New website for the Niall Toner Band

The Niall Toner Band has a completely new website, and it's a world-class beauty. For the first image the reader sees (with the caption 'Original bluegrass music from the foothills of the Blackstairs mountains'), 'spectacular' is not an excessive word; and the rest of the site doesn't let it down.

There's some arresting news on the update page - the NTB have three new projects in hand, one of which will be a traditional Irish music album with the legendary harmonica player John Murphy of Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, a good friend to bluegrass music in the south-east. But all of this site is well worth looking at - and listening to.

The NTB is also on MySpace.

Sullivan Brothers launch new CD, 7 May 2010

Shane and Adrian Sullivan with Paddy Chanders (mandolin) at Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow

Thanks to Tony O'Brien for the news that the Sullivan Bros & Brand New Companions will launch their new, all-original album Weary in the Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare, on Friday 7 May at 9.30 p.m.

The Sullivans will be on stage in the Carlton Abbey Hotel two months later, on at least two occasions during this year's Athy Bluegrass Festival.

Gráda tour begins on Sunday

Thanks to John Gallent of Compass Records (see the BIB post of 21 Apr.) for news of the tour of Ireland by Gráda, which begins on Sunday. Gráda appeared on RTE's 'The view' on 13 April. The band's latest CD, Natural angle, produced by Tim O'Brien in Nashville, TN, and with Alison Brown (5-string banjo) among the supporting musicians, will be on hand. Compass Records says of the new album:

... Irish band Gráda launches headlong into the cross-genre world of new acoustic music, bridging traditional Irish and Appalachian tunes and songs with Americana songwriting. Gráda have always drawn on a melting pot of influences. Natural angle, with its Americana edge and bluegrass twang, sets their Irish melodies and styles in sharp relief. Four of the twelve tracks are American songs — although some of those have older Irish roots — and there are three original songs from the band, including, for the first time, an original song by vocalist Nicola Joyce. Gráda sought out famed bluegrass musician and singer Tim O’Brien, whom they had met at the Tønder Festival in Denmark in 2005, to produce the album... Harnessing the explosive energy of Gráda in the discipline of a Nashville studio was a challenge and a revelation, but Natural angle perfectly captures the zest of the band’s live concerts.

The full tour schedule in Ireland is as follows:

Sun. 2nd May Jim O’Connell Festival, Crossakiel, Co. Meath
Fri. 7th Dolan’s Pub, Limerick city
Wed. 12th The Pavilion Theatre, Cork city
Thurs. 13th Town Hall Theatre, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
Fri. 21st The Button Factory, Dublin city
Sun. 23rd The Roisin Dubh, Galway city

Muirhead, Holmes, & Henry at Limavady TONIGHT

Thanks to Colin Henry for this news:

Janet Holmes, along with Ivan Muirhead on guitar, and Colin Henry on Dobro, are performing this evening (Friday 30 April) at the Alexander Arms, Limavady, Co. Londonderry. An evening of great original acoustic music and some familiar tunes too is promised. All welcome.

A video of Janet, Colin, and Ivan, with Wilson Davies on bass, shot at the 2008 Omagh festival, can be seen on Janet's MySpace site.

Glen Campbell in Ireland, 23-4 Apr.

Country music legend Glen Campbell played in Killarney last Friday (23 Apr.) and at Vicar Street, Dublin, the following night, before beginning a series of dates in Britain up to 13 May. Bluegrass enthusiasts owe Glen Campbell a good deal for the exposure he gave to banjo players such as Larry McNeely, Carl Jackson, and the late John Hartford. Roger Ryan was at Killarney, and reports:

The Glen Campbell Show was outstanding. Almost a full house for a two-hour show which featured Glen, his two daughters and his son, and two teenage guitarists. Glen celebrated his 74th birthday on the night, so I guess the secret is: surround yourself with young people and you'll stay young yourself.

onlinecountryuk

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland (and graduate of the IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass programme) for news of another extremely useful source of information - the onlinecountryuk e-newsletter. It's edited by Jim Marshall, who describes it as

an irregular, irreverent, sometimes irresponsible, even irritating, collection of country music news views and reviews, a sort of internet version of the old BCMA Bulletin, the magazine, published by the now-disbanded British Country Music Association, which I edited for the best part of 40 years, but still concentrating on 'real' country music.

