Tickets on sale for Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

Press release

Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, 13-16 September 2007 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 Grammy award winners the Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Texas songwriting legend Guy Clark doesn't merely compose songs; he projects images and characters with the kind of hands-on care and respect of a literary master. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Ricky Scaggs, etc. Songs such as LA Freeway and Desperados waiting for a train may arguably be said to have set the tone for a musical revolution that was first known as progressive country.

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.

From Ireland, the list is equally impressive: Four Men & a Dog are returning, due to popular demand. Always a crowd pleaser, the band are guaranteed to bring down the house. They will headline the Friday night concert.

Dervish will make a very welcome appearance at the festival this year. Another exciting band to play this year will be Unwanted, a trio featuring Cathy Jordan of Dervish, along with multi-instrumentalist Seamie O'Dowd and super harmonica player Rick Epping. One of the highlights each year is Irish banjo player Gerry O'Connor, who will perform with his trio as well as tutor workshops.

Also appearing will be Dutch favourites Ranch House Favorites (guaranteed to get everyone off their feet!), Galway banjo player Enda Scahill with melodeon player Paul Brock, the wonderful traditional singer Niamh Parsons, Niall Toner Band, Rough Deal String Band, Leitrim fiddler Sean Ward, Cavan-based banjo-player Damaris Woods with her banjo minstrels, and from the Catalan region of Spain the festival will debut the Lluis Gomez Quartet.

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.

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