Preston Reed at the Green Room, 28 April

Preston Reed, who has been described as 'the world’s most gifted acoustic guitarist', will be playing live at the Green Room, Holiday Inn Dublin Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Doors @ 8.30 p.m.; admission E17 (E15 if booked in advance). To book, call 01-6703666 or e-mail this link.

Del McCoury Band on Midlands Music Festival

Thanks to Niall Toner for the news that the multiple-award-winning Del McCoury Band will be playing at stage 3 of the Midlands Music Festival, Ballinlough Castle, Athboy, Co. Meath, on Saturday 29 July.

Bluegrass news from the Southern Capital

Kevin Gill reports from Cork:

The Lee Valley String Band return to the scene of the crime

In 1968 the Lee Valley String Band played their first gig in Aghada, Co. Cork. Now, 38 years later, on Friday 5 May, they will return to Aghada. In one of their rare trips outside of Cork city, they will play in the Long Point, Lower Aghada. As Tana will be away on holiday, the guitar role will be filled by Geraldine Gill - no stranger to the Aghada bluegrass fans. The Long Point is a great venue and second home to local band Moonshine and host to great nights by many visiting bands. Expect a late one!!!

Bluegrass radio show shortlisted for Student Media awards

'Rawhide' is known as a fiery Bill Monroe instrumental, and Donal Gill chose this as a fitting name for his one-hour weekly radio show. He started presenting the show in November 2005 and it airs each Wednesday at 11.00 on College Campus Radio 97.4 FM. The show has been shortlisted for this year's Oxygen National Student Media Awards. He has been nominated in the 'Radio Production: Arts & Features' category, which is to be adjudicated by Myles Dungan of RTE. Donal plays a high percentage of bluegrass on each show and also features other related music such as blues, folk, country, and rock. The Evening Echo reported that the show 'has made a major impact' and the Examiner is also writing an article on the nomination. Donal is studying history as part of first-year arts, and applies the research methods and analysis he is learning with great effect to musical history. His enthusiasm and love of music is obviously coming across the airwaves and he seems to have struck a chord with listeners. While extremely knowledgeable about the various styles of music, individual musicians, and the role of various instruments, his presentation style is not overly intellectual or technical. Indeed, it is often quite lighthearted; to quote from a recent programme, 'On what other radio programme would you get a Frank Wakefield tune followed up with a Jethro Tull song?'

Donal's show has much in common with the tune 'Rawhide', as they both share a great deal of drive, personality, and an influential voice. College Campus Radio, his family and friends are all extremely proud of Donal's nomination and we send him our best wishes.

EBMA newsletter and EWOB

The European Bluegrass Music Association's regular e-mail newsletter is being issued more frequently during April and May this year in connection with the annual European World of Bluegrass (EWOB). The EWOB period, which corresponds to the IBMA's International Bluegrass Music Month, centres on the EBMA's EWOB Festival at Voorthuizen, the Netherlands, on 25-7 May, in which Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens and Prison Love will take part. The rest of the current newsletter (with a wide range of info from Europe and the USA), together with full details of EWOB events, can be read on the EBMA website from 25 April.

Clive Collins

Eamonn Quigley forwards the sad news that Clive Collins, a member of the old-time/ folk/ bluegrass community in Ireland for over thirty years, died recently while travelling in Mexico and the United States. Clive, who formerly played fiddle with the Higglers Jug Band and other groups in the Galway area, was found dead - as far as we know, from natural causes - in a house that he had been minding for its owner.

Lismore World Music Club

Niall Toner reports:

I have written with great enthusiam in the recent past about venues like the Airfield Arts Centre, Athlone Folk Club, and Midleton Folk Club, and I am now adding to that illustrious list by reporting on the Niall Toner Band gig at the Lismore World Music Club on Easter Saturday night.

A visit to Lismore can be recommended at any time, even if there was no music involved, and the sight of Lismore Castle as you approach from the Waterford side is just stunning. Add to that the fact that there is a small tapas bar in town that serves superb food at very reasonable prices, and you can begin to see how much this town appeals to me! The World Music Club venue is currently running at Rose's West End Bar, situated, as you might have guessed, at the west end of the town, and utilises a cosy back room which is transformed for live music into a wonderfully warm club room with seating for about 120 people. Candles are on all the tables, and the stage is beautifully lit, with a very interesting hand-painted backdrop featuring various musicians in action. One is immediately given the impression that this is a serious live music venue, and full credit must go to John Collimore and his team for their hard work and dedication. I should have also mentioned that it was very gratifying to walk around the town and see Niall Toner Band posters for the gig in every shop window !

