4 Wheel Drive in Ireland, 2-9 Apr. 2010

Thanks to Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive for these photos from the band's week-long tour in Ireland in the spring of 2010. The first four were taken at the RTE radio centre in Dublin when the band appeared on the Pat Kenny show, and the rest date from other appearances around the country.

In the studio

4WD (minus Jan Michielsen) and Jolanda Peters with producer Aidan Butler

4WD with Aidan Butler, who is holding a copy of the band's latest CD, Another town

Jurgen Biller and Aidan Butler

Jan Michielsen and Tony O'Brien at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

John Murphy of Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, showing 4WD the way to the lighthouse

A gospel number in the Bronte Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down

Twin fiddles: Joost and Ulli

How the other half lives

Tupelo

Thanks to Kevin Duffy of Tupelo for this press release (15 July 2010):

Tupelo are an exciting, original, acoustic roots act consisting of 5 members with an eclectic lineup of instruments such as banjo, guitar, fiddle, saxophone and double bass. They have a sound which can only be described as 'melting pot' of ideas and influences, with elements of country, rock, bluegrass and even jazz being heard in their music. They offer something totally different to the many indie guitar bands that can be heard everywhere and bring a fresh, unique sound to a market which is overladen with electric bands.

Tupelo have been busy making a name for themselves on the live scene over the past two years going down a storm with crowds, and have played many of the big festivals such as the Cork Jazz Festival, the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival and the Rose Of Tralee Festival to name but a few. Also supporting the likes of Imelda May, Damien Dempsey and Booker T, and sharing the stage with such legends as Steve Earle have exposed their music to a wider audience and they count the likes of Imelda and Damien as fans. Having a Top 10 single in the Irish Charts also helps, and that's exactly what happened when
Tupelo's single 'Ca Bhfuil Ar Scoil?' reached number 7 back in October of 2009, outselling the likes of Whitney Houston. Not a bad achievement, eh? Their rise has been noticed by the industry too and the band were nominated for Meteor's Most Promising Act Award in 2010. This year will see Tupelo take things further with an appearance on Electric Picnic, and having just recently finished their new album, Dirty money and will be releasing later in the year.

The band will be appearing at Whelan's on Saturday 24 July, and if their previous shows at Whelan's are anything to go by, it promises to be a sellout. Doors are open at 8pm and admission is 10 Euro. Check out www.tupelo.ie.

'I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tupelo, a great band from Dublin. They have a wonderful sound, great musicianship and fantastic songwriting. They have a rootsy sound of great mixtures from blues and country to trad. They move the audience from mood to mood with ease from heartfelt patriotism to pure good auld fashioned fun with their brilliant songs. With their lead singer's charm and the band's sense of fun they'll have you in the palm of their hand. What more could you want?'

Imelda May


'Our favourite rootsy rockers'

HOT PRESS

Ulster pickers at first Moniaive Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 2009

Broken Strings

Adrian Muirhead, Geordie MacAdam

Geordie MacAdam

Hey diddle diddle, the hat and the fiddle

Ivan Muirhead

Colin Henry, Janet Holmes, Wilson Davies, Ivan Muirhead

Michael Ash (banjo)

Colin Henry, Wilson Davies, Janet Holmes, Ivan Muirhead

Colin Henry

La Roche Bluegrass Festival 2009

The editor reports:

A few words and images from the fourth La Roche Bluegrass Festival in La Roche-sur-Foron, among the French Alps. Carol & I had a great time, and advise any Irish band to follow the lead of the Skillet Lickers from Drogheda and come to La Roche - whether to play on the main stage, or in cafes and restaurants as part of the Festival Off (the 'Fringe').

