Woodbine at two landmark events

Woodbine at Athy 2009 (photo: Des Butler)

The BIB editor (also banjo-player for Woodbine) reports:

Last weekend Woodbine had the honour of being part of two events in different parts of Ireland, each of which was in its own way a landmark for the surrounding area.

On Saturday 24 October we played at Durrow, Co. Laois, for the fifth time this year, and the fourth time at Bob's Bar. We always enjoy Durrow, and Bob's always makes us feel welcome; it's a pleasant old-fashioned bar beside the river and the old bridge at the Abbeyleix end of town. This time, we were there as part of the celebrations to mark the opening of a local museum - and a remarkable and admirable one it turned out to be.

The launch reception was in the Old Boat House (c. 1692), between the main bar and the river, where the walls were covered with photos of people and places in Durrow over the past half-century or more. Upstairs - the real revelation - were three rooms full of bicycles: each one in mint condition, and with a framed photo of its former owner, with a finely lettered description of the cycle, the owner, and the work both of them had done. A unique tribute to the people of a locality and an era when the bicycle was a main means of transport.

Bobby Campion and his family hosted the reception, Hugh Sheppard gave the opening address in a packed house, and Mr Mick Dunphy cut the tape to open the museum. Woodbine feel privileged to have been part of this occasion.

The following day (Sunday 25 October) we were in Co. Mayo for the second day of the new Balla Bluegrass Festival, a three-day event centred on Mannion's in the main street, with at least four concerts and plenty of vigorous jamming. It's clear from the photo gallery on the festival website that we missed a lot by not staying for the finale on Monday night! It was great to be in such a friendly atmosphere, where everyone - audience, performers, and organisers - seemed equally delighted at how everything went. Congratulations and thanks to Tommy Lyons, Chris Mannion, their crew, our fellow pickers, and everyone who was there for the first of what we hope will be a long line of Balla Bluegrass Festivals.

New weekly bluegrass session in Dublin

Thanks to Aran Sheehan, who sends the following news:

A new weekly bluegrass session which is open to musicians and listeners alike. Every Wednesday at 9.00 p.m. in Nash's pub on the corner of Meath Street and Thomas Street, Dublin 8 (heading from Christ Church, it's on the left, just past the Vicar Street venue).

Next week will be the third week it's going, so it's in its infancy. However, for the past two weeks we have had most BG instruments represented, with double bass, git, banjer, fiddle, and mando...

Celtic Connections 2010

UKBluegrass.com announces:

There will be plenty of musicians from the world of bluegrass and old-time at next year’s Celtic Connections in Scotland.

Acts confirmed so far include the Dan Tyminski Band, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Bruce Molsky, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Darol Anger and Mike Marshall, and banjo-rap group the Deadly Gentlemen.

The festival takes place between January 14th and 31st at various venues throughout Glasgow. A full schedule and tickets are available at the Celtic Connections website.

Update: The Dan Tyminski Band gig has been cancelled and is no longer listed on the Celtic Connections website.

'Glas Vegas' on TG4: apply NOW to audition

Thanks to Mick Daly, organiser of the annual Guinness International Bluegrass Festival at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, who forwards a message from Fiona Ni Cheirin of Adare Productions (tel. 01-2843877; e-mail), asking for contacts from anyone who might be interested in auditioning for the fourth series of 'Glas Vegas', the TG4 talent competition. Fiona adds:

Auditions will be commencing end of November/ early December, so people would need to register with us NOW.

The new series will be presented by Cillian O Donnachadha, with three judges – Ciara Newell, Paraic Breathnach, and Evelyn O’Rourke. The promo sheet reads as though half the entertainment is expected to come from fights among the judges; but if your bluegrass band can ride unruffled through this kind of thing and you want to take part in the new series, go to the TG4 website.

Click on ‘Glas Vegas’ to fill in an application form; you will be contacted to arrange a time and place for an audition. Or you can call the competition line on 1512 71 72 17, leave your name and number, and TG4 will be in touch. Glas Vegas 4 will be on TG4 in early 2010.

