3rd IBMM Monroe-Style Mandolin Camp

The International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY, has just eighteen places left in this year's Monroe-Style Mandolin Camp, to be held at the Museum on 12-14 September. The faculty of mandolin masters present include Richie Brown, Mike Compton, Bobby Osborne, Frank Wakefield, Butch Waller, and Roland White. (Mike Compton and Roland White have both played in Ireland as mandolinists with the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Butch Waller was here three weeks ago with High Country.)

The programme includes an outing to Bill Monroe's birthplace at Rosine, and 13 September would have been Bill's 97th birthday... For full details see the Camp web page.

(Incidentally, did anyone get a photo of the mandolin summit in the Carleton Abbey courtyard at Athy on 12 July, with Butch Waller, Gerry Madden, and Niall Toner?)

New magazine for traditional bluegrass

At a time when the economics of hard-copy publishing are not for the faint-hearted, it's good to hear via the Bluegrass Blog of the forthcoming appearance of a magazine devoted to traditional bluegrass and old-time music.

Jerusalem Ridge Magazine is planned to appear quarterly, with an auxiliary online edition. Editor and publisher Ron Malec, who has been associated with the annual festivals at Jerusalem Ridge, KY, intends to release the first issue during this year's festival (2-5 October). For more details see the Bluegrass Blog feature and the magazine's website.

BIB editor's note: 'Jerusalem Ridge' is familiar as the title of an instrumental composed by the Father of Bluegrass, who named it for the high ground behind his childhood home near Rosine, KY. It's a unique location for a festival devoted to traditional bluegrass, at which Niall Toner played in 2005.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper: new CD, new web presence

Todd Rakestraw (guitar), Jesse Brock (mandolin), John Mark Batchelor (banjo), Mike Cleveland (fiddle), Marshall Wilborn (bass)

East Public Relations announces that Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper launched their new Rounder CD, Leavin' town, on 29 July, and also marked the occasion by launching their new website and MySpace site, where you can hear five tracks from Leavin' town.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, who won the IBMA Instrumental Group 2007 Award, will be heading the bill at the forthcoming Omagh festival.

10 years of EWOB on air in the US

Liz Meyer reports that Larry Roberts, presenter of 'Down Home' on The Globe Radio, 91.1-FM, Goshen, Indiana, devoted the whole of his two-hour programme on Tuesday 29 July to the Strictly Country Records double CD 10 years of European World of Bluegrass, broadcast at 7.00-9.00 p.m. EST (1.00-3.00 a.m. Western Europe Time).

Peter Thompson of San Francisco, California, presenter of the 'Bluegrass Signal' show, will repeat his one-hour 10 years of European World of Bluegrass CD feature every day next week (3-8 August) on WAMU's Bluegrass Country radio, which can be heard here.

Full times of broadcast, quotes from reviews, and more details are in Liz's complete release, which can be read here. If you want one album to show you the range and power of bluegrass this side of the Atlantic, this is it.

Dunmore East lineup complete

Hungry Hill

The lineup is complete and the countdown has begun to this summer's Guinness International Blue Grass Festival in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford (21-24 August).

This is the fourteenth year in which roots music pilgrims will flock to Dunmore East for the free, family-orientated festival. All six of the famous local hostelries will play host to over fifty gigs throughout the weekend with local, national, and international bands playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Admission is free to all venues and gigs.


Jack Grace Band

Hungry Hill travel from Canada with their lush vocal harmonies, a fresh sound rooted in bluegrass and old time music. The Jeff and Vida Band from New Orleans span Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country. Czech band Sunnyside is an award-winning bluegrass quartet playing interpretations of traditional bluegrass sounds. UK-based Buffalo Gals will not disappoint fans of traditional American old country music, you will not be able to stop your feet tappin' when they start to play. The Jack Grace Band brings a unique New York Urban style to bluegrass and is definitely not to be missed. For true three-finger picking and clawhammer style banjo and double bass playing, don't miss Scottish-based duo Blueflint. Complementing the international acts, popular Irish bands Knotty Pine, Southern Bluegrass Union, Huzzars, Sullivan Brothers, Anyoldtune, and the Tin Box Company will all be featuring during the weekend.

