Welcome to the Bluegrass Ireland Blog

If you're visiting the BIB for the first time, details of its background and purpose can be found here, and tips on using it are here. The easiest way to reach both is to click on the 'Welcome' label at the bottom of this post. The calendar is the main point of the BIB.

Events at the Séamus Ennis Centre, Naul

The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, as well as being a good friend to bluegrass in the Dublin area, presents other forms of music, film, and drama. The Centre's programme up to 9 Apr. 2010 can be seen here. It includes two Saturday shows for bluegrassers - by Crooked Still on 20 Mar. and 4 Wheel Drive on 3 Apr.

All performances are presented at the Centre, with doors open at 7.30 p.m. and the performance at 8.30 p.m., unless otherwise stated. Full details are on the Centre's website. For more information, contact the Centre by phone (+353 (01) 8020898) or e-mail.

KAM Mardi Gras update

Following the BIB post of 30 Jan., Pete Lamb reports from Kinvara, Co. Galway, on behalf of KAM, the Kinvara Area Music Collective:

Just a brief Mardi Gras update: Clare FM's Pat Costello came down to Connolly's pub in Kinvara last night to record a session to promote the KAM Mardi Gras this Saturday, 13 Feb. The session featured Gone To Grass, who are on the bill on Saturday, and Mad Uncle Harry, an old-timey/folk band who aren't playing the Mardi Gras, but will be playing a regular KAM gig soon; details below. Highlights of the session will be broadcast on Pat Costello's regular Friday evening Clare FM show 'Wheels of the World' this Friday (12 Feb.) at approx. 7.30 p.m.

Other upcoming KAM gigs listed below. Apart from the Mardi Gras, which will take place in Kinvara Community Centre, all other KAM gigs will take place in Johnston's Hall, Main St., Kinvara. Further details available on KAM website.

Sat. 20 Mar. Haiti fundraiser featuring The Lantanas (songwriting duo) and Ain't Misbehavin (jazz trio) plus others TBC
Sat. 3 Apr. Mad Uncle Harry
Sat. 17 Apr. The Molly Hicks
Sat. 1 May 'A haven of song': Paul Mulligan presents 'Songwriters in the round' (benefit gig for the Haven Partnership, a building programme in Haiti); songwriters TBC
Sat. 15 May Errol Walsh
Sat. 29 May Jackie Daly and John Faulkner

4 Wheel Drive in Ireland, Easter 2010 - and L'Angelus

Andy Peters is bringing those perennial favourites 4 Wheel Drive (D/NL/B) to Ireland over the Easter period and is looking to book some additional shows for them. They are already scheduled to play the Bronte Music Club in Rathfriland, Co. Down, on Good Friday, and the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, on Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Dates are sought for them for the rest of the week. Promoters, club owners, and event organisers wishing to book this outstanding band should contact Andy by e-mail.

Andy adds:

If you get a chance, go and see L'Angelus [left] from Layfette, Louisiana. They are a Cajun band and just incredible. They are playing the Seamus Ennis Centre in Naul on Sat. 20 Feb., the Crane Bar in Galway on Wed. 24 Feb., Colfer's Bar in Carrig-on-Bannow on 25 Feb., Knocklofty House in Clonmel on 26 Feb., and then it's back up the road to play the Lodge in Castlewellan, Co. Down, on Sat. 27th and the Bronte Music Club in Rathfriland, Co. Down, finishing off the tour on Tuesday 2 Mar. at the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo.

They have free dates on Monday 22 Feb., Tuesday 23 Feb., and Mon. 1 Mar.

Sore Fingers Week (5-9 April 2010): latest news

If you're thinking of attending Europe's premier bluegrass/old-time instrument instruction course, here's an update from the Sore Fingers Week organisers:

The old-time classes are doing reasonably well but are still low on numbers, especially the fiddle. If you are planning to book, please let us know of your commitment as soon as possible please. We could do with about seven fiddle students and five banjo students to make things work out.

Bluegrass fiddle is looking a bit sad as well this year, and if you fancy learning how to play the fiddle without retuning every five minutes (no offence intended towards the OT fiddlers!), why not have a go with Brian Wicklund on the bluegrass fiddle course. Brian is a great teacher.

Other courses that could do with a boost are singing (Chris Stuart and Janet Beazley), Bass (with Eric Thorin) and Autoharp (with Cathy Britell).

Stewart Williams has had to pull out of teaching this year due to personal reasons outside of his control. We will be replacing him with a small team of tutors but the course will be taught as a group.