The UK news which it contains overlaps a good deal with the scene in Ireland, and there's a very noticeable percentage of bluegrass news - to name a few instances in the latest issue, there are items on David Grisman's new Acoustic Oasis website, Dierks Bentley's new bluegrass album, the September tour by Phil Rosenthal, and a reissue of Benny Martin's Big Tiger album by the British Archive of Country Music, together with a lot of useful links and tour dates.

You can subscribe to onlinecountryuk by sending Jim Marshall an e-mail. A link to the British Archive of Country Music has been added to the right-hand column of the BIB.

More photos from 4WD's April tour

Séamus Ennis (in bronze) and Joost van Es outside the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Thanks again to Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive (D/NL/BE) for these photos from the band's tour in Ireland at the beginning of April. Three more new photos have been added to the 'album' which can be seen here.

Update 1 May: Thanks yet again to Jan for a link to his YouTube video of Jolanda Peters with Kebabs, a lamb at the Ulster American Folk Park.


Celebrating another successful house concert: (l-r) Jolanda Peters, Ulli Sieker, Jurgen Biller, Joost van Es, Arnie Loughrin (host), Jan Michielsen, Alfred Bonk

Bluegrass at the Life Festival, 4-6 June 2010

Thanks to Aran Sheehan of the Bluestack Mountain Boys for the news that the band will be appearing (under their original name, the Bluegrass Brothers) at the Life Festival 2010, to be held at the Belvedere Parkland Gardens, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, on 4-6 June 2010. Aran says:

We will be playing in the acoustic tent... performing an antidote to the pervasive psychedelic trance music that is the mainstay of the festival.

Sounds like an opportunity for at least one old-time string band. For more details of the immense Festival lineup, click on the image of the poster (left).

British Bluegrass News #52

The BIB editor reports:

Issue #52 (spring 2010) of British Bluegrass News has been posted out to members of the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA). In my view, it's a model of what the magazine of a national bluegrass association should be, and stands up well in comparison with other bluegrass periodicals on the market.

At 48 pages, it is 9% larger than the 'bumper' winter issue and packed with solid content, including an overview of festivals in Britain in 2010, and an interview by Rick Townend with Lilly Drumeva (Bulgaria), who has recently joined the BBMA.

The issue also includes features on bluegrass cruises, the late Jack Cooke, and 'The art of practising' by Steve Kaufman. Hannah Johnson of the Toy Hearts reveals her ‘Favourites’, and 'The story behind the song' looks at ‘No school bus in heaven’. All this plus the regular 'What’s on', tour details, CD and book reviews, 'Light in the window', 'SmallTalk', and nine area reports.

This issue is the fourth to appear with Richard F. Thompson as editor-in-chief. British Bluegrass News is published by the BBMA, which was founded in 1990, which was founded in 1990 and will be celebrating its twentieth birthday this year. To join the BBMA, contact the Membership Team, Clare and David Rozzell, by e-mail. You can also join online through the BBMA website.

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

Open Mic Night at Dun Laoghaire, 1 May 2010

Thanks to Patrick Simpson of the Bluestack Mountain Boys, who writes:

We have been asked to perform at the Kingston Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, this Saturday night, 1 May at 9.30 as part of a new 'open mic' night put on by the Artists Collective Group Initiative... There is no money involved, and they are inviting all styles of musicians who may be interested to come along and showcase their talent. It is a new initiative starting Saturday, May Day, which will be their first night; they hope to continue it every week and we hope it will be a success.

Bending the Strings at Tullamore - and on record

Thanks to Vinny Baker for this news:

Bending the Strings are performing their first of a run of bluegrass gigs at Loughrey's Lounge, Main St., Tullamore, on Sunday night next, 2 May. The venue is hosting bluegrass and other acoustic music gigs over the coming months, and Bending the Strings are looking forward to playing Tullamore again.

The band have an album almost ready for release (it's in the duplication stage) and expect to have it for sale in the next couple of weeks. The album will feature bluegrass standards, both vocal and instrumental, western swing, and some original tunes by the band. The album is titled All keyed up and features Moyra Fraser on some blistering piano work on the title track, as well as solos aplenty by all the band.