For more information visit here.


Kate Lissauer & the Buffalo Gals

Dublin area accommodation wanted: 29 Aug.-29 Sept.

Accommodation in the Dublin area is wanted for two bluegrass people from the USA who intend being in Ireland on a writing retreat from Friday 29 August through Monday 29 September.

They're looking to rent a house or flat in or near Dublin; anywhere near Trinity College would be perfect. Ideally, facilities would include two bedrooms and two baths; high-speed internet would be an added plus. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. You can send them by e-mail through the BIB editor.

Special C. alumni: news

The Special Consensus, who first toured Ireland in 1995, count as family in the Irish bluegrass community. So we're glad to see news on the original Bluegrass Blog of recent developments in the careers of former Special C. members who played more than one tour here with the band.

Ron Spears (above) is now with David Parmley & Continental Divide, who are preparing a new CD which is likely to feature the quartet harmony singing associated with the Bluegrass Cardinals. A video clip of 'Sweet hour of prayer', with Ron's soaring lead vocals, can be seen here.

Josh Williams (below), who preceded Ron as mandolinist and lead singer with the Special C., and was with Rhonda Vincent & the Rage up to October 2007, has his own band which includes on bass Tim Dishman, another Special C. veteran of a couple of tours in Ireland. Recent news on Josh's band can be seen here. A few weeks ago, Josh's marriage to Jennifer Harper was announced, to take place yesterday, 26 July. Further details here.

Picking party with Barry & Holly Tashian

Barry & Holly Tashian

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for news of a half-hour video on PTV Ireland, shot in June during a picking party at the Nashville home of Barry & Holly Tashian.

The musicians there include Barry (vocal, guitar), Holly (vocal, guitar, bass), Roland White (mandolin, bass), and David Lege (guitar). Songs performed include a version of 'The Grey Funnel Line', by Cyril Tawney, written from his experience in the Royal Navy. In addition, Barry and Holly talk to Roger about their lives in music. Also present is Peter Wroblewski of Germany, president of the Country & Western Friends Koetz 1982 e.V..

Barry and Holly Tashian recently presented a three-day workshop on harmony singing at the Risør Bluegrassfestival, Norway (15-19 July). Roger Ryan took part in this year's IBMA Leadership Bluegrass course in Nashville.

AcuTab reissue bestsellers

AcuTab Publications are reissuing two of their best-selling publications: J.D. Crowe: AcuTab transcriptions vol. I, which comprises authenticated tabs for some of J.D.'s most celebrated and influential work; and Kenny Smith: tunes & techniques, a 2-DVD set with three hours' tuition in flatpicking and seven tunes from Kenny's fine first album, Studebaker.


Full details are on the AcuTab website. AcuTab also report: 'We have a number of exciting new DVD releases in the works, including banjo videos for Ron Block and J.D. Crowe, a mandolin DVD for Sierra Hull, and a fiddle project with Jim Van Cleve.'

Hungry Hill in Ireland and Britain, 21 Aug.-29 Sept.

Coinciding with the release of their new album Ride, contemporary Canadian bluegrass band Hungry Hill announce their first ever tour of Ireland and Britain this summer.

With a focus on original writing and featuring five seasoned musicians including acclaimed banjo-player Ross Nickerson, Hungry Hill create a fresh sound while staying true to the roots of bluegrass and old-tyme music. Lush vocal harmonies resonate from singers around one microphone, in the traditional acoustic setting of old-tyme music.

'After hearing their sophomore disc, Ride, this critic has no problem declaring Hungry Hill the best bluegrass band in Canada' (Barry Hammond, Penguin Eggs 2007)

Aug. 21-4: 14th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
Aug. 26: Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Aug. 28: Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
Aug. 31: De Barra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Sept. 2: St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Sept. 3: Tom Malone’s Marketplace Pub, Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Sept. 5-7: Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Sept. 11: Galway Americana Festival, Crane Bar, Galway
Sept. 12: The Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Sept. 13: The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
Sept. 14: Colfers Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Sept. 18: Jumpin’ Hot Club, Newcastle on Tyne, England
Sept. 19: Cambria Arts Centre, Tregaron, Wales
Sept. 20-22: Cornish Bluegrass Association Festival, Newquay, England
Sept. 25-8: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford Town, Co. Longford
Sept. 26: Clifden Community Arts Festival, Connemara, Co. Galway
Sept. 29: The Cherry Tree, Walkinstown, Dublin

The official Hungry Hill press release can be seen here. More information is on the band's website and MySpace site. Media contact: e-mail.