Finally, I’m pleased to announce that Mike Compton has agreed to take on a second class of mandolin players. Mike is probably one of the best exponents of 'old-time' mandolin playing around; and if you play the instrument in an old-time setting, he comes highly recommended.

In closing, I just want to remind people that we are able to run classes with low numbers as those that fill up (like bluegrass banjo for instance) allow us to offset the losses. That is what has happened in the past when old-time classes have not attracted enough students. But with a recession and people quite understandably worried about their jobs, bookings are generally down across the board, that cross subsidy is less available to us. So we do need your continued support.

Thanks in advance,

John & Moira

Slade stomp

The current tour by guitar wizard Beppe Gambetta (I) culminates this weekend at the 1st Inishowen International Guitar Festival. Anyone who has seen and heard him during the tour will appreciate what Clem O'Brien said on stage last weekend at the Colfer's American Country, Bluegrass, and Roots Music Festival - that he is one of the outstanding guitarists who have taken flat-picking to the heights it has now reached.

Beppe remains very conscious of the music's roots and the sounds that first excited and influenced him. This emerges both in his stage shows and in his 'most bluegrassy album', Slade stomp (2006), each track of which is dedicated to one or more of his guitar heroes - including Doc Watson, Charles Sawtelle (the title track), Woody Guthrie, Charlie Waller, Mark O'Connor, Norman Blake, and Clarence White. More details are on the Beppe Gambetta website.

The far edge of bluegrass

Thanks to Ry Cavanaugh (left), from New England and currently living in Culdaff, Co. Donegal, through June 2010, who writes:

I'm running an acoustic event called 'Shindig Thursdays at McGrory's'.

I'm also in a band called Session Americana which will be touring in Ireland 29 April-10 May, venues and dates forthcoming. We're pretty far out on the rock/pop edge, but with some bluegrass credibility in the lineup - the mandolin player is from The Resophonics and The Benders. He also wrote 'I want to be ready' from a Ronnie Arbo record. I was briefly in the Wayfaring Strangers with Tony Trischka, Matt Glaser, Andy Statman... and a tune on their first record. The Session is a rock band with elements of country, pop, r+b, jazz, and Texas swing - but we do sit around 'one mic', play acoustic instruments, and sing a lot!

Events at the Cobblestone, Dublin, Feb.-Mar. 2010

Thanks to Linda Devlin for news of forthcoming events at the Cobblestone, 77 North King Street, Smithfield, Dublin. Linda reports:

Hello folks! Well, a new year and a new era for the Cobblestone as we lament the departure of our long-standing booking agent, engineer, drinking buddy, helper, barmaid, and all-round legend Orla Keeshan, who has left these shores for the pastures of Berlin! But fear not as we will continue to present Dublin's finest trad, roots, alt country, bluegrass, folk rock, klezmer, funk, and more. And what better way to prove it than by kicking off the month with Cobblestone favourites I Draw Slow and announcing a March show by none other than Bray Vista. KEEP IT COUNTRY!

The Cobblestone schedule for Feb. 2010 can be seen here; it includes the shows by I Draw Slow on 12 Feb., and Bray Vista on 31 Mar. [Update 4 Feb.: two dates have been added or changed]

The Cobblestone also hosts small theatre productions, CD & book launch nights. Seating 60+. *Concessions/advance booking by e-mail with no. of tickets, name & band in the subject title. Also e-mail for future listings with 'mailing list' in the subject title. In addition to high-quality traditional sessions daily, the long-standing old-time music session with Bill Whelan and friends continues every Saturday, 4.00-7.00 p.m.

Athy 2010 lineup announced

High Plains Tradition

The Athy Bluegrass Music Association website is now being refurbished and will be fully operational again next week. Thanks to Tony O'Brien for sending the lineup for the Twentieth Athy Bluegrass Festival (8-11 July 2010): High Plains Tradition (USA), Woodbine, Niall Toner Band, Bending the Strings, Southern Bluegrass Union, Bluestack Mountain Boys, Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals, Well Enough Alone, and the Sullivan Bros & Brand New Companions. Tony adds:

This is the full and final lineup, and all details will shortly be on the website.

As the photo shows, the fiddle and banjo players for High Plains Tradition are Bobbie Vickery and Mark Leslie, who played at Athy 2009 as members of the Bluegrass Patriots, the senior band in their home state of Colorado.