Bending the Strings look forward to meeting all their friends and followers in Loughreys of Tullamore next Sunday night, 2 May - come along, it will be a great gig!

Homespun: instant delivery of bluegrass lessons

Thanks to Homespun for the news that twenty instructional DVDs on bluegrass instruments - banjo, guitar, mandolin, dobro, fiddle - and harmony singing are among those available by direct download to your computer at any time of the day or night. Full details can be seen here.

And bass players? Well, Homespun has bluegrass bass DVDs by Mark Schatz and Todd Phillips, which are also available by direct download. (You may wish to check out, however, the new DVD on AcuTab by Barry Bales, best known for his work with Alison Krauss & Union Station).

Dangem's April Get-Together: 24 April 2010

Thanks to Dangem Bluegrass Banjo of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, for the news that their monthly Bluegrass Get-Together will take place tomorrow, 24 April 2010, from 9.30/10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon at Lagan Valley Island, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim BT27 4RL. All are welcome, and full details are on the Dangem website.

Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival 2010 lineup

Mountain Heart at IBMA: Barry Abernathy (banjo) and Jim Van Cleve (fiddle) in foreground

Thanks to Chris Keenan for news of the lineup for this year's Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival at Longford town (23-26 September 2010). As always, it's an impressive one, with Mountain Heart from the A list of modern US bluegrass bands:

Rodney Crowell
Iris Dement
Mountain Heart
Brian Kennedy
Gerry O'Connor
Chris Meehan & his Redneck Friends
Niall Toner Band
We Banjo 3 (featuring Enda Scahill & Leon Hunt)
Shaskeen
Rig the Jig
Tupelo
Bending the Strings
George Harper Band

Other acts are TBC. Tickets and weekend passes go on sale at Ticketmaster next week. Information on tickets and weekend passes is also available at the Festival website or by ringing 087-281-7825.

Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival
23-26 September 2010, Longford, Ireland
Celebrating Irish Traditional, American Bluegrass, and Folk Music
ph: 087-281-7825
international: +353-87-281-7825

Update 29 Apr. Videos of Mountain Heart playing live on stage can be seen on today's Bluegrass Blog.

Bluegrass artists with Irish form on Compass Records

The current Special C.: Ryan Roberts, David Thomas, Greg Cahill, Rick Faris

The US-based label Compass Records, whose catalogue covers a wide range of musical genres (with Irish music probably accounting for most of its releases), has recently added some notable bluegrass musicians to its roster of artists.

The full list of Americana/bluegrass artists on Compass can be seen on the company's website. Several of those listed, including the most recent addition, will be specially familiar to bluegrass and old-time enthusiasts in Ireland. In addition to Compass's founder, Alison Brown, there are Bruce Molsky; Bearfoot; Missy Raines and her band the New Hip; the Gibson Brothers and Dale Ann Bradley (both acts are rumoured to be on the bill at this year's Omagh festival); the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band (who will be heading the bill at the UK's Didmarton Festival, at the same time as Omagh); and the Special Consensus (above).

The news appeared yesterday on the Bluegrass Blog that the Special C. have been signed to Compass, and their next album, 35 (recorded while they were still with the now-defunct Pinecastle label), is scheduled for release on 25 May.

Athy 2010 festival launch party, 14 May

The Athy Bluegrass Festival is the longest-running annual bluegrass event in this island, and this year the Athy Bluegrass Music Association holds the twentieth consecutive festival in the series (8-11 July). The programme was announced earlier this year, and can be seen on the completely refurbished ABMA website, on the BIB for 2 February, and on the BIB calendar.

The ABMA will hold a launch for the 2010 festival on Friday 14 May, beginning at 9.00 p.m. in the Carlton Abbey Hotel in central Athy, the venue for all the festival concerts.

IBMM news: ROMP and more

The International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM) in Owensboro, KY, announced its Ambassador Program in November 2009 - a welcome initiative by the Museum in reaching out to partner with bluegrass associations all over the world.

Thanks to Garian Vigil, coordinator of the Ambassador Program for the IBMM, for news on the program and on the IBMM's River Of Music Party (ROMP) this year (23-6 June 2010). Garian recaps on how the program works: each bluegrass association that takes part appoints or elects someone to be its active Ambassador to the IBMM.

