Acoustic covers British bluegrass scene

The current issue (#8) of Acoustic, the UK's first and only magazine dedicated solely to acoustic guitars and associated stringed & fretted instruments, includes a survey of the bluegrass scene in Britain, illustrated with photos of the Down County Boys and other UK artists, as well as of Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, and Bela Fleck.

Each issue of Acoustic includes interviews with high-profile performers, in-depth reviews and tests of existing and new acoustic guitar and related products, and instructional columns by some of the world's most noted players. Acoustic compares well in content, design, and production quality with other magazines in this field, is likely to be of special value to musicians on this side of the Atlantic, and should be available through any good newsagents.

Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time in Europe

Cor Sanne of CMS Productions in the Netherlands reports: 'The famed bluegrass singer Larry Cordle and his band Lonesome Standard Time (USA) will be in Holland in mid July. Larry is co-writer of CMA Song of the Year award with "Murder on Music Row", recorded by Alan Jackson and George Strait. The band will be available for selected dates only just prior and/or after 11-14 July 2006. In case you are interested contact our company for conditions. We are proud to represent this great singer/songwriter on an exclusive basis.'

Among the artists managed by CMS Productions are Grand Ole Country, in which Cor performs as lead singer together with the Blue Grass/Hillbilly Boogiemen. Contact Cor either through the CMS website or by this link.

Bluegrass Bios on line

A new online reference resource, prepared especially with broadcasters in mind but useful for anybody, is Wayne Rice's Bluegrass Bios. Wayne (who won the IBMA Bluegrass Broadcaster Award for 1995) says: '... Bluegrass Bios, which I have published in one form or another for quite a few years, is now on the web and you are free to use it for free! The link is here. I hope you like it in this format. I have found it's a lot easier than carrying a notebook with me to the radio station. All of our studios at KSON have internet access, so it's pretty convenient even when on the air. Another plus: I can keep it updated more easily and more quickly. Please e-mail me with any errors or oversights you notice. I would really appreciate your help with that.

'How am I making money on this? Well, I'm not. But I was thinking I might offer some advertisers (record labels, maybe?) the opportunity to help sponsor the site. That would sure help. If you have any ideas, I'm open to anything. Meanwhile, I did it for myself and anyone else who can use it. I hope it's useful to you!'

Bluegrass Bios has also been added to the list of links on the right of the Bluegrass Ireland Blog.

Janet Holmes + Colin Henry on BBC2 NI, 27 Jan.

Colin Henry reports: 'If you can get BBC2 N Ireland, Janet is on this Friday (27 January) on "The Blackstaff sessions" on BBC2 at 10.00 p.m. It was recorded back in November. Such greats as Maura O'Connell, Mary Black, and Gretchen Peters have already featured. Janet does two songs, one of our own and one by Lyle Lovett. I play dobro on one and guitar on the other.'

Acoustic guitar tour, 15-19 Feb.

Nigel Martyn reports that the outstanding Scots guitarist Martin Taylor (described by Pat Metheny as 'one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument', and as 'THE acoustic guitarist of his generation' by Acoustic Guitar magazine) will be touring briefly in Ireland three weeks from now. The dates are:

Wed. 15 Feb. LETTERKENNY, Arts Centre; +353 (0)74 91 29186
Thurs. 16 Feb. MONAGHAN, Market House Arts Centre; +353 (0)47 71114
Sat. 18 Feb. ARMAGH, Marketplace Theatre; +44 (0)28 37 521821
Sun. 19 Feb. BELFAST, Belfast Boat Club. Tickets : Belfast Welcome Centre, +44 (0)28 90 246609.

For full details, biography, photos, and online booking of tickets, go to Nigel's website. No credit card surcharge is made.

Janette Carter

Janette Carter (82), one of three children of Sara and A. P. Carter, and niece of Maybelle Carter, of the original Carter Family, passed away at 6 a.m. (EST) on Sunday 22 January at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN, after several years of chronic illnesses, surgery, and Parkinson's disease. She had been undergoing physical therapy in a rehabilitation facility after a fall in her home on Christmas day 2005, and was taken into intensive care in hospital on Tuesday 17 January. Despite signs of improvement, further surgery was necessary on Saturday, and after the second of two Code Blue events she could not be revived.