Brian and Noreen McGrane in road crash

We learn with great regret that Brian and Noreen McGrane, of the McGrane Family of Booterstown, Co. Dublin, were returning by car a week ago from a show at Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, when they were involved in a road accident at Brittas and suffered severe and extensive injuries, including broken and fractured bones. They are under treatment in the Tallaght Hospital.

Brian will have an operation soon, and both he and Noreen will need long recuperation. Messages of sympathy can be sent to them at the hospital (official title: The Adelaide & Meath Hospital Dublin, Incorporating The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24; general phone number (01) 414 2000). Brian is in Franks Ward, and Noreen in the adjacent Lynn Ward. Visiting hours are 2.00-4.00 p.m. and 6.30-8.30 p.m.

The Wednesday session at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, which Brian, Noreen, and their daughters and friends built up from a monthly to a weekly basis, is expected to continue with their daughters Jenny and Ellen in charge while Brian and Noreen are recovering. Thanks to Dot Callery for sending this news to the BIB.

Update 3 Feb.: The ward names are now confirmed as above. Brian's operation was successful, and he and Noreen are in excellent spirits, despite their ordeal.

The Bluestack Mountain Boys

Thanks to Aran Sheehan of the Bluestack Mountain Boys (formerly known as the Bluegrass Brothers), who reports that the band has

got off to a flying start in 2010 with a very well received gig in Westport for Uri (Electric Cave Productions) and John in Geraghty's pub. They really looked after us and made us feel very welcome.

The BMB played Le Cirk on Dame St., Dublin, at 8.00 p.m. on Sunday 31 Jan., with Tom Hanway on banjo, who was on his way back from playing with the Molly Hicks in Carrig-on-Barrow. Aran adds:

Tony O'Brien very kindly booked us for the Athy Bluegrass Festival on 8 July. That's a gig we are really looking forward to (with a bit of in-trepidation), as we have to get up in front of our bluegrass peers and show what we have been up to over the year. We will have Tom on banjer and Camille on fiddle for that one, and - you never know - we might be lucky and pick up a bass fiddle along the way.

The Bluestack Mountain Boys with Tom Hanway at Westport, 16 Jan.

The Fox Hunt in Ireland, June/July 2010

Thanks to Loudun Temple of the Brookfield Knights agency in Britain for the following news:

We are working with Paul Brown at Earagail Arts to bring up-and-coming young bluegrass band The Fox Hunt over from Virginia for dates in Ireland in June/July... They are playing Cork Music Festival as well as Earagail Arts Festival [9-18 July]... They have a new CD about to be released (their third) and have been making waves in USA. I'm excited to be welcoming them over for their first trip here and will be adding dates in Scotland as well (they have a headline slot confirmed at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway [14-17 July]).

You can have a listen to the new material at the band's MySpace site and we have a sample track on our website too - reached via the 'Our Artistes' section.

Contact Brookfield Knights via their website, e-mail, and telephone (tel: +44 (0)1505 706346; mob: 07831 878013).

Mad Uncle Harry rocks Westport

Uri Kohen reports from Westport, Co. Mayo, on the Sat. 30 Jan. show:

As part of the unfinished gigs series run by the Electric Cave Production and hosted by Geraghty's pub in Westport, we were privileged to host Mad Uncle Harry [above]. The Galway band held the crowd in the palms of their hands as they performed their unique style of bluegrass and old-time music. It was a superb gig and I will recommend all bluegrass lovers to check them out at their MySpace.

The next gig is one of Ireland's most talented guitar players - Clive Barnes [left]. He will play Geraghty's on Saturday 13 February 2010.

2nd Dangem Banjo Camp, 26-28 Feb. 2010

Left: the class of 2009

Dangem Bluegrass Banjo of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, announce:

This is a local non-profit event run by 5-string banjo enthusiasts for enthusiasts and is totally self-funding. So don’t sit at home on your own trying to learn to play. Spend a weekend away from the toil and cares of everyday life, with nothing to do but learn about the 5-string banjo from world-famous teacher John Dowling. This year we are also running a clawhammer (old-time) class with expert Michael Ash! Play, jam, and meet new friends!

Michael Ash is one of the best banjo tutors in the country. He has a long and distinguished playing career with many appearances under his belt. He currently is a member of the Broken String Band.

John Dowling is the only European to have ever won USA National Bluegrass Banjo Championships held in Winfield, Kansas. John was involved in the BBC1 series ‘Play it again’, where he had to work closely with comedian Frank Skinner in his attempt to learn to play the banjo in ten weeks.

Again this year we will have the Saturday evening concert featuring the Broken String Band. Limited tickets available: £10.00 each.

