interviews & articles

Countdown to ROMP!

By twangthang ⋅ May 18, 2008 ⋅ Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Countdown to ROMP! I can’t believe it! Almost a YEAR has past since we last sat in the bluegrass at Yellow Creek and enjoy the big party in Owensboro. Its time to get our tickets and plot our fun for this year’s River of Music Party! ROMP is the annual fundraiser for the International Bluegrass Music Museum. IBMM is a nonprofit educational/historical organization dedicated to preserving music history and ensuring its future.
Three solid days of more true blue ‘grass than you can possibly squeeze into a weekend…I can’t imagine missing this event! The only downside of ROMP is that there’s no way to see and do it all…it takes a TEAM of us to cover this event each year for RCR!The core list of performers and events can be found on the IBMM’s ROMP website here:

But this list doesn’t include the workshops and special events that will be added between now & that weekend. The list doesn’t include the don’t-miss-shinanigans like the breakout jam sessions at the campsite or in the treelines surrounding the festival.As a hard core music fan, I’ve been to country music festivals and multi-act concert events, but nothing compares to the relaxed, down home family atmosphere you’ll find at ROMP. If attend only one music event this year, make it this one. Bring your family and friends. Here’s our slideshow of the highlights from last year’s ROMP:
ROMP 2007

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Traveler’s Tips:

Lodging:

What? Not a camper? We recommend the Ramada Inn on the NW end of town…clean affordable rooms, friendly staff, indoor pool to cool off after long days in the sun, room atrium with a nice (free) breakfast…quick drive to the museum.

http://www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=14672&cid=carat_search-Ramada

Pack the car:

Sunscreen, hat, camera, lawn chair and a little extra cash. Don’t worry, food & soft drinks are very affordable, but you’ll find CDs here that you won’t find in stores. RCR goes a little nuts every year in the “must have new music” category, lol.

Plan a little extra time:

A side trip to Rosine, KY before or after ROMP would round off your Bluegrass immersion weekend perfectly. This is where you’ll find Bill Monroe’s Home Place, a “unique and beautiful place where bluegrass music was born.”