A Dave Miner sighting on YouTube

For all Irish friends of the late Dave Miner (USA), the fine dobroist who toured here more than once with Gary Ferguson - Gary sends this link to a YouTube clip taken at IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2008 in Nashville.

The clip shows Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie on stage, playing an original song from their recent Rebel CD, with powerful lead singing and mandolin work from Frank Solivan and of course the mighty banjo of Emerson himself. Solid bluegrass, and highly recommended if you need a tonic after the demands of the festive season. Gary says:

Check this out- another Dave Miner spotting - also look close and you will see Emory Lester and Richard Hawkins. I'm in the room and was on stage for that show - that may be my arm shaking hands with Frank when he comes off stage. That's right about where I was standing offstage. Happy Holidays!

Update 7 Jan.: Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie are now on the Rural Rhythm label, and their latest album, Southern, is due for release on 12 Jan. 2010.

Season's greetings from Bending the Strings

Bending the Strings's message came while your editor was away; but as well as being much appreciated by the editor, the greetings are for everyone, and not confined to Christmas:

Bending the Strings would like to wish all our friends and supporters a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year in 2010.

Also I am sure I am joined by everyone in the bluegrass community in extending our Christmas wishes and sincere thanks to you, Richard, for the fantastic job you do on the Irish Bluegrass Blog. It's the finger on the pulse of the Irish bluegrass scene, and without it we would be far less well informed on what is going on in the bluegrass scene here in Ireland.

A very happy Christmas to you, Richard, and all the musicians, supporters, and friends involved in bluegrass. We look forward to sharing the stage again in 2010 with all our friends - Woodbine, the Molly Hicks, Tom Hanway, Barry Coffey, and Niall Toner, Dick, and Clem, and all our good friends throughout the country.

A very happy holiday season to you all from Vinny, Martin, and Moyra from Bending the Strings Bluegrass Band.

Buffalo Gals

Thanks to Kate Lissauer for these up-to-date photos of the Buffalo Gals (USA/UK), who will be one of the leading groups on the programme of the Winter Music Weekend at Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, in two weeks' time.

Kate (with fiddle, left) pointed out to us that the older photo used on the BIB on 18 Dec. does not show their present configuration, with bass player Eve Morris, committee member of FOAOTMAD since its foundation in 1993. These photos set that right.

Westport Festival 2009 on 'Nationwide', 16 Dec.: UPDATE

Electric Cave Production reported two weeks ago:

During the 2009 Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, a team of RTE's 'Nationwide' joined Uri [Kohen], the festival producer, to film a piece about the production company and the festival. It seems like the piece will be featured on this Wednesday's edition of 'Nationwide' [16 Dec.]. The program will then be available on the net and we will get a link for it.

The lineup for the 2010 festival is now complete and the full program will be posted on the blog soon.

Update 28 Dec. The seven-minute-plus feature on 'Nationwide' can now be viewed here. As well as being a good slice of Westport atmosphere and a good ad for the festival itself, it shows how and why Uri Kohen came to settle in Ireland, set up Electric Cave Production, and launch the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival.

Foghorn sounds through the mists of the future

Good news for lovers of old-time music - though not very definite as yet - the Foghorn Stringband from Portland, OR, veterans of many trips to Ireland either as a full band or in the Foghorn Duo configuration, are scheduled to begin a tour of Scotland, Denmark, and Ireland on 1 May 2010.

Thanks to the Friends Of American Old Time Music And Dance for the news that the band will be taking part in the 2010 Orkney Folk Festival on the last weekend in May as part of this tour - along with Tim O'Brien and many other artists.

Gift suggestions

AbeBooks, the great UK resource for harder-to-find books, outdid themselves earlier this year by setting up a Weird Book Room which now contains 101 highly unlikely titles - one of which may be exactly what you need.

Potentially bluegrass-related titles include Stephen Skelton, The Beverley Hillbillies Bible study; Bass fitness: an exercise handbook, by Josquin des Pres [the Josquin des Pres?]; and An incomplete history of the art of funerary violin. Check out this remarkable catalogue here.

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Or again - Homespun Tapes continue the series of sales they have maintained over the last year, doing more than most to bust the recession for the bluegrass musician. Today and till the end of Monday, Homespun have bargains from their amazing catalogue which can all be delivered by Christmas - at least within the US by post, and remember they can also send material online direct to your computer. Check the latest offers out here.