When? From Friday 26 Feb. 2010 to Sunday 28 Feb. 2010
Where? Corr's Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim
Cost: £120

Contact Derek Lockhart ('phone +44 07521 464 125; e-mail or visit the Dangem website to download a booking form or pay online.

Westport Festival on YouTube

Thanks to Uri Kohen of Electric Cave Production and the Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, who writes:

Ger of Pervege Free Films and member of the Electric Cave Production has been documenting all our work since 2004. Lately he decided to share some of his work with the rest of the world by uploading some of the clips on to YouTube.

In this clip you can see a great session from the 2nd [2008] Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival. This clip captures the true vibe of the festival.

In the second clip we can see the Colonel Bullshot Bluegrass Band (also known as the McEvillys) from Westport, performing on the main stage of the festival. More clips from the second festival are on our website.

KAM celebrates Mardi Gras 2010!

Pete Lamb reports from Kinvara, Co. Galway, on behalf of KAM:

KAM is the Kinvara Area Music Collective, a voluntary community group which was set up with the intention of nurturing and maintaining the vibrant local music scene. You don’t have to be a musician to join!

KAM’s vision:
A thriving, diverse, and inclusive music scene in Kinvara.
KAM’s mission:
To maintain a lively and creative forum to support and help develop musical activities in Kinvara.

Every year, we at KAM like to throw a Mardi Gras party to celebrate our birthday, have a community event with music, dancing, food, drink, and (optional!) fancy dress to raise funds for a local cause.

The 2010 KAM Mardi Gras will take place at Kinvara Community Centre, Co. Galway, on Saturday 13 Feb. This year’s party is a charity event, featuring three live bands, dancing, food, licensed bar, and a fancy dress parade with prizes! All proceeds will go to South Galway Flood Relief and the Gort Family Resource Centre. The fun starts at 8.00 p.m. sharp, and admission is a recession-friendly €10 (€20 family ticket or €8 concessions/members).

So what IS Mardi Gras? It’s a kind of carnival originating in New Orleans involving parties, parades, music, and general merriment. The carnival traditionally begins on 6 January and the festivities climax on ‘Fat Tuesday’ (Mardi Gras) the day before Ash Wednesday (more familiarly known to us as Shrove Tuesday or ‘Pancake Day’). It is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter; since the actual date of Easter changes yearly, Mardi Gras can occur on any Tuesday between 3 February and 9 March. (Or in this case, on Saturday 13 Feb.!)

Last year’s event was a great success, with five bands, Louisiana chicken gumbo, face painting, a licensed bar, and lots of dancing! This year we aim to carry on that good-time carnival tradition, with three live bands (with the emphasis firmly on music you can DANCE to!), finger-lickin’ carnival food, a fancy-dress competition (oh come on, you know you want to!) and a full bar, in an intimate table-set venue, complete with dance floor.

Providing the beats to move your feets this year, we have Awsum Adudu, an Afro-Funk band hailing from Gort, Co. Galway. These boys have been on the scene for a number of years and we are delighted to have them make their KAM debut at the Mardi Gras. We would like to extend a warm welcome to all members of the Gort and surrounding community: come on down and support your local boys and (more importantly) join the fun! Even closer to home we have the Kinvara-based Analogue Band, featuring a bunch of well known local musicians who have put together this country and traditional rock band, also making their debut KAM appearance. If two debut bands isn’t fresh enough for you, let’s make it three! Gone to Grass [photo below] are a locally based bluegrass band, presenting a lively mix of driving traditional bluegrass tunes and original Americana material.


Also on the night - carnival food, a fully licensed bar, and a fancy-dress parade, with prizes awarded for the best efforts. It’s been a harsh winter; let’s banish the winter blues for a night, kick off the wellies and pull on the dancing shoes! (Dancing in wellies optional... but don’t expect a prize.)

Mardi Gras is a fun, family-friendly event held in a community centre and featuring local musicians and volunteers coming together to put on an event in aid of local causes... But you don’t have to be local to come and join the fun! Where else are you gonna get this much fun for a tenner, and get the feel good factor of knowing that your good night out is also aiding Galway flood victims and the local Family Resource Centre? KAM Mardi Gras: Let’s party!

More info, and tickets, available at the KAM website. Tickets are available in advance from the KAM website; Healing Harvest, Kinvara (091 637 176); Open Sesame, Gort (091 632778); Gort Credit Union (091 631250); Kinvara Credit Union (091 637154); and at the Gort Family Resource Centre (091 630902).