Athy 08: the ABMA report

Under the sheltering wings: High Country during their gospel set (photo: Dave Byrne)

It has become something of a cliche to say this was the best yet after any of the bluegrass festivals in Ireland, but Athy's '08 festival has surpassed any of the previous seventeen festivals. From 9.00 p.m. on Thursday the opening night to 11.00 p.m. on Sunday the closing night, the weekend was just non-stop bluegrass. Pickin' sessions from 11.00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, great afternoon shows in the hotel bar on Friday & Saturday, stunning gospel sets at noon on Sunday, and just fantastic concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with all bands on top of their form and superb performances from Special Consensus, High Country, and LeRoy Mack.

We had our largest audience ever over the three concerts. The atmosphere was just fantastic over the entire weekend.


Martin Cooney & Bending the Strings (photo: Dave Byrne)

Athy is the oldest bluegrass festival in Ireland, and having organised the last ten this year, it just gave me immense satisfaction to see everything just gel and hear everyone leaving the festival expressing the same satisfaction and appreciation of just a wonderful weekend of bluegrass music.


Colin Henry & Leroy Mack (photo: Janet Holmes)

A big thank you to everyone who supported us again, to the bands, and our MC Richard Hawkins. Already planning for '09,

Tony O'Brien


Nicola and Tony O'Brien (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)

These and other photos from Athy 2008 can be seen here. More photos are welcome.

Instruments for sale

Thanks to Tony Curran for these photographs of two instruments which he is offering for sale. Tony adds:

The first is a concert Stroviol which I believe dates to early last century. As you can see, it is very unusual!

The second is an Appalachian mountain dulcimer made by Warren A. May in Berea, northern Kentucky. The instrument body is of fancy maple with hummingbird sound holes, and the straight tuning pegs are of (hand-carved) rosewood. I will also include what is possibly the only dulcimer capo in this country – seen to the right, below Warren’s certificate.


Anyone interested in acquiring either of these handsome instruments should contact me by e-mail, or by phone at 044+ 28 9443 3273. All reasonable offers will be considered.

Jo Stafford's country background

Jo Stafford died on 16 July at the age of 90. Even those who were around in the late 1940s and early 1950s - the height of her career as a popular singer - may not be aware that her 600+ recordings ranged from swing (with the Tommy Dorsey band), jazz, and blues to Scottish, religious, country, and novelty numbers, and even further afield.

She was born in California into a family from Tennessee, and her father brought home a recording of the old song 'Whispering hope' (later recorded more than once by her, and by Don Reno & Red Smiley among others). Moreover, 'her mother, Anne, had been an adroit performer on the five-string banjo, and the folk music of Tennessee was to remain an influence on Jo's voice and some of her later repertoire' (Daily Telegraph).

The Washington Post obituary can be read here and the Daily Telegraph obituary here. The latter mentions her son Tim, a guitarist and record producer - not to be confused with Tim Stafford, founder, lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of Blue Highway.

David Holt and others in bite-sized pieces

On 5 July Cathal Cusack passed on word of the 25-minute University of North Carolina TV shows available on line, presented by David Holt. FOAOTMAD have now drawn attention to a series of short YouTube extracts from these programmes, including Doc Watson and others, which can be seen here.

Ardara Bluegrass Festival: update

Thanks to Frank Galligan for the news that the schedule for the Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal, this coming weekend, will be as follows:

Fri. 18 July: Niall Toner Band, Deirdre Bonner, Morgan Campbell

Sat. 19 July: Niall Toner (workshop), Dirty Blues Band, Slim Picken

Sun. 20 July: Woodbine, Gary Ferguson & Colin Henry with Janet Holmes

For more info contact Patsy McGill, +353 (0)74-9537949, 087-6900714.

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens: CD launch, 1 Sept.

