Bill Monroe tribute concert, Athy: report

Tony O'Brien and Rob Chanders report:

The ABMA brought their '06 events to a close on Friday night with the Bill Monroe Tribute concert, and what a fitting way to end a great year that has seen us host our most successful festival in our sixteen-year history. The tribute was a great success with a nice audience of 50-60 people and great music. Woodbine opened the show and were joined by Richard Hawkins on banjo, and did a fine set of Monroe songs and standard bluegrass numbers. The Blue Grass Boys for the evening were Clem O'Brien (guitar/vocals), Tom Hanway (banjo/vocals), Paddy Chanders (mandolin), and Liam Wright (bass); and what a fine job they did, with over an hour long set of Monroe songs/tunes. Mr Monroe would certainly have approved and can rest easy in the knowledge that his music lives on to such a high standard.

A big 'thank you' to Tom Hanway, Richard Hawkins, and Clem O'Brien, also to the members of Woodbine for making the effort to be part of this tribute. They know and appreciate where bluegrass came from. Thanks to everyone for a great year and we look forward to '07 with confidence of an even better one.

BIB editor's note: The above image reproduces Tony's flyer for the tribute. The photo below, used by courtesy of Denise Hanway, shows Woodbine: left to right, Paddy Chanders (mandolin), Liam Wright (guitar), Nicola O'Brien (bass), and Tony O'Brien (guitar), plus Richard Hawkins (banjo).