Proof that John and his team had done their work was evident in the fact that at 10.00 p.m. the place was jammed. We played for two and a half hours, a show comprised of 100% original material, with the exception of two Johnny Cash songs during the third encore.The reception from the crowd was just amazing ! I can only describe the evening as a 'musical triumph' which was satisfying in every aspect, and the kind of experience that restores one's faith in the live music business. This is how it should be!

Upcoming shows at the Lismore World Music Club include performances by Chuck Brodsky, the Foghorn String Band, and Geoff Muldaur, and I have no doubt that the Niall Toner Band will be back, and soon...

For further information about the club go to this link or contact John Collimore at 085-7089490.

Vincent Cross's 'My Space' site

Vincent Cross reports:

I have just set up a 'My Space' music site which I can put tunes and videos and photos on. This is the first time I've had some of my material on the internet and so, as you can imagine, I'm a little chuffed. Some of you have my stuff, others haven't, so I thought I would send out a general e-mail. Sorry. I hope to add new and old material on a frequent basis. So I would love to hear back about any suggestions.

Vincent, formerly with the Doblin Bros band in Galway, has been based in Switzerland for some time now. We asked whether he'd made contact with the very active Swiss bluegrass scene.

Yes, I managed to meet up and play and even put on a gig a couple of weeks ago. I was lucky to play with the Sunny Mountain Grass guys, and also the Bluegrass Family; we even did a gig together - I will put up some pictures. Presently, I am still in Switzerland, but my girlfriend is in New York so I have been back and forth three times recently. Great scene over there; I've played in loads of jams. My friend Kimberlee took some photos. Last week I had the chance to play with Chris Thile from Nickel Creek; he was very friendly and encouraging.

Foghorn Stringband tour, 6-14 May

The Foghorn Stringband, the powerful five-piece ensemble from the Portland, Oregon, area, are back for another tour of Ireland with their encyclopaedic repertoire of classic old-time material; their strong sound, honed at plenty of dances; and their three CDs, including the latest, Weiser sunrise. Full details are on the BIB calendar. Note in particular the Fiddle Fair at Baltimore, Co. Cork, on 13 and 14 May.

Roots at the Crane, Galway, 19 April

Pete Lamb reports:

The Listeners Club at the Crane Bar this Wednesday, 19 April, will host another evening of fine acoustic roots music incorporating bluegrass, folk, and Americana, and featuring four musicians who are no strangers to this excellent acoustic venue. On guitar and vocals: Ruth Dillon, who has been a cornerstone of the Crane's reputation for several years now, and needs no introduction to fans of well crafted and exquisitely performed songs. Ably assisting her on guitar and vocals will be Pete Lamb, who will also be performing some original material, along with some flat-picking bluegrass standards. On fiery fiddle is Ivor Ottley, who enjoys a growing reputation as a very hot and versatile player indeed.. And last but by no means least, the naturally gifted multi-instrumentalist Tom Portman on Dobro, who also enjoys a reputation as a dynamic solo performer. These four musicians last came together at the Crane in December '05, when they created quite a buzz, and opened the door for an increasing amount of excellent 'Americana' gigs at this popular roots music venue.

Wed. 19 April the Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway. Doors 9.00 p.m. €7.

Bluegrass lessons and instrument repair

Enda Donnelly sends the following message...

To remind any aspiring or potential bluegrass players that bluegrass lessons for mandolin & guitar recommence following the Easter recess.

Also business as usual for the advice, repair, & setup of guitars, mandolins, & banjos (tenor & 5-string ).

For those who are not aware, I have been in the musical instrument (fretted type) business now for over 15 years - privately, and more recently taking on 'sub-contracts' from various musical retail outlets.

For info., please contact Enda Donnelly @

Landline 01-4943644
Mobile 086-3184127
or this link.

Jack Lawrence in Ireland, 25-9 May (update)

Doc Watson's favourite picking partner, Jack Lawrence from Charlotte, NC, will be playing the following series of dates in Ireland in the last week of May:

Thurs. 25 May: Colfer's Pub, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford; +353 (0)51 561159

Fri. 26 May: House concert, Donaghadee, Co. Down (e-mail oldflattop@ntlworld.com if interested in attending)

Sat. 27 May: The Grandstand, Athy, Co. Kildare; with Mick Hanly; +353 (0)59 862 5266

Sun. 28 May: Palace Loft, Athlone, Co. Westmeath; +353 (0)906 492229

Mon. 29 May: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork; +353 (0)87 792 1771

For more information on this outstanding guitarist, see Nigel Martyn's website or Jack's own site.