International Bluegrass Music Museum becomes truly international

Press release:

Owensboro, KY, 25 August 2006: Tens of millions of people worldwide now call themselves bluegrass fans, and 75 nations report having professional bluegrass bands indigenous to their countries. As worldwide interest in bluegrass music rapidly escalates, the International Bluegrass Music Museum is implementing multilingual signage in seven major languages. The front door welcomes visitors in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Czech, and Japanese. Other signs throughout the museum translate information for foreign guests, and the Museum's Self-Guided Tour has been translated into Japanese and Czech in its entirety. Translations for the other languages are in the works. In keeping with IBMM's mission to make bluegrass music accessible to a global fan base, the museum seeks to be more hospitable to its international visitors and enhance their experience.

This project, long in the planning stages, was given a major boost when Leslie Hast, a summer intern at the museum, volunteered to spearhead its implementation. Ms Hast, a junior English major at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, has studied both Spanish and French. Two Centre professors, David Slade and Karin Ciholas, advised Hast on the Spanish, French, German and Italian translations. Toru and Ikuko Okuno of Yokohama-Shi, Kanagawa-Prii provided the Japanese translations, and Olomouc resident Vendula Jaburkova, translator for the Czech Republic's bluegrass band Hermanek, supplied the Czech translations.

At ROMP, the museum's annual mega-bluegrass celebration held during the Memorial Day Weekend, five international bands were among 42 featured acts: Hermanek (Czech Republic), Bluegrass 45 (Japan), the Abrams Brothers (Ontario), the Kruger Brothers (natives of Switzerland), and John Reischman & The Jaybirds (British Columbia).

Also during ROMP, the museum opened a new exhibit - 'The History of Bluegrass in Europe and Japan.' Part I showcases bluegrass publications, posters, and other paper memorabilia from all over the world in many languages; visitors follow a narrative that describes how bluegrass music reached all corners of the globe. In this cumulative three-year exhibit, Part #II will focus on international bluegrass festivals, and Part #III will feature bluegrass instruments from around the world. Each new addition to the exhibit will open at ROMP.

A website translation into seven different languages is in the works. Keep checking the IBMM website for updates.

For more information call Mike Lawing at (270) 926-7891

Gabrielle Gray, Executive Director, International Bluegrass Music Museum

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens at IBMA in Nashville

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens send the following schedule of their appearances at the IBMA's World of Bluegrass (Business Conference, Awards Show, & Fan Fest) in Nashville, TN:

Mon. 25th:

* 11.00 - 11.30 p.m. Virginia Association Suite, room NCC109
* 12.30 - 1.00 a.m. Indiana Bluegrass Association Suite, room 110/111
* 1.30 - 2.00 a.m. Colorado Bluegrass Music Society Suite

Tues. 26th:

* 11.45 - 12.05 a.m. International Suite, Renaissance Hotel, Belmont 3
* 12.45 - 1.15 a.m. Bronzewound Suite, room 107

Wed. 27th:

* 9.00 - 9.30 p.m. Main Showcase, Convention Centre
* 11.45 - 12.05 a.m. International Suite, Renaissance Hotel, Belmont 3
* 12.45 - 1.15 a.m. Colorado Case Company Suite, room 105/106

Thurs. 28th:

The 17th International Bluegrass Music Awards Show at the Grand Ole Opry House

Fri. 29th:

Sat. 30th:

* 11.00 - 11.20 a.m., Bluegrass Fan Fest, Main Stage

BIB editor's note: Runaway, the first CD by Carmel & the Ravens, which came out a year ago, has been warmly reviewed in the August issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine: 'It's easy to understand why [they're #1 European Bluegrass Band 2005]. The group's musicianship is impeccable, they write enjoyable songs, and Carmel Sheerin is an especially gifted vocalist whose distinctive style ranges from husky to high-powered... she's one of those talents who will still be fresh after many listenings... This is a thoroughly delightful disc...'