Sick & Indigent Song Club launch Winter Music Weekend programme

Thanks to Dublin dobro and guitar player Gerry Fitzpatrick, who reports:

The Sick and Indigent Song Club will be headlining at the Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, on Saturday 14 November at a gig to launch the programme for the Winter Music Weekend 2010 festival.

Also delighted to tell you that the track 'I want to whistle like my sister Kate' from the new album Punch drunk has made the RTE 1 daytime playlist!

Outlands: the Celtic-bluegrass connection

Thanks to Archie MacLullich for drawing our attention to the new CD Outlands by innovative Scottish piper Fred Morrison. The ten tracks are mostly original compositions; the artists taking part include Ron Block (banjo, guitar) and Tim O'Brien; and the album is produced by Gary Paczosa (Dolly Parton, Dixie Chicks, Nickel Creek).

More details and audio samples are available on the Fred Morrison website and MySpace site. Archie also draws attention to an interesting interview with Fred by reporter Sue Wilson for the Hi-Arts [Highlands & Islands Arts] website, which includes his affinities with Irish uillean pipers such as Paddy Keenan and Finbarr Furey, as well as with bluegrass - for which he first acquired a taste in Amsterdam.

The footage of Fred Morrison on YouTube includes one video of him playing 'Kansas City hornpipe/Jarlath's tune' with Bruce Molsky on 5-string banjo.

Harmony singing workshops in 2010

Thanks to our friend Rienk Janssen of the Netherlands for the news that Sue Thompson (USA) - vocalist, guitarist, vocal arranger, and teacher - will be in Europe for six months, starting in March 2010, and is available to give guitar instruction and workshops in harmony singing.

Sue created the instructional course How to sing harmony the natural way, together with Keith Little and Don Share. She can be contacted by e-mail.

Attention, festival organisers...

Thanks to Richard F Thompson of the BBMA for drawing the attention of festival organisers to the deadline (12.00 a.m., 7 Nov. 2009) for entering details of their events in the January 2010 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.

To qualify for an entry, your event must have at least five bands/acts and not less than five hours of music per day, and must feature bluegrass, old-time, or acoustic music.

Send, e-mail, or fax the following info to Bluegrass Unlimited magazine:

**Festival dates
**City, state, and country of event
**Name of event
**Location & brief directions
**Contact name
**Contact address
**Phone number
**E-mail address
**Website URL

Fax to +1-540-341-0011
e-mail
Postal address PO Box 771, Warrenton, VA 20188, USA
For info: +1-800-258-4727

The Molly Hicks: new MySpace site

The Molly Hicks and friends: Juliana Erkkonen, Peter Akerstrom, Ruth Dillon, John Kenny, Bernie O'Mahony, Tom Hanway

Tom Hanway reports:

The Molly Hicks have a new MySpace site with listings of their shows, band personnel, album credits, photos, a slide show, and two live videos shot at the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway. The first video is ‘Wildwood flower/Blue and lonesome’, featuring Ruth and Bernie, with Tom on baritone, and the second is ‘My little Georgia Rose’, with Tom on lead and high-lonesome harmonies from Bernie and Ruth.

The Molly Hicks begin with Galway's best-loved, original bluegrass team, top songwriter Ruth Dillon (vocals/guitar) and savvy arranger Bernie O’Mahony (vocals/guitar).

Rounding out the Molly Hicks are, in various combinations, Tom Hanway (vocals/5-string banjo), Peter Akerstrom (vocals/guitar), and Paul Johnson (bass). Ruth writes bluegrass songs, singing powerful duets with Bernie, and trios and quartets with Peter and Tom, who also adds hot original banjo tunes.

This tight vocal group is revered in Galway and far afield across Ireland for their unique delivery of traditional, original, and contemporary bluegrass songs. The Molly Hicks are a singing tour de force and put on a great live show, with everyone taking turns singing lead and harmony, doing call-and-response, in the grand traditions of American Appalachian, bluegrass, gospel, and country music.

