The 8th EWOB Festival took place on 5, 6, and 7 May 2005 at 't Trefpunt, Voorthuizen.
Sixteen festivals took part in the eighth European World of Bluegrass (EWOB), and over eighty other bluegrass and old-time music events took place during the EWOB 2005 period (1 May-31 May), in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the UK. Attendance at the European Bluegrass Music Association's EWOB Festival (5 May-7 May) at Voorthuizen, the Netherlands, rose again over the previous record. This year, the EWOB Festival's schedule of workshops (sponsored this year by D'Addario Strings) added an old-time banjo workshop and individual mentoring sessions for the bluegrass instruments; the children's program, introduced last year by Andy Glandt, was extended to two days.
American artists performing at the EWOB Festival included the Chris and Sally Jones Band, with Ned Lubercki (banjo) and Jon Weisberger (bass), the New England Bluegrass Band, Liz Meyer, and Bill and Maggie Anderson. Bill Keith, living legend of bluegrass banjo, was also present.
Of the thirty-eight European bands at Voorthuizen, bands from the Czech Republic won all three audience popularity awards: Sunny Side first, Mousetrap second, and Bluegrass Cwrkot third. A vote among musicians and active EBMA members rated Carmel Sheerin and the Ravens (Ireland) first, Blue Cartel (Belgium) second, and the Petr Brandejs Band (Czech Republic) third. Carmel Sheerin and the Ravens will therefore bear the title of #1 European Bluegrass Band for 2006. Fragment (Czech/Slovak Republics), who were voted #1 last year, will represent Europe at the IBMA's Fan Fest at Nashville, TN, in October 2005.
The ninth EWOB Festival will take place in May 2006. [EWOB 2006]