Bending the Strings: Bruff and a new CD

Thanks to Vinny Baker, guitarist with Bending the Strings, who reports:

I just want to say that the band are looking forward to seeing all their supporters at the festival in Bruff this coming weekend - 2, 3 4 October. We are also looking forward to meeting all our friends from Woodbine, the Niall Toner Band, and Tom Hanway at the festival, and indeed maybe joining them for a jam session.

Some recording news from the band as well: we have just completed [see photo above] the recording of our new album which will be called All keyed up: with Bending the Strings. It contains many bluegrass standards, plus instrumentals from all three members, and a Martin Cooney original banjo instrumental. The album, recorded in Vee Bee Studio in Mullingar, and produced by the band, features some live recordings and has some new songs given the band's own treatment. It is due out in about six weeks.

Also I would just like to thank my good friend Tom Hanway for inviting me to join him and his band, the Bluegrass Pals, at his recent gig in the Stillery venue in Longford town during the Longford Banjo Festival. We had a great session and covered all the old 'grass standards and some not so old as well. It was great to share the gig with Tom and the lads, and I look forward to a reunion in Bruff, Limerick, at the coming festival.

And talking of reunions... after years of searching the web, I eventually found my long-lost friend and wonderful bluegrass fiddler, George Kaye [right]. I then made contact by phone and we chatted for ages. George is the man who introduced me to bluegrass music when I played with his band back in 1970; we were great friends and he spent many, many nights playing bluegrass in my apartment in North Circular Road, Dublin. George now lives and runs his own pub in Germany; he also continues to play bluegrass on a weekly basis. I am happy to report that myself and my Bending the Strings mates, Martin and Moyra, are invited to do a tour of Germany next spring... which we will more than likely take up. Roll on 2010!!!

Bruff Bluegrass Music Festival, 2-4 Oct. 2009

Thanks to the Limerick Leader for more details of the First Bruff Bluegrass Music Festival, which will be held in Bruff, Co. Limerick, this coming weekend. It will be the first bluegrass festival to be held in the county, and the third festival this year to take place in Bruff.

Fri. 2 Oct. Molly Hicks, Tennessee Hennessees

Sat. 3 Oct. Molly Hicks, Niall Toner Band

Sun. 4 Oct. Hillbilly tractor run, 2.30 p.m. (proceeds to Milford Hospice); Cajun BBQ on the street, 3.30 p.m.; Woodbine (5.00-7.00 p.m.), Bending the Strings, Southern Union (Mallow)

Admission is free to all venues (Clancy’s, Derry’s, Clarke's); on Saturday and Sunday twilight picking sessions will be held. Enquiries: 'phone 382488/382433/086-0638874.

Uncle Earl news

Uncle Earl, 2009 model: Paula Bradley, Stephanie Coleman, KC Groves, Kristin Andreassen

After this year's Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, it's not hard to recall a couple of years back when all-girl neo-old-time string band Uncle Earl were the Sweethearts of Longford. The band has taken a sabbatical since July 2008 to allow members to pursue their own paths, and is now back in action with a new lineup.


Rayna Gellert and Abigail Washburn have amicably left; in their places, Paula Bradley and Stephanie Coleman have joined on banjo, fiddle, and other instruments, together with Bryn Davies (right), whom Irish fans will remember as the powerful bass player for the Two High String Band at the Dunmore East and Omagh festivals about ten years ago. The band already has a busy tour schedule lined up and is looking forward to a tour of Germany in 2010.

New Sick and Indigent CD

Thanks to dobroist Gerry Fitzpatrick (on the extreme right of the above picture) for the news that the Sick and Indigent Song Club are launching their new CD, Punch drunk, at the Sugar Club, Leeson St., Dublin 2, on 18 Oct. 2009. Doors open at 8.00 p.m.; admission (including the CD) is €15. The S&ISC hope to do an in-store session at Tower Records, Wicklow St., on Friday 16 Oct. at 5.00 p.m.

The album will also be available on line.

Ulster pickers at first Moniaive Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 2009

Colin Henry reports:

I thought I would send a few words about the first ever Moniaive Bluegrass Festival in Scotland which was held this past weekend. It was a resounding success. The two bands from Northern Ireland attending were Janet accompanied by myself along with Ivan and Wilson from the Broken String band [photo above], and the full Broken String Band itself.

There were a number of Scottish performers and one from Germany, I think. All the bands were excellent. The headliners were Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa from the USA. I have to say that of the many bands I have heard this past summer they have been the highlight. They perform a lot of original material but within the bluegrass tradition and as a consequence the band has a very fresh sound. The members are all top-notch players. I got a chance to pick some tunes with Dave Giegerich their dobro player, and he is a mighty player.

The organisation of the festival by Hugh Taylor and Paul Lyttle, not to mention Paul's wife Anja, was flawless. We were all treated with the utmost kindness and hospitality. The village of Moniaive and the surrounding area was beautiful. I know that we are all hoping that we will be invited back.

Update 30 Sept. BIB editor's note: L.Bow Grease, the band from Germany that Colin mentions, has in the past had the renowned George Kaye playing with them.