IBMA in Nashville: the international presence

Dick Kimmel, chairman of the IBMA's International Committee, sends the following:

Important announcement for all International (non-US) attendees at the 2006 World of Bluegrass:

There will be an International Meeting as follows:

DATE: Tuesday, 26 September
TIME: 2:30 – 4.00 p.m.
PLACE: Room 107 – Nashville Convention Center

This meeting is open to all International attendees. It provides an opportunity for you to share and learn what is happening with bluegrass in different parts of the world, bring your suggestions on how IBMA can better support bluegrass in your country, and to get to know other international attendees and IBMA's leaders in the international bluegrass community.

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND
YOUR INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS GATHERING

************

Among the many evening showcases at IBMA, the schedule in the International Suite, organised by the European Bluegrass Music Association, stands at present as follows:

Tuesday 26 September

22:45-23:05 Abrams Brothers (Canada)

23:05-23:25 Downhill Bluegrass Band (Sweden)

23:25-23:45 April Verch Band (Canada)

23:45-00:05 Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens (Ireland)

00:05-00:25 Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin (USA/Germany)

00:25-00:45 Foggy Hogtown Band (Canada)

00:45-01:05 OPEN

01:05-01:25 OPEN

Wednesday 27 September

22:45-23:05 Abrams Brothers (Canada)

23:05-23:25 Takeharu Kunimoto & The Last Frontier (Japan/USA)

23:25-23:45 Blue Railroad Train (France)

23:45-00:05 Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens (Ireland)

00:05-00:25 April Verch Band (Canada)

00:25-00:45 Downhill Bluegrass Band (Sweden)

00:45-01:05 C-Denny Band (Canada)

01:05-01:25 Foggy Hogtown Band (Canada)

This programme will be constantly updated on a dedicated International Suite Blog, so check this link for the latest developments.

Snakes in Galway

Pete Lamb reports the following shows in Co. Galway by the Snakes:

Saturday 26 August: The Snakes monthly residency at the Crane, Kinvara (not to be confused with the Crane, Galway).

Also appearing at Mullarkeys Bar, Clifden (part of Foyles Hotel) on Friday September 1st, also FREE!

Read more about the band here.

Fair City Grass

Thanks to Enda Donnelly for the news that Fair City Grass play at Mother Reilly's in Rathmines, Dublin, this Wednesday night, 23 August, 'before the big one at Dunmore East!'

Enda also draws attention to a recent item on the original Bluegrass Blog: the Richmond Times Dispatch reports that a prized Vega custom banjo, stolen in 1971 from Jim Connor of the Kingston Trio, was recovered after 35 years when a sale on e-Bay was stopped after a former student recognised the instrument. It's good to see a happy ending once in a while.

Doyle Lawson to receive National Heritage Fellowship

Two weeks after appearing with his band Quicksilver as headliners at the Omagh festival, Doyle Lawson will be presented with a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship at a ceremony in Washington, DC, on 15 September. This is the highest award conferred by the NEA on folk and traditional artists 'whose contributions, primarily through teaching, advocacy, organizing, and preserving important repertoires, have greatly benefited their artistic tradition'; previous bluegrass recipients include Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, and Jerry Douglas (headliner at the Longford festival on the weekend of Doyle Lawson's award). The conferring involves a banquet (13 September) to honour Fellowship recipients, a presentation ceremony 14 September), and a concert appearance with Quicksilver (15 September).

Born near Kingsport, Tennessee (1944), Lawson began his career in 1963 as banjo-player for Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys, and built a reputation as a singer and mandolinist with J. D. Crowe's Kentucky Mountain Boys and Charlie Waller's Country Gentlemen. In the 1980s and 1990s, as a member of the Bluegrass Album Band, he helped to make the foundations of bluegrass known to new generations of musicians and fans.

