Christmas good wishes from Belfast

Bill Andrews of Belfast sends the following message:

May I wish all the old friends that we have met through the years at Athy Bluegrass Festival, and through the Festival, the very best of wishes for Christmas and the New Year of 2006. I hope Santa brings everyone a great Bluegrass season in 2006 !

Very best wishes to all,

BILL, IRENE, and SANDRA

Bill Monroe for Christmas

Jim Moss's electronic bluegrass newsletter reports that his website now features a transcribed interview with Jim Peva (see post below, 'Bill Monroe stamp campaign continues') and Roland White (Kentucky Colonels, Blue Grass Boys, Country Gazette, Nashville Bluegrass Band, etc.), together with a short 7 meg mp3 file of a recording made at Jim Peva's house on 14 December 1968. After dinner Bill Monroe, Roland, Kenny Baker, and Birch Monroe got out their instruments and played 'Christmas time's a-comin'', 'A beautiful life', and 'Big Sandy River'. Find out why there's no banjo in the interview at this link. While you're there, sample the other goodies on Jim Moss's site.

Bill Monroe stamp campaign continues

By Jim Peva

In 2006, there will be 14 individuals honored by commemorative postage stamps who died between the years of 1952 and 1995. Under the guidelines of the Postal Service a person must be deceased for at least 10 years to be eligible for the honor. Technically, Bill Monroe would have been eligible, because he passed away on September 9, 1996. I know we are all disappointed that Bill was not selected by the committee, but as I review the successful candidates, I believe he still has a good chance of receiving the honor in the future if we all keep the campaign moving. The successful candidates are:

Hattie McDaniel (actress, 1895-1952); Sugar Ray Robinson (boxer, 1921-89); Katherine Anne Porter (author, 1890-1980); Hiram Bingham IV (diplomat, 1903-88); Francis E. Willis (diplomat, 1899-1983); Robert D. Murphy (diplomat, 1894-1978); Clifton R. Wharton (diplomat, 1899-1990); Charles E. Bohlen (diplomat, 1904-74); Philip C. Habib (diplomat, 1920-92); Judy Garland (singer/actress, 1922-69); Roy Campanella (baseball, 1921-93); Hank Greenberg (baseball, 1911-86); Mickey Mantle (baseball, 1931-95); and Mel Ott (baseball, 1909-58). If one excludes the 6 diplomats and 4 baseball Hall of Famers (categories in which Bill Monroe would not have been eligible in any event), there are only 4 others who received the honor, i.e. Hattie McDaniel, Sugar Ray Robinson, Katherine Anne Porter, and Judy Garland.

The other categories in which stamps were awarded varied from comic superheroes to motorcycles to quilts to wonders of America, etc., etc., categories not including recently living human beings, but all viewed by the Postal Service as 'American icons'. I urge all of you who believe that Bill Monroe is worthy of being recognized by the Postal Service as an 'American icon', to join with me in continuing the effort to get him a commemorative postage stamp. Thank you.

Jim Peva, friend of Bill Monroe since 1961, is the prime mover of the stamp campaign.

Earl Scruggs: update

Earl Scruggs (81), father of bluegrass banjo, is reported to be well recovered from the effects of his fall from the stage at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on 26 November, where he had finished his set at the 36th Annual South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival. Earl sustained a cut over his eye which required twelve stitches. An account of the original incident, by Paul Nelson in the local Sun News, is on the web at this link.

New bluegrass radio show in Cork

By Kevin Gill

Donal Gill has started a new bluegrass radio show here in Cork. He is a first-year student in UCC and pitched the possibility of presenting a bluegrass show to College Campus Radio. At first they offered him a half-hour slot, but recently they have extended this to a one-hour show. He has received good feedback and it is great to know that young students, and the general public, are getting a chance to hear a style of music that is broadly ignored by broadcasters in Ireland. The programme is called 'Rawhide' and at present goes out every Wednesday at 11.00 a.m. until noon on 97.4FM. Be sure to tune in if you live in Cork or are just passing through. Donal trained in presenting radio shows on 'Bluegrass & Beyond', a one-and-a-half-hour show on CUHFM, and provides excellent backup when Kevin Gill is unable to man this show. As a musician, Donal plays mandolin and guitar; he brings a good insight and understanding of bluegrass music and presents a very informative and exciting show. Long may it last.

