Donna Ulisse
Singer, Songwriter, Bluegrass Poet
Donna's latest CD "Holy Waters"
Available on April 20, 2010
Donna keeps a busy schedule at IBMA 2008
Tuesday was the big night for Donna this year. She was selected to be an official showcase artist along with Charlie Sizemore, The Steel Drivers, Blue Highway and several other well known acts.
The showcases are a chance to be seen by promoters of festivals and venues from all over the world as well as DJs and industry folks. Each showcase is a 25 minute opportunity to show your stuff! Donna and The Poor Mountain Boys performed a heartfelt set that was well received and featured songs off "When I Look Back" as well as two off of the new CD coming out in early 2009.
After Donna's official showcase at 9:00 p.m. she performed two "after hours showcases". One started at midnight in the Bluegrass Virginia Showcase Room organized by Gary Robertson and the final showcase that night started at 1:30 a.m. in the DC Bluegrass Union Showcase room organized by Lisa Kay Howard. Believe it or not, there are still people up and wandering from showcase to showcase to hear their favorites or discover new talent. Thanks to the organizers who volunteer their time and energy to host these showcase rooms for the love of the music.
Wednesday was spent meeting with festival and venue promoters from all over.The annual "Gig Fair" gives artists and promoters a rare opportunity to have face to face meetings in a meet and greet situation.
On Thursday afternoon Donna participated in the annual artist/DJ taping session giving DJs the chance to have Donna tape station IDs for them or do interviews with her. Thursday night was the IBMA Awards which were done in a first class manner with Daily & Vincent sweeping the awards and doing a first class performance of "The Mark."
Friday morning was the beginning of "Fan Fest" which changed the mix of the crowd from industry to fan based. On Saturday afternoon Donna once again performed on the Master's Workshop Stage in the Songwriter Workshop along with Donna Hughes, Brink Brinkman, Gary Ferguson, and Robert Hale. The Workshop Stage was generously sponsored by Bluegrass Now.
It was an incredibly busy but exciting and successful week.
