Coming soon to the Séamus Ennis Centre

In addition to the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition show announced a few days ago, the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, has several acoustic music events on its upcoming programme. Here are the dates for the period 6-9 September:

Date: Thursday 6th September
Event: Singer/Songwriter Showcase - Pal Steelo
Time: Doors open: 7.30 p.m. Performance: 8.30 p.m. Adm: €5

Date: Saturday, 8th September
Event: Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition
Time: Doors open: 7.30 p.m. Performance: 8.30 p.m. Adm: €12

Date: Sunday, 9th September
Event: Sofia
Acoustic and inspired, raw and ready, these ladies make music that will shake your hips and move your lips. Between them they play banjo, guitar, clarinet, accordion, gutbucket and electric bass pennywhistle, bodhran, harmonica, washboard and kazoo. Highly recommended.
Time: Doors open: 7.30 p.m. Performance: 8.30 p.m. Adm: €15

All events at the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin. Tel: (01) 8020898. For more information please visit the Centre's website.

International Songwriting Competition deadline approaching

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now accepting entries for 2007. One of the largest songwriting competitions in the world, ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including an Overall Grand Prize package of US$25,000 in cash and over $20,000 in merchandise. ISC offers artists the most exposure, the best judges, and the biggest cash prize, unmatched by any other songwriting competition. ISC winners benefit from extensive press and publicity, gaining exposure and recognition from an international music market of industry professionals and fans.

Read the full details here.

International Songwriting Competition
1307 Eastland Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
+1 (615) 251-4441

Omagh gears up for the Festival

Sunny Side (Czech Republic)

Despite the lack of summer sun, the heat is set to move up a notch this weekend as the Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival kicks off at the Ulster American Folk Park. As a host of international artists begin to fly in for the bumper three-day programme, final preparations are underway at the Omagh museum to welcome an anticipated 9,000 visitors...

Read the Park's full press release here.

News from New York

Vincent Cross reports after a brief visit to Ireland:

... It was a rapid affair. I only managed to squeeze out two gigs. It was great to be back and play with some of my old 'Lost Souls'.


Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at the Lincoln Center

New York continues to offer great chances to meet hear and meet people with the passion for Bluegrass. I've attached a few photos of a free concert in the Lincoln Center of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, as well as Claire Lynch. It was a wet and wacky night. The highlight for me was to see Andy Statman and Ricky Skaggs blow into 'Old Joe Clarke'.


The Claire Lynch Band at the Lincoln Center: Jason Thomas, Claire Lynch, Missy Raines, Jim Hurst

I was also fortunate to meet Mark O'Connor in my local. What a musician. He can really bring out some amazing sounds from that fiddle. His son is pretty good too. He's only 19 and plays mandolin.


Vincent at his local with Mark O'Connor

Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition tour, 6-9 September

Roger Green's Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, the classic five-piece band from Maryland, make a too-brief fourth trip to Ireland in early September, concentrating on the Midlands and playing nearly all the time they're here. Their first show is on the evening of Thursday 6 September in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, together with Woodbine. ABC will then do a show for a primary school in Portlaoise the following morning.

From Friday evening to Sunday evening, ABC will be playing four shows at the Harvest Blues Festival, in Monaghan town. The details are:

* Fri. 7 Sept.: Master Deery's Bar & Restaurant, 9:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
* Sat. 8 Sept.: Terry's Bar & Lounge 3:00-6:00 p.m.
* Sun. 9 Sept.: PK's Bar, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
* Sun. 9 Sept.: The Still Bar (Four Seasons Hotel), 8:30-11:00 p.m.

In addition, on Saturday evening ABC will be in concert from 7.30 p.m. in the Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin.

Good news for someone

Thanks to Enda Donnelly for the news that mandolin hero Herschel Sizemore of Virginia has put his 9 July 1923 Lloyd Loar Gibson F-5 mandolin on the market for a good deal less than you might pay for a new house in Ireland. Full details are on the Mandolin Cafe website, here.


Alternatively, if you can't rise to the price of the Loar, you can see it, hear it, and learn its owner's style from a $35.00 instructional DVD from Acutab.