Two Time Polka/ Americana session in Cork

Our calendar for events between now and early February includes half a dozen dates after Christmas day by the Cork-based band Two Time Polka, who play for dances, using electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, washboard, and squeeze-boxes, and a wide-ranging repertoire with a strong Cajun element. They belong on the 'Bluegrass Ireland' calendar because they also love the music of Bill Monroe and play it with appropriate guts and intensity. Formed in 1994, they've played on many festivals here outside the bluegrass circuit; in July and August 2005 they also played in northern Italy, at the Paulusfeesten at Ostend, Belgium, and several concerts in Chicago, Peoria, and Woodstock, Illinois, one of which was taped for future release on DVD.

Ray Barron (who contributes the strong mandolin and fiddle work in Two Time Polka and also plays for Bone Idol) and Hank Wedel (guitar; of Open Kitchen and Princes Street) have a regular roots music session every Monday night at Charlie's Bar, Union Quay, which has been going since 1993 and is an institution in Cork city. Their press release says: 'The atmosphere of the gig is one of relaxed conviviality and experimentation. Many musicians from far and wide, playing everything from saxophones to sitars, singer/songwriters, some very well known, some up and coming, have sat in with Hank and Ray on a Monday night in Charlie's.' They’ve toured Ireland, Europe, and the USA, and have released an album, Where the bottles break, reflecting their interest in roots music and quality songwriting; the eleven tracks include songs by John Prine, Noel Brazil, and John Gorka.

Thanks to Roger Ryan, Kevin Gill, Brendan Butler, and Ray Barron for information.

Bill Wright

Tony O'Brien sends the sad news that Bill Wright, father of Liam Wright (singer and lead guitar player with Woodbine) and of Joan O'Brien, passed away at 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday 7 December, after a long illness. We send our deepest condolences.

Colin Henry, Janet Holmes, and Northern Exposure at Rathfriland

Colin Henry reports: 'I had some great fun last Friday night [2 December]. Janet was on the same bill as Northern Exposure (and Clive Gregson) at Rathfriland, Co. Down. Pete Toman asked me up during their set to play dobro on two tunes with them. They are a really great band, and though I hadn't played bluegrass live for a few years, they let me play. Jonathan Toman, one of my favorite banjo pickers, played "Foggy Mountain breakdown" at a truly bluegrass speed and I had a job just getting out of the root chord to follow him. I had said to Pete beforehand that it would take me at least three-quarters of an hour playing to get back into it, but I think I should amend that to a few months at that speed. They are a great band to listen to and really know how to choose a good tune, and as I listened to them I said to Janet that this was why I loved the music; truly magic.

By the way, the "Blackstaff Sessions" has just started on BBC2 on Friday nights. This is the show that Janet recorded some tines for a couple of months ago. Not sure what show she is on yet but I will let you know.'

Belfast-Nashville Songwriters' Festival, Feb. 2006

The November issue of The Ulster Scot carried a feature on this, but we've only just heard the news and the deadline is less than a week away: the Belfast-Nashville Songwriters' Festival will take place in the Hilton Hotel, Belfast, on 22-26 February. Special prizes are offered for the best love song in English, Irish, or Ulster Scots; the prizes include Avalon guitars. Forms are available from Marcus Music, Royal Avenue, Belfast, or the link above; entries must be in by 15 December.

The same issue of the paper carried two large features on visits to Tennessee, each of them with a musical dimension.