The long awaited new album from Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens is almost here. The band have decided to launch their second album in The Loft, Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, on Monday night, 1 September.

This promises to be an amazing night of music, when some of Ireland’s top musical acts join together in celebrating with the band the release of their new album. The acts on the night include Northern Exposure, Simon Casey, and Declan Nerney. Northern Exposure is a three-piece band from Lurgan, Co. Armagh, and included in this band is the Ravens' exceptionally talented banjo player, Jonathan Toman. It was at a festival in Omagh where Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens first crossed paths with Northern Exposure and spotted the unmistakable talent of Jonathan. A couple of months later Jonathan was a Raven and since then the band has gone from strength to strength.

Neither Simon Casey nor Declan Nerney needs any introduction in this country, thanks to their phenomenal success in the music industry over the past number of years. The appearance of these musical acts on the night speaks volumes about the appreciation and respect they have for Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, and their contribution to the music scene in Ireland. Rarely will you pick up an Irish album that doesn’t have something from the Sheerins attributed to it. The Sheerins have been involved with so many Irish acts in so many different ways. If its not Dessie or Danny producing the album, then its Danny or Carmel on backing vocals, or Tom on fiddle, or even Dessie on bass with Danny on acoustics. Their forthcoming album sees this talented family step out from the shadows of other musical acts and step into the limelight with their own unique sound.

The new album, Here with you, is not as good as their first album - it's better! It consists of seven songs penned by Dessie and Danny, and a further song co-written by Danny & renowned American artist Tim O’Brien. Danny & Tim wrote the song on a boat trip home from a festival in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland. Tim O’Brien has been voted Male Vocalist of the Year at the IBMA Awards 2006 in America and makes a guest appearance as backing vocal on this song for the new album. He was so impressed with the song, he has actually added it to his latest album. The album also includes a song written by Charlie McGettigan, 'You’re on my mind again', a bluegrass version of the Beatles song, 'Eight days a week', Amy England's 'The wave', and - to all their fans' delight - the inclusion of the extremely powerful and moving song from Sherrie Austin, 'Streets of Heaven'.

The band have already been invited to perform in Nashville in 2009 and hope to promote their new album at festivals here in the Republic, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Holland in the summer of next year to gear up for it.

It is sure to be a fantastic night in The Loft on 1 September, where the band will round off the night with the performance of most of the songs from the new album. A night not to be missed if you appreciate quality music, performed by quality musicians at the top of their game. Admission is taken on the door on the night.

BIB editor's note: Carmel also made the time to get married eight weeks ago; congratulations to her and her husband on behalf of the Irish bluegrass community!

Tin Box Company news

The Tin Box Company (Dublin) played on the first two weekends this month at the 20th North Wales Bluegrass Festival and in the Gig Trail section of the 18th Athy Bluegrass Festival. They will be playing their regular gig at Delaney's, Knocklyon, Dublin, on Thursday 17 and Thursday 24 July, and it will then be suspended during August.

Their successful weekend shows at the Leitrim Marina Hotel, Leitrim village, have been extended, so that as well as the one already announced (Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July), they will be playing at the Marina on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August. Thanks to Martin Kavanagh and Paul 'The Tin Man' McEvoy for the news.

Fair City Grass at Stephen's Green

Enda Donnelly reports:

Fair City Grass played their second lunchtime show on the bandstand, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, last Thursday (10 July), as part of Summerfest in the Parks.

It was a nice afternoon; we were glad the rain held off & did not spoil things.The bluegrass music went down well with a good attentive audience. We hope it will spread the word about bluegrass in the city.

The band lineup was our original band - Mike 'Smithy' Smith (bass), Enda Donnelly (mandolin), Jody Smith (guitar), & Tony Mellon (5-string banjo).

Full details of the Office of Public Works Summerfest programme can be seen here. The Dublin parks involved are St Stephen's Green (pages 12-14), Rathfarnham Castle (14), Phoenix Park (15-16), and St Enda's National Historic Park (17-18). Bluegrass and bluegrass-related acts taking part include the Niall Toner Band, Fair City Grass, Bill Whelan & Friends, the Blue Mountain Boys, Rocky Mountain Rebels, and Bending the Strings.