A satisfied guest; more photos are here.

Bluegrass at Jack of Diamonds Sessions, Dublin

The Bluegrass Brothers: Patrick Simpson and Aran Sheehan

Aran Sheehan reports:

Last night [Sunday 27 Sept.] Well Enough Alone and ourselves, the Bluegrass Brothers, represented bluegrass music amongst the many other acts that performed at the Jack of Diamonds Sessions in Le Cirk, Dame St., Dublin 2. The Sunday sessions at Le Cirk are now officially a regular weekly session which welcomes bluegrass musicians as well all other acoustic genres. Kickoff is around 2.00 p.m. every Sunday and it runs through till close.

Ben Goodbody of Well Enough Alone plays bass with the Brothers; Aran also played mandolin with Well Enough Alone, as Martin McWhorter was in the US at the time

From Nashville in the fall

Thanks to Niall Toner for these photos taken during the 2009 Americana Music Festival & Conference (16-19 September) in Nashville, TN.

Niall introducing bands at the world-famous Station Inn

The Keith Sewell band (see BIB for 1 Apr. 2009) launch Keith's latest album, The way of a wanderer, on Rubber Dog Records; the CD is now available for download at 99c per track from iTunes

At the Country Music Hall of Fame: 'All a part of Jimmie Rodgers' dream...'

At the Country Music Hall of Fame: #73987 herself - 'That old Gibson mandolin...'

Béla Fleck & the Flecktones in Ireland, 3-4 Nov.

Béla Fleck & the Flecktones will be playing two dates in Ireland at the beginning of November 2009, as part of a brief European tour.

In addition to the show at Vicar Street, Dublin, on Wednesday 4 November shown on their website, they will be playing the previous night (Tuesday 3 November) in the University Concert Hall, Limerick, according to fliers distributed at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival this weekend. For further info on this show, ring 087-281-7825; box office 061-331549.

After the Dublin show, the band will travel to Spain to play in Barcelona on 5 November and Cartagena on 6 November.

Fingerstyle tenor banjo workshop at Longford

Mirek Patek and Earl Scruggs at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in 2004

Mirek Patek (CZ) has been a regular attender at the annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in Longford, where he has been easily noticeable with his white-topped cap and his finger-picked tenor banjo.

At this year's Johnny Keenan festival (24-27 September), Mirek was taking part for the first time as an instructor, giving workshops in his unique style. For more details and examples of Mirek's finger-picking technique on tenor banjo, consult his website or his YouTube channel. How did he come to develop it? The answer is here.

Second European Bluegrass Summit, 5-7 Feb. 2010

Following the success of the first European Bluegrass Summit earlier this year, arrangements are being made to hold a second Summit in February 2010 to build on its achievements.

As in 2009, the Summit will be generously hosted again by the city of Bühl (in Baden, southern Germany), offering the entire meeting facilities and infrastructure free of charge. Full details are available through the European Bluegrass Blog.

Pictures from the Punch Bowl

Thanks to Gerry Fitzpatrick for the news that some fine photos, taken at the session run every Wednesday by the McGrane Family at the Old Punch Bowl, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, can be seen on the pub's website under 'Events'. Many familiar faces can be seen, and the atmosphere of the session and the Punch Bowl itself are well caught. Well worth a look.

Going to IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2009?

If you're going from Ireland to Nashville, TN, for IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2009, while you're there give a call to Frank Ray of Cedar Hill at 314 422 5129, or Pam Bunch of Nickeltown Music at 479 544 0053.

Cedar Hill hope to be able to get to Ireland in 2010 (see the BIB post of 30 August), so they'll be glad to meet any of the Irish bluegrass community. Their showcase schedule during World of Bluegrass is currently as follows (check when you get there in case of developments):

Nickeltown Music, Level 1, Room 107: Monday 28 Sept. 11.45 p.m. Tuesday...11:15
Nickeltown Music, Level 1, Room 107: Tuesday 29 Sept., 11.15 p.m.
Good Home Grown Music, Level 2, Room 209/210: Wednesday 30 Sept., 1:15 a.m.

Pam Bunch and Nickeltown Music also represent other artists including Bull Harman & Bull's Eye. Bull is a splendid lead guitarist, who can be seen on the St Louis Flatpick website; one of his original tunes is titled 'Fighting Irishman', and if we're lucky we may see him too over here some time. Perhaps at one of the guitar festivals?

The Carrivick Sisters in Ireland, 2-18 Oct. 2009

The Carrivick Sisters (UK), will begin a tour of Ireland next week, arriving here on 2 Oct 2009. They have recently been touring in the UK with Jeff & Vida.

Between the two of them, Laura and Charlotte Carrivick play guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro and fiddle, with vocal harmonies, and both write songs. In three years of performing together, they have played all over the UK, in Europe, and in Canada, and have released three CDs: My own two feet (2006), Better than 6 cakes (2007), and Jupiter’s corner (April 2009).

