They've turned a lot of people on to the music and caused a lot of people to want to go out and learn how to play.

Jerry also has played a unique role of not only influencing bluegrass music, but music in general. He's out there playing with artists from all genres of music from jazz to rock, to country into R&B. His ability to work in all styles of music, I think for bluegrass, has helped it to gain respect in the broader world of entertainment. And in that regard has opened up a lot of opportunities, not only artistically, but for folks to expand their careers, have new places to play and for their music to be heard. He's a great ambassador.

We had great attendance from other music communities in Nashville. Respect and admiration for bluegrass has grown in recent years, and we feel that we have much to learn from the other genres centered here.

There didn't seem to be any musical boundaries around Vassar's creativity or abilities. He appeared to me to be right at home and just as articulate within a jazz ensemble as he was in his collaborations with the Blue Grass Album Band.

Vassar Clements was a special artist and notable among the early pioneers as well as for his remarkable work in recent years.

We look at it as an extension of her ministry. People can take her music home with them.