This Museum Ambassador will work with the Bluegrass Museum to trade news for our respective newsletters and work on special projects. We are also inviting the Ambassador to attend a yearly meeting of Ambassadors at ROMP in Owensboro each year. ROMP is our biggest fund-raising event and it takes place the fourth weekend of June. I would like to stress that attending ROMP is encouraged, but not required for participation in the program.

Ambassadors will receive a complimentary IBMM membership, a VIP ROMP pass (which includes VIP access to all events, backstage privileges, meals with Artists/Pioneers), and an Ambassadors t-shirt. The museum will arrange low-cost lodging for your Ambassador's stay at ROMP, getting in on our artists’ rates (typically $54/night + tax). There is also free camping at ROMP for the adventurous types.

We’re very excited to inform you about this year's ROMP (River of Music Party) held 23-26 June in Owensboro. We have a great lineup that includes Doc Watson, Pete Wernick, Mac Martin & the Dixie Travelers, Claire Lynch, Jack Hicks & Summertown Road, Michael Cleveland, Dailey & Vincent, G2, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Acousticure, Roland White, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, the Isaacs, John Cowan Band, Packway Handle Band and many more! Advance weekend passes are available for the low price of $75 for adults and $50 for IBMM members. Get a 4-day family pass for only $150. And there’s FREE camping!

As well as two #1 European Bluegrass Bands, G2 (Sweden) and Acousticure (Hungary), the lineup includes the New Appleseed Band from Japan. Full details of ROMP 2010 are on the Museum's website and on the ROMP 2010 flyer, which can be seen here.

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Gabrielle Gray, the IBMM's Executive Director, writes:

If you’re a visual artist and want to submit a work of art to potentially be included in the upcoming Bill Monroe Centennial Art Exhibit here at the Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY, please go to our website and read the short list of rules and download the application form. The deadline for submissions is 15 May. This is a juried exhibit and will be excellent.

Everyone else, please come see this exhibit. It kicks off the first of the Centennial events by opening this year at ROMP on 23 June 2010.

This Friday (23 April 2010) at 7.00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, who have made several tours in Europe including a powerful appearance at the Athy bluegrass festival, will be giving a concert at the IBMM for its benefit. The band, who have been the force behind this series of concerts in support of the Museum, will also have a CD release party at this time, introducing the first-ever CD made at the Museum. Tickets ($10) include a wine and cheese reception.

Deadline approaches for IBMA Songwriter Showcase 2010

Nancy Cardwell, the IBMA's Special Projects Director, writes:

Just a reminder that 1 May is the deadline to submit a song (plus lyric sheet and contact info) for consideration for the IBMA Songwriter Showcase at World of Bluegrass this fall. Veteran as well as novice songwriters are encouraged to send in an original bluegrass song that hasn't been cut by a well-known group already.

THIS MEANS YOU, SONGWRITERS! Let's make the 2010 IBMA songwriter showcase the best, ever!

Complete info is here.

Quote of the month

Do you think bluegrass can thrive in the digital age? And if so, how?

I think a lot of the musicians are going to have to realise that there's nothing wrong with getting on stage and plugging your instruments in. It's a matter of putting your songs on iTunes and approving MP3 downloads. It's about getting on MySpace and Facebook and pushing your music yourself, to a certain extent...

This genre of music hasn't had to use [the internet] before... But now we're all in this huge competition because we're all on Facebook and everyone wants more fans than each other. You actually have to get on there. You have to show yourself to people. You can't just lay back and play what you've always known and wait for someone to come to you.

Amber Collins of the southern Virginia band No Speed Limit (see the Bluegrass Blog)

Eilidh Patterson at Westport, 17 Apr. 2010

Uri Kohen of Electric Cave Production and the Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival reports from Westport, Co. Mayo:

Last night (Saturday 17.4.2010) Eilidh Patterson joined a very small group of artists who come back for another gig at the 'Unfinished music series' at Geraghty's pub in Westport, Co. Mayo. On the back of several successful tours in Nashville, Texas, and the UK and the release of her debut album, Eilidh returned for another superb gig in Westport.

