An alternative Titanic

Erio Meili at the Titanic Harbor Stage in Sao Paulo, Brazil

More people in the country where the Titanic was built should be aware of the alternative history for the ship, devised by our friend Erio Meili of the Sao Paulo Bluegrass Music Association in Brazil, who is also head of the South American Bluegrass Network. As Erio explains:

This is for those who can recall the Come-Join-The-Party scenario in the Titanic's 3rd class compartment! There were a couple of Brazilian passengers who started feeling homesick and decided to take over the control of the vessel and went straight south and, as a consequence, deviated from the icebergs.

So the Titanic did not sink nor did she hit any iceberg, thanks to this holy deviation during that journey, and the show in the 3rd class went on and on till the end of this legendary bluegrass cruise.

As well as an alternative history, Erio has adopted the theme for a venue, a band (in several configurations from trio to sextet), and a section of his website with many audio and video treats, which can be visited here. The blend of bluegrass, Brazilian rhythms, and Irish tunes is worth the visit.

Niall Toner Band tour dates, November 2008

Thanks to Niall Toner for the news that the NTB are on tour promoting NTB3, their latest CD, and will be playing the following dates:

Wed. 5 Nov.: Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Wicklow

Fri. 7 Nov.: Foyle Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway

Sat. 8 Nov.: Johnston's Hall, Kinvara, Co. Galway (promoted by the KAM Collective, great supporters of roots music in the Kinvara area)

Fri. 14 Nov. Artforms Gallery, Charlotte Street, Carlow town

... and a special Dublin gig at the Purty Loft, Dun Laoghaire, on Friday 28 November - a fund-raiser for a fallen friend.

Irish Fiddle Faces, forward!

The original Bluegrass Blog is running a competition for photos of fiddlers in action whose faces show the stress, or the joy, or the just plain oddness, induced by their music-making.

Heaven knows why, but your editor had the idea that Ireland might be able to put up some strong competition in this field. See the full details here, and send your photo of a fiddler in for the Bluegrass Blog's competition.

Quotes of the month

According to Jack [Burlison, of the Missouri band Bluegrass Brigade, who visited Ireland in 2000] the bluegrass bands in Ireland use less banjo and more drums, but the rhythms are the same. 'Bluegrass was founded in America, but the roots are definitely Celtic', he says.

From Alison Campbell's article 'The tradition of Kansas City bluegrass' in the November 2008 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. OK, own up: who's been using drums?

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When I play it [Tony Rice's legendary Martin guitar], it sounds like two dogs fighting. When Tony plays it, it sounds like a million dollars... It's probably one of the hardest guitars I've ever played... What I mean is, the action and everything is stellar. It's a great playing guitar. But for me to play it, it was almost like chopping wood. I couldn't get anything to work for me.

Jim Hurst, quoted in 'Another great musician born out of the Great Migration', an article by Derek Halsey in the same issue of BU

'Someone to watch over me' in Derry, 25-6 Oct.

Richard Hurst, the 'someone' who watches over the annual Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival and all other events and services for visitors to the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, now has someone to watch over him.

Richard takes the role of one of three hostages in the Frank McGuinness play 'Someone to watch over me', which is at the Derry Playhouse this weekend. Full details are here; click on 'October' and then on the title of the play. Thanks to Richard for the news; he adds: 'This production carries a health warning! Remember, I am only acting!'

Richard is also current chairman of the board of the European Bluegrass Music Association, under whose auspices the annual EWOB Festival is held in the Netherlands.

Westport 2009: update

Following the BIB report of 15 October, Uri Kohen, organiser of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, announces:

I can now confirm that the Blue Grass Boogiemen band from Holland will headline the next Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival. They will top the bill on the main stage on Saturday 27 June 2009.

We are currently building the rest of the program and hoping once again to come up with a unique lineup, with local, national, and international acts.

Westport won this year the Tidy Towns award (the third time in this decade) and promises to be welcoming for a great music event.

The Boogiemen have been favourites with Irish bluegrass audiences since 1997, when they first came to the Dunmore East festival. They have since returned many times, making repeat performances at Dunmore East and at the Omagh, Derry, and Athy festivals, have issued an acclaimed CD, and for several years now have had Lody van Vlodrop (fiddle) as a regular member.