Funeral arrangements will be announced. Her daughter, Rita Forrester, says that Janette Carter's objectives, policies, goals, and ambitions will continue as before. These centred on A. P. Carter's last wishes: that the old-time folk and country music of the Appalachians be preserved through live performance. Janette developed her father's general store as a musical venue over several decades into the Carter Family Fold, centerpiece of the non-profit Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Inc. The Saturday night performances are a leading regional visitor attraction.

Janette's lifelong efforts in the preservation and performance of Appalachian music received national and international recognition. Her many awards included an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in October 2002 and the Bess Lomax Hawes award from the National Endowment for the Arts in September 2005. An obituary by Brance Gillihan appears on the Bluegrass Blog.

In October 2005 a party of fifty-three people from Ireland visited the Carter Family Fold and other locations on the Crooked Road Heritage Trail. A news report can be seen at this link. For more details, see the Carter Family Fold website.

Country music festivals & weekends

by Roger Ryan

Country music festivals and weekend breaks are now proving very popular with Irish fans. Nowadays you can choose to spend a weeknd at an hotel at home or travel for a week or so to the States, mainly Nashville, or you may decide to do both. The choice is yours and there are lots of them. If you haven't yet decided on your annual break, then the following list of possible destinations and events may be of interest to you [use this link to the full text].

Airplay for your band's CD

Dee Hallett of the British Bluegrass Music Association reports: 'If you are a UK or Irish band with a CD you'd like given some airplay, then please consider forwarding your album/press kit to Loek Lamers, a DJ with Radio Westfriesland (Netherlands), who hosts a two-hour bluegrass show each week (and has done so for the past twenty years) that can be received by cable in 13 cities and by FM in the greater part of North Holland. Loek, who is on the mailing list of the main record companies, attends the IBMA Convention each year, where he is also provided with the latest CDs by USA independent artistes. However, he does not have ANY music by UK bands... So don't miss this excellent opportunity to promote your music by sending it to Loek Lamers DJ, Radio Westfriesland, Burg. Commnandeurlaan 6, 1687 BH Wognum, Holland.'

Editor's note: Loek is a well known festival organiser and general bluegrass activist in Europe, and can also be e-mailed at this link.

Boxcar Preachers on BBC Radio 2, Sat. 21 Jan.

More from the lively Austin, TX, music scene: for anyone who can receive BBC Radio 2, Bruce L. Gardner of the Boxcar Preachers reports that the band's second CD, Auto-body experience, will get its BBC Radio premiere on the Bob Harris show on Saturday 21 January. Bruce reports: 'We're still working on a tour for August and September to support this CD. We'd love any support you can provide us. Thanks for your time and tune in to Bob's show tomorrow.'

The Boxcar Preachers combine old-time string band music with blues and jug band numbers. Their first CD, Spindletop strike, is still available.

'Homemade hillbilly jam' at Belfast, 23 Feb.

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that the film Homemade hillbilly jam, made by the German director Rick Minnich, will be shown on 23 February at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast (box office: 028 9097 1097). It shows the 'neohillbilly' band Big Smith from the Missouri Ozarks, who combine their inherited old-time music with eclectic instrumentation, and play to tourists in Branson, Missouri. The blurb says: 'Away from the bright lights, Minnich’s beautifully shot film celebrates the Ozark countryside itself and the way music can transcend conflicting attitudes, to bring and hold generations together.' There are some nice old-time photos on the band's website, and the film has a website of its own.

Kimmie Rhodes at Naul, 20 January

Thanks to Sean Mac Philibin for the news that the Texas singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes will be playing at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre at Naul, Co. Dublin, on Friday 20 January.

Born in Lubbock, TX, she has lived in Austin, TX, since 1979, has six albums currently in print, and has either performed or recorded with, or had her songs recorded by, such artists as Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, and Willie Nelson, who calls her 'an undiscovered superstar'. She is also a playwright, actress, and author, has toured several times in the UK and Europe, recently recorded a duet, 'Why should I be lonely, with Irish singer-songwriter star Kieran Goss for his new Rodney Crowell-produced EMI CD 'Blue sky sunrise', and toured Ireland with Kieran in September and October.

Sean and the Centre at Naul have been good friends to touring bluegrass bands, and deserve credit for putting on artists of this calibre.

