If you’re among the fans of bluegrass music who have been mourning the absence of the International Bluegrass Musician Association’s Fan Fest ever since the industry association ended its five-year run at the Galt House in 2004, Mike Bucayu is here to assure you: There will be a week/files/storyimages/of bluegrass in downtown Louisville once again. Mandolin-player Bucayu, who serves as president of Bluegrass Anonymous, a local organization of bluegrass musicians and fans, is organizing the Banks of the Ohio Bluegrass Festival (BOTO) at the /files/storyimages/of the month at the Galt House Hotel East. "Once IBMA moved to Nashville it was natural (for local fans) to try to continue to keep bluegrass downtown," Bucayu says.
After scanning the preliminary lineup, it looks as though BOTO will host some of the most talked-about bluegrass acts, including 2005 IBMA Entertainer of the Year and 2006 Grammy nominees Cherryholmes. The family band, composed of Jere and Sandy Cherryholmes and their four string-pluckin’ children, delivers traditional bluegrass harmonies coupled with contemporary lyrics, creating a sound reminiscent of Union Station. The second day of the festival will feature Mountain Heart, a band whose members strengthened their musical chops with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (Lawson will appear on Friday night’s lineup) and with Alison Krauss and Union Station. 
Bucayu hopes the appearance of multiple national acts will spur fans as well as those in the bluegrass music industry to take notice of BOTO and in turn draw attention to performers from Louisville and Southern Indiana. Bucayu says he tried to book bands with Louisville and Kentucky ties, including J.D. Crowe (of J.D. Crowe & the New South), who lived here early in his career, along with fiddler Michael Cleveland from Charlestown, Ind., whom Bucayu describes as "an unsung hero." The 25-year-old three-time IBMA Fiddler of the Year will appear with the Flamekeeper Band. Other local acts include the Betweeners and Hog Operation.
The Banks of the Ohio Bluegrass Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, March 24-25, at the Galt House East’s Archibald Cochran Ballroom. Ticket prices range from $15-$40 and are available at the door, in advance online
(www.botofest.com) or by calling (800) 514-3849.
— Beth Newberry