Sore Fingers Week (5-9 April 2010): Tutor lineup almost finalised!

Sore Fingers Week (UK), Europe's premier bluegrass 'camp', has the usual amazing lineup of tutors for all instruments, which is likely to become even more amazing very shortly. The lineup at present can be seen on Sore Fingers' latest press release, which is on the European Bluegrass Blog. Pressure on some courses is already heavy, so book as soon as you can!

Winter Music Weekend programme out: and a special offer

The Buffalo Gals

Thanks to the Sixmilebridge Folk Club, who announce that the full programme for their renowned Winter Music Weekend (14-17 Jan. 2010) at Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, is now posted on the Weekend's website. Old-time and bluegrass-related bands taking part include the Buffalo Gals (USA/UK) and our own Rough Deal String Band and Mad Uncle Harry. The Club adds:

Thinking of joining us in January? Why not check out the fantastic deal at the Bunratty Castle Hotel?

The hotel's special offer, available only for Jan./Feb. 2010, is €80 for two nights' B&B. Book online or call 061 478 700 for further details.

Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry for 2010

Janet Holmes, Colin Henry, Gary Ferguson

Thanks to Gary Ferguson (USA), who writes:

Please pass along Happy Holiday wishes from me to everyone on your blog and let them know that Janet, Colin, and me will be touring again in July. This will be my sixth consecutive year of touring and my third year with Colin and Janet.

We will be doing select dates with Charlie McGettigan. We are also teaming up with the Tennessee Hennessees for a gig or two. So far we have confirmed gigs from the Seamus Ennis Centre, the Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Sharon and Arnie Loughrin House Concerts, and Uri Kohen in Westport.

If any promoters are interested in the Trio or 'The Songwriters in the Round' with Charlie, Colin, Janet, and Gary, they can contact me by e-mail or at this MySpace link. Also, if anyone wants to try a house concert we would love to do that as well.

The Special C. prepare for the 35th anniversary

Today the original Bluegrass Blog carries news that the Special Consensus (USA) are in the recording studio this week, laying down six new original songs to form part of 35th anniversary, a forthcoming eighteen-track album on the Pinecastle label, commemorating the band's thirty-five years in existence.

The new tracks are being recorded by the band in its current configuration - not the same as when they were last in Ireland, but with Ryan Roberts on guitar and Rick Faris on mandolin in place of Justin Carbone and Ashby Frank. The remaining twelve tracks will be selected from previous Special C. recordings. For full details, see the Bluegrass Blog.

Update 18 Dec. Pinecastle's latest bulletin states:

The album will be released in the second quarter of 2010. The 35th Celebration will culminate with a special concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL, on 23 Oct. 2010. A large number of Special Consensus veterans will attend and perform.

I Draw Slow at the Cobblestone, Dublin, 20 Dec.

Mark O'Mahony of Prison Love reports:

Fresh from playing to in excess of 300,000 people... (on the Pat Kenny radio show), I Draw Slow will be performing their beautifully crafted songs of love and death at the Cobblestone this Sunday night (20 Dec.).

Fans of old-time and Appalachian music and anyone who appreciates acoustic melody and thought-provoking lyrics should prepare to have a new favourite band!

I Draw Slow are: Louise Holden (vocal); Dave Holden (guitar); Adrian Hart (fiddle); Col Derham (banjo); and Kon Liddy (dog-house bass).

Sunday 20 Dec., 8.30 p.m.
Tickets €10 available on the door
The Cobblestone, Smithfield Market, Dublin 1

Mark also reports:

Prison Love are having a quiet Christmas this year, and will be coming back in the new year with a slightly altered lineup. We're getting together and jamming and trying things out, so hopefully it won't be too long before we're in front of a crowd again!

Attention, music festival organisers

The International Music Festival Conference (IMFCON) will hold its next meeting in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on 8-9 April 2010. Mary Burdette attended the IMFCON meeting in Las Vegas earlier this month as a member of the IBMA and of the organising team of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (USA), and she strongly recommends that European bluegrass festival organisers should consider attending the Amsterdam meeting. For more detail, see this post on the European Bluegrass Blog.

The Savage Eye squints at bluegrass

The BIB editor reports:

Thanks to Niall Toner for this link to a brief tribute to the music closest to our hearts, by his colleagues on RTE. No words of mine could do justice to it.