Rigel mandolin for sale

Nigel Martyn reports that Buddy Merriam, currently touring Ireland with his band Backroads, has a Jethro Burns model Rigel mandolin for sale, and is looking for offers of around US$5,000. Full details of the Jethro model are on the Rigel website; the list price is $6,600. This model has flat sides instead of the characteristic radiused sides of other Rigel mandolins. Contact Buddy via this link or - even better - at one of the remaining shows in the tour (see the calendar).

UK Autoharp Workshop Day, 4 March

Thanks to the Friends Of American Old Time Music And Dance (FOAOTMAD) for the news that the next UK Autoharp Workshop Day is being held on 4 March at Brackensdale School, Walthamstow Drive, Mackworth, Derby, and is open to non-members. Every level of experience or musical taste, absolute beginners, and players of other instruments are welcome. Autoharps will be available on loan for anyone who lets the organisers know in advance.

Tutors: Mike Fenton and Heather Farrell-Roberts. The programme includes classes for beginners and experienced players, a jamming session, and an 'open stage' concert. Please contact Sue Laughton (+44 (0)1963 251026) for more details. There will be another UKA day on 3 June at Harston Village Hall, near Cambridge; details to be confirmed soon. Check the UKA website and/or e-mail Sue Edwards.

Crooked Still

Press release from Brian O'Donovan

Crooked Still, the band the Boston Globe called 'the most important folk group to emerge from Boston' since the 60s, returns to Ireland and Scotland this month for a few select concerts.

Singer Aoife O'Donovan, bluegrass/old-time cellist Rushad Eggleston, banjo-player Greg Liszt, and bassist Corey DiMario return for a concert at Whelan's of Wexford Street, Dublin, on Wednesday 11 January (doors open 8.00 p.m.) before heading cross-country to Sixmilebridge in Clare for their Winter Music Weekend, 13, 14, and 15 January. Then it's across the Irish Sea to Glasgow to play at Celtic Connections on 16, 17, and 18 January before returning to the States.

Fresh from a new record deal with Signature Sounds, Crooked Still are excited about returning again to where they received such a warm welcome and huge audiences during a tour in May. 'Ireland is really fun to tour', said Aoife O'Donovan, who grew up in Boston but summered regularly in Clare and West Cork. 'The audiences seem really open to American traditional music and the feedback for our new take on it has been terrific and so positive.'

Country music festivals & weekends

by Roger Ryan

Country music festivals and weekend breaks are now proving very popular with Irish fans. Nowadays you can choose to spend a weeknd at an hotel at home or travel for a week or so to the States, mainly Nashville, or you may decide to do both. The choice is yours and there are lots of them. If you haven't yet decided on your annual break, then the following list of possible destinations and events may be of interest to you.

Mike Denver has quickly established himself as one of the top acts on the Irish country scene and you can join Mike for an entire weekend at Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, from Feb. 10th to 13th. A choice of weekend packages is available and you can get all details by phoning 07198-41075.

If you fancy spending the Valentine's weekend in a hotel, then the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin, may just have the package you're looking for. From Feb. 16th to 18th, Hugh O'Brien is presenting a Valentine's Country Music Festival, and has lined up some of the top Irish entertainers to perform for you over the weekend. The impressive list is headed up by Robert Mizzell and Mike Denver, and also includes T. R. Dallas, Gene Stuart, Colette Cavanagh, Marty Daniels, Justin McGurk, The Virginian Marie Boyle, Martin Cuff, Off The Cuff Band, Logue & McCool, and a country music disco. Apart from the excellent accomodation and entertainment, I need hardly remind you that the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is a mere five minutes away from the hotel. Ring 021-4504841 and 087-6859895 for full details.

Over the weekend of March 3rd to March 5th, the Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, promises to give you the greatest weekend of the year with a lineup of talent that any promoter would be proud to present. Ireland's top attraction Declan Nerney heads up the impressive list which also boasts The Bards, Mike Denver, Patrick Feeney, T. R. Dallas, Brendan Grace, and (adding an international flavour) the American Drifters. A package including two nights' dinner, B&B, and all entertainment is on offer and you can get details from 09066-34663.