Nickel Creek: two shows in Ireland, Feb. 2006

Thanks to Cathal Cusack and Aran Sheehan for the news that Nickel Creek will be playing at the Roisin Dubh in Galway on Sunday 12 February and at Crawdaddy (The POD) in Dublin on Monday 13 February 2006, as part of a two-week tour of these islands; full tour details on the band's unofficial UK fan site, www.nickelcreek.co.uk. Tickets are €25.00, available from Ticketmaster. Aran adds: 'I reckon any mandolin enthusiasts will not want to miss the opportunity of hearing Chris Thile perform his magic.'

By that time, the new duet album of Chris Thile and Mike Marshall will be in the shops. A Kentucky F-model mandolin, autographed by all Nickel Creek members, is now for auction on e-bay, all proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross and Katrina victims.

European Bluegrass Directory, 2006/7

On behalf of the European Bluegrass Music Association, Thierry Schoysman of Belgium is compiling material for the next edition of the European Bluegrass Directory, which will appear in the spring of 2006. Thierry writes:
'Dear bluegrasser,
Every two years the EBMA edits a directory containing useful bluegrass contacts in Europe: bands, clubs, festivals, luthiers, promoters, radios, associations, publications... It is now time to prepare the 2006 update. I'm looking for people in every European country who can help updating the data of his region. The idea is to start from the data of last issue. I have those in excel files in which you can update, add, and delete the data you know. If you're interested in helping, reply to this message. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!'

The European Bluegrass Directory is an unrivalled guide to bluegrass resources in Europe, and deserves every support in making it as comprehensive as possible.

Niall in Nashville

Mark Wingate, David Lege, and Niall Toner at an inter-national pickin' party at the home of Barry and Holly Tashian during the IBMA's World of Bluegrass in Nashville, Oct. 2005. Photo by courtesy of Roger Ryan, founding member and president of the Country Music Association of Ireland. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Thanks also to Gary Ferguson, who writes: 'I enjoyed the picture of David Lege with Niall. David is an old friend of mine from way back in the '80s. I met him in Owensboro in 1989. He is a Civil War re-enactor. Great guy, great guitar player, and his wife Patty sings like a bird. I've stayed in their log cabin in Pegram, right outside of Nashville, before; had a great picking session.' Gary's tour of Ireland with Gail Wade last summer worked out so well that he is now finalising one (with David Miner) for 26 June - 17 July 2006. To book Gary and David, contact Gary through this link.

Dominic Stratton

Thanks to Tony Curran for this photo of Dominic from his archives.

Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration '06

Lynwood Lunsford, former banjo-player with Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys and the James King Band, and now with the Misty Valley Boys, reports:

I can't find adequate words to describe the aura that surrounded this wonderful event! Taking place on 'Ground Zero' for bluegrass music, the birthplace of Bill Monroe, the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration is fast becoming THE bluegrass festival of the 21st century! I am quite certain that Bill Monroe would be extremely proud of what this event has grown to be, in the short five years that it has been in existence. With the tireless work of Julie and Campbell Mercer and all the folks associated with the Monroe Foundation, the future of bluegrass music, as its creator Bill Monroe envisioned it, is on solid ground!

For folks that haven't attended the event yet (and you are quickly becoming the minority!), the main stage is situated just a stone's throw away from the back of the Monroe homeplace. Under the direction of the Monroe Foundation, the house was completely restored to its original condition and appearance and opened to the public in 2001. Tours are offered to the public and many people feel there is a spirituality that permeates the dwelling, after taking one of the guided tours. It is quite easy to imagine Uncle Pen sitting next to the fireplace, filling the room with the sounds of his old-time fiddle and planting the seeds in the mind of the young Bill Monroe that would later grow to create what we know today as bluegrass!

What a difference TV makes! Since the RFD-TV channel started carrying the Cumberland Highlanders (the band that Campbell Mercer heads up, along with ex-Blue Grass Boy, Wayne Lewis) show, the Bill Monroe homeplace, Rosine, KY, and the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration have been seen by countless numbers of people, worldwide! Attendance to the festival, for the past couple of years would certainly bear this out. Campbell Mercer estimates that about 9,000 people came through the gates during the 4-day event this year! That was a growth of 82% over the 2005 festival attendance, which in turn grew by 80% over the 2004 attendance!

