Omagh press release 28 August 2007

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS FLY IN FOR BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Despite the lack of summer sun, the heat is set to move up a notch this weekend as the Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival kicks off at the Ulster American Folk Park. As a host of international artists begin to fly in for the bumper three-day programme, final preparations are underway at the Omagh museum to welcome an anticipated 9,000 visitors. With the 1,200-capacity concert on Saturday night almost sold out and tickets for the Friday night following swiftly behind, this year’s festival is once again demonstrating why it is considered Europe’s premier bluegrass music event.

Now in its 16th year, the festival continues to supply a lively and diverse mix of the best in traditional and contemporary bluegrass music in unique surroundings identical to those in which the music first evolved and aired. Headlining at this year’s Saturday evening concert will be the award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Despite having played at the Grand Ol' Opry and a host of other major festivals throughout the world, the award-winning Rangers are very much looking forward to playing the Omagh venue according with Mike Guggino who plays mandolin with the group saying. 'We are so excited about playing at the Bluegrass Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park as it’s our first time to visit or perform in Ireland. Having been told of the warm welcome and unique surroundings associated with this festival we are eager to share our music with new audiences. We are looking forward to playing the tracks from our latest album ‘Lovin' Pretty Women’ at the festival ahead of our return to the States for a Friday night performance at the Grand Ol' Opry.'

The Friday night gig will not disappoint either thanks to another debut performance, this time by the high-talented Lovell Sisters from Calhoun, Georgia. The tight harmonies, fiery instrumentals and energetic songs of Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell soar with so much potential it's dizzying. Propelled into the spotlight at an early age, they’ve been compared to Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek and The Dixie Chicks, but The Lovell Sisters have a sound and style all their own. Quite simply the advice on The Lovell Sisters is to catch them now while they are on your doorstep so you can tell people you saw them ‘back when’.

With such top-class acts headlining and former festival favorites Red Wine and Sunny Side also due to make a welcome return, the festival has all the makings of another success in 2007. Showcasing the festival’s entire line-up of artists both local and international, the ‘Bluegrass in the Park’ afternoon sessions are ideal for anyone who has never been to the event before as visitors can wander freely around the park and take in the music hidden among the exhibits. With 8 different stages to enjoy performances will once again take place between midday and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoon with the newly-introduced warm-up sessions on Friday taking place between 2pm and 5pm.

For full information on times or specific detail on the three day programme please visit www.bluegrassomagh.com which features in-depth information on the daily schedules, biographies of all the artists as well as a Ticketmaster facility for booking seats at the evening concerts. Weekend passes and tickets for the Sunday ‘Spirit of Bluegrass’ Gospel Concert are also available from the BLUEGRASS TICKET HOTLINE on 028 8224 3292.