Tom Russell at Grant's, Roscrea, 30 Jan. 2010

Tom Stapleton of the Music Store, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, writes:

Happy Christmas to all from Lucy and myself- thanks for supporting the gigs over 2009. We hope you enjoyed them as much as we did. Tom Russell plays Damer Court (Grant's), Roscrea, Sat. 30 Jan. to help make 2010 a happy new year.

Tickets €20 - from Damer Court (Grant's), Roscrea, 0505 23300; Music Store, Roscrea, 0505 23481; or Tom Stapleton, 087 2238040.

Tom Russell has recorded 25 records and two DVDs. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Doug Sahm, Nancy Griffith, Joe Ely, Iris Dement, Ian Tyson, KD Lang, Suzy Bogguss, Ramblin´ Jack Elliott, Jeff Walker, Dave Van Ronk, and similar artists. He and Dave Alvin are credited with inventing the Americana radio format with their Merle Haggard tribute 'Tulare dust' (1994). His latest CD, Blood and candle smoke, has received critical acclaim.

I Draw Slow on Pat Kenny's show NOW (practically)

With less than an hour to spare before the event, Mark O'Mahony announces:

This very morning, Louise's band I Draw Slow will finally find out if Pat Kenny really broadcasts naked from the waist down.

Tune in your wireless transistor, or broadband, to RTE Radio 1 (88-90 fm) at 11.00 a.m. (Dublin time) to hear the band play a tune and chit-chat with Pat. They'll be on again at 5 to midday to close the show.

Christmas greetings from Woodbine

The guys and gal in Woodbine would like to wish all bluegrass fans and festival promoters a very happy Christmas, and we look forward to meeting everyone on 'The Bluegrass Trail' during 2010. Thanks for all the support during 2009.

Three months of FREE lessons from a banjo giant

Dangem Bluegrass of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, announce:

Tony Trischka is a giant among banjo virtuosos, with a star-power recording legacy, nominated for a Grammy in 2007 and winning the Independent Music Award in 2008 for Best Americana Album. Tony is highly regarded for his teaching books and erudition in banjo and Americana music history.

David Butler, CEO of ArtistWorks, says: 'We are very pleased to have Tony join us as our latest partner. He's not only a virtuoso, he's the consummate educator. It is our honour to be working together.'

This is what Béla Fleck said about Tony: 'My springboard was Tony Trischka, and without Tony, none of what's happened with my music would have happened.'

To get your free lessons from Tony Trischka - just purchase a Deering banjo. This offer is good until 1 January 2010. Send your filled-in warranty card to Deering by air mail as evidence of purchase; Deering will then e-mail you with a promotional code to access the free lessons here.

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Dangem hold their next bluegrass get-together in Lisburn on 30 January 2010, and their second annual Banjo Camp on 26-28 February. You can enrol for the Camp now via this link.

International Bluegrass Music Museum news

The International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY, has been having an eventful few months and is not letting the momentum drop off. Members' Night on 7 November brought a total of $50,000 in donations; a Bitterroot F-style Weber mandolin donated by the makers raised $2050 at auction; and a Holiday Concert featuring Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike took place on 10 December and can be heard online over the Museum's 24/7 radio channel, Radio Bluegrass International, on the IBMM website.

The IBMM has always worked hard at its international role, and the permanent features on its website are now in process of translation into French, Spanish, Russian, German, Czech, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese. The lineup at IBMM's next annual River Of Music Party (ROMP) on 24-6 June 2010 will include three previous #1 European Bluegrass Bands (all of whom have appeared at the Omagh festival).

In addition, ROMP 2010 will feature not only a Bluegrass Pioneers reunion but a special reunion of all living Blue Grass Boys who have played with Bill Monroe - a truly historic occasion. The IBMM also has a blog (which will look familiar to BIB readers) and is on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.

A little Balla atmosphere

Thanks to Fred Keller, mandolinist of the Whistlepigs String Band of Minnesota (see the BIB post of 19 October), for a link to his YouTube channel.

The clips on the channel include plenty of old-time fiddle tunes which will be of particular interest to mandolin players; but the most recently added footage was shot while Fred and his wife Missy were at the first Balla Bluegrass Festival in Balla, Co. Mayo, in late October. It's a five-minute segment of the Sunday night concert and gives an excellent impression of the festival atmosphere: Sean McManus, one of the most dedicated supporters of bluegrass in this island, sings 'I'm so afraid of losing you again', backed by Woodbine. Check it out here.

