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Bluegrass Music Center in Owensboro Moves toward Construction

International Bluegrass Music Center

The goal of making Owensboro the capital city of bluegrass is getting closer to reality.  Architectural plans for a new International Bluegrass Music Center are nearly ready to go out to bid.  

The new 50,000-square-foot music center will double the space the current bluegrass museum occupies.

Executive Director Chris Joslin says the new music center will position Owensboro as the home for bluegrass music that will attract visitors from around the globe.

“We’re the only organization and museum dedicated solely to gathering, preserving and exhibiting the artifacts having to do with bluegrass music. So I think that makes what we do unique," said Joslin. "I mean, what we have to offer, and what we will offer when we move into the new center, can only be experienced here.”

The music center will house the bluegrass museum and hall of fame, as well as indoor and outdoor performance areas and a restaurant.

Joslin says the center will be a dynamic venue intended to reach out to a broad audience.

“We will probably not limit the live music to bluegrass. I can envision other roots music, Americana, gospel. So we’re going to paint with a fairly wide brush, but certainly the focus will be on bluegrass and certainly on Saturday night, people know they come to Owensboro on Saturday night, they’re going to get a world-class bluegrass show.”  

Construction on the $15.4 million dollar project is expected to begin in April and be complete in about 18 months.