Galway Americana Festival, 5-9 September

In recent years Galway truly has become the home of Americana music in Ireland with many legendary artists such as Steve Earle, John Prine, and Jim Rooney finding a home in the Tribal County. To celebrate the rich cross-pollination between the Galway ‘session’ scene and the Nashville outlaw troubadour scene, it has just been announced that Galway’s first Americana Festival will take place at venues throughout the city from 5 to 9 September and will feature notable acts such as Mollie O’Brien (sister of bluegrass legend Tim) and Rich Moore, Clive Barnes, Johnny Dickinson, Niall Toner, Jeff and Vida Band, Moonshine (featuring ex-Sweeney’s Men and Planxty guitarist Johnny Moynihan), the Lee Valley String Band and many more.

Festival director Pete Lamb grew up within the shadow of White Hart Lane in north London but it was to the music of the Deep South Delta region that his heart belonged. 'I’ve been listening to and playing bluegrass for several years', he says. 'When I moved to Galway in 2004 I got together with Mick Crehan of the Crane Bar and together we organised an evening of American folk music. That went incredibly well, and it sort of sowed the seeds for a festival of American roots music. There is an appreciative audience for this music in Galway and this year we decided to expand a little further. Monroe's Tavern and The Quays have come on board and it has allowed us to put on a broader range of gigs and sessions.'

The international section of the festival kicks off with Mollie O’Brien and her husband Rich Moore at the Crane Bar on Wednesday 5 September for a much-anticipated return. The Washington Post in reviewing their show wrote: 'Tim O'Brien's big sister owns one of those remarkable voices that seem to thicken in tone the longer she holds a note. The precision of her phrasing, the smooth flow of her delivery and the sheer beauty of her alto make her one of the best interpretive singers in American pop today.' The Jeff and Vida Band from New Orleans play the Crane on Thursday 6 September and Monroe’s on Friday 7 September, and their brand of bluegrass and country is set to send the Dominick Street area into overdrive. UK guitarist Johnny Dickinson has been fusing blues with Celtic influences for many years and you can hear his distinctive, hypnotic playing at Monroe’s on Sunday 9 September at 8.30 p.m. Recommended!

As well as acts from around the US, Ireland, and the UK at the festival there is also a strong local element over the four days. 'We wanted to show that there are some very fine homegrown acts to be enjoyed in this city. I’ve always had a respect for musicians who can cut it live and there are many examples of that at this festival.' Local heroes the Maimin Cajun Band headline the festival at The Quays on Friday 7th with their irresistible Cajun dance rhythms, and Galway’s own adopted son the folk troubadour Chad Dughi plays Saturday 8th at Monroe’s. Noelie McDonnell - described in Hot Press as a hybrid of John Prine, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan – is joined by his band the Timber Tramps on Saturday 8th in Monroe’s. Other local acts to watch out for include slide guitarist Tom Portman, the Lazy Blues Band, and the heavenly harmonies of Hazard Hollow (featuring Ruth Dillon).

Clive Barnes is a master of growling blues vocals, virtuoso guitar picking, and sparkling dobro playing – he comes to Monroe’s on Thursday 6th. Hailing from Wexford, he has toured the US several times and shared the stage with legendary acts such as Dr John, Solomon Burke, Taj Mahal, and Terry Callier. Fellow Wexford man Niall Toner is one of the greatest known bluegrass exponents in Ireland and he plays the Crane Bar on Sunday 9 September. The Lee Valley String Band from Cork play The Crane on Saturday 8th and are sure to bring a warm glow with their old-timey and bluegrass mix.

'I hope this festival will grow to become a significant date on the Galway calendar, and eventually on the national and international music calendar', says Pete Lamb. For more information on this exciting new festival check out the festival website or contact Pete by e-mail or phone 085-1033709.

Y’all come now, ya hear!?...

Omagh Festival launched

Richard Hurst, Festival organiser, with members of the Knotty Pine String Band

The 16th Annual Bluegrass Music Festival was launched on Tuesday at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, with just ten days left to go until the popular visitor attraction rolls out a full spread of bluegrass musical delights for visitors to enjoy. From Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September, the museum will become home to some of the biggest names in international bluegrass music as acts like the Steep Canyon Rangers, Lovell Sisters, and Malpass Brothers rub shoulders with the finest home-grown talent.