LATE EXTRA: the 2009 programme will also include the Tennessee Hennessees (Lurgan, Co. Armagh).

Red Line Festival, Dublin: free tickets giveaway!

The Red Line Roots Festival begins tomorrow - Friday, 24 October - in Dublin. Orla Keeshan of the Cobblestone reports:

Welcome to the Red Line!!!!!

Be the first to answer this question correctly and win two tickets for the festival finale gig. If Prison Love and the North Strand Kontra Band were on stage at the same time during a musical showdown of East meets West, how many bodies would be on stage?

The finale will be held on Sunday 26 October at 9.00 p.m. in the Park Inn (see the recent BIB post from Prison Love). Tickets are €15, so e-mail Orla with your answer and win a pair.

Bill Evans & Megan Lynch: latest update

Thanks to Darach McGrath for the above picture and for a reminder that Bill Evans and Megan Lynch are in Ireland soon for the second time in 2008, and will play the following gigs:

Fri. 31 Oct.: Ferban, Co. Offaly: Hiney's Pub.
Sat. 1 Nov.: Sixmilebridge, Kilkishen, Co. Clare: The Old Courthouse.
Sun. 2 Nov.: The Crane Bar, 2 Sea Road, Galway. This is an early evening gig; doors 6.30 p.m.

You can learn more about Bill Evans and Megan Lynch, as well as hear previews from their upcoming CD let's do something..., by visiting their MySpace page, not to mention Bill's own website, his String Summit MySpace page, or his Native and Fine Records site.

Prison Love @ Red Line Festival & Cherrytree

Mark O'Mahony of Prison Love reports:

If you're staying in the capital this long weekend, we have a special treat in store for you: on Sunday night Prison Love play the finale of the Red Line Festival in the ultimate East meets West showdown!! Our driving old-time rhythms and cajun melodies will be pitted against the kickass Klezmer and Balkan beats of the North Strand Kontra Band (see above).

Red Line Festival, the Park Inn, Smithfield Square (details and directions at website), Sunday 26 October (Bank Holiday on Monday, so will be open until late)
Doors 9.00 p.m. (Prison Love on at 10.00 p.m.) Admission €15

... And don't miss us on 1 November at one of Dublin's finest acoustic music venues, the Cherrytree at Walkinstown roundabout (see its website for details and directions).

The Cherrytree, Walkinstown roundabout, Saturday 1 November
Doors 9.00 p.m. (Prison Love on at 10.00 p.m.) Admission €15 (€13 if booked in advance on line)

Keep it country,
Marko

Tennessee Hennessees on 'Blas Ceoil', 30 Oct.

The Tennessee Hennessees (l-r: Mel Corry, Bill Johnston, Gerry Thompson, Sean McKerr) at the Rotterdam Bar, Belfast

Thanks to Sean McKerr for the news that the Tennessee Hennessees have recorded for an appearance on the Northern Ireland BBC2 TV programme 'Blas Ceoil', scheduled for Thursday 30 October at 10.00 p.m. He reports:

There will be extras included on the site. Interviews with myself and Mel (God help us) will certainly make any new inductees run for the hills. We recorded 'Willow garden', 'Rebecca', 'Gold rush', and that Carl Perkins bluegrass classic 'You can do no wrong'.

Since the above photo was taken, the Ten Hens' sound has been augmented by the addition of Colin Henry (resonator guitar) as a full-time member. Sean adds:

I have heard from Nigel Martin himself that he has suffered a heart attack yesterday morning [Sunday 19 Oct.]. He is safe and well in the Mater Hospital, Belfast.

The bluegrass scene in Ireland owes a great deal to Nigel for his work in bringing bands and individual musicians here for many years now. We're glad to hear that he is getting on well, and wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Chatham County Line: a month away

Thanks to Martin McWhorter for a reminder that the return of Chatham County Line to Ireland is only a month away. The band, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, made a big impression at the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival in May, and will be back in these islands for the following dates:

17th: The King and Queen, Brighton, England
18th: The Luminaire, London, England
19th: Fiddlers Club, Bristol, England
20th: The Arches, Glasgow, Scotland
21st: Little Theatre, Gateshead, Newcastle, England
22nd: Errigle Inn, Belfast, Northern Ireland
23rd: Crawdaddy, Dublin, Ireland
24th: Matt & Phred's, Manchester, England

Full contact data for tickets are on the band's website.