If you fancy some craic and sun for the St Patrick's weekend (March 17th) then Enjoy Travel may have just the tonic for you. Promoted by Gerry Flynn, they are hoping to surpass the 600 figure who attended last year's event. The destination is Malaga and among the acts booked to travel and entertain over the weekend are John McNicholl, James and Brendan Quinn, Dermot Hegarty, P. J. Murrihy, Sharon Turley, Curtis Magee, and Johnny Carroll, etc. Full details from 0044-1254-692899.

Following a very successful inaugural festival trip to Salou last year (which attracted over 300 fans) the Billy Morrissey Management will stage their second Annual Country & Irish Dancing Festival at the 4 Star Regina Grand Hotel, Salou, from Friday May 5th to Friday May 12th. This year's lineup is again top-class and consists of Louise Morrissey, Michael English, John Hogan, Trudi Lalor, Tom Healy, Seabreeze, Nicky Kealy, Denis Cary & Denis Allen, and Tommy's Country Roadshow. The super package includes accommodation, food, poolside entertainment each afternoon, dancing and singing 'til all hours of the morning. This is sure to sell out fast so contact Billy Morrissey at 062-63773 if you are interested in travelling.

Ulster Travel have some very attractives packages on offer this year beginning with an eight-day Country, Rodeo and Linedance Tour departing on Sept. 1st. A similar tour will depart on Nov. 17th and both will visit Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville. On Sept. 25th and Nov. 6th the same company will depart for a ten-day escorted tour of Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Dollywood, taking in Sun Studios, Graceland, Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, and lots of shopping. Ring 048-87722985 for details.

Mick Flavin fans are looking forward to spending some time with their hero for the Ultimate Country Tour to Tennessee from Sept 4th to Sept 14th. While Mick has visited Nashville etc many times on his own, this will be the first time that he has taken a group of his fans with him, and he has promised that it will be a trip to remember for them. Apart from visiting all the usual spots in Nashville, Mick will also be entertaining his fans and has lined up some of his friends in Nashville to come out and say hello and maybe sing a song or two. Contact Eugene on 086-8035558 and he will be only too pleased to fill you in on all the details of this exciting trip.

Louisiana-born Robert Mizzell, who has now established himself as one of the top entertainers on the Irish country music scene, is always happy to take a group of his fans back to his homeland and show them some of the sights associated with country music. From the end of Oct. until Nov. 6th Robert will head up a tour of Nashville, Tennessee which he promises will include music, shopping, and a river cruise. Contact Drift Away Travel for full details at 074-9124633.

Cork-based promoter Hugh O'Brien is a well known figure around Nashville now, due to the fact that he has been organising tours to that popular country music mecca for quite some time. Come November Hugh will embark on his tenth tour to Nashville, and proof of the popularity of his annual trips is the fact that a lot of people are making their second and third trip to Nashville with him. The tour will depart on Nov. 1st and return on Nov. 11th, and during that time will visit all the usual attractions in Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, etc. You will also get the opportunity to visit three of the biggest shopping malls in the States. Ring 021-4504841 or 087-6859895 for details of this pre-Christmas trip.

Buddy Merriam tour update (new version)

Please note that a number of dates have been added to the tour by Buddy Merriam & Backroads (USA) which begins on 12 January and comprises eighteen shows in this island, as well as some in Britain. The new dates include shows in Culdaff, Co. Donegal, Dublin, Kilkenny city, Limerick, Galway, and Ballybay, Co. Monaghan. In addition, there is a confirmed venue for the Belmullet show, and the final show of the tour will be in Belfast instead of Naul. This fine band will almost certainly be playing within easy reach of you. For further information, see Nigel Martyn's website, to which there is a link on the Bluegrass Ireland Blog.

If you receive the Bluegrass Ireland newsletter, please note that the Dec. 2005/Jan. 2006 issue was up to date at the time of going to press, but needs revision as far as the last two dates are concerned.

Another calendar

6 January is Earl Scruggs's birthday; 7 January is Gary Ferguson's birthday; and these two dates also saw the deaths of two great fiddlers, Chubby Wise (1996) and Buck Ryan (1982). Thanks to Copper Creek's Bluegrass Calendar for hundreds of other pieces of information of this kind. Thanks to Gary Ferguson, however, for the news that 6 January is also the birthday of Gail Wade, whose tour with Gary last year included the Athy Festival.