Set against the unique and stunning backdrop of the museum’s exhibit buildings, the festival offers something for everyone from the bluegrass music enthusiast to those just seeking a day out with a difference! Almost 9,000 people attended last year’s bumper three-day event to indulge in a lively and diverse mix of contemporary and traditional bluegrass music.

Headline act for this year’s Saturday evening concert will be the award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers. First formed in the stairwells and kitchens of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Rangers have built up a powerful reputation as an engaging quintet seasoned by constant touring. As the current International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year, they have carved out a special spot in the world of bluegrass, basing their sound around a stunning catalogue of original songs drawn from honky tonk and blues. Headlining Friday night will be the Lovell Sisters from Calhoun, Georgia. The tight harmonies of Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell are guaranteed to supply youthful vigour to this year’s event. Hailed by many as the next Dixie Chicks, their fiery instrumentals and energetic songs are sure to provide an innovative fusion of country, folk, and contemporary acoustic music.

'We understand our visitors' desire for great music in great surroundings, two key ingredients that have played a crucial part in the success of this event.' commented Richard Hurst, the Ulster American Folk Park’s Visitor Services Manager. 'It’s great to be able to invite back bands like Red Wine from Italy and Sunny Side from the Czech Republic, not only because they are eager to come back but because our visitors want them back. The festival has really grown year on year, but particularly in 2007 as we marked the launch of our new website, new corporate hospitality opportunities, and the extension of our popular Bluegrass in the Park sessions to include Friday afternoon.'

The ‘Bluegrass in the Park’ afternoon sessions offer an ideal opportunity to appreciate all the festival acts as more than a dozen artists perform on eight stages across the park. The sessions take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 1.00 and 6.00 p.m., and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Friday afternoon, giving ample time to get along and experience the atmosphere. Ensuring the festival is not only about enjoying the music, the programme also includes a number of opportunities for visitors to engage with the artists themselves, thanks to a series of workshops and lectures. This includes instrument workshops where you can spend an hour in the company of some of master musicians and improve your playing skills in both the old-time and bluegrass tradition.

Peter Kelly, Head of Operations at the Ulster American Folk Park, was eager to pay tribute to the contribution made by all the sponsors in the success of the event. 'Our partners and sponsors are integral to the ongoing success of the festival. We greatly appreciate their help and extend our special thanks to TC Autos, Omagh District Council, Signal Signs, Community Relations Council, American Consulate, Grants Restaurant, PineCone and to our media partner, the Ulster Herald.'

Representing all the musicians at the launch was local Omagh act, the Knotty Pine String Band - something of a privilege, according to the group’s fiddler, Declan O'Kane. 'We have found that bluegrass music has become very popular over the past fifteen years, in no small part to the success of events such as the fantastic Bluegrass Music Festival here at the Ulster American Folk Park. We travel across Ireland to attend all types of festivals which showcase bluegrass music and really enjoy the social scene involved as you are continually meeting up with old friends along the way. I think Ireland has really taken ownership of bluegrass music now and it’s wonderful as this is where bluegrass music has its roots.'

Tickets for the 16th Bluegrass Music Festival are available from the BLUEGRASS TICKET HOTLINE on 028 8224 3292 while evening concert tickets and full festival information are also available at the festival website.

Bill Forster

Bill Forster of the Acme Band, Tom Travis Band, etc. in the UK, who will be moving to Ireland in 2008 as mentioned in an earlier post, and will be available to give banjo lessons, to sell Prucha banjos, and for banjo purposes generally. Thanks, Bill!

Accommodation for Thursday 30 August?

For bluegrassers in the Dublin area: Dagfinn Pedersen of the Norwegian Bluegrass Music Association is arriving in Dublin on the evening of Thursday 30 August, and will be going up to Omagh on Friday for the Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park. Has anyone a spare bed for the night? If so, please contact the BIB editor or Dagfinn by e-mail.