The first main show currently on their schedule for Ireland is the Ards International Guitar Festival at Newtownards, Co. Down (not 'Kerry', as erroneously shown on the schedule), on 4 October. Subsequent confirmed dates are:

6 Oct. Westport Arts Festival, Westport, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.
13 Oct. The Old Oak, Cork city, 8.00 p.m.
15 Oct. The Stables, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, 8.00 p.m.
17 Oct. Breffni Arms, Cavan town, Co. Cavan, 8.00 p.m.
18 Oct. Dufferin Arms, Killyleagh, Co. Down, 8.00 p.m.

Another golden bluegrass moment

The Colonel Bullshot Bluegrass Band: photos taken at the Clew Bay Hotel, 26 June

Uri Kohen of Electric Cave Production, Westport, Co. Mayo, reports:

The MacEvillys from Westport will take to the stage once again for a very special show.

This year, Westport's own bluegrass band had to respond to the demand of the crowd and performed more than ever in the past. Hubie and Sarah [right] mastered the sound of family harmony-singing and - backed by some of the best bluegrass musicians in the Westport area - they created a unique bluegrass show.

After appearing in all three previous Westport bluegrass festivals, and with the intention to go back to the festival next year, they will perform once again on Friday 2 October 2009. The gig will take place at the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport, and admission is free. As they proved in the past, this gig too promises to be an unforgettable night. See you there!

Dede Wyland: new CD

Back in January 2001, a feature article in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine said that Dede Wyland's 'gifts of vocal virtuosity, musical expressiveness, and her sheer positive force of personality have made her a valued presence in modern acoustic music'. Soon after that, Irish bluegrass fans had a chance to hear the truth of that when she came to the Athy festival with Tom Mindte's Patuxent Partners band.

Now Tom's Patuxent Music record company has just released Dede's latest CD, Keep the light on, as Patuxent CD-189. Supporting her are a constellation of bluegrass vocal and instrumental talent: Mike Munford, Ronnie and Rickie Simpkins, Wyatt Rice, Darol Anger, Ira Gitlin, Tom McLaughlin, Randy Barrett, Dudley Connell, David McLaughlin, and Fred Travers. It is available both from Patuxent Music and from Dede herself.

G2's 'best year so far'

The G2 Bluegrass Band from Sweden, who won the title of #1 European Bluegrass Band 2007 at the EWOB Festival in the Netherlands, and played in concert at the Omagh festival a year ago, are having the best year since they first got together in 2005.

They have just unveiled their new, improved website, shortly before they are due to leave for the US. This coming Saturday they will be in concert in Chicago, the following day on TV broadcast from Lexington, KY, and during the next week at the IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2009 in Nashville, where they will perform on the Awards Show - the first European band ever to do so.

G2 have plans for a prolonged stay in the US as soon as possible. You can read their new e-newsletter here.

Second Red Line Roots Festival in Dublin, 22-25 Oct. 2009

Thanks to Orla Keeshan and Linda Devlin for the welcome news that the second Red Line Roots Festival will be held in the Smithfield area of Dublin from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 25 October 2009. Orla writes:

Welcome to the Red Line Festival; it all started last year on a wild and blistery October Bank Holiday weekend in 2008. We began by linking three pubs surrounding Smithfield that were built by a passion for music: the Cobblestone, Dice Bar, and Sin É. These pubs didn’t play any old chart or pop, no siree, we kept it raw and rootsy. We are back this year to cause even more raucus and are now introducing you to another onslaught of gigs and events from Thurs. 22–Sun. 25 October that will draw you in for a whirlwind weekend and leave you feeling like lost tumbleweed come Monday morning.

In Sin É we have daytime events, old-school cinema [including the Dust Bowl Picture House, a series of movies and documentaries looking at old roots music legends], beer tasting, comedy, spoken word, and theatre to lead you into music-filled nights of blues, country, rock, and Balkan beats.

Down the road in Dice we are going a bit more hell and brimstone with D–66, a genuine one-man punk-blues-explosion-maniac, Here Comes The Landed Gentry, a big bad hairy old-school rock 'n’ roll band, and loads more acts to add extra wildness to the air.

The Cobblestone will be filled with stringed instruments from the trad sessions going all night in the front bar to the back-room venue hosting stunning old-time, folk, and bluegrass from the enthralling I Draw Slow and Southern Tenant Folk Union.

Keep watching the Red Line MySpace and website for new additions to the lineup, maps, tickets, and updates.

Woodbine on RTÉ radio

Tony O'Brien of the Athy Bluegrass Music Association reports:

Woodbine - with Martin Cooney of Bending the Strings deputising for Richard on 5-string - played two spots as guests on the Tubridy Show (RTÉ Radio 1) at the National Ploughing Championships at Athy, Co. Kildare, on Tuesday 22 September, and as a result of their performance were invited to perform three spots on the Marty Whelan Show on Lyric FM immediately after the Tubridy Show. This is both a first for this show to have bluegrass music, and a first for Woodbine to play on RTÉ Radio.

