Woodbine: new lineup, new season

Tony O'Brien reports:

Woodbine are delighted to announce the addition of Richard Hawkins to their lineup. Richard will replace Paddy Chanders in the band. The new lineup has already played one official gig together in Tadghin's Bar in Ballylinan on 16 March, and it was at this gig the lineup change was decided. Richard brings many years' experience on the 5-string banjo to the band. As Niall Toner wrote, 'You got to have a banjo in the band', and Woodbine have one of the finest in the country.

Woodbine now look forward to a busy summer with festival appearances at Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots, Westport Bluegrass & Folk, Athy Bluegrass, Ardara (Donegal) Bluegrass, Bluegrass on the Walls (Derry), Omagh Bluegrass (Ulster American Folk Park), and lots more gigs during the year.

Above: a foreshadowing of the new lineup - Woodbine + RH at Omagh a few years ago. The 1982 Washburn B-21 banjo has a 'hole-in-the-head' set-up