Uncle Earl news

The August newsletter from Uncle Earl (sweethearts of last year's Longford festival) announces that their new music video is nearing release: 'It's all been shot and edited in its full-on kung-fu clogging glory.'

They will also be playing shows from tomorrow night (22 August) to 2 September with Bryn Davies, whom many in Ireland will remember as bass player with the Too High String Band of Texas at the Dunmore East and Omagh Festivals a few years ago, and who has got around a good deal since then.

They have featured in an article by Tim Mohr in Playboy magazine; an article by Martha Burk, 'Bluegrass liberation', in Ms. magazine; and a video interview from the Bonnaroo music and arts festival. You can read the Playboy article, watch the Bonnaroo video, and buy the issue of Ms. Read the Uncle Earl newsletter on the band's website, or sign up to receive future instalments by e-mail.

Fair City Grass at Dun Laoghaire, Fri. 24 August

In addition to its fortnightly gig in Mother Reilly's, Rathmines this Wednesday night (22 August), Fair City Grass will be playing in the Kozie 2 bar, 73 Upper George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, this Friday night 9.30 p.m., as part of the annual Festival of World Cultures.

Bob Wootton tour in Ireland, 16-30 September

Johnny Cash, like Hank Williams, is a firm favourite and source of material for many bluegrass enthusiasts in Ireland, so it's good to know that his distinctive sound is being carried on and will be heard here in a month's time. Thanks to Roger Ryan for the news that Bob Wootton, guitar player in the Tennessee Three for thirty years, will make his sixth tour in Ireland in September, with his Off the Cuff Band, his wife Vicky, and his daughter Scarlett. Show dates are:

Sun. 16th: The Moat Theatre, Naas, Co. Kildare
Mon. 17th: The Iveagh Theatre, Bambridge, Co. Down
Tues. 18th: Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Wed. 19th: Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Thurs. 20th: Millenium Forum, Derry
Fri. 21st: Strule Theatre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Sun. 23rd: Millford Inn, Donegal
Mon. 24th: Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Tues. 25th: Baltimore Harbour Hotel, west Co. Cork
Wed. 26th: Ashbourne Hotel, Co. Meath
Thurs. 27th: Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Fri. 28th: Iontas Theatre, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan
Sat. 29th: Sky Venue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Sun. 30th: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo

Read the full text of an article by Roger on Bob Wootton here.

Quote of the week

Thanks to the Bluegrass Blog for citing an interview with David Davis, leader of the Warrior River Boys, and nephew of Cleo Davis, the very first Blue Grass Boy ever hired by Bill Monroe. We quote:

Davis believes the music appeals to the young because of its energy and strength.

'Listen to what Ricky Skaggs is doing, Rhonda [Vincent] is doing', he says. 'Young people know what real is and what is not real.'

Read the whole interview here.

Tin Box Company dates: the next fortnight

Paul McEvoy reports:

Some upcoming dates for the Tin Box Company:

Sat. 18th & 25th Aug.: The Glenside, Churchtown, Dublin.

Sun. 26th Aug.: The Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin.

Sat. 1st Sept.: Farley's Bar, Beragh, Omagh. From 9.00 p.m.

Sun. 2nd Sept.: Kelly's Inn, Omagh Road, Omagh. This is an afternoon show from 2.00 p.m. till 6.00 p.m. Adm. £5. The lineup is:
The Tin Box Company
Acoustic Grass
John & Noreen Hunter

It’s Lucky 13 for Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival

The 13th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival returns to its roots in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford from August 23rd to August 26th.

What’s touted as the strongest line-up to date will feature a host of internationally renowned bluegrass and country music acts in the idyllic setting of Dunmore East. Music lovers, tourists, and locals can expect to experience over fifty free gigs in six venues over four jam-packed days and nights.

For the last 12 years bluegrass fans and pickers have been making the pilgrimage to Bluegrass Nirvana to see some of the world’s most heralded acts. In fact, to date Dunmore East has welcomed more than 200,000 bluegrass music lovers to their serene fishing village nestled in County Waterford.