His own group, Quicksilver (founded 1979), quickly established themselves as leaders of 'solid contemporary grass', blending traditional bluegrass elements with progressive material and superb execution, and redefining and invigorating the field of gospel quartet singing (especially a cappella) with more than 15 all-gospel bluegrass albums. In recent years the band's numerous honors include five consecutive Vocal Group of the Year and four Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year awards from the IBMA, as well as multiple Grammy and Dove award nominations.

For more information, interview requests, jpgs, or music, please contact HollerBack PR / Donica S. Christensen; 'phone +1 (615)-469-5969.

Blue Railroad Train: new schedule, new CD

James Field, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Blue Railroad Train, reports that the band's new CD is ready and will be available on their mini-tour in Ireland, beginning with the 12th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, later this week, and concluding with the 15th Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, the following weekend.

Please note: the show that had been scheduled for Thursday 31 August at Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, will now take place on the previous night, Wednesday 30 August. The schedule between the two festival now reads as follows:

Mon. 28th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork; John Nyhan, MOB +353 877 921 771

Tues. 29th: St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry; Anne Roche, MOB +353 86 3628618

Wed. 30th: Maggie Joe's, +353 42 974 1225, 84 Main Street, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan; John Meegan, +353 87 134 2051 M

James adds that John Meegan's moving the Ballybay show to Wednesday was a real help: 'We were going to have to play that one without our bassist, who must fly back to Paris Thursday afternoon. Now Thursday will be a day off and we can do a little tourism. Our bassist lands back at Belfast International first thing Saturday morning and we'll be at full strength to start the Omagh festival at noon.'

Country on RTE radio: the Harsch reality

Sandy Harsch reports:

It is good to have Niall Toner back on radio – the more great music out there, the better.

Just to let Niall know he's not all alone out there, 'Country Time' (RTE Radio One, Saturday night at 10 past 11) has been playing bluegrass, old-time string-band music, Cajun, roots country, Western swing... for almost ten years. 'Country Time' will continue to present not just those strands of music, but honky-tonk, cowboy songs, hillbilly, Bakersfield, rockabilly – in fact everything from Americana to zydeco – every Saturday night after news & sports on RTE Radio One.

For further information contact
Aidan Butler / Producer / RTE Music Department; 01-2082407; or
Sandy at this link.

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens: schedule Aug.-Sept.

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens announce their forthcoming gigs in the next four weeks:

AUGUST

Mon. 21st: The Park House, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford

Wed. 23rd: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival Official Launch, Longford

SEPTEMBER

Fri. 1st: 15th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sat. 2nd: 15th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Sun. 3rd: 15th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Mon. 4th: Going Away Party! Auld Shebeen, Moate, Co. Westmeath

Wed. 6th: Skellys Bar, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 7.00-9.00 p.m.

Thurs. 7th: Maggie Joe's Bar, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan

Thurs. 14th: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford (main stage)

************

13 August

Thanks to Chris Keenan for the news that Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens will be taking part in the 5th Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival on Thursday 14-Sunday 17 September 2006. Jonathan Toman of Lurgan, Co. Armagh, is now playing banjo with Carmel & the Ravens, who will be proceeding to Nashville, TN, soon after performing at Longford - to begin work on recording their second album, and to take part in the IBMA's World of Bluegrass, representing Europe as #1 European Bluegrass Band 2005, the title they won at the EBMA's European World of Bluegrass Festival last year.

Award-winning Festival: tickets now on sale

Press release

The 15th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival has been launched at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh. The highly popular music festival, which is taking place from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd September, was recently named 'Event of the Year' at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Awards. Over 7,000 visitors from across the globe attended the 2005 event as the unique setting of the outdoor museum showcased the very best in international bluegrass music.

As always the festival will offer a lively and diverse mix of contemporary and traditional bluegrass music. This year’s event will treat visitors to one of the strongest line-ups in the festival's fifteen-year history with Grammy award nominees Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the current European Bluegrass Band of the Year, Mideando String Quintet, and up and coming acts such as Bearfoot Bluegrass and Beansprouts.

