The Founding and Growth of the Boston Bluegrass Union

By Bill Nowlin

Preface

I’d like to thank Bill Nowlin for reaching out to the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU) and offering to help document the history of the BBU. Bill brings a wealth of skills and insight to the project, as one of the Rounder Records founders, and a long history of authoring books on wide ranging topics, including music and baseball.

An additional thanks to all those interviewed and who contributed to this project.

Gerry Katz, Colrain, MA February 2026

Introduction

In 2026, the Boston Bluegrass Union will celebrate its 50th anniversary – a half a century of presenting and otherwise nurturing bluegrass music in the Greater Boston area.

The BBU was formed in 1976, holding its first concert on October 3. It incorporated as a non-profit on April 25, 1977.

The group has produced scores of concerts, festivals, education programs and other events in the decades since. It has serviced thousands of people, and in part, been responsible for creating and maintaining the region’s vibrant bluegrass community.