Headlining this year’s festival is the Jeff and Vida Band from the USA, probably one of New Orleans best known acoustic roots acts. The band will be performing a repertoire of original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country. Another US bluegrass band making a welcome return to Dunmore East is the Boxcar Preachers. The Boxcar Preachers music, and their stage persona, would have fit perfectly into the movie O brother, where art thou? The dubious heroes in that story are escaped prisoners who start making music and somehow transform into a recording sensation. Fortunately, it’s only the ancestors of the Boxcar Preachers who were the criminals. Bruce Gardner, co-founder of the band is rather dubiously related to the nineteenth-century outlaw Black Jack Kethchum.

Apart from some of the biggest US names in bluegrass and country appearing at the 13th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, some well known Irish acts will take to the coastal stage, including Prison Love, Hazard Hollow, Anyoldtune, and Desert Aces.

According to Mick Daly, festival promoter, 'When we conceived the idea of the International Bluegrass Festival back in 1995 we had a small, but hugely talented line-up. Twelve years later we have the top live acts in the world coming to play on our stages... it really is testament to how bluegrass is shifting away from the niche music market to mainstream popularity. Music lovers appreciate the quirky comedic element of bluegrass that you won’t find in today’s chart music.'

The 13th International Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival takes place from August 23rd to August 26th in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. All gigs are free and will be performed both indoors and outdoors in six of Dunmore East’s most vibrant venues.

Further information here.

Mick Daly is available for interview on 051 878 832 / 087 256 2899 or e-mail.

IBMA E-newsletter launched today

In response to member request, the IBMA is launching an emailed version of its newsletter International Bluegrass today, starting with a special issue to share information on International Bluegrass Music Award nominees, Hall of Fame inductees, and other World of Bluegrass-related news.

The new publication will start out at least every other month, with expectations to become more frequent in the future. Members will continue to receive the printed versions of the newsletter on a bi-monthly basis.

IBMA’s e-newsletter will take the place of Blue Hot Bluegrass!, a monthly publication previously mailed to retail buyers and distributors, record labels, and press contacts. These recipients will receive the new emailed version of International Bluegrass, along with IBMA members.

'We're excited about offering this new service', says IBMA publications editor Nancy Cardwell. 'Moving from a bi-monthly to a monthly publication will allow our news reporting to be more current. We’ll also be including more industry-related articles, along with a column from Blue Hot! that covers bluegrass chart news.'

Outlaws dates, August-September

Photo by Denise Hanway

Thanks to Tom Hanway for the following updated and extended list of dates for the Outlaws, which replaces the details in our earlier post.

The Outlaws perform at the Greenhills Hotel in Limerick, Saturday 18 August, 10:30 p.m., €12. The Outlaws also appear at the following venues in August and September:

Sun. 19 August: The Spa, Lucan, Dublin
Sat. 25 August: The INF, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Sun. 26 August: The Four Seasons, Monaghan
Fri. 31 August: The Saddler’s Inn, Kingsland, Boyle, Roscommon
Sat. 1 Sept: McCabe’s, Mountain Lodge, Cavan
Sun. 2 Sept: Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, Wexford
Fri. 7 Sept: The Castle Arms, Durrow, Laois
Sat. 8 Sept: Festival, Baltimore, Co. Cork
Sat. 15 September: OB’s, Kilross, Co. Tipperary
Fri. 21 Sept: Private Function, Westport, Mayo
Sat. 22 Sept. The Ramble Inn, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Sun. 23 Sept. The Four Seasons, Monaghan
Fri. 28 Sept: Hazel Tree, Mallow, Co. Cork
Sat. 29 Sept: McCabe’s, Mountain Lodge, Cavan

Management: Kevin McCooey, 042-974-0612 or 087-249-2495.

Tickets on sale for Omagh Festival

The Lovell Sisters

Tickets are now on sale for the Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Demand is extremely high following the announcement of the line-up for this year's event, and advance booking for evening concerts is essential. Almost 9,000 people attended last year’s festival.

This year (Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September) the line–up includes American acts Steep Canyon Rangers (the current International Bluegrass Music Association Emerging Artists of the Year), the Lovell Sisters (the next Dixie Chicks?), and the Malpass Brothers. Former festival favourites Sunny Side from the Czech Republic and Red Wine from Italy will also make a welcome return. The festival's new website gives in-depth information on the three-day programme, biographies of all artists, and a Ticketmaster facility for booking evening concert tickets.