Red Stick Ramblers in Ireland

The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, reports that the Red Stick Ramblers Cajun band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will be playing at the Centre on Saturday 3 October as part of a ten-day tour in Ireland. The band will be arriving here after several performances in Denmark. Their full schedule in Ireland is as follows:

Fri. 25-Sun. 27 Sept. Open House Festival, Belfast
Sun. 27 Sept. Balor Arts Center, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Tues. 29 Sept. School Show, Ennis, Co. Clare
Wed. 30 Sept. Dolans Pub, Limerick city
Thurs. 1 Oct. The Crane Bar, 2 Sea Road, Galway city
Fri. 2 Oct. The Clarence Hotel, Wine St., Sligo town
Sat. 3 Oct. Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Sun. 4 Oct. Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare

More details - links and some location maps - are on the band's tour schedule.

Well Enough Alone at Le Cirk, Dublin, 20 Sept. 2009

Well Enough Alone, with a mission to bring authentic bluegrass to the city of Dublin, report:

Well Enough Alone will be playing this Sunday (20 September 2009) at Le Cirk on 32 Dame Street in the city centre this Sunday at about 7.30 p.m. We hope you can make it.

Regular members Hugh Dean Taggart (guitar, lead vocals) and Martin McWhorter (mandolin) will have BIB editor Richard Hawkins standing in for Ben Goodbody (banjo) for this show. The band now also has a MySpace site and a Facebook page.

Cajun/Bluegrass Night at Armagh, 25 Sept. 2009

Thanks as always to Sharon Loughrin, who reports:

The Market Place Theatre, Armagh, is hosting another Cajun/Bluegrass night next Friday, 25 September. Music is by Knotty Pine String Band [see photo] who many readers will no doubt remember from the music in the Folk Park sessions at the Omagh festival earlier this month. As usual there is the option of some cajun food before the performance. We've enjoyed this meal very much; highly recommended.

Full details of the Cajun/Bluegrass Night at the Market Place Theatre can be seen here. Sharon adds:

... If you have BBC 4 (freeview channel 9), tonight had the first episode of the new series of 'Transatlantic Sessions' at 8.30, repeated again at 1.30 - very late, I know, but it is well worth sitting up for. Tonight featured Dan Tyminski, James Taylor and Alison Moorer.

Bluegrass in a conflict zone

Anyone hearing news of last night's violence in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, is likely to have thought of Mel Corry and Sean McKerr, stalwarts of the local bluegrass community. We're glad to be able to publish their personal accounts, which embody the spirit that has made bluegrass music what it is. Sean reports:

Big session in Corner House Bar, Lurgan, tonight, 9.00 p.m. till late, as part of the Tony Lavery Fleadh; all musicians (no bodhrans) welcome. Mel managed to take a photo of me last night on our way to a great night with John Mitchell and friends in Dundrum, Co. Down.

We hope this photo will not deter visiting musicians. Although they burned our van out, the hi-jackers were very courteous and let us keep our instruments.

Over to Mel:

Sean and I were on our way to a gig when we were assailed by a gang of brigands; we fought bravely, Sean managed to retrieve his mandolin, and while I was trying to fight off the assailants he managed to get a passer-by to take this photo.

As you can see we lost the van; unfortunately the banjo didn't make it. Bluegrass in a conflict zone - you have no idea!

BIB editor's note: Having been trained as a historian to compare accounts, I have assumed that the event may not have been as serious as some readers understandably suppose. If I'm wrong, no one will be sorrier than I am, except of course Sean and Mel.

Live from Nashville...

Niall Toner reports from the 2009 Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville, TN:

Marty Stuart gave a stunning solo performance at the Station Inn in Nashville on Wednesday night, including some blistering Monroesque mandolin playing. Photo shows RTE Radio One producer Aidan Butler, Connie Smith (Mrs Stuart), Marty, and yours truly, backstage (such as it is) after the show. Earlier on that evening we heard the Greencards give a fine show at 3rd and Lindsley. We're off to the Ryman tonight for the awards show.

Prison Love in Dublin (22 Sept.) and Belfast (26 Sept.)

Mark O'Mahony ('Soapy' of Prison Love) reports:

Hey there friends,

Two great gigs in store for you this week...

Tuesday 22 Sept. in Crawdaddy (at Harcourt Luas station) supporting the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir. This punky, oldtimey quartet from Calgary, Canada, are Seasick Steve's favourite band and are famed for their ferocious combination of traditional blues, Appalachian folk, and ragged gospel. Doors 8.00 p.m.; tickets €12/15 available from Ticketmaster, City Discs, and Sound Cellar.

Saturday 26 Sept. at the Belfast Open House Festival. This will be our fourth year at this great feast of music, food, beer, and beards! If you're planning on making a weekend of it, there's a £59 deal at the Ramada Hotel for festivalgoers. See the festival website for event and ticketing info.

For regular updating on the Open House schedule, subscribe here.