Guildtown Bluegrass Festival, 18-20 July

Special Consensus (at Athy this weekend, as well as next week at Guildtown)

For those who start off for the Ardara Bluegrass Festival in Co. Donegal next weekend and take a wrong turning - or for those who'll want to take the last opportunity to see the Special Consensus (USA) on their current tour in these islands - the Scottish Bluegrass Association holds the 22nd Guildtown Bluegrass Festival at Guildtown, Perthshire, from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July. Full details on the SBA website. The Special C. will also be giving a full interactive bluegrass workshop in Bathgate, Scotland, on 16 July.

Phil Murphy Weekend, 24-27 July

Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike with Becky Buller (photo from their German tour 2007)

Thanks to Gary Ferguson for sending a link to the complete programme for the Phil Murphy Weekend, to be held at Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford, from Thursday 24 July to Sunday 27 July.

Gary (vocals, guitar) and Colin Henry (dobro) will be performing three times at Colfer's Pub (the Festival Club) - first on Friday 25 July as part of a 10.00 p.m. concert with the Fleadh Cowboys and the Sullivan Brothers;

secondly on Saturday 26 July at 10.00 p.m. in concert with the bluegrass headliners, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike (USA), who made a powerful impact at the Athy Festival in 2005; and

thirdly, again in concert with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday 27 July.

The weekend comprises other concerts, sessions, traditional music workshops, a mass with music by Sean O Riada, and a special commemoration of Phil Murphy. Full details here. Thanks again, Gary!

Athy's powerful programme

The Athy Bluegrass Music Association holds the 18th Athy Festival this week, beginning on Thursday 10 July, with a free concert. This year's programme is arguably the strongest for any Athy festival since 1993, including three fine American acts, all of whom will play different sets on all the main concert nights. Ten other bands will take part, with the welcome reappearance of Martin Cooney - chief organiser of the Festival for its first seven years, and (BIB editor's personal judgment) the best bluegrass 5-string banjo player in Ireland.

Full details, with pictures and bio data on bands taking part, are on the programme page of the ABMA website. Thanks as always to Tony O'Brien and the Festival's sponsors, chief among them being Albert Dunne Car Sales of Athy.

10 July

On the eve of the festival, we record with deep regret the recent death of one of its constant supporters, Donie O'Sullivan of the American Stores, Kanturk, Co. Cork. Donie's big personality and his fine small-body Martin guitar will be greatly missed in future Athy sessions.

Busy week for Fair City Grass

Three-quarters of Fair City Grass at Howth - Don Knox (fiddle), Mike 'Smitty' Smith (guitar), Enda Donnelly (mandolin). Enda reports:

It's a busy week for all involved in bluegrass activity. Fair City Grass play three shows this week. The first one was at the Yacht Club, Howth - a private function for a group of USA visitors. The other two shows are at Mother Reilly's in Rathmines, Wednesday 9 July, and at the Bandstand, St Stephen's Green, which is a lunchtime concert from 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m., Thursday 10 July.

We will be having the services of three original band members - Tony Mellon (banjo), Don Knox (fiddle), and Jody Smith (guitar). Attached is photo of gig in the Yacht Club, Howth. Tony is gone to powder room!

Acoustic feast at the Cobblestone, 23 July

Gerry Fitzpatrick announces a Feast of Acoustic Music at the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, on Wednesday 23 July at 9.00 p.m. The menu:

For Starters
Con Butler (guitar, vocals)
Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro)

Entremets: special guest appearance
Sheila Sullivan (fiddle)

The Main Course
Gary Ferguson (USA) (guitar, vocals)
Colin Henry (Belfast) (dobro)

See y'all there!

NTB at Downeys, Ballyfermot, 17 July

Niall Toner reports that the NTB (above, left to right: Clem O'Brien, Niall, Dick Gladney) will be performing in Downeys of Ballyfermot, Dublin, on 17 July. Niall adds:

You may remember that Downeys was well known as a folk club venue in the '70s and '80s, and I'm delighted to say that the original organiser is back at the helm, and has reestablished the room upstairs as a superb listening venue. The last time I played there was in the '70s, as part of George Kaye's band, when he 'wowed' the crowd by losing the tailpiece and bridge to his fiddle during 'Orange Blossom Special', retrieved them, refitted them, and all in time to finish the tune in fine style! We won't be trying to achieve anything quite as spectacular, but we will be performing all of the new material from NTB3, and we will also have ample supplies of same for sale on the night.