Eildih sings mostly her own very personal songs with a small serving of very carefully picked covers. Her signature crystal-clear voice, together with simple but touching melodies, produce high-quality songs and are the recipes for a wonderful show.

Once again we had a great night of music in the west, and next Saturday we will host Jim Keaveny from Austin, Texas.

Sharon Cort Band: tour (25-31 May) update

More details on the European tour next month by Sharon Cort (USA) and her band (see the BIB post of 17 March 2010): the schedule in Ireland (25-31 May) includes the following dates:

Tues. 25 May Midleton Folk Club, McDaid's, Midleton, Co. Cork
Wed. 26 May Treacy's, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Fri. 28 May Corrigans, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan

and two more house concerts (TBA). Sharon adds:

Sean McKerr is here in Nashville for a week, getting in some good rehearsal time, and he's having a lot of fun besides.

Somehow we expected that...

4 Wheel Drive on the Pat Kenny Show: update

4 Wheel Drive and Jolanda Peters with Pat Kenny

Many thanks to Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive (D/NL/BE) for a brief report and photos of the band's tour in Ireland earlier this month. Jan also sends a YouTube link to footage of their appearance on the Pat Kenny Show a week ago, thanks to Aidan Butler, producer of the Niall Toner show 'Roots Freeway'.

The video, which shows the band in the studio talking with Pat Kenny and performing 'Blue Ridge Mountain girl', can also be seen on their MySpace site. 'Wayward wind', with vocal lead by Jolanda Peters, was also broadcast, and 4WD recorded a further eight tracks while at RTE.

Jan reports that 4WD were very well received and well treated, met old friends, and made new ones at all the venues in the tour, which was coordinated by Andrew Peters of the Bronte Music Club in Rathfriland, Co. Down, the venue for the first show. The schedule included a very successful house concert hosted by Sharon and Arnie Loughrin in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, where 4WD played 'Happy birthday' for Sean McKerr while a birthday cake was presented to him. Jan (who could hardly be expected to know how popular older country songs are in Ireland) adds:

It pleasantly surprised us that us so many people knew the words to 'Wayward wind' and started it singing with us at Naul. At first we had the impression that the echo was much too loud on the PA.

Six more photos from the 4WD tour can be seen here.

Update 17 April: The YouTube link given above now leads to a greatly improved version of the video. Thanks, Jan!

Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart on tour

The G Promo PR agency reports that singer/songwriters Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart will begin a seven-week tour of Britain and Ireland on 30 April. Both of them are veterans of Stacey's brother's band, Steve Earle & the Dukes. The last six dates in the tour will be in Ireland, as follows:

Sun. 13 June The Playhouse Theatre, Derry city. £11/£8, 8.00 p.m. 028 71 268027
Tues. 15 June Damer Court Hotel, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Adm. €TBC. +353 (0)505 23300
Wed. 16 June Knocklofty House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Adm. €TBC. + 353 (0)52 6138222
Thurs. 17 June The Real Music Club, the Errigle Inn, Belfast. Adm. £TBC, 8.00 p.m. 028 9032 3744
Fri. 18 June The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin. +353 1 8020898
Sat. 19 June The Bronte Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down. Adm. £TBC. 028 4062 3322

Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart are also on MySpace. Contact Geraint Jones at G Promo PR by 'phone (+ 44 (0) 1584 873211), mobile (+ 44 (0) 7855 724798), or e-mail.

Session Americana schedule, 30 Apr.-9 May 2010: CHANGES

Ry Cavanaugh and Session Americana (USA) (see the BIB post of 3 Feb. 2010) will be playing the following dates at the end of April and in early May:

Fri. 30 Apr.: McGrory's Back Room, Culdaff, Co. Donegal
Sat. 1 May: Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
Sun. 2 May: The Crane Bar, Galway city
Tues. 4 May: Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Wed. 5 May: St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Thurs. 6 May: The Cherrytree, Walkinstown, Dublin
Fri. 7 May: Glens Arts Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Sligo
Sat. 8 May: Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford town
Sun. 9 May: Dolan's, Limerick city

Update 14 Apr.: please note that in the above updated and correct list, two dates are different from the list originally published - the Galway and Manorhamilton shows have changed places.