Ruth Dillon returns to Longford with the Molly Hicks, 25 Sept. 2009

Ruth Dillon in Austin, TX, 2008

Recording artist and singer/ songwriter Ruth Dillon brings her original bluegrass and country songs to Longford, returning with the Molly Hicks to the Stillery, Friday 25 September, 10.00 p.m., preceded at 8.00 p.m. by a bluegrass session led by top-notch banjoist Tom Hanway, who recently appeared on TV3’s Ireland: AM with American country singer Jack Grace.

The Molly Hicks are an original and contemporary bluegrass unit based in Galway, featuring Ruth Dillon (vocals/guitar), Bernie O’Mahony (vocals/guitar), Tom Hanway (vocals/5-string banjo) and Peter Akerstrom (vocals/guitar). Ruth will try out her many new original songs, singing duets with Bernie and trios with Tom, who also adds hot original banjo tunes.

Please come meet the Molly Hicks at an intimate venue in Longford town, and help them celebrate the release of their thirteen-song recording, with new, original and traditional songs.

For full details of the Molly Hicks, please see the BIB post of 25 August. For more info and bookings, contact

Tom Hanway
Home: 043-33-46340
Mobile: 087-204-7926
e-mail

International Songwriting Competition: deadline 7 Oct. 2009

The deadline for this year's International Songwriting Competition is 7 October 2009. A total of $150,000 in cash and prizes is to be won, including a special grand prize of $25,000. Full details here.

Bowmac Bluegrass Company in Dublin, 21 Sept. 2009

Thanks to Aran Sheehan, who reports:

Announcing a new bluegrass collaboration on the Dublin scene: Bowmac Bluegrass Company will be playing in 'Le Basement' (music venue) of the Le Cirk Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, 32 Dame Street, Dublin 2, at 9.15 p.m. on Monday 21 September. No cover charge.

Playing a mixture of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Lineup:

Ralph Murphy (5-string banjo)
Barney Bowes (fiddle/banjo/vocals)
Paul McEvoy (rhythm guitar/vocals)
Patrick Simpson (lead guitar/vocals)
Aran Sheehan (mandolin)

The main entrance to 'Le Basement' is right opposite the Stag's Head pub on Dame Lane, or you can access through the main bar entrance of Le Cirk on Dame Street. It's a lovely intimate venue right in the centre of town.

So for anyone who fancies listening to a bit of bluegrass in town this Monday evening, do please come along; your support would be greatly appreciated.

Visiting US acts, Oct. 2009

Love Cannon String Band

Tom Stapleton of the Music Store, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, sent word back in May that Texas folk-country-rock-protest singer/songwriter James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards will play at the Set Theatre, Langton's, Kilkenny, on Wednesday 14 October 2009 as part of a European tour. McMurtry's bio uses the word 'Dylanesque'.

Ten days later (Saturday 24 October) Idaho folk-country-rock-protest singer/songwriter Josh Ritter and the Love Cannon String Band (guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass) will be playing in the same new venue.

Doors open at 8.30 p.m. for both shows. Tickets can be booked at the theatre online or by 'phone (056 7721728); and at Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny (phone 087-2238040).

Slaid Cleaves, Maine/Texas folk-country-rock-protest singer/ songwriter, will be playing at Whelan's, Dublin (6 Oct.) and the Errigle Inn, Belfast (7 Oct.), in between four dates in the Netherlands and fourteen in the UK. For info, interviews, and press inquiries, contact Natalie Darrah of Music Road Records by e-mail; 'phone +1 (512) 444-0226.

MacEvillys at the Clock Tavern, Westport, 25 Sept.

Hubie and Sarah MacEvilly

The MacEvillys - Hubie and Sarah - will present a Blue Grass Night at the Clock Tavern, High Street, Westport, Co. Mayo, on Friday 25 September from 21:00 (9.00 p.m.).

A month later they will be performing at the Balla Bluegrass Festival in Balla, Co. Mayo, both as a duo and as members of Colonel Bullshot Rides Again.

New member of the Irish bluegrass community

Thanks to Viktor Kutka, mandolin player from Slovakia and a member of the scene in Ireland since 2005 (when he joined the jam sessions at Rosie O'Grady's, Harold's Cross, Dublin), for these photos of his new daughter Sára. Viktor writes:

At 11th of September 2009 (on our 10th wedding anniversary and Joachim's third birthday) at 6:00 a.m., Sára was born... 3300g, 49 cm...

The photo below shows Sára with Ráchel, Benjamín, and Joachim. Congratulations to Viktor, his wife, and all their children!

Peter O. Ruby with All Bells & Whistles for Ireland in 2010?

Darek Houška, Peter O. Ruby, Lucas Mayer, Pepa (Joe) Plecitý

Thanks to Petr Hruby (Peter O. Ruby) of the Czech Republic for the news that he and his band, All Bells & Whistles, are booked to perform at the Scottish Bluegrass Association's Guildtown Festival in late July 2010 and hope also to play on the big La Roche Bluegrass Festival in the French Alps a week later. To offset travel expenses, the band are looking for gigs in the intervening week and would be particularly glad to play in Ireland.