‘Bluegrass in the Park’ afternoon sessions will take place as usual on Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 1.00 and 6.00 p.m. This popular element of the festival has been extended in 2007 to include sessions on Friday afternoon between 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. Visitors can also engage with the artists through a series of workshops and lectures. At instrument workshops you can spend an hour in the company of master musicians and improve your playing skills in both the old-time and bluegrass traditions.

A standard weekend festival pass for the 2007 event costs £35, and a full festival weekend pass will be £42. Individual evening concert tickets can be bought at £18; a ticket for the Sunday ‘Spirit of Bluegrass’ Gospel Concert costs £10. General admission to the 'Bluegrass in the Park' afternoon sessions costs £7 for an adult (£5 concession). General tickets are available from the BLUEGRASS TICKET HOTLINE on +44 (0)28 8224 3292; for further details log on to the new festival website.

Banjo news

If someone offers you a 2001 Stelling Masterflower 5-string banjo (serial number 5189) with chrome plating and walnut resonator - it was stolen in California on 4 August from Chris Cairns of the Chris Cairns Band. At that time it was in a bright yellow Calton touring case. If you see this instrument, please e-mail Chris Cairns or call the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office - Paul Tashiro (+1 (831) 454-2314; reference case number 07-7527).

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

Johnny Butten of Taunton, Somerset, England, will make an attempt on the title of World's Fastest Banjo Player at the 4th Cornish Bluegrass Association Bluegrass Festival, held at Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall, on Saturday 15 September.

The present Guinness World Record (210 beats per minute) is held by the USA's Todd Taylor, whose version of 'Duelling banjos' can be seen on YouTube. Todd is currently featured in ads for Recording King banjos.

Johnny Butten also plays guitar (acoustic and electric), fiddle, mandolin, viola, cello, bass (electric and upright), Dobro, and ukulele; has worked with such musicians as Bill Keith, Peter Rowan, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves, and Bob Black; and has won many international awards. In 1998 he was one of three nominees for a European Fiddle Player of the Year award in Vienna. He will host the intermediate and advanced banjo workshops and take part in judging the instrument competitions at the CBA Festival; and he hosts the 'Ask Dr Johnny' forum page on the CBA website.

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

Bill Forster, another leading English banjo-player (best known here for his work at festivals with the Acme Band at Omagh and the Tom Travis Band at Dunmore East), will be moving to a new house at Tulla, Co. Clare, sometime in 2008. Bill is hoping to find musicians to pick with, and banjo students: he has 35 years' experience as a banjo teacher in England, both for solo students and in workshops.

Bill will also be acting as an agent for Prucha banjos from the Czech Republic. (Prucha, as well as making their own fine instruments, supply hardware to the Gibson company.) His next visit to Ireland will be in October; till then he can be contacted in England by e-mail or at 0044 1132854892.

Jeff & Vida at the Séamus Ennis Centre, 24 Aug.

The Jeff & Vida Band is one of New Orleans's best known acoustic roots acts, performing original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country. They have toured annually in Ireland for several years. Their latest tour begins on Friday 24 August at the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin. Doors open: 7.30 p.m. Performance: 8.30 p.m. Adm: €12. For further details, tel: (01) 8020898 or e-mail the Centre.

The complete tour lasts a month and includes several festivals. Full details are on the band's website.

Prison Love CD gets press acclaim

Mark 'Soapy Mahoney' O'Mahony of Prison Love reports:

Howdy folks,

Our new album, A night in the box, has made CD of the Week in the Irish Times's The Ticket supplement - go us! Check out the big photo on page 14 or follow the link for the review online...

You can pick up a copy at a gig near you, or there's a list of disreputable record shops that stock it at our MySpace site - or here.

Next gig we're heading back to where it all began at Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival (26th Aug.), then Saturday night at the Electric Picnic (The Village Hall stage). After that we're hoping to confirm dates in Dublin and Belfast in the first two weeks of September - they'll be posted on OurSpace when confirmed. See you down the trail...