New Leadership Bluegrass alumna

Fellow festival organisers: Chris Keenan (left) and Kathy Casey in Longford, 2009 (photo: Ronnie Norton)

Belated but heartfelt congratulations to Chris Keenan (organiser of the annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in Longford town) who last month graduated in the IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass (LBG) class of 2010. Chris was the only class member from a European country this year. A month previously, she was a member of the 2nd European Bluegrass Summit.

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One of the aims of Leadership Bluegrass is to keep the bluegrass world abreast of music industry developments: for instance, LBG members are currently discussing the relative merits of CDs and digital media for supplying recordings to DJs and radio stations. To attempt a summary: on one hand, most DJs seem to prefer handling CDs, though the cost of posting these out to every station might be too great for a small label; on the other, digital recordings (in which a good deal of improvement in sound quality can be made over the normal mp3 standards) should save DJs much time in putting a programme together. The solution may be for the artist/record label to keep in touch with DJs, and respond to what they individually require. What's the experience of people over here?

'Folk America' on the internet

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for passing on the news that the three-part BBC documentary series 'Folk America', tracing the history of American folk music from the 1920s to the folk revival of the 1960s, can now be watched on the internet.

The first instalment, 'Birth of a nation', deals with the period when old-time music gave birth to the country music industry, and includes such figures as Ralph Peer, Fiddlin' John Carson, Pop Stoneman, Wade Mainer and his wife Julia ('Hillbilly Lilly'), Uncle Dave Macon, Charlie Poole, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Boggs, Sara and A.P. Carter, and Jimmie Rodgers.

All three parts can be seen here.

The Molly Hicks at Kinvara, 17 Apr. 2010

Thanks to Pete Lamb for the following Kinvara Area Music (KAM) Collective press release:

Saturday 17 April sees the welcome return of the Molly Hicks to Johnston’s Hall, Main St., Kinvara, Co. Galway. Doors open 8.00 p.m.; admission €10/8 (members/concessions)

The Molly Hicks from Ireland 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 Tom Hanway (vocals, 5-string banjo), Peter Akerstrom (vocals, guitar), and Paul Johnson (bass). Ruth is a prolific bluegrass songwriter who sings powerful duets with Bernie, and trios and quartets with Peter and Tom, who also contributes hot original banjo tunes and classics.

This tight vocal group is revered in Galway and all across Ireland for their uncanny delivery of traditional, original and contemporary bluegrass songs. The Molly Hicks are a singing tour de force and guarantee a lively show, with everyone taking turns at lead and harmony, doing call-and-response, in the fine traditions of American Appalachian, bluegrass, country, and gospel.

Ruth Dillon, from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, has toured America and Europe with the Dolores Keane Band. As a solo performer, she has done support for such luminaries as Altan, Sharon Shannon, Francis Black, Ron Sexsmith, Juniper, and Sean Tyrell.

Bernie O’Mahony, originally from Waterford, is a soulful singer, a consummate studio professional and artist who has performed with Sean Tyrrell’s highly acclaimed show 'The midnight court'. Bernie and Ruth have been collaborating in Galway in recent years, playing concerts and festivals, touring in Ireland and America, and holding down a monthly residency at the popular Crane Bar, also weekly gigs at An Púcán and Cooke's Thatch Pub in Galway town.

Upcoming KAM events:

1 May Haven of Song presented by Paul Mulligan (Haiti Benefit)
15 May Errol Walsh
29 May Jackie Daly and John Faulkner
12 June Bob McNeill and Jon Sanders.

Please check the website for details of these events, and for KAM membership, which is a recession-busting €20! Benefits include reduced event entry, a personal webpage on the site if required, and a warm, tingly community feeling...

Uncle Monk at Limerick, 1 May 2010

Thanks to Sarah Dolan for the following news:

Uncle Monk (Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan)
Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick
Date: 01/05/2010
Doors: 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €15.00
More details here
061-314483

'Uncle Monk is an indie-acoustic duo featuring Tommy Ramone (of the Ramones) on vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and dobro, and Claudia Tienan (the Simplistics) on vocals, guitar, and bass.

'The music of the two artists complement each other. There is a Yin and Yang sensibility at work, a touch of light and dark, of bitter and sweet. They have been drawn towards the classic simplicity of string band music, but at the same time are deeply involved with the aesthetics of alternative music, and use their musical influences to create an original style.

