Roger Ryan's Country Cuts

Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland sends the following country music news:

Official Publication of the Country Music Association Of Ireland.  April  2013.
( Founded January 1969. )
Nashville, 4 Silverdale Road, Ballinlough, Cork. Ireland.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Gordon Stoker, who recorded numerous hits with  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/elvis-presley/" Elvis Presley as a member of  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/the-jordanaires/" the Jordanaires, died Wednesday (March 27) at his Nashville-area home following a lengthy illness. He was 88. Stoker and other members of the vocal group also performed on classic recordings such as  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/jim-reeves/" Jim Reeves' "Four Walls,"  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/patsy-cline/" Patsy Cline's "Crazy,"  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/george-jones/" George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today,"  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/don-gibson/" Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me,"  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/johnny-horton/" Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans,"  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/tammy-wynette/" Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man,"  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/conway-twitty/" Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'" and  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/kenny-rogers/" Kenny Rogers' "Lucille." The group's other credits include sessions with  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/red-foley/" Red Foley,  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/dolly-parton/" Dolly Parton,  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/johnny-cash/" Johnny Cash,  HYPERLINK "http://www.cmt.com/artists/bobby-bare/" Bobby Bare, Ricky Nelson, Ringo Starr, Connie Francis, Julie Andrews and many others. The quartet began working with Elvis Presley after he was signed to RCA Records, and Stoker played a key role in the background vocals on hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "I Was the One," "It's Now or Never," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight." The Jordanaires were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.The Jordanaires also toured Ireland and appeared in a television series with Sandy Kelly in the role of Patsy Cline.
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will perform in concert at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin, on Monday May 13th, in support of their new duets album Old Yellow Moon, the first official collaboration from the duo since Crowell joined Harris’ Hot Band as guitarist and harmony singer in 1975. These special ‘An Evening With Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell’ shows will feature the acclaimed artists (and long-time friends) performing material spanning their vast catalogues, backed by an distinguished group of musicians including Steve Fishell, Jedd Hughes, Byron House, Gerry Roe and Chris Tuttle. The UK leg of the tour begins in Manchester on May 8 and includes a date at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on May 9.
One of the Best and Livelies Bands in the Land, Two Time Polka, will pay their first visit to the Rockies Club, Blackrock, on Saturday April 13th, for what promises to be the event of the year. Ceol, Craic, Bia, and the good news is, there's no cover charge.
Louise Morrissey is 25 Years in Country Music this year and will celebrate with a show in the Minella Hotel Clonmel on 29th April. The following line up of top Irish artists will be on hand to help her with the celebrations, Philomena Begley, Declan Nerney, Jimmy Buckley, Crystal Swing, Morrissey & Daniels. Comperes for the evening are Fran Curry & Norman Morrissey of Tipp Fm. Everybody is welcome to attend and tickets are available at the Hotel Reception.
Tickets go on sale at the box office on April 6th for the Daniel O'Donnell concerts at the Cork Opera House on August 9th and 10th.
One of Ireland's best small music festivals, the  HYPERLINK "http://www.fiddlefair.com/" Baltimore Fiddle Fair takes place from 9th to 12th May. From humble beginnings in 1992 this remarkable festival has grown a little in size and a lot in stature, and is now a key fixture on Irish and international music calendars. Its reputation is built on its consistent ability to present world-class acts in intimate settings in the beautiful seaside village of Baltimore in West Cork and this year they have once again come up with a programme that is simply astonishing.

Carrie Moore of Third Coast Talent are coordinating the entire event for the Philomena Begley Tribute Concert at the Nashville Nightlife Theatre, on Monday April 22nd. They will ensure the smooth running of the concert and will be in charge of hospitality in the Green Room, Stage Running and Stage Management. Nashville's Tribute to Ireland's Queen of Country - Philomena Begley, will star the following lineup of artists.:  Billy Yates,Georgette Jones, Collin Raye,Leona Williams, Jim Ed Brown, Jeannie Seely, T.G. Sheppard, T. Graham Brown, David Frizzell, Stonewall Jackson, Helen Cornelius, Lynn Anderson. Philomena will close the concert with three of her own hit songs and there will be a  Meet'n'Greet afterwards with the artists.

