considered for a performance at the festival, artists must present a polished act and have previous experience performing as that act.
d) Promotional material: Performers should have promotional material such as CDs, merchandise, a website, photos and a bio that we can use in the promotion of Mountaingrass. When applying via the Application Form, performers are expected to submit a biography, and examples of their music via CDs, MP3s or links to sound files on their website.
Acts, whether booked for the concert program or not, are welcome to perform on our walk-up stage.
e) Fees or contribution: The festival committee aims to provide a token fee to each artist or group including an element of reimbursement for travel and accommodation.
The fee is primarily intended to be a contribution toward covering costs associated with attending the festival. When proposing a fee or contribution please indicate on your application the cost of your travel and whether your fee is negotiable.
All performance fees submitted are to include GST if applicable and should indicate which components are travel expenses and accommodation.
f) Applications: Final selections will be made in April after applications have closed. Letters of notification, whether successful or not, will be sent to all applicants.