Bluegrass on BBC World Service

Thanks to Kevin Lynch of TrueGrass and the Connecticut Bluegrass Music Association for the following news:

'Just received this information from Ruth Oxenberg (film producer/ journalist): Premiere of "Destination Music" series, featuring the Grey Fox Festival in New York: BBC World, Fri. 6 Jan. at 20:30 GMT. Repeated:

Sun. 8 Jan. 01:30 GMT
Mon. 9 Jan. 09:30 GMT
Tues. 10 Jan. 16:30 GMT
Wed. 11 Jan. 02:30 GMT'

Kevin presents 'U-H Radio Bluegrass' on WWUH Radio 91.3FM, which is now in its thirty-sixth year, every Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (EST). Correspondence, CDs, etc. can be sent to him at this address:
WWUH Radio
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
attn: BLUEGRASS

Alison Brown in Dublin, 15 January

Alison Brown, one of the most eclectic, imaginative, and tasteful banjo players anywhere, will be performing with the Alison Brown Quartet in Whelan's, Dublin, on Sunday 15 January at 8.00 p.m. This is part of a brief tour of these islands, including appearances in Glasgow on 17 and 29 January in the 'Celtic connections' series of events.

She is also the founder of the Nashville-based label Compass Records, which features a wide range of acoustic musics; recent releases include albums by Paul Brady, Kate Rusby, Aly Bain, and Sharon Shannon. Alison's latest CD, Stolen moments (Compass CD-4400), was released last April.

Hanway's Hootenanny: every Tuesday in Longford

by Tom Hanway

I have started a weekly Tuesday night pickin' and grinnin' session, where I play banjo and guitar and sing the good ol' stuff. I put the brakes on the Hootenanny in Dublin and moved it to Longford, where I am now hosting a bluegrass/Americana jam, open to all pickers and singers - the usual suspects and special guests.

'Hanway’s Hootenanny' takes place every Tuesday night at The Stillery, Richmond Street, Longford, 8.30 p.m. It's a fantastic room, acoustically, with semi-circle seating facing the bar and an appreciative audience who clap after songs. With a lovely fireplace and no TV or radio distractions, it's a picker's delight. The staff and customers are into the bluegrass and 'O Brother'-style music.

I've been working up some Scruggs tunes and some old fiddle tunes, e.g. 'Crazy creek' (without a capo). Also 'Caravan' and 'Avalon', 'Limehouse blues', 'Bye, bye blues', et al.

Visits by country artists: UPDATE

Thanks to Gerry Fitzpatrick for the news that the alt.country band Kevin Montgomery & the Road Trippers will tour Ireland in early January, playing at Whelan's, Dublin (3 Jan.), the Moving Stairs, Boyle (4 Jan.), Barry's, Sligo (5 Jan.), the Spirit Store, Dundalk (6 Jan.), and the Errigle Inn, Belfast (7 Jan.). For more info, see this link. Gerry adds: 'The band will feature a star-studded lineup including Grammy-award-winning Al Perkins, pedal steel (Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers); Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin (the Mavericks), bass and drums; and Mike McAdam, guitar (Steve Earle & the Dukes, Radney Foster).'

Special guests appearing only at the Whelan's show on 3 Jan. will be the Dublin-based acoustic folk and country outfit, the Sick and Indigent Song Club: Gary Fitzpatrick, vocals, guitar; Angie McLoughlin, vocals, ukulele; Shane McGrath, vocals, mandolin; Christian Volkman, harmonica, bass; Sheila Sullivan, fiddle; and Gerry Fitzpatrick, dobro.

You can hear the Sick and Indigent Song Club perform a selection from their eclectic repertoire of songs from 9.30 p.m. every Monday at the Ha'penny Bridge Inn, 42 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2 (admission free).

Thanks also to Roger Ryan for the news that country artists Diercks Bentley and Jace Everett play at Whelan's, Dublin, on 16 Jan. as part of a tour of these islands. Roger also reports that Cork city has a new country music venue: the Deanrock in Togher presents Tony Stevens and his band on 'Women's little Christmas' (6 Jan.), and leading Irish country bands every Thursday from 9 Feb. to 6 Apr.