CMR Nashville and Django Promotions Chief Executive Officer and Owner Lee Williams was presented with the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award during the CMA International Country Music Summit at Disneyland Paris on March 1. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions for the development of Country Music in their country.
Award-winning brother/sister duo THE ROYS will cover new territory from May 1 - 5 as they make their European debut with select dates at two picturesque Danish Culture Houses, Germany's ever-popular 11th Annual Buehler Bluegrass Festival and the quintessential English theatre, Leicester Square.  Hailed for their superb sibling harmonies, signature "Rootsy Bluegrass Country" sound and compelling original tunes, THE ROYS complement their vocal style with a vibrant and progressive instrumental attitude that has enchanted fans since the duo's first release.  TOUR DETAILS:

May 1 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Karens Rninde Kulturhus

 HYPERLINK "http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=149248105617666422" http://www.kmkulturhus.dk 

May 2 - Aalborg, Denmark - Trekanten Culturehouse

 HYPERLINK "http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=149248105617666422" http://www.visitdenmark.com/danmark/trekanten-bibliotek-og-kulturhus-gdk596162

May 4 - Buehl, Germany  - International Buehler Bluegrass Festival

 HYPERLINK "http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=149248105617666422" http://www.bluegrassfestivalbuehl.de

May 5  - London - Leicester Square Theatre.  HYPERLINK "http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=149248105617666422" www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

For Lee and Elaine, these special dates represent a dream come true - and a good chance to dip their feet into the bigger global pond.  "To say we are excited about going to Europe is an understatement," notes Elaine.  "We are counting down the days!"  The siblings believe that music is the universal language and hope that their music will resonate with the audiences overseas.  "We want to show them that we love what we do and that we feel blessed to do it." 

The two are studying some key phrases in Dutch and German, and Lee is looking forward to the challenge of driving on the "other" side of the road.  "Elaine's scared to death of my driving here," Lee admits with a laugh.  "I can't wait to see how fast she buckles up once I'm behind the wheel over there." 

Lee and Elaine regularly perform over 150 dates a year across the U.S. and in Canada at venues ranging from festivals to more intimate music halls.  They have become a favorite at Country Thunder and are honored to have performed at Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman, CMA Music Festival and the Tamworth Music Festival (Australia).  THE ROYS have shared the stage with Bluegrass and Country legends and newcomers alike, including: George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Doyle Lawson, Rhonda Vincent and many others. Recently, the duo has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on their upcoming CD which is due in stores this summer.  Their sophomore disc for Rural Rhythm Records, NEW DAY DAWNING (2012), debuted at Number 2 on the BILLBOARD Bluegrass Albums Chart in early September and two weeks later climbed to Number 1 on Amazon's Bluegrass Best Sellers list.  The EP is currently on the BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED MAGAZINE Top 15 Chart and is one of SiriusXM BLUEGRASS JUNCTION's most played albums. 

ABOUT THE ROYS

Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and raised across the border in New Brunswick, Canada, Lee and Elaine come from a unique musical family.  Surrounded by song from their earliest memories, the siblings have become one of the hottest acts on the Bluegrass/Roots/Country scene.  Last October, THE ROYS were named Inspirational Country Music's Bluegrass Artist of the Year (2012).  They were previously honored with that award in 2011 and dubbed the organization's Duo of the Year in 2010 and 2009.  The twosome have enjoyed success at radio and are the Bluegrass darlings of the media.  They've appeared on CBS This Morning, Marie, Fox & Friends, Daytime, Daily Buzz, The Better Show and more.  Additionally, they have appeared on the PBS programs Pa's Fiddle: Charles Ingalls, American Fiddler and Song of the Mountains, RFD-TV's Reno's Old Time Music Festival, CMC Australia/Sky TV-U.K. and Bluegrass Mountains TV Show.

Country music superstar and Grand Ole Opry member Alan Jackson performed for a sold-out audience at the Opry on Friday evening, March 22.  He performed some of his past #1 hits including “Chattahoochee,” “Remember When,” and Drive.”Jackson will release his second gospel album, Precious Memories Volume II, on Tues., March 26. The collection of traditional hymns is the follow-up to his 2006 album Precious Memories. Precious  

Memories Volume II was produced by Jackson’s long-time producer and friend, Keith Stegall; the album will be released by ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville.

