On March 21, 2026, the Prince Edward Island Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Society’s PEI Winter Bluegrass Festival hosted a special session featuring two pioneering women in bluegrass music: Barbara Martin Stephens and Betty Hartford. Both women led successful independent careers in the music industry while also serving as driving forces behind the careers of their respective husbands, Jimmy Martin and John Hartford. Expertly skilled in booking, management, promotion, and performance they will share their insights in a fireside chat. This session was presented with support through a project grant from the IBMA Foundation.
Thank you to Karen DeCoste for this update from this event,
“The festival was an overall success and the “Pioneering Women in Bluegrass Music Fireside Chat” hosted by regional band The Sunny Mountain Gals, with special guests Barbara Martin Stephens and Betty Hartford was a highlight of the entire weekend.
The 90-minute main stage session had the audience interacting and engaged. There were stories of both Barbara and Betty’s successful careers as they shared the ups and downs of the industry and their roles in music, marketing, and advertising. There were also stories and questions answered about Jimmy Martin and John Hartford.
The women had a table at the festival for the whole weekend, and it was never empty with people wanting to explore their history and also take home one of Barbara’s books or the CD Betty was promoting. Both women were light-hearted to meet so many people wanting to know about their careers.”
We are proud to provide support for the PEI Winter Bluegrass Festival’s “Pioneering Women in Bluegrass” session! This grant is part of our commitment to educating and encouraging the future of bluegrass as well as historic preservation. Help us keep the music alive—donate today at bluegrassfoundation.org.
RETURN to the May 2026 edition of the Cornerstone
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