The 2006 programme includes 'Bluegrass in the Park' afternoon sessions, Bluegrass Camp for Kids, the Sunday 'Spirit of Bluegrass' evening gospel concert, music workshops, and lectures with Professor Jack Bernhardt from the USA.

A standard weekend festival pass for the 2006 event will cost £33, while a full festival weekend pass is £39. Evening concert tickets can be bought individually at £16, or £10 in the case of the Sunday gospel concert. For anyone without tickets, general admission to the Bluegrass in the Park afternoon sessions will be £6 for an adult and £4 for a concession. There are also corporate hospitality opportunities on the evening of Saturday 2nd September.

Richard Hurst, Visitor Services Manager, is anticipating a 'sell-out' scenario for the packed programme. 'The 2006 festival is going to be something really special due to the superb quality of acts on show. We are the largest and most prestigious bluegrass event outside of North America and this is reflected in the line-ups for our evening concerts. We believe that we have established a festival that entertains everyone from bluegrass music enthusiasts to those just seeking an alternative weekend experience on their doorstep.'

Peter Kelly, Head of Museum Services at the Folk Park, commented: 'We are delighted to have secured these world-class performers for the 2006 festival. The Event of the Year award was a fitting tribute to the skill and dedication of a large number of staff and we expect this year's event to match and exceed the expectations of the thousands of fans who will make the trip to Omagh during the first weekend in September. Special thanks go to all of our event partners including Creative Media, TC Autos, Omagh District Council, Signal Signs, Dannios Medical Clinic, Grants Restaurant, Molly Sweeney's Filling Station, PineCone, the Community Relations Council and the American Consulate.'

Tickets are available from the BLUEGRASS TICKET HOTLINE on 028 8224 3292 or for further details log on to the Park website.

For further information contact Paula Donnelly on 02882 256309 or by e-mail at this link.

Glen Duncan in Country Music People

The August 2006 issue of the UK magazine Country Music People includes a major feature on fiddler Glen Duncan, with plenty of interesting quotes on his work in the studio and on stage with the Osborne Brothers and other leading bluegrass artists, especially the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Glen Duncan is said to have one of the best Bill Monroe impersonations in the business - a sample can be heard on the first Longview album on Rounder.

His other recent credits include membership of Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time and Rock County; he has been credited with an encyclopedic knowledge, and mastery, of most fiddle breaks that have ever been recorded. Country Music People should be fairly easy to find on a newsstand near you.

'Roots Freeway' - Niall Toner on RTE 1

Press release

Niall Toner makes a welcome return to RTE Radio One with a brand new country show on Tuesday evenings at 9.00 p.m. Niall brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of bluegrass and country music, as well as his first-hand knowledge as a songwriter and performer in the genre.

'Roots Freeway' will feature all strands and branches of country music, and listeners can expect lots of bluegrass, old-time stringband music, roots country, cajun, Western swing, and songwriters, as well as the occasional interview with visiting artists. That's all on 'Roots Freeway', with Niall Toner: Tuesday evenings at 9.00 p.m., on RTE Radio One, beginning on September the 5th.

For further information contact
Aidan Butler / Producer / RTE Music Department; 01-2082040; or
Niall on 087-2877299, by e-mail at this link, or via his website.

Early lift available for Dunmore East

Aran Sheehan reports:

I'm heading down in the car to Dunmore East from Dublin after work next Wednesday [23 August]. So if you want to post it on the blog that there's a lift available, that would be fine (mobile 085-7110826).

Demise of Bluegrassbox

Colin Henry reports:

Just learnt that the Bluegrassbox web site is closing down. This was the file-sharing site that allowed downloads of live bluegrass performances. It was, as far as I know, and as far as possible, a legal site that had artist approval. In particular such artists as Tim O'Brien were major supporters and providers of taped live material.

There had of late been a lively debate on Bluegrassblog regarding the ethics of such sites. For myself, I found this site to be an absolute goldmine of material; and, far from making me avoid buying the artists' commercial recordings, it encouraged me to buy material I might not have thought of purchasing or at least to investigate different acts. I for one will miss the access to live performances that we just don't get that often over here.

