Ed Helms created the Bluegrass Situation in 2010 as a way to bring the genre to a new generation of fans and help curate a national community through events, festivals and online resources.
The Office and Hangover actor's big event this year takes place Oct. 10 and 11 at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, and he spoke with Billboard about the key to his movement.
"It's all presenting [rather than financing]," he said. "We've presented shows in L.A. and had a presence at other festivals around the country — we've had a stage at Bonnaroo the last two years that is entirely curated by us, and we have a big super jam that I host."
Helms looks toward one musician in particular as a guide: comedian Steve Martin.
"He has found something that so few musicians do: his own sound," Helms said. "I've gotten to know him almost entirely through music. It's wonderful when people you admire meet or exceed your expectations."
A couple years ago, Helms sat down for a longer Billboard interview to talk about the changing bluegrass landscape.
"I didn't know there was a movement, but if there is, sure, feel free to rope me in," he said. "I've always been a musician, it's not something I've ever been shy about. I'm also totally realistic. It's not my main profession, for me it's an exciting and passionate hobby and I'm fortunate enough to share it in a context with really amazing professionals who jump on board.
"But you know what? It's not my mission to convince anybody to like the music. I just like to put it out there and if people respond to it, great. We all bring our own assumptions and prejudices to everything we consume and I would hope that people could see through any of that bullshit and really hear the music for what it is, which is one of the most soulful traditions in American music history. I love it and I love to perform it and I love to share it. If we can spread that joy around, all the better, but if someone hates it I'm certainly not going to make them sit through it."
You can check out the official Bluegrass Situation website here.
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