(Why not take the opportunity on the night to join KAM? Benefits include discount entry to all KAM events, which include a myriad of music, theatre and spoken word events throughout the year. See the website for details.)

BIB editor's note: Pete also reports that this will be the last performance by Ivor Ottley (at left in photo of Gone to Grass) as a resident of this country; he is moving to Sweden. Ivor's high-grade bluegrass fiddling has been an outstanding asset to the scene here for the past seven years, and we wish him all the best in his new location.

Leadership Bluegrass 2010

The IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass (LBG), now in its eleventh year with more than 250 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced-level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music along with related leadership issues.

LBG will be hosted again this year at the BMI offices in Nashville, on 9-11 March, and will be facilitated by Fred Bartenstein. Names of those taking part in this year's class have just been announced. Out of twenty-four people, just three are from outside the US: Denis Chadbourn from Canada, Lachlan Davidson from Australia, and Chris Keenan (of the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival) from Ireland. Chris is the fourth person from Ireland to go through the LBG mill.

Please contact the IBMA office for information on future Leadership Bluegrass programs: (+1 615) 256-3222: e-mail.

Nash's session is back!

Barney Bowes sends this welcome news of the resumption of the main bluegrass session in central Dublin, following a midwinter break:

Just to let folks know, pickin' sessions will begin again next Wednesday at Nash's pub, Thomas St. There was a great response there before Christmas, but giving holidays and the weather, of course, we decided to put it on hold until the weather got a bit better.

All are welcome, no matter what level you play at. It's a social event too; and who knows, you may meet someone down there who will answer all those questions you have been too scared to ask anywhere else. Either way - hope to see you there, so spread the word.


Contact Barney Bowes at 0861031541. Photo credits: Enda Fagan

Lester Flatt: a prophet honoured in his own country

The original Bluegrass Blog describes today how the house of represent-atives of the state of Tennessee has passed a resolution honouring Lester Flatt (1914-79), one of the giant figures in bluegrass music, and lead singer in the 'classic' configuration (1945-8) of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys before his epoch-making partnership with Earl Scruggs. He has also been honoured previously by the Country Music Hall of Fame, the IBMA's Hall of Fame, and his home town of Sparta, TN.

Maverick gives Keith Sewell five stars

Thanks to Niall Toner for the news that Keith Sewell's CD The way of a wanderer has just got a five-star review in the Feb. 2010 issue of the UK's Maverick, which will probably appear in the archives of Maverick's website. Niall sends a copy of the review, which includes the words:

A brilliant album... this is an expertly performed, well produced body of work, and... could easily stand up with the efforts of Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminksi, Alecia Nugent or the Queen of bluegrass herself - Rhonda Vincent. It's a pity the album couldn't have been longer... it leaves you wanting more.

Keith (above) is a multi-instrumentalist and a gifted songwriter with a strong feeling for his rural roots. He has done a lot of writing with Niall (who co-wrote four of the songs on this album, including the title track) and has - too seldom - performed with him in this country: see the BIB for 1 Apr. 2009.

PS: As Niall says, it's great to see a little humour in bluegrass; and with this in mind, here's a YouTube link to a video of Jim Lauderdale and Dr Ralph Stanley & his Clinch Mountain Boys.

Fred Morrison at Celtic Connections

Thanks again to Archie MacLullich from Scotland, who sent the information on Scots piper Fred Morrison that appeared on the BIB on 27 Oct. 2009. Fred's CD Outlands, which blends Celtic music and bluegrass/old-time music with the aid of Tim O'Brien and Ron Block, has won critical acclaim (see below).

Archie now sends the news that Fred Morrison and his band will be performing at the O2 ABC in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday 28 January as part of the Celtic Connections festival, where they will be joined by Tim O’Brien, giving a unique chance to hear live the distinctive Celtic/bluegrass blend of the album. Sample tracks of the CD are available on Fred's MySpace site and further details are on his website.

Album reviews:

Drafting in Ron Block on five-string banjo and the always-excellent Tim O’Brien on mandolin, tunes such as ‘The Wildcat’ and ‘Kansas City Hornpipe’ blend the traditions beautifully, in the manner of the best sessions from the Transatlantic Sessions, with each side of the pond enriching the other and none of the dilution that can so often occur in such experiments. This is a joyous, celebratory album that exudes sheer exhilaration. (Rock 'n' Reel magazine)

Fred’s technique on all these instruments is staggering, perhaps most obviously in the double-speed ending of 'The hard drive'... Magic moments abound... Outlands is a feast of fine tunes and another testament to this master piper. (The Piping Times)

Beppe Gambetta available for interviews

Guitar wizard Beppe Gambetta, whose ten-day tour in Ireland begins next week, is flying back from New York today and is excited to be coming back to Ireland. He is available for any phone or live interview, and can be reached via e-mail or via his European cell phone, +39 335 5420709.