Although circumstances prevented  HYPERLINK "http://www.nialltonerband.com/" Niall Toner from attending the  HYPERLINK "http://www.ebma.org/ebs/5th-european-bluegrass-summit/" 5th European Bluegrass Summit in Prague recently to receive his award as European Bluegrass Personality of the Year 2012 from the  HYPERLINK "http://www.ebma.org/" EBMA, Niall was able to express his gratitude and make his presence felt at the award ceremony through a two-minute video presentation, which can be seen on  HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaLNLQkBOrc" YouTube. The text of Niall's acceptance speech is substantially identical with his message published on  HYPERLINK "http://bluegrasstoday.com/niall-toner-named-ebma-european-bluegrass-personality-of-the-year/" Bluegrass Today on 7 March. The video, like others recently shot for Niall, was made by his grandson Kyle O'Neill. You can also read  HYPERLINK "http://bluegrassmusic.com/content/2013/reviews/niall-toner-onwards-upwards/" online the highly positive review by Art Menius of Niall's album Onwards & Upwards, published in the March 2013 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. Niall is delighted to be the recipient of the first ever European Bluegrass Personality of the Year award and sends his thanks to all who have supported him in the media. The award is in recognition of Niall's achievements during 2012, including being signed to a major US bluegrass record label and making an outstanding impact on the US scene with the success of his recent Pinecastle album Onwards & upwards. More details of the EBMA Bluegrass Pioneers and Personalities awards project can be seen on the European Bluegrass Blog. Onwards & upwards, which comprises ten original songs and an original instrumental, including tribute songs to Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs, can be sampled on  HYPERLINK "http://airplaydirect.com/nialltonerband" AirPlay Direct. Anyone needing a hard-copy CD for air play or review should approach Niall directly.

Chris Keenan reports that American banjo master  HYPERLINK "http://www.milesmusic.org/index" Michael J. Miles makes a special trip to Ireland in April to present his celebrated  HYPERLINK "http://www.milesmusic.org/from_senegal_to_seeger/" 'From Senegal to Seeger'. This special one-man show (during which he plays numerous banjos) traces the history of the banjo from its origins to modern times in America and beyond.
'...this is enough to make me want to learn the banjo all over again.' Pete Seeger
Tour Dates.
Sat. 6th Apr.: TBC Sun. 7th: TBC Mon. 8th: Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork (double bill with  HYPERLINK "http://kenperlman.com/" Ken Perlman (USA))
Tues. 9th: Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, Wed. 10th: TBC, Thurs. 11th: St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Fri. 12th: Market Theatre, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Sat. 13th: Banjo Weekend in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway,  Sun. 14th: Banjo Weekend in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway.

Derek Ryan’s musical tastes and influences are as wide as the smile on his face in the video for his new single which is released today.  He grew up on a mix of Irish traditional and country at home in Carlow, won medals at Fleadh Cheoil for playing the bodhran, sang and wrote pop songs and now, having become a huge country singing attraction, shows of his love for Cajun on his new recording.  ‘I’m Gonna Get You’ is the fourth song to be released from his acclaimed third album ‘Dreamers and Believers’.  The song was originally a Billboard US number one for Eddie Raven in 1988.  Having injected a new energy into Irish country, Derek is attracting a more youthful audience to dances and concerts akin to the following he had as former lead singer of D-Side.  Eighteen year olds are helping to fill venues up and down the country which has also led to jive becoming a dance craze all over again.  He first heard ‘I’m Gonna Get You’ whilst on holiday last year and was instantly drawn to it.  With all of Derek’s songs, he first tries them out at his dances and this one became an instant dance floor filler.  “We have a very loyal fan following at our shows and I am able to gauge the reaction of these people when I decide on a new song.  The beat is essential for dancers and if it works live chances are it will work well in the studio”.  “Cajun is a very infectious genre and complimented with our Irish country style makes a unique sound.”  The new release is coupled with Derek’s self penned song ‘Life is a River’ which drew inspiration from a chance meeting with a man who lost his wife.   “I met the man at a concert gig one night. We chatted and he explained he doesn’t go to dances anymore as his wife died recently.  On my way home I was touched by his story and penned the song which I felt reflected his feelings, emotions and heartbreak”.  ‘I’m Gonna Get You’ and ‘Life is a River’ are available on the album ‘Dreamers and Believers through Sharpe Music or via iTunes download.

Cork based band Two Time Polka will embark on a series of dates in England soon. Here are some of their dates for April.  