The band is back in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new CD, The Molly Hicks, featuring contemporary and original songs by Ruth and a driving new banjo tune from Tom.

The band plays this Saturday night, 24 October, 9.30 p.m. at Mannion’s Bar for the inaugural Balla Bluegrass Festival in Co. Mayo. Follow them on MySpace for breaking news bulletins, music, blogs, videos, and get a listen to their debut recording, which will be up soon.

The Molly Hicks are now booking festivals and concerts for 2010, 2011, and 2012.

FOAOTMAD on Facebook

The invaluable UK old-time music organisation FOAOTMAD now has a Facebook page. One of the first things you can see on it is that the next annual FOAOTMAD old-time festival at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, will be held on 12-14 February 2010. The Slate Mountain Ramblers from Virginia head the bill; other details are TBC.

Tom Hanway: new links from MySpace

Tom inside the stone circle at Lough Gur, Co. Limerick

Working in combination with Universal and Digital Revolution Entertainment, Tom Hanway has built a time-saving MySpace site whereby music buyers can click on an album cover and go straight into iTunes for each of his three releases, setting up an account and/or ordering Tom’s music as entire albums or a la carte, choosing from his 42 selections.

His three critically acclaimed releases – Bucket of bees, Tom Hanway & Blue Horizon, and The Badbelly project: Hesitation Blues – became available last December as digital downloads on many online music stores.

Similarly, for Tom’s banjo book/CD with Mel Bay Publications, by clicking on the book cover, shoppers will go straight into Mel Bay XPress to a description and ordering page.

Full details of CDs, including the stellar lists of guest artists, are on Tom's website. In addition to this weekend's Balla Bluegrass Festival at Balla, Co. Mayo, with the Molly Hicks, Tom will be playing with his Bluegrass Pals at Lynch's, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on 1 Nov., 15 Nov., and 29 Nov.

'Good Morning Europe' on World Wide Bluegrass network

Ernie and Debi Evans (left), who jointly host the 'Sunday Afternoon Breakdown' on WFCF 88.5 FM in St Augustine, Florida, will present a new radio show over the internet as part of the World Wide Bluegrass network in the coming weeks. Ernie, who is also president of the North Florida Bluegrass Association and runs the Evans Bluegrass Journal blog, says:

We are a charting station based out of Florida, not to mention the largest college radio station in the US, but want to reach more people. Our recent trip to IBMA this year opened our eyes as to how many talented European artists there are and we had no interaction with them... They make a strong effort and have an unbelievable passion and appreciation for bluegrass music... This is an opportunity for us to help share some of the great music coming out of Europe and give them a chance to hear more bluegrass from the US to start their day off right. After all, they are all part of our bluegrass family.

Programming is already in progress for this international morning show that will bring Europe and the US together for music enthusiasts in both continents. It will feature music, live interviews and news of what's happening and about to happen. Debi says:

This is going to be a great venture and we would like you to come and 'Experience Bluegrass With Us' on the World Wide Bluegrass network. We have access to many domestic entertainers and events, but are collecting information on events and material from European artists, promoters, and agents to help expose them to the US market. We will be airing in a few weeks so don't wait, please respond ASAP.

You can make contact by e-mail. 'The Evans Midnight Round Up/Good Morning Europe Show' will be broadcast on Tuesdays at:
12.00 a.m.-2.00 a.m. EDT
5.00 a.m.-7.00 a.m. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
6.00 a.m.-8.00 a.m. CET (Central European Time)
7.00 a.m.-9.00 a.m. EET (Eastern European Time)

Ernie and Debi Evans are also members of IBMA and IBMM, and co-promoters of the Florida State Bluegrass Festival.

News media from the bluegrass scene in Britain

British Bluegrass News #50 (autumn 2009) has been posted out to members of the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA).