Athy Festival 2006 on podcast

Tony O'Brien reports:

Jack Lewis has done a one-hour podcast on the 2006 Athy Festival, and it features most of the bands that played the fest'. It can be downloaded at this link. He contacted me to send on some songs from the bands; so I obliged, and the results can be heard on the podcast.

BIB editor's note: The Wikipedia definition of 'podcasting' is here, but you don't need to understand it in order to get a high from Athy.

Jack Lewis's Olde Surber Station Radio is based at Eagle Rock, Virginia. Jack says: 'Tony sent me two CDs loaded with music from the festival and I was blown away with the quality of the bluegrass and old-time music played.'

Furch mandolins at Walton's, Dublin

Thanks to Enda Donnelly of Fair City Grass for the news that Walton's music shops in Dublin now have F-style mandolins made by the Furch company of the Czech Republic. Furch is the company that makes Stanford guitars (as used by Clem O'Brien, who recently advertised two for sale in this blog; see the post of 4 August).

Furch mandolins come in three 'lines', designated '21', '22', and '23'. Each line has four models: an A-style, a 'double-cut' (Florentine) style, an F-style, and a six-string instrument with an A-style body. Similarly, Furch bluegrass guitars come in a '32' and a '34' line, each of which consists of a standard dreadnought, a round-shoulder dreadnought, and an 'orchestra' (OM) model. Their website is worth looking at, just for the pictures; a trip to Walton's might be a good idea.

Kilkenny Vintage Guitars: addendum

Original post, 29 July:

It sounds like one of those stories about a shop that appears by magic in some unexpected location, supplying exactly what the hero needs (whether the hero knew it or not). But that's practically an exact description of Kilkenny Vintage Guitars, at Pipe Street, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, on the N9 between Dublin and Waterford, and in the midst of the beautiful countryside of the Nore and Barrow valleys. KVG's Chicago-raised owner Tom Peterson explains:

'When I first started coming to Ireland several years ago, I was surprised at the selection that I found in the guitar shops. There was the odd Fender or Gibson, maybe in a cryogenic chamber, but mostly off-brand or less expensive guitars. This place is loaded with musicians! Surely there must be one really cool guitar store, with all kinds of vintage stuff... I looked and looked, and couldn't find it. Then I went and bought strings and picks, and almost fell over. €1.25 for a plec? I thought: "If someone ever did open a serious used and vintage shop here, they'd be the best damn guitar store in Ireland." So that's what I did, and that's my goal.'

One of the welcome new features at this year's Athy festival was Tom and a selection from his stock (including two vintage Dobros) at a table outside the main concert hall. The acoustic guitars and mandolins in his current catalogue include Gibson, Martin, Bernabe, Dobro, Larivee, Lowden, Moon, and Taylor instruments. A vintage Gibson formerly in the KVG catalogue was played on stage at Athy by Niall Toner, its new owner.

If you need an excuse in the next few weeks, the International Guinness Bluegrass Music Festival at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, is an ideal opportunity for a stop in Thomastown - only about twenty miles from Waterford city, and eleven from Kilkenny. But this pleasant little town was always worth a visit, and with Kilkenny Vintage Guitars it now has a major new asset for the acoustic (and electric) string instrument scene in Ireland. The excellent KVG website gives all the information you need. 'Phone Tom at +353 (0)56 7793288 or e-mail him at this link.

New, 13 August: Dee Hallett of the BBMA, who put news of KVG on her recent e-mail circulars, adds the following from former BBMA chairman Tom Travis:

'It was surprising to read about the wonderful vintage guitar shop in Thomastown, as I dropped in there with my mandolin player Dave Howard, when in Ireland earlier this year. It really is worth a visit. Tom the proprietor is really friendly, allowing Dave and I to sample the goods and to sit and pick for a while. Dave, who collects vintage instruments, was in his element... Dave has told me that since our visit, he has done a couple of good deals with Tom and has taken other musicians to the shop. I am gritting my teeth, resisting temptation, and sticking with my faithful old Martin D28 guitar; but others be warned, they might not have my iron resolve.'