Easter Sunday March 31st. O'Flahertys Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Kick off 4pm. Adm Free. Tel. No. 066 9151983. 

Monday April 1st. The Bayview Bar, Kilcrohane, Co. Cork. Kick off  4pm  Adm Free. Tel. No. 027 67981

 UK Dates

Thursday April 4th: The Donkey, 203 Welford Rd., Leicester. Kick off 9pm. Adm £4 before 9pm and £5 after. Tel. No. 0116 270 5042  HYPERLINK "http://www.thedonkeybar.com" www.thedonkeybar.com

Friday April 5th: Tilston Memorial Hall, Malpas, Cheshire. Kick off 8pm. Adm £10. Tel No. 0182 925 0484

Saturday April 6th: Old Brown Jug, Newcastle under Lyme Staffordshire. Kick off 8pm. Adm £3. Tel. No. 01782 711393 

Saturday April 13th. Blackrock Hurling Club, Church Rd., Blackrock, Cork. Kick off 9.30pm. Adm Free. Tel No. 021 4357377

Sandy Kelly at Cork Opera House:  In a two-hour show which included four costume changes, Sandy Kelly proved once again that she is one of our leading artists with a flawless performance in the role of the late great country icon Patsy Cline. Sandy not only acted out the role, sang all the hits of Patsy, but she also acted as narrator for the entire show without missing a beat or a word. This is the 50th Anniversary of the tragic death of Patsy Cline and following a series of successful dates in Ireland, the show moves to England for further dates. This is a very demanding role for Sandy but she handles it with aplomb, and carries it off with the type of expertise that we have come to expect of her. Throughout the tour Sandy is backed by a superb 5 piece band which includes the outstanding Sarah Jory on Steel and vocals. 

TRADITIONAL  COUNTRY  MUSIC

For traditional music - visit three different websites all devoted to different branches of country music.  For the best in country music from the 1920's to the 80's visit myhillbillymusic.com.  This website features mainstream country music including Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jimmie Rodgers, and other legendary singers.  The site also features rarities from "vinyl" by such neglected legends as Carl & Pearl Butler, Hugh X. Lewis, and other great artists... 5000 individual cuts with more being added all the time!  mybluegrassfavorites.com  features the best from the beginning of bluegrass, all the way back to early Bill Monroe.  This site features thousands of cuts by Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Jim & Jesse, and more.  

The only website dedicated to the music of Mountain View, Arkansas is  mymountainviewmusic.com.   This site starts with Jimmy Driftwood and is filled with locally produced music from dozens of artists who have been and still are active in the "Folk Music Capital of the World". 

Dates for your Diary.

Mon. April 1^st. Aidan Quinn & his Band with special guests Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley @ Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

Wed. April 3^rd. A Night of Texas Swing Music @ Josie’s Tavern, Letterkenny.

Thurs. April 4^th. A Night of Texas Swing Music @ The Ardboyne Hotel, Navan.

Mon. April 8^th. Ken Perlman & Michael J.Miles @  Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork.

Sat. April 13^th. Two Time Polka @ Rockies Club, Church Road, Cork City.

April 17 to 26^th. Philomena Begley’s Tennessee Tour & Nashville Tribute Concert.

April 19^th. Eleanor Mc Evoy @ Cork Opera House, Cork City.

April 19/20/21. T.R.Dallas. 3^rd  Music Fest @ Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar. 

Mon. April 22^nd. Skip Gorman & Ron Kane @ Kilworth Arts Centre, Co. Cork.

April 24^th.Birds Of Chicago @ Whelan’s, Dublin City.

April 28^th.  Birds Of Chicago @ De Barra’s Pub, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

April 29^th.  Birds Of Chicago @ The Locke Bar & Restaurant, Limerick City.

April 29^th. Louise Morrissey Celebrates 25 Years in Country Music @ The Minella Hotel, Clonmel, Co.Tipp. with Declan Nerney, Philomena Begley, Jimmy Buckley, Crystal Swing, Morrissey & Daniels. Tickets on Sale @ Hotel  052-6123388.

May 3 – 6.  Kilkenny Roots Festival @ various venues throughout the Marble City.

Mon. May 13^th. Beppe Canbette & Berea B/Grass All-Stars from Kentucky 

                           @ Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork.

May 13^th.  Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell in Concert @ Bord Gais, Dublin City.