The 40-page issue includes a major obituary of Mike Seeger, features on the Steve Martin phenomenon, the Jaywalkers band, Monroe's Revenge (part 2), 'The state of bluegrass', and an interview with Tony Furtado. Sophia Johnson of the Toy Hearts reveals her ‘Favourites’, and 'The story behind the song' looks at Hazel Dickens‘s ‘Carry me across the mountain’. All this plus the usual 'What’s on', tour details and 2009 festival reports, CD reviews, 'Light in the window', 'SmallTalk', twelve area reports, and a bluegrass recipe.

This issue is the second to appear with Richard F. Thompson as editor-in-chief. British Bluegrass News is published by the BBMA, which was founded in 1990. The third BBMA e-newsletter has also recently been issued to members. To join the BBMA, contact the Membership Team, Clare and David Rozzell, by e-mail.

For further information about the BBMA and the e-newsletter, contact Richard F. Thompson, Press Relations, 14 Lime Grove, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, WS13 6ER; 'phone +44 (0)1543 252683; e-mail.

************

The Scottish Bluegrass Association has brought out its fourth issue (October/November 2009) of Bluegrass and More, the e-magazine formerly issued by Dee Hallett. Bluegrass and More can be accessed on the SBA website or received by e-mail on application to the SBA.

Well Enough Alone: on the highway

Well Enough Alone: (l-r) Harrison Cargill, Ben Goodbody, Martin McWhorter, Hugh Dean Taggart

Dublin-based band Well Enough Alone are building a solid traditional sound and a busy schedule. They have some new recordings up on their website. As well, they are heading off to the Haven, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, this weekend, and back in Dublin they will play Sheary's in Crumlin on Halloween, and Whelan's on 5 November. More details of their schedule, together with full-length audio tracks, are also on their Facebook page.

Well Enough Alone comprises Harrison Cargill (banjo), Ben Goodbody (bass), Martin McWhorter (mandolin), and Hugh Dean Taggart (guitar).

Tupelo charity single

Kevin Duffy, fiddler with Tupelo, writes:

Can you please support a charity single titled 'Cá bhfuil ár scoil?' released by Dublin-based band Tupelo, in aid of Gaelscoil Bharra in Cabra, who for the last 14 years are based in ‘temporary’ prefabs which are in an appalling condition and since then are fighting for a permanent school building.

You can download the single for just 99c on iTunes: text "music 4075" to 57501 to download it to your PC or text "music 4075 m" to 57501 to download it to your mobile. Also, if you are old-school and would like to buy a CD, you can drop in to Tower Records on Wicklow St., Dublin, or Celtic Note on Nassau St., Dublin, and pick one up for €3. For more details, check www.tupelo.ie.

Tupelo are also playing a fundraising gig in The Village on Wexford St. this Thursday night at 8.00 p.m. and admission is €10. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Mozaik tour in Ireland, Oct.-Nov. 2009

Mozaik: (l-r) Donal Lunny, Bruce Molsky, Andy Irvine, Nikola Parov, Rens van der Zalm (photo: Dianna Snape)

Mozaik, the world music band whose distinguished ranks include old-time virtuoso Bruce Molsky, played at the Sirius Arts Centre, The Old Yacht Club, Cobh, Co. Cork, last Friday (16 Oct.) and will shortly set off to play three shows in England and one in Luxembourg before opening an Irish tour at the end of this month. The dates are:

30 Oct. Set Theatre, Johns St., Kilkenny (details TBC)
31 Oct. Damer Court Hotel, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
3 Nov. The Pavilion, Cork
4 Nov. Town Hall Theatre, Galway
5 Nov. Whelan's, Dublin
6 Nov. Hawkswell, Sligo
7 Nov. Iontas Arts Centre, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
8 Nov. Riverbank Arts Centre. Newbridge, Co. Kildare
10 Nov. The Thatch, Rahan, Co. Offaly
11 Nov. Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow
12 Nov. Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare
13 Nov. William Kennedy Piping Festival, Armagh city
14 Nov. Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Whistlepig in the West

The Whistlepigs String Band: (l-r) Fred Keller, Catie Jo Pidel, Joel Olson, Ross Willits, Chris Jones

In the next few weeks, keep an eye open in the west of Ireland for Fred Keller from the Whistlepigs String Band (USA). Fred is the band's mandolinist, songwriter, and ethnomusicologist, and will be over here for about two weeks around the end of October, ranging from Galway down to Ennis and west Clare, and looking for bluegrass, old-time music, and generally people to pick with.