Thirty-five bands from twelve countries took part (all sponsored by local organisations), including three US acts: Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, who had just knocked socks off at the big Craponne country festival; Chris & Sally Jones, with Ned Luberecki (banjo) and Jon Weisberger (bass); and Bob Jones (former Blue Grass Boy), backed by the fine Italian band Bluegrass Cats. Three European bands appeared by special invitation: Monogram (CZ), who won last year's La Roche band contest; Acousticure (Hungary), who won the #1 Band award at the 2008 EWOB Festival in the Netherlands; and Vodopad (SK) with Philippe Naudot (F). Of the remaining bands, twelve took part in the contest, which is decided by the votes of a qualified jury following set criteria. This year's winners were:

#1 Kreni (Czech Republic)
#2 New Essex Bluegrass Band (Great Britain)
#3 (equal): Blueland (Slovakia), Sunny Side (Czech Republic)

All the photos below are by Carol Hawkins unless otherwise stated. Warmest thanks to the festival organiser, Christopher Howard-Williams of the France Bluegrass Musique Association; to Eberhard and Monika Finke for the lifts; to the Toy Hearts (UK), for some much-needed sun screen; and to everyone for their company...

A picturesque town...

... in a spectacular setting: view from the park below the castle

The Skillet Lickers (Jim, guitar/autoharp; Mick, mandolin; Dick, banjo) were among the first friends we met at the festival; here they play a 'fringe' gig at a cafe in the Place de la Republique

The Festival Off: these musicians from the UK scene picked practically continuously in this cafe on the Place de la Grenette throughout the festival. Right foreground: Ray Whiteway-Roberts (UK), MC and member of the judging panel for the band contest

The Toy Hearts (UK) on the main stage

The square dance, Saturday

Main stage, Saturday evening

The audience, Saturday evening

View from the stage: the main festival venue is the schoolyard of the ESCR College Ste Marie (photo: Lilly Pavlak)

The Saturday night concert audience (photo: Lilly Pavlak)

On Sunday 2 August M. Thabuis, the mayor (right, in suit), welcomed festival guests to a reception at the town hall, at which the New Essex Bluegrass Band (UK) played; they had just come from singing gospel songs in the church of St-Jean-Baptiste

A historic part of this year's festival was the presence of representatives of both main European bluegrass organisations: here M. Thabuis (in Western outfit to present the awards) applauds Christopher Howard-Williams, festival organiser; Dennis Schut of the European World of Bluegrass Association (EWOBA), the original sponsors; and Angelika Torrie, treasurer of the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA)



Terraced gardens above the Foron river

Stony creek: the Foron from the bridge on the road to 'Canada'

Sign of La Roche's resident luthier

The editor considers the bluegrass possibilities of one of the giant musical toys on the streets of La Roche during the festival

Photos from 19th Athy Bluegrass Festival, 2009

Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive and Henning Petersen of the Danish band Bluegrass Boulevard had last met many years before this completely unexpected meeting in the bar of the Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy (photo from Henning Petersen)


Gary Ferguson and Janet Holmes (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


Gary Ferguson (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


Mel Corry of the Tennessee Hennessees (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


Sean McKerr of the Tennessee Hennessees (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


Dr Thompson's surgical lesson at the University of Athy (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


The Ten Hens rock the stage (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


4 Wheel Drive with Jolanda Peters (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)


Gary Ferguson, Niall Toner, Janet Holmes (photo: Colin Henry)


Colin Henry and Niall Toner (photo from Colin Henry)


Jam in the Carlton Abbey Hotel courtyard, Sunday morning: Cian Gill (bass), Geraldine Gill (guitar), Donal Gill (mandolin), Kevin Gill (banjo), Martin Styles (banjo); BIB editor in background (photo: Colin Henry)


Woodbine on the Saturday night concert (photo: Des Butler)


Danny Rogers of the Bluegrass Patriots and Janet Holmes (photo: Colin Henry)


If only banjo-playing were as easy as editing... (photo: Colin Henry)

First Red Line Roots Festival, Dublin, 24-6 Oct. 2008

Linda Devlin, co-director of the festival, reports:

I'm delighted to announce the launch of a new roots festival in Dublin, which I am organising along with Orla Keeshan of the Cobblestone. For this year we are keeping the festival quite small, with the aim being to promote the vast array of quality roots and americana acts on the Dublin scene, and hopefully bring a new audience to it. But it is definitely something which we are going to build on over the coming years.

FESTIVAL LISTINGS:
____________________________________________________________

FRI. 24 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ THE COBBLESTONE, SMITHFIELD.
I DRAW SLOW & THE BLOOD RED MOUNTAIN BAND
While stemming from the same country roots, I Draw Slow and the BRMB have developed their sounds in two different directions. The BRMB bring a distinctly upbeat edge to their brand of Americana, while I Draw Slow ooze with old-time charm & bluegrass rhythms. Top quality. ADM. 12 EURO. DOORS 8.30 P.M.

