Greetings from Nashville

Roger Ryan, of the Country Music Association of Ireland, sends greetings from Nashville, where he arrived on 1 June and will remain till 18 July, with singer/songwriters Barry & Holly Tashian.

The above photo shows Roger as a member of the 2008 graduating class of the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass programme, directly behind April Verch, who is fourth from the left in the front row. Richard Hurst, organiser of the Omagh festival, can be seen in the row behind Roger.