The BIB has supplied Fred with some leads, but if you're out West and would like to contact a visiting American picker, get in touch with him by e-mail.

Westport - pre-Festival gigs programme

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

As we are shaping the lineup for the 4th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, we will also run another series of gigs to promote the event. The gigs are all at Geraghty's pub on the Octagon in Westport, Co. Mayo, and are free to the public.

First we will see the return of David Hope on Sunday 25 October 2009. David is one of Ireland's finest folk musicians and has earned himself a growing fan base in the town.

On Saturday 28 November 2009 we will host the West of Eden Dublin folk band, with their take on some classics with a taste of their own material.

On Friday 4 December 2009 Ben Reel will make his way to the west. He will arrive as part of a very busy cross-country tour on the back of intensive radio time on the main national stations.

Two gigs are already booked for the new year: on Saturday 30 January 2010 we will give stage for a fine folk/bluegrass trio from Galway, Mad Uncle Harry, performing a raw but beautifully presented bluegrass show.

To finish this series, on Saturday 13 February 2010 we will host Clive Barnes. Clive is one of Ireland's most talented steel guitar players, who wins himself great reviews everywhere he performs.

As mentioned above, all gigs are free as part of a motion of putting Westport on the musical map of Ireland.

Crooked Still to play at fiddle workshop week in Scotland

'Alternative bluegrass' band Crooked Still (USA) are now in the middle of a tour in Europe, which began in Denmark and Sweden. The final leg of the tour began on Wednesday 14 October; it comprises five dates in Scotland and one in northern England, culminating on 21 October with their appearance at the Blazin' in Beauly workshop/concert week (19-23 October) at Beauly, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, hosted by the Scots group Blazin' Fiddles.

We hope to hear more about how the Beauly event went from Tim Hawkins, who will be taking part. More details of the tour are on Crooked Still's website.

Quote of the month

A frequently asked question I get from the media is 'What is country music?' I typically respond by saying country music, at its best, is about real people singing real songs about real life. If country music is that, then bluegrass music is the espresso version of that!

Pete Fisher, vice-president and general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, in his Keynote Speech at IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2009; full text on the IBMA website

New video from the Bluegrass Babies on YouTube

Thanks to Caroline Roberts and Paul Castle for this link to the latest video by the Bluegrass Babies. Appropriately, 'Hush, little baby' is played, though we have to say that the treatment is too lively for an effective lullaby. Caroline and Paul add:

The video was actually due in July, but artistic differences within the band (mainly due to strict traditionalist Woolly’s objection to use of a drum) held things up. All has now been happily resolved, although Woolly insists that the invitation to his little sister, Mild Milly, to join the band on harmonies had nothing to do with his decision to stay.

Again, Wild Woolly Bunton contributes the finest banjo-picking we have heard from a toy rabbit; he knows how to make an effective entrance, and we look forward to hearing harmony banjo work from him and Hottie MacScottie. It is unfortunately necessary to add a warning - there's a moment near the end which may be unsuitable for mandolin owners of a nervous disposition. The band is now working on 'Orange Blossom Special'.

New Sam Bush CD: special offer to BIB readers

Thanks to Bryan Higa of Lotos Nile for the news that on 20 October Sugar Hill Records will release Circles around me, the new solo CD by mandolin wizard Sam Bush. Sam has played a major role in the development of bluegrass since his teens as a member of Poor Richard's Almanac and later in New Grass Revival, and with eight studio albums and two live albums to his credit as a solo artist.

A special offer is available to BIB readers - especially useful if you're likely to be in Nashville with the chance of meeting Sam, his collaborators on the album, and other notables at exclusive release-week events. Use this link for the full details of five different packages.

2nd Red Line Roots Festival, Dublin: schedule complete

On 23 September the BIB published news of the second Red Line Roots Festival, to be held in the Smithfield area of Dublin from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 25 October 2009.

