Bluegrass Beyond the Stage: The Impact of Women at Festivals and Beyond.

This talk focuses on the significant but often overlooked contributions of women to the bluegrass music genre, both on stage and behind the scenes. Highlighting women from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, it examines their roles as festival promoters, managers, and musicians who have shaped bluegrass music and its surrounding culture. By exploring these diverse contributions, the talk also emphasizes the importance of how we study music and culture, and why it matters.