Southern Welfare: Tuesday session in Waterford

L-r: Tony Wall, Finbar Healy, Ray O'Brien, Gerry Wall

Thanks to Ray O'Brien of the Waterford band Southern Welfare: Tony Wall (5-string banjo), Finbar Healy (mandolin), Ray O'Brien (guitar), Gerry Wall (guitar), and Michael Wall (bass). Ray reports:

Our music is not really old-time bluegrass but we cover songs from Doc Watson, the Father himself Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, just to name a few. We have been playing together just over a year and our voices really complement each other nicely; we all sing and have our own unique sounding voices. We play every Tuesday night in McLoughlin's Bar, O'Connell Street, Waterford city. Anyone is welcome to join the session, as it is 'open mic'.

Gainsborough old-time festival in England, 12-14 Feb. 2010

The Friends Of American Old Time Music And Dance (FOAOTMAD) announce the following details of the annual Gainsborough Old Time Festival (12-14 Feb. 2010):

Note the different venue - Queen Elizabeth High School, Morton Terrace, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

Guest artists are the Slate Mountain Ramblers from Ararat, Virginia, with dancer Marty Todd. From the UK are 44 Gun String Band (Somerset and Devon) and the New River Roustabouts (Derbyshire). Dancing from Sara Marshall.

The weekend will feature, concerts, open stage, dances, shapenote and gospel singing, slow jam, a range of workshops, plus the return of the Scratch Band competition, amongst others. Workshops will also include fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass. As well as the Scratch Band competition, there will also be competitions for fiddle, banjo and dance (youth, adult and seniors).

Weekend tickets £50, Saturday all day £30, Friday or Saturday evening £15 (all less 10% for current FOAOTMAD and BBMA members). Indoor camping, food and food available.

Details will be available very shortly on our website.

Transatlantic Sessions in Belfast, 4 February 2010

Following the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow early in the new year, a selection of artists from the Transatlantic Sessions part of the festival will make a short tour in these islands: four dates in England and one (Thursday 4 February) in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. The package consists of Shetland fiddle maestro Aly Bain and dobro legend Jerry Douglas, Nickel Creek vocalist/fiddler Sara Watkins, O brother where art thou? soundtrack star Dan Tyminski (aka the singing voice of George Clooney), Eddi Reader, Tim O’Brien, Darrell Scott, Karen Matheson (Capercaillie), Bruce Molsky and Cara Dillon and 'the ultimate house band' (to quote the Waterfront website), where you can find more details. The other dates in the Transatlantic Sessions tour can be seen on Bruce Molsky's tour schedule.

Bluegrass Roots TV

If you've been watching Bluegrass on the Tube and have taken the option to watch items on YouTube when available, you may have found that some come from the Bluegrass Roots TV channel. A direct link to Bluegrass Roots TV is now among the links in the right-hand column of the BIB.

Jim Hurst strikes out on a new course

Those of us who saw Jim Hurst with the Claire Lynch Band at this year's Omagh festival or on his earlier appearances in Ireland in a duo with Missy Raines, will be interested to hear that he is leaving the band after two terms covering ten years.

Jim, who has twice won the IBMA Guitar Player of the Year award, is also an ace on mandolin, banjo, and vocals, and has worked solo in the past. His solo tour de force on 'Nine pound hammer' at Omagh 2009 will remain a highlight of the year for many who were there, and a fine example of how much life there is in a three-chord warhorse.

Jim is also offering guitar instruction on line; read more on today's Bluegrass Blog.

Carmel & the Ravens: Christmas concert, 22 Dec. 2009

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens announce they will be playing a Christmas Concert in the Bog Lane Theatre in Ballymahon, Co. Longford, on Tuesday 22 December. An enjoyable night for all the family is promised as Carmel & the Boys perform songs from their recently released second album, together with some Christmas carols like you’ve never heard them before.

The band have recently launched their second album Here with you with multi-Grammy-Award-winning Nashville producer Bil VornDick and have also won No. 1 Irish Bluegrass Band at the Irish Entertainment Awards October last.

Be sure to bring your kids along as there might be a very special guest from the North Pole on the night to hear Carmel & the Ravens live for the first time. Tickets for this Christmas special can be purchased from Daybreak in Ballymahon or by telephoning (087) 4152301.