Tickets on sale for Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, 13-16 September in Longford.

Once again, the festival is proud to announce a stunning lineup of top class American and Irish music. The most notable names this year include Texas troubadour Guy Clark and the Nashville Bluegrass Band.

With two Grammy awards, two Entertainer of the Year honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association, and four wins as IBMA's Vocal Group of the Year, Nashville Bluegrass Band is no stranger to acclaim from both critics and fans alike. In 2002 Pat Enright became one of the voices of the Soggy Bottom Boys in the movie O brother, where art thou? Alan O'Bryant, Mike Compton, and Stuart Duncan also appeared on the film's soundtrack, and NBB began performing as a core element of the 'Down from the Mountain' tour. NBB will headline the Saturday night concert.

Also coming from America are Tim O'Brien, who will tutor workshops and play in concert with Ireland's favourite guitarist, Arty McGlynn. Festival favourites the Carter Brothers will return with their full band in tow. Also, the Jeff & Vida Band will make their yearly appearance at the festival.

Also appearing will be Dutch favourites Ranch House Favorites (guaranteed to get everyone off their feet!), Niall Toner Band, Rough Deal String Band, and many more. As always, in addition to the nightly concerts there will be concerts on the Market Square, street & pub sessions, masterclass workshops, and the late night Festival club. For more details, see the Festival website or read here.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Weekend passes (always the best bargain) are available through the Festival website or in person at Centre Stage Music, Market Square, Longford.

Nightly concert tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.ie or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Alternatively, they are now available locallly in Longford at Centre Stage Music, Market Square, and Music Centre, Ballymahon Street.

Further details available from www.johnnykeenan.com or ring 087-281-7825

Outlaws get heavy airplay

Myles Watson (bass), Sean Hughes (guitar, vocals), Diane Treanor (fiddle, vocals), Brian Walsh (drums, vocals), Tom Hanway (5-string banjo, vocals); Barry Lenard (button accordion) out of shot

Ireland’s top country deejays are giving heavy rotation to Empty mansions, the groundbreaking CD by the Outlaws, a contemporary country band based in Co. Monaghan. In May the Outlaws won the Top Entertaining Band Award 2007 at the Tipperary Mid-West Radio Country Awards dinner and ceremony at the Templemore Arms, Co. Tipperary. Empty mansions (Sharpe CD 310) has earned 'album of the week' and the coveted #1 spot on radio stations throughout the country. They recently toured the Highlands of Scotland, winning over new audiences, who proclaimed from one town to the next that this was 'an authentic country' band and 'a real country band', like the classic honky-tonk bands who all but vanished decades ago.

What is most interesting about the Outlaws is their uncanny ability to blend traditional styles into a fresh, contemporary alt-country sound - styles which include bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Irish, Tex-Mex, and honky-tonk. Empty mansions is a must-have CD in every hardcore country fan’s collection, and it is available in all major record outlets, fine music shops, and at all Outlaws gigs.

Read more here.

The Outlaws appear at the following venues in August 2007: [list now superseded by dates published in post of 15 August; see BIB calendar and calendar archive]

Management: Kevin McCooey, 042-974-0612 or 087-249-2495.

Contact: Tom Hanway
043-46340 or 087-610-1712
e-mail

Happy birthday to...

Thanks to Tony Curran for the news that Dessie Crerand (fiddler, guitarist, mandolinist, and lead singer) of Ray, Ramelton, Co. Donegal and the Acoustic Grass band, celebrates his sixtieth birthday today. Many happy returns, Dessie!

Bluegrass in the Green

Fair City Grass report for all Dublin bluegrass lovers:

Enjoy some Bluegrass in St Stephen's Green this coming Friday 10th Aug. 1.00 to 2.00 p.m. with your local Bluegrass band, Fair City Grass as part of the OPW Summerfest Programme.

You can also catch Fair City Grass at their fortnightly gig at Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, this Wednesday night 8th August.

Back home in Tennessee

The editor of the BIB will be off duty till 7 August; so please keep the news coming in, but don't expect it to be posted till then.