OXJAM: Ireland's month-long music festival

Oxjam, the Oxfam-sponsored programme of musical events all over Ireland which will last throughout October, is well under way. Congratulations to Dublin band I Draw Slow, who have already won their place on the Oxjam Hot Press CD by popular acclaim.

As part of Oxjam, an old-time session will be held at the Oxfam Bookshop on Parliament Street, Dublin, starting about 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 25 October. The house band for the occasion will be Tim Hawkins (fiddle), Cathal Cusack (guitar), and Richard Hawkins (banjo), who picked together in the shop nineteen months ago (see BIB post of 25 March 2007).

Full details of Oxjam can be seen on the Oxjam website.


I Draw Slow, winners of the Oxjam CD competition

Shopping at IBMA

A boon to the non-banjo-picking world

As you can see from the list of exhibitors at this year's IBMA World of Bluegrass, in addition to the booths of associations, institutions, agencies, media, and others, there were many stands selling instruments or accessories - not only floods of banjos, guitars, resonator guitars, and mandolins, but also large numbers of fiddles and basses.

One stall that caught our eye was that of the Tranjo company, who have developed a neat travel banjo with full-size scale length, which can be dismantled for packing into a carry-on bag. The options for their banjos include a silent practice head, which is now also available for regular banjos (see picture above, and the website). It should help to improve relations between banjo-players and the wider community.

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In Nashville the immense and distinguished stock of the legendary Gruhn Guitars included during WOB week two of the most unusual acoustic guitars we've ever seen. (They had six-string necks, but may have been instead some kind of furniture, or perhaps a type of humane trap for raccoons? Go there and form your own judgment.)

Finally: your editor's heartfelt gratitude to the fine people at the Books-a-Million store in West Knoxville, TN, and their excellent customers.

International Songwriting Competition 2008

The deadline for entries for the International Songwriting Competition 2008 has been extended a further six weeks, and the final deadline is now 1 December - this is the latest permitted date of posting, and for online submission the deadline is 11.59 p.m. EST on 1 December.

The panel of judges includes thirty-four major recording artists (e.g. Chris Hillman, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom Waits) and twenty-one record company, agency, or media figures. More than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be shared among the winners, including an overall grand prize of $25,000 (US) cash.

Entrants may submit songs in any of twenty categories of which Country, Americana, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Gospel/Christian, and Instrumental are most relevant to bluegrass and related music. A new category, Music Video, has been added this year. More details and entry forms are on the website.

Media news from the UK

Thanks to the British old-time music organisation FOAOTMAD for the following news:

There's a new outlet for UK country acts on the web – UKCountryradio.com. And not just country – bluegrass and old-time welcome too.

If you're a UK-based artist, getting your music played on UKCountryRadio.com couldn't be easier. Simply send a copy of your CD. They'll have a listen and if they like it, they'll play it, completely free of charge... The address is:

UKCountryRadio.com
PO Box 318
Leeds
LS26 1DD

We don't expect the station will interpret 'UK' strictly enough to exclude Ireland, and it should certainly not exclude Northern Ireland...

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A BBC audio report on Eddie Adcock's recent brain surgery can be heard through this link. Thanks again to FOAOTMAD for the news.

Bending the Strings at Portlaoise, 1 Nov. 2008

Bending the Strings: Martin Cooney, Moyra Fraser, Vinny Baker

Thanks to Martin Cooney for the news that the powerful bluegrass trio Bending the Strings will be performing in concert in the GAA club in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, on Sat. 1 November.

The event is a fund-raising night in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association Youth Club, and deserves all support. The show begins at 9.00 p.m., and admission is €10.