An informal poll of the audience was conducted by the Monroe Foundation and it was determined that 95% of the attendees were there because they had seen the Cumberland Highlanders' TV show on the RFD-TV channel! It certainly seems that the partnership between RFD-TV, the Monroe Foundation and the bluegrass industry, is paying big dividends for all involved!

There has been much discussion recently about bluegrass music and the direction that it has taken. It would seem that, in some ways, bluegrass music has followed the same path as country music. The mere definition of bluegrass is more blurred now than ever before. For those folks who might feel that bluegrass music, at least the kind that we grew up on, is dead or maybe is no longer 'in', I urge you to attend the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration! This festival is quickly becoming the Mecca of bluegrass music that sounds like the music we grew up on and love! Whether the bands are considered professionals (Ralph Stanley, Larry Sparks) or more locally famous (Larry Fuller, Tommy Brown), each one leaves no doubt in the minds of the audience about what kind of music is being performed. And quite often the audience gets to see combinations of musicians (some pro, some not, some old, some young, some locals, and some from foreign countries) perform together in impromptu jams on stage, all with a reverence for the music called bluegrass and in honor of Bill Monroe! It is something that cannot be adequately described; it has to be experienced!

If the last three years are any indication of what the future holds for the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration, the 2007 festival may leap to the forefront of being one of the largest bluegrass festivals in the entire country! With the unbelievable success of the RFD-TV channel and the fact that it has become a conduit for exposing folks to bluegrass music for the first time (via the Cumberland Highlanders' show), I feel confident that this great event, and the bluegrass genre itself, are poised for a growth burst like has never been experienced before! I know I'll be there next year and I sure hope you will too!

BIB editor's note: I was at the Celebration for two days in 2004; the unique setting, the great atmosphere, and the stream of solidly traditional bands on stage made it a powerful experience. Hopes were being expressed then that it would become a much bigger festival, and from Niall Toner's account of his experience there in 2005, followed by the above, it seems to be well on the way.

Maiden City Festival bows out for 2006

Tony Curran reports:

Please note the attached link for immediate posting to the BIB.

We have also received through Frank Galligan, who has all our sympathy, the following press release

The organisers of the Maiden City Festival have decided to bring the curtain down on the Festival for 2006. Urgent attention needs to be addressed towards a clear and agreed framework for funding that removes the eleventh-hour funding crisis that has defeated and demoralised the Festival team this year. This requires conclusive attention in the autumn if there is to be a Maiden City Festival in 2007 and beyond. A few events will be held in 2006 during the week before the 12th August but not as Maiden City Festival activity.

David Hoey, who works with the Festival, says:

'We have spent the past three to four months trying to secure funding for 2006. Our three-year forward plans contained the most exciting, innovative ideas that stretched the Festival into new and imaginative fields without a huge amount of additional cost over that period. At the outset we were hugely optimistic about the future of the Maiden City Festival, now matched by our enormous disappointment at having to call it a day for 2006.

'The Maiden City Festival has fallen foul of petty bureaucracy and technocratic bun-fighting between, and internal to, agencies and government departments. In the end, three to four months of being told how we had provided more than enough information and how the Festival must happen, has still left us with three weeks to organise the Festival without funding security for the event. The Festival is about building bridges, and all we could see in the future was a battle that was not of our choosing, in which we were only a third party caught in the cross-fire. We are not prepared to take the risk of proceeding with a Festival simply to do "something" and end up with a patched-up programme that weakens the Festival brand.

'Any resolution on Festival funding should be completed by the autumn to have any hope of reviving and relaunching a renewed and reinvigorated Maiden City Festival in 2007. Without a clear and defined framework for funding, flexible enough to accommodate the various approaches to Festival organisation, we simply do not see a way forward for future years.'

