The event was held in a beautiful open-air venue just outside of Radec nad Moravici. The mayor of Radec nad Moravici officially opened the event and he promised to make an annual tradition of this Bluegrass festival. The event was extremely well organised by Pavel Jurena and Karel Soukop of the Czech Bluegrass band Bluegrass Comeback in co-ordination with the EWOB Association. Sponsors included the City, the Provincial Government and Gibson. It was a pleasure to see the EWOB organised as an outdoor event, which is very suitable for this type of music. The attendance was not overwhelming, due mainly to the extremely nice weather.

Once again the program was excellent with 25 good quality bands - a smaller number than previously to keep the costs down and to give bands more exposure, (they had only 25 minutes before). The sound was excellent. Many bands used the traditional 1 mic set-up like in the 40´s. It is nice to for a band to perform this way; with more freedom to move there is also more action to the audience to see. The lighting was fantastic and there was even some smoke now and then (a little unusual for Bluegrass!) but no tomatoes.

Between the shows and especially afterwards, there was a lot of jamming going on, mainly outside of the Belaria where all musicians had a free 4 star hotel accommodation, including inside and outside swimming pools.

A band workshop was held, giving instruction on the Bluegrass instruments as well as touching on the aspects of forming a band, repertoire and harmonies etc.

During the event the following EWOB Awards were presented:

The EWOB European Band of the Year awards were given to:

1. Blueland (Slovakia) who did a fantastic show that got many people on their feet and clapping and begging for more.

2. Blackjack (Czech Republic) came out second with only 1 point less, a fantastic band with a super performance.

3. The Musselwhite Family (originally from the USA, but now living in southern Germany). A father on bass (his was absent so the bass was played by Christopher Schut from the Dutch band Spruce Pine), a mother on vocals and guitar and three little kids from 6 to 11 on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, spoons and singing). Their family harmonies were great to hear and it was a pleasure to see these kids at work with so much enthusiasm. They are a welcome addition to any Bluegrass festival and they stimulated quiet a lot of children.

The EWOB European Bluegrass Pioneer Awards were given to:

1. John Sheldon (photo, right) - Scotland (formerly BBMA Chairman and now Secretary of the Scottish Bluegrass Association): for or his great organisational and promotional work through the years.

2. Oskar Zaglmayer - Austria: for his long contribution to Bluegrass music in Austria and initiating and organising the annual Bad Ischl International Bluegrass and Country Festival and many more, smaller events and club nights in the Bad Ischle area in Austria. He died a few years ago.

3.Heinrich Novak: well-known Slovak Bluegrass (and especially Dobro) pioneer, teacher, promoter and musician.

The Awards were presented by Dennis Schut and translated into Czech by Ivo Drbohlav, the Czech EWOB rep., who also did all the MC work during the festival.

The newly-awarded European Bluegrass Pioneer John Sheldon gave a speech upon receiving the Award; everyone applauded this popular nomination.

Czech national television did some interviews and shots from, among others, Netherlands band Mieke´s Buren. The report has already been show on Czech national television three times.

The 2002 EWOB Live CD, containing well over 20 of the best tracks from the 5th EWOB Festival that was held in Kolin, was officially presented and christened. The CD was compiled in co-ordination with the participating groups and paid for by the Netherlands Bluegrass Music Association (NBMA), which was initiator and co-organiser of the EWOB since its start in 1998. The CD was sent to all EWOB 2002 bands for free; also all EWOB reps will receive a free copy. The other copies will either be sold or used for promotion of EWOB activities.

All 2003 performances were recorded on disc as well as on video and a live CD will be issued, such has been the tradition since the first EWOB held in 1998. (http://www.ewob.org/page67.html)

The 7th annual EWOB will be held in Southern Germany in Vöhringen (there is a close co-operation with many German Country Clubs) on 14 - 16 May 2004. The event may even start on the 13th. In the preceding week a great number of possibilities for participating bands are already open. Many local restaurants will have special rates for the EWOB musician participants and the city council will provide the musicians with free accommodation. For guests there are special hotel rates when visiting EWOB. The number of sponsors is growing but more will be very welcome. It is almost certain that Radio Bayern (Bavaria) 2 will carry the EWOB live from the stage. There are contacts to grace the EWOB with a well know US band...

2 Nov 2003