BIB editor's note: Get on Dee's e-mailing list if you want regular up-to-date news of bluegrass (and more) activity in the UK (and beyond)

4WD in Space

Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive reports:

Since yesterday we have 'our space' at the popular 'my space' website. The address is here. If you want to check the photo section, you have to log in, which can be easily done by using your e-mail address as a username and making up a password. There's a lot of interesting stuff in the 'music' section of myspace, if you like to check out bands, and if you enjoy it and if you have plenty of time on your innocent hands...

Wildwood at Harlow's, 24 August: UPDATE

Pete Lamb reports:

Just a line to let you know that Wildwood are playing J.J. Harlow's in Roscommon on Thursday 24 August. The gig is free, and we could do with a few bodies in the door, as we played there yesterday to a few people playing pool...! Wildwood consists of myself on guitar and vocals, Ruth Dillon on guitar and vocals, and last but by no means least Ivor Ottley, on perhaps the hottest bluegrass fiddle in the country. We play bluegrass and folk stuff, including a selection of BG fiddle tunes.

BIB editor's note: Showtime is at 9.00 p.m. Pete has now heard from Harlow's that there was great feedback from the earlier gig, 'so that makes playing to a pool table almost worthwhile... not!' All part of the tradition, Pete; bluegrass folklore is full of stories of playing to six people in the back of a bar while thirty people watch 'Wonder Woman' in the front.

Outlaws at Dunmore East Festival

Press release

DUNMORE EAST, August 2006 – Ireland's biggest bluegrass festival, with over fifty gigs, is also free. The 12th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival promises four days of music from August 24 to the 27th.

Outlaws and country music have long been agreeable bedfellows, and headlining this year's festival are the Boxcar Preachers, an old-time-outlaw country band from Austin, Texas. Bruce Gardner, co-founder of the band, says he's related to late-nineteenth-century outlaw Black Jack Ketchum. Fellow band member Craig High says he's kin to the Younger Brothers, who were part of the Hole in the Wall Gang. When both men got together about four years ago, they realised they came from similar stock and formed a new gang – or rather, an outlaw band. The music they play is perhaps more reminiscent of the era of Bonnie and Clyde or John Dillinger, but their outlaw connection goes back to the romantic days of the Wild West when train robberies began to spread like an epidemic.

Dunmore East, one of the most romantic villages in Ireland, looks across the deep blue bay to the Hook Lighthouse. Its breathtaking views and sunny south-eastern location is the perfect setting for a music festival. Once a year music pilgrims come from all over the world to listen to authentic bluegrass music. Bands play to ecstatic crowds, spread out comfortably at six venues, both indoors and outdoors. There's also fine dining, sunbathing, swimming, dancing, and jamming all day and night – a bluegrass picker's paradise.

This year's international line-up features top acts from the US, France, Holland, UK, and Ireland. The festival is organised by Mick Daly, a promoter with an eclectic vision – mixing old-time country, bluegrass, and futuristic newgrass acts, and some acts that defy category. Since 1995 the Dunmore East festival has evolved to meet the tastes of roots music fans.

The 12th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival features the Boxcar Preachers (Austin, USA), King Brothers (Philadelphia, USA), Tennessee Hob (USA/Ireland), Blue Grass Boogiemen (Holland), Blue Railroad Train (France), Jack Danielle's String Band (France), Kevin and Geraldine Gill Band (Ireland), Hog's Rose Bluegrass Band (Ireland), Mean Eyed Cats (Northern Ireland), and Clarksville Mountain Band (UK).

For more information visit the Festival website. Contact Mick Daly, +353 (0)51 87 8832.

