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Bluegrass drawing new, younger fans

Anyone in the bluegrass business will tell you that now is a great time to be involved with the genre.

Satellite radio, the Internet and increased tour opportunities are just a few of the factors helping to expose bluegrass to new consumers and lifelong fans. But live shows remain the top tool for familiarizing music listeners with the genre.

One trend has been the use of bluegrass artists as opening acts for more mainstream draws. The Greencards opened dates for Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, while Dolly Parton took the Grascals out.

Another added avenue for bluegrass has been satellite radio. On the terrestrial radio side, the IBMA says bluegrass is heard on more than 800 stations that are programming six or more hours per week. Those stations are split equally between commercial and noncommercial outlets.

The Internet has also become a valuable tool for marketing bluegrass, as labels and artists use the Web to promote their music. Hays says such "guerrilla marketing techniques" are important for all acts in niche music genres because they help them compete.

The IBMA took it a step further in August when it introduced a podcast feature on its Web site, which provides information on bluegrass industry happenings and news of interest to IBMA members.

Perhaps the most encouraging new development for bluegrass, though, is that it seems to be attracting a younger audience.

Sugar Hill's Paul is among those noticing an influx of younger fans. She believes they are drawn, in large part, by the genre's young artists.

3 Fox Drive's Kim Fox, who grew up playing in her family's band, credits bluegrass stars Alison Krauss and Nickel Creek as being among the acts that have helped draw a younger audience to bluegrass.