The Czech scene is the powerhouse of bluegrass in Europe, and the Bluegrass Association of the Czech Republic awarded one of Peter's earlier bands the title of 'Discovery of the Year'. His band has included such formidable musicians as Jirka Bok (banjo) and Jirka (George) Králík (fiddle), who played at the Omagh 2008 festival in Králík's Rowdy Rascals. Peter's aim from the start has been that the band should be at least as strong vocally as instrumentally; and with the recent addition of Pepa (Joe) Plecitý on bass, the band is now developing a quartet repertoire.

Anyone interested in putting on this powerful neo-traditionalist band in Ireland can contact Peter by e-mail.

... and the music is something grand

Mel Corry (right) writes:

... Just to let you know that Sean McKerr [left] and myself are available for bookings as a duo, featuring original instrumentals on guitar, mandolin, and banjo and the usual eclectic mix of songs both traditional and contemporary bluegrass, hardcore country, and rockabilly. We will still work as the Tennessee Hennessees band but offer the two-piece as an alternative to those agents and promoters out there who have difficulty paying the cost of a five-piece band. Let the whole world know!

For more info and bookings, contact Mel by e-mail. The photos were taken by Carl Mark O'Neill at the Athy 2009 bluegrass festival.

Foggy Hogtown Boys at Thurles, 17 Sept.

Thanks to Ita Kane for the welcome news that after their show at Kilworth Arts Centre, Co. Cork, on Tuesday 15 September, there is one further chance to see the Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada) before they leave for England. They will be performing on Thursday night, 17 September, at the Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, before leaving next day for the Cornish Bluegrass Association Festival.

More Omagh memories

If you missed the Omagh festival, or were there and want to be reminded of the sights and sounds, thank the DanGem Bluegrass Banjo Company for this link to their Omagh festival web page, which has photos and YouTube footage from the 2008 and 2009 events. Many familiar faces can be seen, and plenty of good music can be heard.

Don't forget the Dangem Bluegrass Get-Together at the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, on the morning of Saturday 19 Sept. Full details are on the Dangem website, together with the dates (26-8 Feb. 2010) for the second annual Dangem Banjo Camp.

Also - for the many people who became Claire Lynch fans as a result of her band's sets at Omagh, her latest e-newsletter can be read here; though it's still too early for anything about the festival to be included...

Tumbleweed Love Sessions, 12 Sept. 2009

The Prairie Dawgs report:

This Saturday the Prairie Dawgs are back in the Cobblestone for the much acclaimed Tumbleweed Love Sessions.

The Tumbleweed Love Sessions have been bringing you the finest in roots/ country/ bluegrass since Jan. 2008. Previous Tumbleweeds have included the Hot Sprockets, the Blood Red Mountain Band, the Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns, Mumblin Deaf Ro, Ciara Considine, the Sick & Indigent Song Club, Peter Delaney, Groom, the Desert Aces, the Critters, and of course house band the Prairie Dawgs, to name but a few of the great acts featured.

This month's special guest is Michael John; Hot Press described him as having '... a soft, soulful folk sound that should appeal to fans of Smog or Nick Drake... I'll be keeping an eager ear out for his album...'

The TLS crew are committed 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!!

Woodbine shows, Sept.-Oct. 2009

Roger Green's Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), who will begin a tour in Ireland next week, played fifteen dates in July back home, which as Roger says is not bad for a part-time band. Setting their standards accordingly, Athy-based band Woodbine are on the move between now and the end of October, with the following dates currently on their schedule:

Sept. 13th Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois; 6.00-8.00 p.m.
Oct. 4th Bruff Bluegrass Festival, Co. Limerick; 6.00-8.00 p.m.
Oct. 5th Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare; 9.00 p.m. [SHIFTED: see below]
Oct. 10th Johnny Crampsie Traditional and Bluegrass Festival, Strabane, Co. Tyrone; 2.00 p.m., 8.00 p.m.
Oct. 25th Balla Bluegrass Festival, Co. Mayo; 8.00 p.m.

Update 15 Sept.: the Ballymore Eustace show has now been rescheduled to Monday 9 Nov.

Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry on YouTube

Thanks to Gary Ferguson for this YouTube link to an evocative slideshow compiled by Chris Ferguson, charting the progress of this July's tour of Ireland by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry. The photos are accompanied by music from the trio's MySpace site.

We also learn from the British Bluegrass Music Association's e-newsletter #2 (Sept. 2009) that Janet Holmes and Colin Henry will be among the artists appearing at the Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival (25–27 Sept. 2009) in Scotland, together with the Broken Strings Band (NI) and many others, with the bill topped by the fine US band Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa (USA). Full details are on the Festival website.

More from Omagh; more to come from Nashville

Thanks to Niall Toner for the above photo of the NTB in action on the main stage at Omagh a week ago. The band was in fine form throughout, and as Niall says, 'the weekend was just great, apart from the rain...'

Niall will soon be in Nashville, TN, for the Americana Music Association's 2009 Americana Music Festival & Conference (16-19 September). He will be reporting in to the Pat Kenny Radio Show on RTE Radio One on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week (16-18 Sept.), and adds:

There will be some 'tourist' and 'come-visit'-type content to my reports, and hopefully a goodly lump of music.