'OK, guys - one more time... with feeling!': one of the many new photos on the band's MySpace site

The luck of the Irish connection

Dailey & Vincent (centre and right) at IBMA's Fan Fest; photo by Thierry Schoysman

The Awards Show at IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2008 in Nashville has already been called the best ever. After two years in Opryland, the show was back again in the historic Ryman Auditorium, a short walk from the rest of the WOB week proceedings. One aspect that may be overlooked in other accounts is the number of participants who've played in Ireland - starting with the show's host, Del McCoury.

The big news this year was the six awards won by Dailey & Vincent (Jamie Dailey was at the Omagh festival in 2006 as lead singer with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver). After only a year together as a band and one CD, they came away with the awards for Emerging Artist, Gospel Recorded Performance, Male Vocalist, Vocal Group, Album, and Entertainer of the Year. To their credit, they could still thank new people even in their sixth acceptance speech.

Female Vocalist of the Year, for the second consecutive year, was Dale Ann Bradley, who topped the bill at Omagh a few years ago. The fiddler in her band then was Michael Cleveland, who this year won Fiddle Player of the Year for the sixth time, while his band Flamekeeper (headliners at Omagh this year) were Instrumental Group of the Year for the second time running.

The Bass Player and Mandolin Player of the Year awards went to Barry Bales and Adam Steffey respectively, both of whom have been here with Alison Krauss & Union Station. And the Guitar Player award went to Josh Williams, who made several tours here as mandolinist with Greg Cahill's Special Consensus. Josh's appearances with his own fine band during WOB week proved that he's also an outstanding lead singer and bandleader (his bass player is Tim 'Dish' Dishman, another Special C. alumnus).

One of the two Hall of Fame inductees this year was the legendary Bill Clifton, a great ambassador of bluegrass outside the US, whom our older readers may remember as a visitor to Dublin in the 1960s.

Awards presenters included Lynn Morris & Marshall Wilborn (Athy 1995, and Marshall was here in Flamekeeper this year), Tony Trischka (a Longford veteran), and the G2 Bluegrass Band (Omagh 2008); while the musical performances between awards were kicked off by the Steep Canyon Rangers (Omagh 2007) and included Dale Ann Bradley and her band and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (most recently here at the Dungannon Countryfest this year).

Red Line Festival, Dublin: poster/flyer/programme

Thanks to Orla Keeshan and Linda Devlin for the above poster/flyer/programme and the following press release for the Red Line Roots Festival, which opens in the Smithfield area of Dublin next week.

This October, the first annual RED LINE FESTIVAL hits the city for a sensational celebration of all things Rootsy! Taking place between the 24th and 26th October at four fantastic venues around Smithfield, the festival promises music fans the very best Americana, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Country, and Old Timein' sounds that the country has to offer!

Roots music branches in many directions, including Trad, Country, Bluegrass, Blues, Rockabilly, Americana, Folk, Old Time, & more. All styles have a strong connection with the soul of where and how music began, the instruments, geography, history, and stories. Nowhere in Dublin do these connections still prosper as much as in Smithfield. From the institution that is the Cobblestone Pub to the nearby Dice Bar and Sin E, these rich musical traditions are being given a new birth.

Highlights of the festival include a double headliner with Ireland's finest bluegrass and cajun ensemble Prison Love, and the high-octane North Strand Klezmer Band (the Park Inn, Sunday 9.00 p.m.); two kick-ass rockabilly nights with the Bonnevilles and Aces Wild (Dice Bar, Sat./Sun. 7.00 p.m.); a double bill of old-timey sounds with I Draw Slow & the Blood Red Mountain Band (the Cobblestone, Fri. 8.30 p.m.), as well as regular trad sessions in the Cobblestone front bar. Meanwhile there's plenty of daytime entertainment too! Drop into Sin E from 2.00 p.m. for tapas, games, music, beer-tasting, and visuals. Or for some family fun try our child-friendly Sunday Tea Party in the Cobblestone, where the Sick & Indigent Song Club will be playing everything from bluegrass to sea shanties and gospel - all washed down with free tea and cake! And for the culture vultures (or the downright curious!) there will also be a walking tour of Smithfield with a local historian at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday - not to be missed!

For a full festival programme, log on here; and for more information/press, please contact Linda (Ph 086-8092028) or e-mail.