Beppe Gambetta: website, MySpace, YouTube

Hot Club of Cowtown in Ireland, 1-3 May 2010

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that the western swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown (USA) will play a few dates in Ireland at the beginning of May -

May 1 The Black Box, Belfast (Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival)
May 2-3 Rhythm & Roots Festival, Kilkenny city

- before going on to seven dates in Britain.

Uncle Monk in Ireland, 29 Apr.-9 May 2010

Nigel Martyn reports:

Uncle Monk (aka Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan) will be in Ireland in late April and early May 2010.

Uncle Monk is an indie-acoustic duo featuring Tommy Ramone (of the Ramones) on vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and dobro, and Claudia Tienan (the Simplistics) on vocals, guitar, and bass. The music of the two artists complement each other. There is a Yin and Yang sensibility at work, a touch of light and dark, of bitter and sweet.

They have been drawn towards the classic simplicity of string band music, but at the same time are deeply involved with the aesthetics of alternative music, and use their musical influences to create an original style. Tommy Ramone says:

There is a similarity between punk & old-time music, both are home brewed as opposed to schooled, both have earthy energy, and there is a certain cool in old-time music that is found in the best alternative acts.

Thurs. 29 Apr. The Village, Dublin
Fri. 30 Apr. The Crane Bar, Galway city
Sat. 1 May Dolan's, Limerick city
Sun. 2 May Rhythm & Roots Festival, Kilkenny city
Mon. 3 May Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford
Tues. 4 May De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Wed. 5 May The Pavilion, Cork city
Thurs. 6 May Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast
Fri. 7 May The Playhouse, Derry city
Sat. 8 May Barry's, Grange, Co. Sligo
Sun. 9 May Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co. Mayo (TBC)

1st Inishowen International Guitar Festival, 5-7 Feb. 2010

Nigel Martyn reports from Belfast:

The 1st Inishowen International Guitar Festival, three days of guitar heaven, will take place in and around McGrory's of Culdaff, Inishowen, north Donegal, on the weekend of 5 / 6 / 7 February 2010.

In this the inaugural year we are delighted to present a wide spectrum of musical styles on both acoustic and electric guitars, from some of the foremost players and pickers in the world today.

Headlining we have Jennifer Batten, instantly recognisable as the blonde lead guitarist in Michael Jackson's band since 1989. Jennifer has also played and recorded extensively with Jeff Beck.

We have the rare combination of jazz and Nintendo tunes from Wim den Herder (Netherlands), Chet Atkins thumb-and-finger style from Gareth Pearson (Wales), bluegrass and beyond from Beppe Gambetta (Italy), acoustic blues from Johnny Dickinson (UK) and the exquisite Celtic fingerstyle of Clive Carroll.

Home-grown talent is equally represented by the mighty Henry McCullough, Arty McGlynn, Jerome McGlynn, Jimmy Smyth, Grainne Duffy, Paul Sherry, Paul Buckley, Percy Robinson and the Deans.

There are lots of workshops, clinics, and seminars, and there will be a display of vintage guitars. The full programme is posted on the festival website.

Best wishes,

Nigel

Beppe Gambetta tour: UPDATE

Supplementing and updating the info on the BIB post of 4 January, Nigel Martyn, organiser of the Beppe Gambetta tour, reports:

One of the world's most amazing flatpickers, Beppe Gambetta arrives on these shores from his home in Genoa, Italy, for a short tour at the end of January. Beppe has been here many times before, usually in the fine company of Dan Crary, but this will be the first solo outing in Ireland for this most affable guitarist. Here are the dates.

Thursday 28 January - BELFAST, The Black Box (Lunchtime). £5 including lunch! Bookings
Friday 29 January - NAUL, Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre.
Sunday 31 January - CARRIG ON BANNOW - Colfers
Monday 1 February - KILWORTH, Village Arts Centre
Tuesday 2 February - BALLYMORE EUSTACE, Mick Murphy's
Thursday 4 February - GALWAY, The Crane
Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February - CULDAFF, Inishowen International Guitar Festival.

Full tour details here. If anyone has an idea for a short-notice gig on Saturday 30 January or Wednesday 3 February, please drop me an e-mail. Cheers,

Nigel Martyn