Thanks again to Orla Keeshan and Linda Devlin for sending the complete festival schedule, which gives what's on in the three venues - the Cobblestone, the Dice Bar, and Sin É - and includes old-time, country, trad, blues, rockabilly, folk, and bluegrass music, together with free gigs, theatre, art, and cinema.

Bluegrass- and old-time-related acts taking part include the Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK; 23rd), Bill Whelan & Friends (24th), I Draw Slow (22nd), Blood Red Mountain Band (24th), Cotton Pickin' Rodeo Clowns (23rd), and Little Ass Birds (25th). The schedule can be seen in full on the Festival's MySpace site, together with video and sound clips, and the Festival is also on Facebook.

Hidden bluegrass in Ireland?

The BIB editor reports:

Bluegrass talent is widely distributed, and often not in the most obvious places. At last weekend's Johnny Crampsie Traditional and Bluegrass Music Festival in Strabane, Co. Tyrone, I had the pleasure of hearing and seeing the powerful musicianship of Dalltach in concert on Friday evening - reinforcing my conviction that Irish music and bluegrass have grown closer together over the past thirty years, through the choices made by musicians from both sides.

After the show I had the chance of telling Dalltach's guitarist Michael Gallanagh how I'd appreciated it; and of learning that he also plays in the Pyros (see photo above: Michael in centre, holding fiddle) with Laurence Doherty, Ciarán Tourish, Paul Rodden, Kevin Doherty, and John Cutliffe, and that bluegrass forms part of their repertoire. How many more people are out there who can play bluegrass as well as some of us who profess to do it?

Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters - Sept. 2010

Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters with Roger Williams at this year's Sunny Mountain Grass Festival in Switzerland (photo: Lilly Pavlak)

Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters with Roger Williams (USA) are seeking bookings for a tour in these islands in September 2010, following their successful tour in Europe this year. The news release continues:

The powerhouse duo of Amy Gallatin and renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams joined forces a few years ago to explore their mutual love of country standards, served up with an acoustic treatment in the bluegrass vein. The result is a toe-tapping blend of heartfelt vocals, soaring harmonies and red-hot picking, traditional yet modern and distinct.

Americana radio host Ed McKeon says: 'Amy's vocals, with the power and tone of her voice, are tempered by Roger's baritone which has been sanded smooth by cigarettes and, shall we say, maturity. The song selections are perfect, the harmonies glorious, the sentiments wonderfully maudlin (like any good old country song).'

The two are enhanced by the recent addition of Roger's son J.D., who - in the time-honored tradition of musical consanguinity - complements his father's style perfectly, and by veteran bassist Eric Levinson, formerly with Joe Val & the New England Bluegrass Boys and later with Boston City Limits.

Promoters and event organisers should contact Amy Gallatin through her website, by 'phone (+1 860 633-2574), or by e-mail.

Special C. news - and a new demo service

On Friday the Special Consensus (USA), veterans of many welcome trips to Ireland, begin a European tour during which they will be playing in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, all within the space of ten days. The dates are listed on the European Bluegrass Blog. More details are on the band's website.

The Special C. will have Ryan Roberts from Canada in place of Justin Carbone (on right in above photo), who was on guitar and vocals on the last few trips to Ireland. Justin is now engaged to be married, has relocated to Pennsylvania, and is co-owner with Troy Engle of Unplugged Demos, a service providing bluegrass and acoustic demos for songwriters.

Single song demos begin at $199 for a five-piece band with lead and harmony vocals. Further details are on the Unplugged Demos website (designed by Justin). Special C. say: 'We encourage any songwriters who need excellent demos of their work to contact Justin and Troy'; and the BIB is sure everyone who knows Justin from his playing here will wish him well in the new venture.

The Fretboard Journal: news on banjos

Thanks again to Cathal Cusack for a look at the latest news from the Fretboard Journal - easily accessible on the FJ's own blog.