Fox on the Mountain

Badbelly reports:

The photo, taken at Clancy's, Athy Bluegrass Festival, shows Badbelly (aka Tom Hanway) jamming on 'Foxy mountain breakdown' (along with 4 Wheel Drive), combining Jimi Hendrix's 'Foxy lady' and 'Foggy mountain breakdown'.

Note to extreme banjo players: Every now and again substitute E7#9 for Em, and play the opening two bars to 'Foxy lady', and watch the fun begin....

Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend: UPDATE

John Lawless of Acutab and the Bluegrass Blog reports:

We have had to make a few changes to our faculty lineup for the 2006 Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend since we first announced it in June. One of the great joys in hosting this event is being able to present so many bluegrass legends and current pros as instructors each year. This also causes some occasional frustration since these are very busy people, with complicated lives, and each year it seems that one of our instructors has to bow out because of a scheduling conflict.

[The changes are: Craig Smith, seen twice in Ireland with Laurie Lewis & her Bluegrass Pals at Omagh festivals, is teaching banjo in place of Joey Cox; and Michael Cleveland, also seen at Omagh with Dale Ann Bradley, is teaching fiddle in place of Kenny Baker. The full list appears below. The deadline for registration is extended to 15 September.]

We are ready to accept registrations for our 10-12 November event. Here are some quick links to the pertinent info on our site, or you can scroll through this message for more details.

Faculty List: see a list of our 2006 instructors, and news about changes for this year's event.

Registration: See registration info and register online.

RBW Scholarship: We will be offering four scholarships this year to exceptional young musicians, age 13-24.

Scholarship Raffle: Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments has donated a new RB-250 banjo which will be offered in a raffle to fund our scholarship.

Each year during the second weekend of November, serious students of bluegrass music congregate in Roanoke, VA, for three days of instruction, seminars, and workshops in the finer points of playing bluegrass music. Our instructors are always drawn from among the most celebrated practioners of the style, known for both their contributions as recording and performing artists, and their skill in presenting their knowledge of the music as a teacher.

What's new for '06?

A few things are changed for this year - some fairly small, and a few that are major. First off, while we are hosting RBW '06 in the same location as we have the past few years, the name of the hotel has changed. The Roanoke Airport Clarion is now Holiday Inn Roanoke. Same staff, same rates, same phone number - just a new name.

The big news for this year is in the instructional choices. In response to many requests, we will offer vocal and harmony instruction for the first time this year. Don Rigsby will lead the workshops on Friday and Saturday, covering basic concepts of bluegrass singing and vocal styles, plus individual coaching (within a master class setting). Don will also help class members assemble three- and four-part harmony on familiar songs. Sunday's vocal classes will be jointly taught by Junior Sisk and Eddie Biggerstaff of BlueRidge.

Sadly, the registration in the dobro classes this past two years has not been sufficient to allow us to continue offering them. Our event runs on very tight margins, and we simply are unable to carry any classes that fail to cover costs via registration. We are surely open to reconsideration in the future, so please let us know if you might be interested in dobro classes again at some point.

We have also had to raise the tuition slightly this year, to $425 for all three days. This covers all workshops, the Saturday evening concert, and Thursday evening reception, plus three meals on Friday and Saturday, and two on Sunday.

Who's teaching this year?

We are mighty proud of this year's faculty, as we have a number of bluegrass legends and current pros alike on our roster.

Here is an updated list of our 2006 faculty:

Banjo: Allen Shelton, Eddie Adcock, Craig Smith
Fiddle: Michael Cleveland, Jackie Miller, Alan Johnson
Guitar: David Grier, Jack Lawrence, George Shuffler
Mandolin: David McLaughlin, Roland White, Alan Bibey
Voice/Harmony: Don Rigsby, Junior Sisk, Eddie Biggerstaff

Win a new Gibson RB-250 banjo and support our scholarship fund!

This year, Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments has donated a new RB-250 Standard banjo, valued at $3,300, to be offered in a raffle to fund our scholarships for young bluegrass pickers. Raffle chances are only $10, and only 1,000 tickets will be sold, giving each entrant a realistic chance of claiming the prize.