William Moore, Festival Coordinator, adds: 'This year there will be a few events organised in the run-up to 12th August. These are events that are largely self-financing or where we have had to secure a long-term booking. We would hope that these will be supported even without a Maiden City Festival.

'It is with huge regret that we have had to put a brake on the Maiden City Festival, after eight years of working hard to build something positive in Londonderry. We had managed to create a unique experience in the summer months, a Festival which provided something for everyone, that brought all communities together, that started the work of building improved community relations in the City.

'The Maiden City Festival provided the backdrop to a broadly peaceful couple of months here in the City. There was more work to do, but that may now be for others to complete.

'For 2006, we would sincerely thank both Derry City Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs (RoI), Board Members of the Ulster Scots Agency, and all those individuals who gave us unqualified support in funding and in the battle to conclude our funding applications.

'We would like to thank all those who have worked with the Maiden City Festival over the years. There really are too many to mention, but particular thanks to the Playhouse, the Verbal Arts Centre, Frank Galligan, Dean William Morton and St Columb's Cathedral, Bready Ulster Scots, City Tours and Martin McCrossan, the Foyleside shopping centre, the Irish Peace Institute, the Context Gallery, Friends of Prehen House, Foyle Search and Rescue, Radio Foyle, Q102, all the newspapers in the north-west especially the Sentinel, the Journal, and the News, the print and broadcast media based in Londonderry, and the many, many other individuals and groups who freely gave of their time, commitment, and enthusiasm for our Festival week. We’d like to sincerely thank all the musicians, writers, singers, and participants from here in the City, in Northern Ireland, from the rest of Ireland, from the rest of the United Kingdom and from all around the world, who made the Festival such a success.

'All that remains for us to do, on behalf of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Maiden City Festival Committee, is to thank everyone for the opportunity to contribute positively to the life and the future of the City of Londonderry, to the town we all love. We sincerely hope that all our work will not be wasted and that the Maiden City Festival is only leaving the stage for an interval and that 2006 is not the final curtain.'

For further contact ring David Hoey on 077 8590 6966 or William Moore on 028 7134 9250

CD releases

East Public Relations announce two new releases: The grass I grew up on, by Marty Raybon and his band Full Circle, and Williams & Clark Expedition, by the band of the same name, with Marty Raybon and Rhonda Vincent guesting on it. Marty Raybon is a candidate for nomination for the IBMA's Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year awards this year (your editor is prepared to back him for practically any award); the Expedition were nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2005 and are up for the same award this year, so both these releases are significant.

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After years of requests from fans, the Del McCoury Band has recorded its first ever all-gospel album, The promised land. This new release hit the stores on 13 June.

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Rounder Records Europe announce two new bluegrass releases: Claire Lynch's New day (RRCD 563) and Mark Schatz's Steppin' in the boiler house (RRCD 559). Rhonda Vincent's new Rounder album, All American bluegrass girl, was released in the US on 23 May, with an impressive cover photo of Rhonda.

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The new CD Get along girl by Casey & Chris Henry can now be ordered online from the Murphy Method (the fastest way); online from CD Baby; or by mail - send $15 plus $1.50 shipping to Casey and Chris and the Two-Stringers, P.O. Box 160474, Nashville, TN 37216. Also available ONLY by mail is a special edition 11" x 17" poster of the picture from the front of the CD for $5 plus $3 shipping (autographed, if requested). Casey & Chris add: 'After you've listened to the CD... go to CD Baby and write your own review of it, or e-mail us and tell us what you think. Some of those reviews will make their way to our website.'

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Tom Travis reports that on 20 March Proper Music Distribution released his album Rootin' for roots (Redeye Acoustic Records REDB 1008 RR), featuring Tom himself (guitar, lead vocals), Martin Styles (banjo) (now a well known member of the Cork scene) Chris Wing (mandolin), and Clive Rees (bass). Other leading UK pickers appearing as guests are Pete Parker (fiddle) of the Down County Boys, and Bob Armstrong (dobro) of the Acme Band. The album celebrates Tom's early influences and features the music of the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Mel Tillis, John Prine, and others.