FRI. 24 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ THE COBBLESTONE, SMITHFIELD.
TRAD SESSION WITH SOME OF IRELAND'S FINEST
The Cobblestone is widely regarded as one of the last strongholds of traditional Irish music and home to some of Ireland's best musicians. Live sessions in the front bar from 7.00 p.m. Fri. & Sat. and 2.00 p.m. on Sunday. (FRONT BAR). FREE. FROM 7.00 P.M.

FRI. 24 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ SIN E.
CHRIS AND GARY FROM THE GRAMOPHONE DISCO. PRE-1960s MUSIC AND FUN, SPECIAL GUEST THOMAS KITT. FREE ADM. 7.00-11.00 P.M.

SAT. 25 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ THE COBBLESTONE, SMITHFIELD.
THE LAST TYCOONS & THE HUSSARS.
The country meets the city with these two country & rock-n'-roll-infused bands. The Tycoons have an excellent live reputation and have shared bills with Ian Brown & Babyshambles. ADM. 10 EURO. DOORS 8.30 P.M.

SAT. 25 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ DICE BAR.
THE BONNEVILLES AND GUESTS. FREE ADM. DOORS 5.00 P.M.

SAT. 25 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ SIN E.
GAMES, FILMS, MUSIC AND TAPAS FROM 2.00 P.M.
ACOUSTIC SESSION WITH N.C. LAWLOR AND GUESTS 6.00-9.00 P.M.
N.C. Lawlor is one of the countrys best Dobro, lap steel & pedal steel players and will host this country and blues influenced acoustic session with Harry Rambles, Hugh Dean & Thomas Kitt. ADM. FREE.

SUN. 26 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ SIN E.
GAMES, FILMS, MUSIC AND TAPAS FROM 2.00 P.M.
ACOUSTIC SESSION WITH T-BONE KELLY AND GUESTS 6-9.00 P.M. ADM. FREE

SUN. 26 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ THE COBBLESTONE.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN WITH THE SUNDAY TEA PARTY. FEATURING THE SICK AND INDIGENT SONG CLUB AND THE PRAIRIE DAWGS.
Everything from Old Time, Folk & Sea Shanties to Country & Bluegrass. FREE TEA AND CAKES. 4.00-8.00 P.M. ADM. 6 EURO ADULTS, CHILDREN FREE.

SUN. 26 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ DICE BAR.
ACES WILD - IRELAND'S FINEST ROCKABILLY ACT.
FOLLOWED BY DJ OONA WHITE. DOORS 5.00 P.M. ADM. FREE

SUN. 26 OCT.: RED LINE FESTIVAL @ THE PARK INN, SMITHFIELD SQUARE.
PRISON LOVE & THE NORTH STRAND KONTRA BAND
For one night only, the Park Inn on Smithfield Square becomes an arena for the ultimate East-meets-West showdown, Hillbilly Banjos vs Klezmer Beats. Support from Dublin's blues-infused rock band the Hot Sprockets with a stripped-down acoustic set.
DOORS 8.30PM. ADM 15 EURO
Tickets on sale from Sept. 30th from www.tickets.ie

Photos from Omagh 2008

Thanks to Norman and Heather Brown for the following photos from the 17th annual Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in September 2008.


Jiri Kralik & the Rowdy Rascals(CZ)


Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA)


Hungry Hill (Canada)


The Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL)


'The Master of Ceremonies, ladies and gentlemen, Mr Frank Galligan'


Janet Holmes with Colin Henry, Ivan Muirhead, and Wilson Davies in the Mass House


Broken Strings (Co. Down) in the School House Field


The Tin Box Company (Dublin) in the Mass House


The Paperboys (Canada)


Hungry Hill (Canada)


Woodbine in the Log Cabin Field


Parking lot picking


G2 (Sweden)


Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (USA)


Big Medicine (USA)


Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (USA)


Talking to Danny Paisley after Jack Bernhardt's McAuley lecture


The Paperboys (Canada)