About WOBA     The Western Ohio Bluegrass Association is registered with the State of Ohio as a Non-Profit Organization. Our organization can be traced back to the Bluegrass Festival held at the Famous Old Time Music Co. (FOTMC) in 2008. After several discussions and countless emails, the organization was officially formed in Oct. 2008. Our Mission Statement is simple, with equal goals of introducing Bluegrass to potential new members, promoting the music to our communities in Western Ohio, and to preserve that distinctive acoustic sound that we've treasured throughout the years. Membership is open to anyone and we encourage all members to attend the monthly meetings and to take an active role is determining our future.
 

 
President             Jack Ritchie
Vice-President    Tom Grumblis
Secretary             Jo Swaney
Treasurer             John Swaney

 


Tom Grumlis, Jack Ritchie, Jo Swaney, John Swaney


Meetings     WOBA meets monthly at the Famous Old Time Music Company. The meetings are usually held in Margaret's Kitchen at 1:30 pm on the day of the Bluegrass in the Cornfield Show. The time and locations are subject to change due to limited space for meetings. The meeting time and date are always posted in the monthly newsletter for members who wish to attend.

 

Raffle Winners     The Association usually Raffles off an Instrument during the Monthly Bluegrass in the Cornfield show. The proceeds from the raffle is used to promote Bluegrass Music. Listen to your local Radio Stations and you might just hear that WOBA gave away free admission tickets to the Bluegrass in the Cornfield show. We truly want to thank all that help us support this goal by purchasing a raffle ticket at the monthly Bluegrass Show.
 

Wednesday Night "STRICTLY BLUEGRASS" Jams    The weekly Bluegrass Jam has been moved to Wednesday evenings 6 to 9 pm.  Sessions are informal and everyone is encourage to attend. Whether you pick or simply wish to observe is of little importance, as everyone is made welcome every Wednesday Night. For those beginners who wish to participate, we encourage the Slow Jams on Friday from 5 to 6 pm ($5) hosted by Kitty McIntyre. For more details on the Slow Jams, simply click on the link to the FOTMC website.   Check out jam photos.


WOBA Newsletters     The association's monthly newsletter is packed with the latest information on plans being made to work toward promoting bluegrass music in this part of Ohio.   You'll hear news on jam sessions, promoting concerts and the annual Bluegrass in the Cornfield's Festival at Famous Old Time Music Company, and working to take bluegrass music to younger folks.
To check out WOBA newsletters, click here.


Memberships     Everyone is encouraged to join the WOBA.  Membership is only $10 per year per person. WOBA members receive a $2 discount to all Bluegrass in the Cornfield Shows hosted by FOTMC.   After 5 shows, your membership has been paid through the discounts. Your membership card must be presented when paying admission.  Members also receive a newsletter on a monthly basis.  To join WOBA, click here for a membership form.  


Music Day (April 24, 2010)    WOBA's sponsored day to explore and promote bluegrass music at Famous Old Time Music Company.

  • "Explore the World of Bluegrass"  - Explore instruments 9 to 10am; Intro to Bluegrass Band 10 to 10:30am for the newbie -     no charge.   For more information, click here.
  • "Bluegrass Workshops" for the budding musician (bluegrass banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and upright bass) ready to learn some new licks.  For more information, click here.


Bluegrass Association Scholarship (Spring, 2010)   The Western Ohio Bluegrass Association will award a $250 scholarship to a Wapakoneta High School Senior who will pursue a Music Major or Minor in the Spring of 2010.  Applicants should complete the attached form prior to the deadline (March 20, 2010) and submit it for consideration.  Click here for the application form as a PDF.

 
Instruments      None at this time.  Any Instruments or any other item posted for sale on this link is the property of our members.
The Western Ohio Bluegrass Association has no items for sale.

 

Announcements    
  • Plans are underway for next summer's Bluegrass in the Cornfields Festival, July 21 - 24, 2010.
  • The "Strickly Bluegrass" Jam has been moved to Wednesday evening 6 to 9pm.  This jam is strictly for bluegrass and sponsored by WOBA.
  • WOBA Scholarship information
  • Check out the jam pics.
  • Music Day in April

 

Contact Us     The mailing address is:   Western Ohio Bluegrass Association,  P.O. Box 722  Lima, OH 45802-0722    
To contact WOBA by email, click here.