Buffalo in the Castle at the Cobblestone, 9 Dec. 2009

The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, announces:

Buffalo in the Castle is an exploration of music inspired by the traditions of Irish and American old-time music and song. The wellspring of energy bursting forth from this act is infectious. The musicians have a stunning array of experience with Desi Wilkinson, one of the leading exponents of the traditional Irish flute ('the timber flute') and a fine singer, to boot. Lena Ullman, a fine clawhammer-banjo player, is also a member of Moonshine. Mairtin O'Connor on accordion has recorded with Elvis Costello and the Dubliners. Frank Hall [also from Moonshine], an old-time fiddle player, began his trade playing at square dances in the States.

This gig puts together some of the best old-time and trad players in the country at the moment and will be sure to be a musical feast.

Wed. 9 December – Doors 8.30 p.m. - €15

Liam Clancy (1935-2009) and old-time music

Liam Clancy, who died on Friday in Cork, was buried today in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. The Irish Times obituary can be read here, and the Irish Independent obituary here.

Overlooked in both obituaries is Liam Clancy's contribution to making more widely known the music of some of the best Southern traditional players of the mid twentieth century. With Diane Hamilton Guggenheim and Paul Clayton, he was in North Carolina and Virginia in the summer of 1956, recording the banjo and fiddle playing of Hobart Smith and the guitar playing of Etta Baker, among others. The recordings were released later that year on Tradition Records as Instrumental music of the southern Appalachians - a classic album which is still available on CD or in mp3 form.

Bluegrass Night in the Stables, Mullingar, 10 Dec. 2009

VeeBee Recording Studio announces:

There is a very exciting Bluegrass Night in the Stables in Mullingar on Thursday 10 December. On the bill are Bending the Strings [above] and Woodbine [below].


It promises to be a great night of bluegrass, and the locals are looking forward to this night. The last Bluegrass Night in the Stables was a great success; it featured Bending the Strings and Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals. This time there is a lot of interest in hearing Woodbine and many bluegrass fans from the Mullingar area who have heard Woodbine in the Athy bluegrass festival have great praise for this great band, and they are guaranteed to make a lot of fans in Mullingar.

Bending the Strings are looking forward to the gig, and if you know of anyone who is interested in a great night of bluegrass music, let them know about this great night of music in the Stables in Mullingar on Thursday 10 December. Kicking-off time will be around 9.30 p.m.

Wilders return - and a special house concert

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin and her husband Arnie, who are leading the way in presenting house concerts in Ireland. Sharon writes:

Something red hot to look forward to through these chilly nights! Armagh Market Place Theatre have their 2010 program organised and it's great to see that the Wilders [above] are playing on Saturday 22 May - a long time away I know, but I've got my tickets booked, this is one for bluegrass/old timey fans not to miss.


As always Arnie and I are doing our bit for the cause of quality live music - we took in two strays Sunday night past, gathered up around twenty friends and neighbours, and had a fantastic night of acoustic country. The boys in question were Eric Brace and Peter Cooper from Nashville, on a short tour but due to a cancelled gig they had Sunday night free. I don't know if you've heard of them, they played a fantastic set and on a personal level they and Eric's wife, Mary Ann, were three of the nicest folks we've ever had the pleasure to meet. Peter is a professor of history, in particular the history of country music. I'm attaching some pics; quality isn't great but they give a feel for the cosy relaxed atmosphere - the guys were very taken with the roaring fire!


... We're still on a high from that night. Although they are more folk, I recommend a look on their websites and a trip to see them if they return. Andy Peters from the Bronte Music Club brought them over and we are grateful to him for asking us to have them play.

Sharon and Arnie have some interesting prospects for future house concerts. Watch this space!

Claire Sheerin on TG4: through to next round

Claire Sheerin with John Hogan

On 28 October Tom Sheerin, mandolin- and fiddle-player with Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens (#1 European Bluegrass Band 2005), reported that his wife Claire Sheerin is an entrant in the Search for a Country Star in 'Glor Tire' on RTE's TG4.

Claire will be appearing next Wednesday night (9 December) at 10.10 p.m. Having passed through the elimination rounds this week, Claire is one of the last seven contestants, of whom two more will be voted off on Wednesday.

If you would like to vote for Claire, please text 'Claire' to 53500 (from the Republic) or 83222 (from Northern Ireland). You can vote as often as you like; texts cost 60c or 50p.