The album was originally recorded in 1987 but remained unreleased. Recently, when reissuing his 1984 album A pick from the bunch, Tom added bonus tracks from Rootin' for roots; in response to inquiries, he had a few more copies of R for r made and sold them on gigs. The next thing Tom knew, the album had received a 4-star review in Maverick magazine. An official release resulted, and Rootin' for roots is now available from all good record stores and on line from Amazon UK.

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Lonesome Day Records announces that the single 'Time' by Lou Reid and Carolina climbed to the #1 spot on Bluegrass Unlimited magazine's Top Single chart, and the album Time climbed to #2. The title cut includes Lou Reid, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Harold Nixon, Ron Stewart, and Randy Kohrs. Other guests on the album include Jerry Douglas, James Mitchell, and Chris Wood. Lou Reid and Carolina will make their debut on 28 April on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Reid's career includes membership of Doyle Lawson's original Quicksilver, and of Ricky Skaggs's band; he has also performed with Bill Monroe, Keith Whitley, and many more, and still performs dates with the Seldom Scene and the award-winning group Longview.

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The Earl Brothers band have just released a new CD of all-original material, Troubles to blame, and will be touring in the north-eastern USA from 31 March to 15 April to launch it. You can hear MP3 samples at this link or on their website.

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Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, multiple IBMA award-winners and headliners at the Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at Omagh this coming September, have released their latest gospel album, He lives in me (Horizon HR 10752). The sleeve notes include the words to all twelve songs.

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Bryan Sutton's new CD, Not too far from the tree, was released by Sugar Hill on 14 March. Sutton, who was voted IBMA Guitar Player of the Year for 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2005, says: 'I got this idea of recording with these guys that were my heroes and also good buddies and advice-givers.' The result is a collection of duets with Russ Barenberg, Norman Blake, Dan Crary, Jerry Douglas, David Grier, Jack Lawrence, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, George Shuffler, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Sutton, and Doc Watson.

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The Mission Mountain Wood Band from Montana announce the new 5-CD compilation Private stash: the collector's edition, comprising 79 previously unreleased live and studio tracks, a 75-minute film documentary on DVD, and accompanying booklet. The music dates from 1972 to 1979 and has a strong country-rock/folk-rock flavour.

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On 21 March Heartache & hope, the new TrakTone Records CD by Pine Mountain Railroad, will be in the shops. Songs on the album are concerned with struggles, trials, and the resilient human spirit. Missy Raines produced it and is among the guest artists, together with Stuart Duncan, Sonya Isaacs, and Ben Isaacs.

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On 14 February Rounder Records released Take me back, the new CD by April Verch, fiddler, singer, and step-dancer from the Ottawa Valley. Recorded in Louisiana and produced by Dirk Powell, the album shows April's mastery of different fiddle traditions, together with her interpretations of more contemporary influences, including songs by Claire Lynch and Missy Raines. April has a fresh new website; at present there's no video footage, which is a pity, because you really need to see her dance.


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More for mandolinists: on 7 March David Grisman’s Acoustic Disc Records label releases Stomp, the new duet album by Mike Compton and David Long: 'a moving musical odyssey through the "pre-bluegrass" rural deep south', including four Bill Monroe compositions, played by two of the keenest students of Monroe's music.

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The new Gibson Brothers album Red letter day was released on 24 January on Sugar Hill Records. 'To say they've got the classic brother duet thing down is an understatement; they own it' - Michael Eck, No Depression magazine.

Their previous CDs Long way back home and Bona fide are also available. People in Dublin may recall having seen a big reproduction of the cover picture of Bona fide in the window of the Celtic Note shop on Nassau Street.

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For mandolinists: Butch Baldassari announces bargain prices on three of his earlier albums; a special package deal on his two new CDs, Appalachian mandolin & dulcimer and Mandolin hymns; and a new line in mandolin ring tones for your mobile phone. More details on Butch's website.