Editor Jason Verlinde says of Jim Mills's new book Gibson's original Mastertones: 'I’m no vintage banjo expert but I can’t put this book down.' Almost certainly the ideal Christmas present for any banjo player in your life.

Jim Mills, when not collecting and writing about vintage banjos, plays with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, and has won the IBMA Banjo Performer of the Year award six times.

More good times at Bruff

Thanks to Miroslav 'Mike' Mato, Czech dobro player now resident in Tralee and playing with the band Hitsville, who sends these photos of jams from the First Bruff Bluegrass Festival, in Bruff, Co. Limerick, last weekend. Mike's verdict:

Great festival, great musicians, great people in general. Jamming on Saturday and Sunday with Tom Hanway, Southern Union, Molly Hicks. I just love it. Thanx to festival organizer.




Mike has not yet found much bluegrass in the Tralee area, so if you know of picking going on within a reasonable distance, let him know by e-mail.

Flamekeeper at IBMA

For all fans of Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (remember them at Omagh last year?), East Public Relations sent this photo of them on the receiving end of the IBMA Awards Show in Nashville a week ago. From left to right: Jesse Baker (banjo), Tom Adams (guitar), Jesse Brock (mandolin), Marshall Wilborn (bass), Michael Cleveland (fiddle).

The band as a whole won the Instrumental Group of the Year award for the third time, and their recording of 'Jerusalem Ridge' was Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year. Individually, Mandolin Performer of the Year went to Jesse Brock, Bass Performer of the Year to Marshall Willborn, and Fiddle Performer of the Year (for the seventh time) to Michael Cleveland.

Bluegrass Brothers: upcoming dates

Aran Sheehan reports:

Here's an update for where you can catch the Bluegrass Brothers [see the BIB post for 28 Sept.] over the next ten days.

Sun. 11 Oct. After 6.00 p.m. at the Jack of Diamonds Sessions in Le Cirk, 32 Dame St., Dublin 2

Fri. 16 Oct. 12 midnight till 00.45, upstairs in Whelan's on Wexford St., Dublin 2

Happy picking!

Bravo, Bruff!

Thanks again to Vinny Baker, guitarist with Bending the Strings, with whose report below on last weekend's new festival at Bruff, Co. Limerick, we cordially agree:

Through the Bluegrass Ireland Blog I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers of the 1st Annual Bruff Bluegrass Festival for making it the success it was.

Everyone who attended the festival had nothing but the highest of praise for both the organisers and the musicians who performed there; and as for myself and my Bending the Strings bandmates, we were very impressed with the festival in general, and I think that the people of Bruff and surrounding areas are now well and truly initiated into the world of bluegrass music. I just hope the festival goes from strength to strength and wish the organisers every success.

It was great to meet up with everyone over the weekend at the Bruff festival, including Woodbine, Niall Toner and his band, Dick and Clem, Tom Hanway and the Molly Hicks. We had the pleasure of a fantastic session in Clancy's bar on Sunday morning at 11 with the Molly Hicks and Tom Hanway, and indeed a few other musicians; and as indicated in the above photo we were joined in a rousing chorus of 'I'll fly away' by comedian/actor John Kenny who sat in with us for a couple of songs.

Finally a big thank you to Derry's and Clancy's bars for hosting most of the festival music, and I'm sure all the bluegrass musicians who attended will join me in wishing Bruff festival every success for the future.

Tupelo news

Tupelo at Whelan's (photo by James Keogh)

Thanks to Kevin Duffy, fiddler with Dublin-based rhythm and roots band Tupelo, for news of how the band has been doing since the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival in May. They have played a series of major festivals and are lined up for the Cork Jazz Festival in two weeks' time; this coming Saturday they'll be on Country Mix after lunch, and later at Whelan's together with the Little Ass Birds; and on 16 October they're releasing a single, Ca bhfuil ar scoil? in aid of Gaelscoil Bharra, backing this with a live show in the Village, Dublin, on 22 October.

If you've seen a Tupelo show - for instance, at the recent Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival - you'll be aware that (a) their music comes closest to bluegrass in the saxophone playing; (b) regardless of this, they have enormous ability to liven an audience up. Read Kevin's full report here.