Well Enough Alone: update

Thanks to Martin McWhorter of Well Enough Alone for this new Dublin date for the band in the immediate future:

Tuesday 15 December, Bewley's Cafe Theatre (3rd floor above the cafe), Grafton St., with Stefan Galt, 8.00 p.m.

NB: the midnight show originally announced for Saturday 5 December at Whelan's Upstairs, Wexford St., with the Cotton Pickin Rodeo Clowns, has been cancelled owing to double-booking of the venue.

Wookalily news, blues, and woos...

Adele Ingram-Magee of Wookalily (aka the Frockabilly Blues-Grass Girls) reports that Wookalily are currently in the studio recording their first demo EP. Meanwhile you can visit the band on Facebook, ReverbNation, and MySpace. Adele ends:

That's all for now folks. Keep it Woo-grass!

Since forming in this past summer, Wookalily have played at the Open House Festival, the Ards Guitar Festival, and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

Adele Ingram-Magee
One-A-Chord Music Promotions
48 Shore St.
Killyleagh, Co. Down BT30 9QJ
Tel. +44 783 4811671
e-mail

Nash's session goes from strength to strength

Pickers shown include Martin McWhorter, mandolin; Paddy Kiernan, banjo; Aran Sheehan, mandolin; Hugh Dean Taggart, guitar; Barney Bowes, fiddle

Since mid October, central Dublin has a vigorous bluegrass session every Wednesday at Nash's in Thomas Street. These recent photos by Enda Fagan are forwarded by Barney Bowes, who says:

Looks like Nash's is turning out to be a good one, some really hot pickers too. There were also pickers in there who just want to get goin', but didn't know where there was a session; well, the secret is out.

Aran Sheehan, Barney Bowes

Martin McWhorter, Paddy Kiernan, Aran Sheehan, Hugh Dean Taggart

Black Christmas - from the Open House Festival

There will be mince pies, mulled wine, and festive vibes at the Coors Light Open House Festival Xmas bash, 'A Black Christmas', to be held at the Black Box, Hill St., Belfast, on Saturday 12 December, from 8.00 p.m. till late. Live music will come from Peggy Sue, the Farriers, and Gareth Dunlop, with Lowly Knights DJs.

£5 admission; no booking fees of any kind. Tickets are available from the Open House website, or 'phone the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609. More details are on Facebook.

Steve Kaufman Acoustic Kamps 2010

Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps are enrolling students for next June's two weeks of instruction (13-19 June, 20-26 June 2010) in Maryville, TN. A full brochure for the Kamps is here, and a downloadable flyer with all details is here.

For Irish readers (or indeed anyone else) we can't do better than quote a report by Cathal Cusack which appeared in Bluegrass Ireland newsletter early in 2006:

Steve Kaufman has run his Acoustic Kamps for ten years now and they have been voted #1 by the readers of Acoustic Guitar, so you can expect the best of the best at this week. I attended the more popular second week of Kamp in early June [2005], again in the guitar class.

The week at Kamp revolves around classes in the morning and afternoon, tutor concerts in the evening, and jamming at all other times. There is an organised ‘slow jam’ early in the morning that allows even a relative newcomer to the music to join in, or (if you feel up to it) the opportunity to play before the concert at open mic. The classes are graded (you choose your own grade so there’s no examination) so you share a class with people of roughly the same ability. The class then rotates through the teacher list so you have a lesson with each of the teachers... This is a big event with something like 500 attendees. Despite its size there is a wonderful friendly atmosphere. The warm weather ensures that music is played until well into the morning and you can’t but enjoy yourself.

It is hard to describe how good the event is without sounding like a salesman, but the teachers are amazing (just go look at the website!), the tutor concerts are amazing, the opportunities to play with students and teachers are unlimited, and the event is run with Teutonic efficiency! The only downside is that you and your instrument need to be prepared for a long and reasonably expensive trip to Tennessee; but oh, how it’s worth it!

A link to the Kamps website will be in the right-hand column of the BIB till the end of May 2010.

Next Dangem bluegrass get-together: 30 Jan. 2010

The next in the Dangem Bluegrass Banjo company's monthly series of bluegrass get-togethers will be held at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, on Saturday 30 January 2010, from 9.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon. All are welcome; a small fee for the hire of the room will be charged, about £3.00 each.

Full directions on getting to the Centre from north or south are on the front page of the Dangem website. Tablatures for the Lisburn Saturday Banjo Group and Starters' Group can be seen here.