May 24^th.  Rackhouse Pilfer with special guest Sandy Kelly @ Rockies Club, Cork.

May 30^th.—June 19^th. Roni Stoneman In Ireland ( See local papers for dates and venues in Dublin, Cork, Tipperary, Mayo and Co. Tyrone.

June 1^st. Steve Earle in concert @ Vicars Street Venue, Dublin City.

June 6/7/8/9. Fan Fair & CMA Country Music Fest in Nashville,TN. 

June 13/14/15/16. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. (If you go to Nashville for Fan Fair, then it’s worth staying on and heading to Bonnaroo.)

June 19^th. Bonnie Raitt @ Vicar Street, Dublin.

June/July: “Live At The Marquee” Fest in Cork.

June 21/22/23. Country In The Kingdom @ The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co.Kerry. Declan Nerney, Louise Morrissey, Mike Denver etc. (Phone 062-63773)

July 1^st to 11^th. Robert Mizzell’s Independence Day Tour to U.S.A. (Full details from Deirdre @ +353-(0)1-8173592.

July 4^th. Kenny Rogers in Concert @ INEC, Killarney. Co. Kerry.

July 4 to 17^th. Gary Ferguson & Kathy Barwick on tour in Ireland. Check local papers for venues etc.

July 7^th. Kenny Rogers in Concert @ INEC, Killarney, Co.Kerry.

Thur. July 11^th. Gary Ferguson & Kathy Barwick @ Rockies Club, Blackrock, Cork.

July 12/13/14.  “Athy In July” 23^rd Bluegrass Fest @ GAA Centre, Athy, Co.Kildare.

July 12^th. Tom Russell @ Monroe’s Backstage Bar, Galway City.

July 13^th. Tom Russell @ The Lodge, Mallow, Co.Cork.

July 13^th. Supergroup Rascal Flatts will pay a visit to the INEC,Killarney, Co. Kerry, for what should prove to be the concert event of the year.

July 14^th. Tom Russell @ Whelan’s Dublin City.

July 18^th. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen in open-air Concert @ Pairc Ui Chaoimh, GAA Stadium, Ballintemple, Cork City.

July 25/26/27/28.   Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambridge, England.

August 6^th to 25^th. Daniel O’Donnell’s Annual Irish Tour. (See local papers for dates)

August 9/10. Daniel O’Donnell in Concert @ Cork Opera House, Cork City.

August 30/31. Annual Bluegrass Festival @ Irish American Folk Park, Omagh.

Sept. 1^st. Annual Bluegrass Festival @ Irish American Folk Park, Omagh.

Sept. 2. Cedar Hill on tour in Ireland. (Full details later on Facebook etc)

Sept. 3^rd to 14^th. Robert Mizzell’s “Let’s Go West” Tour of U.S.A. (Full details from Deirdre @ +353-(0)1-8173592.

Oct.10/11/12/13.  Annual Cork Folk Festival @ many venues throughout the City. (This is now one of the longest established Festival’s in Ireland, and draws huge crowds to the City. Check local papers & website for full details of acts and venues. 

Sept. 15^th to 22^nd. Country Music Holiday in Portugal with Ireland’s top entertainers. Robert Mizzell, Philomena Begley, Mick Flavin & lots more. 062-63773 for details.

Oct. 19/20.  Annual Steel Guitar Festival @ Green Isle Hotel, Dublin City. (One of the best Festivals of it’s kind in Europe, featuring some of the best pickers in the business). Well worth a visit and you can always get a good deal from the hotel.

Oct 19 to 21. 3 Day Tour to Manchester for Shopping & Music. Daniel O’Donnell and Trudi Lalor in Concert. Return Ferry Dublin – Holyhead. (Phone 062-63773).

Nov. 8^th to 18^th. 25^th Annual Tour To TN taking in all the usual spots that country music lovers like to visit such as Graceland, Opryland, Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Dollywood, Grand Ole Opry etc. Full details from 021-4504841, 087-6859895 &  imagepromotions@ eircom.net 

Nov. 22^nd. George Jones’ Final Concert with lots of special guests, @ Bridgestone Arena, Broadway, Downtown Nashville.

 Nov.??  CMA Country Music Awards @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville. (This is the Annual “Oscars” of Country Music, eagerly looked forwarded to by artists and fans alike) Actual date in Nov. will be announced later by the CMA, Nashville.

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