Good stuff from Homespun

The BIB editor reports:

As we mentioned on 27 June 2009, Homespun Tapes are running a continuing series of sales from their immense stock of instructional material. To take advantage of their most recent sale, ending a week ago at midnight on Monday 28 September, I ordered on Monday morning a copy of the 2-DVD set The mandolin of Bill Monroe.*

The set has just reached me by airmail from the US; thanks to Homespun for this speedy dispatch. If you want even faster delivery, Homespun can send material online to your computer.

*Why, when I'm not a mandolin player? Because (thanks to Martin Cooney) I'd seen the set before and consider it essential viewing for anyone who likes Bill Monroe's music. Disc 1 (Monroe playing) can be bought separately from disc 2 (Sam Bush explaining how it's done), but the latter includes a booklet of music and tab.

'Hot Country' on Rural TV: video material invited

Thanks again to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland and to Sarah Chase of Rural TV (Sky Channel 279 and Freesat 403 in the UK; a link to Rural TV can be found among those on the right-hand side of the BIB).

On 28 September Rural TV began a 26-week schedule of 'Hot Country', an hour-long show broadcast four days a week and featuring major performers from the Irish, UK, and US country music scenes. The broadcasting times each week are:

Mondays, 10.00 a.m., 4.00 p.m.
Tuesdays, 4.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m.
Saturdays, 2.00 p.m.
Sundays, 8.00 p.m.

Roger reports that the response to the first programme of 'Hot Country' has been very positive, and he strongly recommends that the bluegrass fraternity in Ireland should consider submitting video material for broadcasting. He adds: 'It would be nice to feature some Irish bluegrass bands on the show.'

Hot news: Westport 2010

Photo by Giacomino Parkinson (2009)

Authoritative sources in Westport, Co. Mayo, report:

Uri Kohen and his team (the Electric Cave Production) are working these days on putting up together the line up for Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival 2010. They already have been in touch with some of the best folk and bluegrass acts from Ireland and the world.

Uri can now confirm that the band who will headline the 2010 festival is the Coal Porters [see photo above] from England. Uri and Sid Griffin (the band's main man) found a common language over their love for the work and music of Bob Dylan and the Band. Sid is now a dedicated bluegrass musician and the Coal Porters are bound to bring a fresh breath of air to the Westport festival.

More details about confirmed shows to the festival will be announced in the very near future.

Le Cri du Coyote festival report

The BIB editor reports:

Even if your command of French is no better than mine, you'll be interested in the major article by Dominique Fosse in the current issue of the French magazine for Americana music, Le Cri du Coyote. It deals with this year's La Roche Bluegrass Festival (see the BIB for 16 August), where Dominique Fosse was on the jury assessing the twelve bands taking part in the festival's contest section.

Not many reports of festivals give such a thorough, frank, and analytical account of the bands taking part and their impact on stage. You can see the article via a link on the European Bluegrass Blog.

Grassroots to bluegrass

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for passing on news of the issue on DVD and VHS of Grassroots to bluegrass. Some readers will have seen an earlier edition of this remarkable ten-disc set, which comprises over ten hours of picking, singing, and other interaction among a constellation of leading musicians from the founding years of bluegrass music, with the Del McCoury Band providing backup where needed. Some great insights, some memorable asides, and classic performances. More details, including a trailer video, can be found here.

Alison Brown's Compass Records label is also offering 20% off its Americana and bluegrass albums between 1 and 6 October. Details are here.

IBMA award winners 2009

Why is this man smiling?

Thanks to Lilly Drumeva of Bulgaria for sending news of the winners at this year's International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Show, which took place last night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Many of the names will be familiar to bluegrass enthusiasts in Ireland as a result of their appearances here over the years - the most recent being Rob Ickes (left), who played as a member of Blue Highway at the Longford festival a week ago. As of last night, he has now won the IBMA Dobro Player of the Year award eleven times. Read the full list of winners here.