Update 13 Sept.: Bluegrass-related acts showcasing in the Americana event include Missy Raines & the New Hip, Bearfoot, Marty Stuart, the Greencards, the Boston Boys, Jim Lauderdale, the Lovell Sisters, Farewell Drifters, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Casey Driessen, Jerry Douglas, and Keith Sewell - many of whom have played in Ireland. Thanks to Kelly Kessler for this information.

Spencer Strickland at Omagh

Thanks again to Enda Donnelly for this photo of Spencer Strickland of Virginia, who was playing mandolin with the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band at the Omagh festival last weekend. He is a luthier as well as a musician, making guitars and mandolins on his own account and doing finishing work for Wayne Henderson.

Enda encountered Spencer's playing a year ago on YouTube, where there are several clips of him, notably on 'Cherokee shuffle'. Also playing mandolin at Omagh - with the Claire Lynch Band - was Jason Thomas, whose mother was a Hogan...

Foggy Hogtown Boys: last dates in Leinster

A brief reminder that the Foggy Hogtown Boys, the hot young traditional bluegrass band from Canada, will be playing at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul, Co. Dublin, on Friday 11 September, and at Colfer's in Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, on Saturday 12 September. These are their only two dates in Leinster this trip - all the others being either in Ulster (the Omagh festival last weekend) or Munster.

New old-time CD

Hunter Robertson (USA), whose appearances in Europe during 2009 included the major festivals at Voorthuizen and La Roche, reports:

I'm pleased to announce the release of a new album: Casey Joe Abair & Hunter Robertson, If you want to go to sleep, go to bed (Yodel-Ay-Hee 074), an album of old-timey banjo-and-fiddle duets. It comprises seventeen traditional songs and tunes, learnt from a variety of sources - mainly musicians long gone.

Samples and more information on the album are here. It is available from CDBaby and Menzies Stringed Instruments and shortly from County Sales and Elderly Instruments, and will soon be available through iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, eMusic and other purveyors of fine mp3s as well.

Extra: we learn that Hunter was living in Galway c.1992 and in the Dublin area in 2003-5 - just before the BIB and the sessions at Rosie O'Grady's began...

Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition in Ireland, 16-25 Sept. 2009

Thanks to Roger Green (at right in the above photo) of Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (USA), for the news that he will be bringing the ABC to Ireland once more next week. Their schedule is as follows:

Wed. 16th: Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare
Thurs. 17th: University of Ireland, Galway city (lunchtime concert, 1.00 p.m.)
Thurs. 17th: Crane Bar, Galway city (evening)
Mon. 21st: Village Arts Centre, The Square, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Tues. 22nd: St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Thurs. 24th: Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork
Fri. 25th: Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow

If you can offer a gig for the band on any of the open dates (18th-20th, 23rd), contact Roger by e-mail.

Roger adds that he has been doing a weekly bluegrass radio show since January:

I’m enjoying and learning a lot. It’s on a small, low-power community station, but it does stream on the internet... Should you get a chance to listen in sometime, I’m on Tuesday afternoons 4.00 p.m. our time. Right now, that would be 9.00 p.m. your time. The station ID is WRYR and there’s information on streaming there.

Copies of the program are on the ABC website in the form of mp3 files.

Seventeen years...

Bob Cherry, founder of Cybergrass, the original internet bluegrass news magazine, announces that today it celebrates seventeen years of promoting bluegrass music on the worldwide web. Cybergrass adopted a new format six years ago, and since then has had sixteen million page views. See more details here.

Our friend Erio Meili in Brazil, president of the Sao Paulo Bluegrass Music Association and coordinator of the South American Bluegrass Network, sends his congratulations to Cybergrass and adds:

Today is also our seventh birthday of the officially registered dominion date of our website and today is also the thirteenth anniversary of Bill Monroe's passing. So, today is 09/09/09 for all of us. What a Great Bluegrass Day and easy to remember!

Update 10 September: the BIB has a permanent link to Cybergrass near the head of the list of links in our right-hand column.

Open House Festival: book soon!

Graham Brown, marketing manager of the Belfast Open House Festival, reports that ticket sales have been very postitive, with several shows expected to sell out very soon; so tickets should be booked as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. You can do this online.

Three free festival CDs have been compiled and are downloadable as mp3s from here. The Open House team are also hoping to have a mini winter festival (event name tbc) between 11 and 13 December. Send an e-mail with any ideas or suggestions for bands you would like to see.

Finally: if anyone is going to any gigs or festivals in the near future and is willing to take along some Open House promo material for distribution, or help in any way, please e-mail. The full text of this release can be seen here.

NTB3 on the BB

The original Bluegrass Blog today carries a feature on NTB3, the latest CD released by the Niall Toner Band. A sample quote:

NTB3 will have tremendous appeal to fans of Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers...

Read the whole feature, together with other news of Niall's forthcoming activities, here.

Photos from 18th Omagh festival, 2009

Thanks to Enda Donnelly for these photos from the 18th Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, last weekend.