Four scholarships are available this year to exceptional young players, age 13-24, and will include full tuition, accommodations, and meals to attend RBW 2006. A travel allowance is also offered for students traveling beyond a certain distance. An application and audition recording are required.

Find full details about the RBW Scholarship and our Scholarship Raffle on the RBW site.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this year's Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend, and thanks for your interest and support of bluegrass music!

Charlie Derrington dies in road accident

Charlie Derrington (51), production manager of the Gibson instrument company's mandolin division, was riding his motorcycle on Briley Parkway north of Nashville, TN, at 8.45 p.m. on Tuesday 1 August, when he was hit by a car traveling in the wrong direction. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The car driver, in his early thirties, fled the scene but was arrested later on suspicion of drunken driving.

The bluegrass world is indebted to Charlie Derrington for at least two great achievements: he personally restored the Gibson Master Model F-5 mandolin #73987, Bill Monroe's main instrument, after it was smashed to pieces in 1985 (see this story); and he restored the position of Gibson as a supreme maker of mandolins, with the revived Master Model line. F-5 #73987 is now on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. An example of Charlie Derrington's knowledge of instruments, and his readiness to share it, can be found here. He is also on record as having said at Earl Scruggs's eightieth birthday: 'Every banjo that we [Gibson] sold after 1946 can be traced to one man.'

New Dublin monthly session

A new session for old-time American, bluegrass, and folk music will be held at the Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, on the first Wednesday of each month, from 9.45 p.m. The resident group consists of Noreen McGrane (autoharp and vocals), Brian McGrane (guitar and vocals), Jenny McGrane (guitar and vocals), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro), and Con Butler (bass).

The next gig will be on 6 September. For any other details, contact Noreen via this link. The Punch Bowl is on the Merrion Road between Sandymount and Blackrock, at the bottom of Booterstown Avenue, directly opposite the Booterstown DART station, and very accessible by public or private transport.

BIB editor's note: Noreen and Brian have been strong contributors to the old-time and bluegrass sessions at the Cobblestone and Rosie O'Grady's, and early in 2005 they organised a highly successful concert at Booterstown in aid of Tsunami victims.

Athy Festival 2006: more tributes

I would like to thank Tony and all his assistants for another great weekend of real bluegrass music. I don't know how he does it; it gets better every year, and I've seen all sixteen shows. Thanks again to all.

Bill Andrews

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Since Tony O'Brien took over the running of the Athy festival he has been doing a great job. His main focus has always been on the music, and 2006 was another great success. I can only imagine the amount of effort that goes into it, and yet he always seems to have a smile on his face and is incredibly relaxed. On behalf of Geraldine, Cian, Donal, and myself, I would like to thank Tony for giving us an opportunity to play in a wonderful setting. We would also like to thank Tony's family, as they all work very hard to make the festival work.

Kevin Gill

Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band

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I want to send the good wishes of the Niall Toner Band to Tony O'Brien and his team for a wonderfully enjoyable Athy Bluegrass Festival this year. Superb organisation, superb music, and as always, superb hospitality. Here's to 2007!

Dick Gladney

Niall Toner Band

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Tony O'Brien (whose many responsibilities during Athy 2006 included arranging a round of golf for Glenn Zankey, the Bluegrass Patriots' great lead singer) wishes to add his own thanks to John Murphy (Carrig on Bannow), John Nyhan (Kilworth), Paul Lee (Cobblestone), and Sean Mac Philibin (Naul) for providing extra gigs - all of which went very well - for both the Patriots and 4 Wheel Drive.

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On behalf of Acoustic Grass I would like to thank Tony O'Brien and all who were involved for another great weekend. The music was wonderful and the mix was just right; so, long may the festival last. Best of all, Tony was always accessible, which is a very important quality to have.

Let's not forget our amiable MC, Richard Hawkins, whose informative and slyly witty introductions added greatly to the enjoyment. All our best,

Frank, Tony, and Dessie