High Country at Naul, 7 July

Enda and Geraldine Donnelly were there (Geraldine in foreground, above; apologies to Tom Bekeny on fiddle, who is out of shot. Enda (leader of Fair City Grass) reports:

It was very fitting for us to be there at a great bluegrass night out, being it was our annual wedding anniversary. It was nice to also get a surprise renewed replacement copy of Can't you hear me calling: the life of Bill Monroe, which I lent out some years ago.

While not entirely a full house, nevertheless a very enthusiastic audience enjoyed every bit of the show. All the band members played with great energy, especially after their long drive from Tramore.

May I add they had considerable difficulty finding Naul, which seems to be a problem for a lot of bands, even listeners from time to time. The route can now be Googled from one's home address to there. The best way is not to take any short cross-country route. Take M50, then M1 north & take left turnoff to R122, e.g. it's a 55-mile round trip to & from Knocklyon.

To sum up, it was lovely to renew my acquaintance with original band members Butch, Jim, Larry, & Tom when myself & my first bluegrass band, the Bluegrass Revue, met High Country and shared the lineup of bands at the 2nd North Wales Bluegrass Festival 1991. I believe we were the first Irish bluegrass band to play there, and at the long established Edale Bluegrass Festival.

Jim & Larry remembered it with fond memories. I'm sure everyone will wish them a great trip around Ireland & good luck with their many shows.

Quotes of the month

To hell with the mainstream. It's polluted. What purifies the mainstream? The little tributaries up in the wilderness where the pure water flows. Better to be lost in the tributaries known to a few, than mired in the mainstream, consumed with self-love and the absurdity of greed. Please. Don't give our world up. It needs to grow, yes – but subtly, out, through, under, quietly, like water eroding stone, subversive, alive, happy.

Bruce 'Utah' Phillips (d. 23 May 2008), quoted by Orrin Star in his latest news circular

I've always felt that as a musician what we do is very important and honourable. Bluegrass has a stamp of truth to it.

Bill Bryson, veteran Californian musician, quoted in an article by Yvonne Tatar in the July Bluegrass Unlimited.

Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival 2008, Omagh

The 17th Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, to be held at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 5-7 September 2008, now has its programme online, and as usual, it's astounding. Michael Cleveland (above) made a big impression some years ago at Omagh playing fiddle with the Dale Ann Bradley band; after winning several more IBMA awards as fiddler and recording artist, he's back with his own band. The rest of the concert programme measures up to this standard (both evening concerts at 8.00 p.m., doors open at 7.30 p.m.).

Friday evening concert, 5 September
Jiri Kralik & the Rowdy Rascals (Czech Republic)
Hungry Hill (Canada)
Bluegrass Boogiemen (Netherlands)
Jerry & Tammy Sullivan (USA)

Saturday evening concert
G2 Bluegrass Band (Sweden)
Big Medicine (USA)
Mike Cleveland & Flamekeeper (USA)
Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass (USA)

Gospel concert, Sunday, 6.30 p.m. (doors open 6.00 p.m.)
Jerry & Tammy Sullivan (USA)
Aubrey Ghent Band (USA)


Bluegrass in the Park, Friday, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12.30-6.30 p.m. All the concert artists will be performing, plus the Jeff & Vida Band (USA), Janet Holmes & Friends (Northern Ireland), Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson (USA), Hungry Hill (Canada), the Paperboys (Canada), Papa Truck (England), Woodbine (Ireland), the Rough Deal String Band (Ireland), the Broken String Band (Northern Ireland), Northern Exposure (Northern Ireland)...

The schedule also includes hour-long instrument workshops (Saturday, starting 11.00 a.m.) on fiddle, banjo, and guitar in both bluegrass and old-time styles; the McAuley Lectures (Saturday & Sunday, 1.00 p.m.), delivered by Professor Jack Bernhardt from North Carolina with local collector and folk music enthusiast Rodney McIlrea ; and the Bluegrass for Kids programme (Saturday & Sunday 7th), conducted by Charles Pettee & John Currie (USA). Book early for all workshops! More details are on the programme page of the Festival website.

Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass

UNC-TV online

Thanks to Cathal Cusack for sending this link to the 'Folkways' section of the University of North Carolina TV archive. At least seven of the 25-minute programmes, presented by David Holt, are explicitly concerned with the music traditions of North Carolina.

Cathal has recently returned from a week in the USA listening to and learning from such pickers as Russ Barenberg and David Grier.

Iris DeMent at Kilkenny, 24 July 2008

The BIB mentioned on 31 May the forthcoming tour by Iris Dement, which is now three weeks away. Tom Stapleton of the Music Store, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, who has been one of the leading promoters of bluegrass and other Americana in this island for longer than any of us can remember, sends the above photo and a reminder of the concert by this unique artist which will take place at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny, on Thursday 24 July at 8.00 p.m. (tickets 056 7761674).

Tom's press release, with ample details of Iris DeMent's career, can be read here.

High Country in Ireland, 5-13 July: UPDATE (2)

Tom Bekeny (fiddle), Larry Cohea (banjo), Glenn Dauphin (bass), Butch Waller (mandolin), Bob Waller (guitar), Jim Mintun (dobro)

On the bill at the very first Athy Bluegrass Festival in 1991 and again in 1993, High Country from California woke a lot of us up then to what hard-core bluegrass is like, and are all set to deliver a reminder. In addition to their three shows at Athy on 11-13 July, they will be playing the following seven dates and one broadcast around the country. No bluegrass fan should miss them!

Sat. July 5th: Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary
Sun. 6th: Murphy's Bar, Tramore, Co. Waterford, 5.00 p.m.
Mon. 7th: Derek Mooney's 'Mooney' show, RTE Radio 1, 3.00 p.m.
Mon. 7th: Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.30 p.m.
Tues. 8th: Cork City Library, 2.00 p.m.
Tues. 8th: Kilworth Arts Centre, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.
Wed. 9th: The Local Bar, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.
Thurs. 10th: St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.

(Fri. 11th-Sun. 13th: on every evening concert at the Athy festival, with a substantially different set every time)

Fingal Songwriter's Weekend, 18-19 July

The 1st Annual ‘An Fiach Dubh’ Fingal Songwriter's Weekend will be held on 18-19 July 2008 at the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Fingal, Co. Dublin, in Association with Fingal Arts & Songschool, featuring songwriting workshops and performances by Mick Hanly, Gary Ferguson, Iain Archer, and Peter Baxter.

Friday 18 July
Legendary Irish singer-songwriter Mick Hanly will host a songwriting
workshop at 3.00 p.m. with award-winning U.S. bluegrass songwriter Gary Ferguson. For full details click here. Mick and Gary will take to the stage later that evening with lap-steel player Colin Henry for a special performance at 8.30 p.m. at the Centre.

Saturday 19 July
Iain Archer hosts a songwriting workshop with Peter Baxter of Songschool at 3.00 p.m. Iain Archer will take to the stage later that evening for a special performance at 8.30 p.m. at the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre. For full details click here.

Both workshops will include an ‘in-the-round’ listening session, during which attendees will be invited to perform their songs and hear constructive feedback, encouragement and advice from these experienced and successful songwriters and performers. All songwriters welcome. Admission to each workshop is priced at €10.00, and those who wish to also attend the evening performances can do so for an inclusive price of €20.00 for both the workshop and the performance.

More details available from 'What's On' at the Centre's website. Please call 01-8020898 to reserve your place at the workshops. Food will be available all day from the Cottage Café at the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre.

Acoustic guitar building course, July-Sept. 2008

Thanks to Pat Shannon of Dublin for news of an acoustic guitar building course which is taking place in the north-west Co. Donegal village of Gortahork this summer. Sam Irwin (formerly of Lowden and Avalon Guitars) will be the course tutor.

The course will start on 21 July and runs five days a week (9.00 to 5.00, Monday to Friday) for six weeks. On completion, participants will come away with a high-grade quality instrument and the kudos of having built it with their own hands. For anyone interested, further details can be had by ringing Sam at 0044 7718 972 657.