Listings, maps, music, and more can be found on the Festival's MySpace site.

Gig change - and photo

Jesse Brock, Marshall Wilborn, Todd Rakestraw, Pete Kelly, Michael Cleveland

Thanks to Enda Donnelly for the above photo of Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper during a daytime show in the main marquee at the Omagh festival a month ago. The band have since won the Instrumental Group of the Year award, and Michael Cleveland has won Fiddler of the Year for the sixth time, in this year's IBMA awards.

Enda also sends the news that the regular Fair City Grass Wednesday night gig in Mother Reilly's, Uppercross House Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin, scheduled for 15 October, has been changed to next week, Wednesday 22 October, on account of the big football night this Wednesday. The next FCG show at Mother Reilly's will consequently be a fortnight later, and so on; see the BIB calendar.

Eddie Adcock on ABC News TV

A month ago we posted news of the revered banjo-player Eddie Adcock and the pioneering brain surgery which he is undergoing to restore the full use of his hands and coordination.

Thanks to Sean McKerr of Lurgan, Co. Armagh, for sending a link to an ABCNews programme on the surgery, with footage of the operation in progress, Eddie's playing before and after, and comments from him and his wife Martha. The many admirers of Eddie Adcock and his music will be glad to know that he is in robust spirits and looking forward to the final stages of treatment.

Peter Rowan in Ards Guitar Festival

Peter Rowan, sometime member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and subsequently a living legend in his own right, will appear next Thursday in concert at the Queen's Hall, Newtownards, Co. Down, as part of the 12th International Ards Guitar Festival. Time 8.00 p.m.; admission £15.00/£12.00.

Peter Rowan's Homespun DVD Lead singing & rhythm guitar: finding your bluegrass voice shows that he is an exceptionally musical lead guitar player, as well as the kind of rhythm guitarist who can carry a whole band - not to mention being a great singer and songwriter...

Westport 2009

Thanks to Uri Kohen of Electric Cave Productions for the welcome news that the third Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival is planned for 2009 in the delightful town of Westport, Co. Mayo. As in previous years, it will take place on the last weekend of the month, which next year will be 26-28 June.

Three days of pub gigs, sessions, and workshops will be scheduled, with a concert on the Saturday night. Further details will follow as arrangements are confirmed. Photos by Carl Mark O'Neill, taken at this year's festival, can be seen on the BIB post for 30 June 2008.

Pulling together

From Dee Hallett of the BBMA:

Ross Nickerson of the Canadian band Hungry Hill kindly e-mailed to say that despite two of their band members unfortunately having to return home, due to a bereavement, during their recent tour of the UK and Ireland, the shows they undertook were all a great success. 'We were able to get great subs and the shows went on! We did two as a three-piece - and those went well too, we pulled it off! We had Bob Winquist and Gary Payne for Cornwall, and Clem O'Brien and Ivor Ottley for the Ireland shows!' Just proves that anything is possible when the bluegrass world pulls together...

Prairie Dawgs and friends at the Tumbleweed Love Sessions, 11 Oct.

Conor (Dawg) Farrell of the Prairie Dawgs reports:

This Saturday the Prairie Dawgs are back in the Cobblestone, Dublin, for the much acclaimed Tumbleweed Love Sessions with 'The Reverend JM and Shanks Be Danks'... and some special guests, including Mark Flynn and other members of the wonderful Blood Red Mountain Band.

The Tumbleweed Love Sessions have been bringing the finest in Roots/ Country/ Bluegrass since Jan. 2008. Previous Tumbleweeds have included the Blood Red Mountain Band, Mumblin Deaf Ro, the Sick & Indigent Song Club, Peter Delaney, Groom, the Desert Aces, the Critters, and house band the Prairie Dawgs, to name but a few of the great acts featured...

The TLS crew are commited to bringing you quality music & quality entertainment and for a Daecent price. (The Cobblestone, for their part, will deliver some quality pints!!)

The TLS also endeavor to cram as many bands and/or bits of bands on the stage for the end-of-the-night finale - and all this for little more than the price of an auld pint and a half!! Hope to see y'all there,

Slan go Foill

PS: Say hello if ya make it!