Main marquee: the Claire Lynch Band (Jason Thomas, Claire Lynch, Mark Schatz, Jim Hurst)

Main marquee: the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band (Trent Callicutt, Amanda Smith, Kenny Smith, Zachary McLamb (hidden), Spencer Strickland)

Private function at Beragh, Co. Tyrone: 4 Wheel Drive with Jolanda Peters (Jurgen Biller, Joost van Es, Jolanda Peters, Ulli Sieker (hidden), Alfred Bonk, Jan Michielsen)

Gospel songbook - and dobro capo

Practically all bluegrass bands use some gospel material, and David Regen of Nashville, TN, has compiled a songbook, the Gospel supplement, to assist bands in performing or accompanying gospel songs in a variety of situations. The Supplement is 'an assembly of about 25 bluegrass-friendly church hymns, about 25 gospel compositions by bluegrass pioneers, about 50 bluegrass-adopted songs from the gospel-quartet tradition, and a few spirituals'. The full list of contents can be seen here.

David also produces the Freedom Dobro Capo, which is designed so that nothing projects above the strings. It comes in several heights and prices; check out the details on the website.

Foggy Hogtown Boys: schedule change

Thanks to Ita O'Kane for news of an adjustment in the current tour schedule for the Foggy Hogtown Boys (Canada). Their show at Colfer's Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, will now take place on Saturday 12 September, starting at 8.00 p.m. It was originally announced for 13 September. Ita adds:

The tour is going well for the Foggy Hogtown Boys, with a very successful Omagh Bluegrass Festival appearance to start their first trip to Ireland and the UK.

The BIB editor cordially agrees: the FHB are a solid, driving, inventive, and dynamic band, and you should not miss an opportunity of hearing them. Our only regret at Omagh is not having had a chance to hear FHB guitarist Chris Coole play clawhammer banjo, because according to Bill Whelan of the Rough Deal String Band (and who's a better judge?), Chris is an outstanding player.

Turquoise in Omagh

Turquoise, the multi-national band based in France, will be among the headline acts at the 18th Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival (4-6 September 2009) at the Ulster-American Folk Park outside Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

On this trip Jeanmarie Peschiutta (vocals, guitar), Natalie Shelar (vocals, bass) and Jean-Marc Delon (banjo, vocals) will be joined by Martino Coppo (mandolin, vocals), standing in for Christian Séguret. Martino, who is a member of the EBMA board, is no stranger to Omagh, having played there more than once with Red Wine (Italy). The festival programme notes on Turquoise can be read here.

Two winners of the #1 European Bluegrass Band award at the EWOB Festival will also be playing at Omagh this year - 4 Wheel Drive (2002) and Acousticure (2008).

Tin Box Company news

Dublin's Tin Box Company continue their regular weekly gig every Thursday from 9.00 p.m. in Delaney's Knocklyon Inn, Knocklyon Road, Dublin 16, a nice warm, friendly pub with plenty of parking space; all are welcome, so come along and join in the fun.

The TBC have been recently joined at Delaney's by a Dublin dobro player, and by two American old-time and bluegrass musicians, Michael Ellison (fiddle) and Bert Abbott (guitar), both from Kentucky. Bert is also a luthier, and built both the fiddle and the guitar himself. They have made several appearances at the Knocklyon gig as part of their tour in Ireland, which is now coming to an end. The good news is that Michael and Bert intend to be back next year, bringing their whole band with them.

David Simpson: a tribute

Thanks to Cathal Cusack for this link to The Session, a website for players of Irish traditional music and a vehicle for the exchange of tunes.

The link is to a tribute to David Simpson, posted by Bannerman. As Cathal points out, everything that is said about David as a musician and a person in this context would apply equally well in a bluegrass context.

Old Yellers in Ireland, 10-20 Sept. 2009

The Old Yellers in Ireland, summer 2009

Thanks to Michael Berly (guitar, banjo, vocals) of The Old Yellers - from the vigorous Portland, Oregon, scene - for the news that later this month the Old Yellers will be making their second tour in Ireland this year, and the fourth in the last three years. The band's schedule is as follows:

Sept. 10 The Living Room Sessions, with Al O'Donnell; Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Sept. 11 Ryan's, Kilkenny city
Sept. 12 Lynham's, Laragh
Sept. 13 The Bridge, Wicklow
Sept. 17 The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin
Sept. 18 The Crane Bar, Galway city
Sept. 19 The Golden Ball, near Dublin

Ball & Sultan at Leap Castle, 11 Sept.

Thanks to Tom Stapleton for the news that Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan will be playing at the Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, on Friday 11 September. For tickets (limited) ring 087 2238040. The accompanying release states:

Tom and Kenny have been bringing their unique blend of guitar and harmonica blues, rags and good time music to widely diverse audiences for more than 25 years. Their live performances include concerts, clubs and festivals all over the world, and they were the only musical act in America to play all four venues of the 1984 Olympic Games...

They will also be playing on 10 September at the Crane Bar, Galway, as part of the Galway Americana Festival.