'Tommy Ramone says: "There is a similarity between punk & old-time music: both are home-brewed as opposed to schooled, both have earthy energy, and there is a certain cool in old-time music that is found in the best alternative acts."'

For other dates in the Uncle Monk tour, see the BIB calendar and the BIB post of 21 January.

Stephanie Coleman to play in Ireland soon: update

2 April: Thanks to Bill Whelan for the news that Stephanie Coleman (USA), who replaced Rayna Gellert as fiddler with Uncle Earl, is expected to be playing in Ireland after next week (during which she will be teaching the old-time fiddle course at Sore Fingers). No info as yet of where it will be possible to hear her, but probably down around Cork; Mick Daly of the Lee Valley String Band may know, so it could be worth dropping Mick an e-mail.

The old-time banjo course at this coming Sore Fingers Week will be taught by Adam Hurt, whom we would love to hear at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, or indeed anywhere else...

Update 10 April: Stephanie Coleman is expected to be taking part in the long-established old-time session at the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, on Saturday 17 April (5.00-7.00 p.m.). From hearing her at Sore Fingers we guarantee that she is an exceptionally powerful and tasteful fiddler, and well worth going to hear.

Carmel & the Ravens bring bluegrass to Moate town, 18 Apr. 2010

Press release:

The Midlands will have a rare chance to catch the award-winning bluegrass band Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens at the Grand Hotel, Moate, Co. Westmeath, on Sunday 18 April.

Creating a unique sound, Carmel & the Ravens appeal to both young and old with their versatility. Their music represents a variety of music genres including bluegrass, country, folk, and pop. This family band has a powerful acoustic sound, great song-writing skills, inspiring a cappellas, tight family harmonies, and a great sense of humour! Not only are they talented and gifted musicians, they are awesome performers.

In May 2005 Carmel Sheerin and the Ravens were voted the #1 European Bluegrass Band (2005-2006) at the prestigious European World of Bluegrass Festival (EWOB) in Holland, in only their first appearance on the Continent. The band was picked by the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA) to represent Europe (and Ireland) at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards Ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee (2006).

The band is backboned by a family that is steeped in music and has been at the forefront of the music scene in the heart of Ireland for the past few decades. Four of the multi-talented Sheerin family are represented. Carmel (lead vocals), Danny (acoustic guitar, vocals), Des (double bass, vocals) & Tom (mandolin, vocals). With two additional Sheerin Family members appearing in Moate on the 18th, Simon (percussion, vocals) & Jerome (Dobro). They are joined by virtuoso banjo player Jonathan Toman.

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens
The Grand Hotel, Moate, Co. Westmeath, Sunday 18 April
Tickets on sale at the Grand Hotel
Admission €10
Doors: 8.30 p.m.

Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals to play the Irish National Guitar Festival on 9 April

Thanks to Tom Hanway for news of this major event:

Bluegrass composer and singer Tom Hanway is an adept finger-style guitarist as well as a hot 5-string banjo player. On 9 April, 10.30 p.m., he and his Bluegrass Pals bring their special blend of bluegrass and newgrass to the Westcourt Hotel, as part of the Irish National Guitar Festival in Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Tom will be picking his Martin D-28V Herringbone guitar as well as his original Stelling SwallowTail Deluxe banjo that he co-designed with master craftsman and luthier Geoff Stelling from Afton, Virginia. Tom was the inspiration and designer of the SwallowTail neck inlay pattern. The banjo comes in both Standard and Deluxe models.

Hollywood actor Steve Martin, who will be featured in next month’s Banjo NewsLetter, also plays a Stelling SwallowTail Deluxe, true to Tom and Geoff’s original design. It is featured on the renowned CD The crow. Tom will also appear in the May issue of Banjo NewsLetter. (More details to come.)

The Irish National Guitar Festival will run from 7 to 11 April. The main event centre will be Drogheda’s new state of the art Concert hall – the TLT. You can expect a guitar player’s heaven at the first ever Irish National Guitar festival! There will be something for all ages and all levels of musicians. International artists confirmed to perform at the festival include guitar legend Preston Reed, Grammy award winner Ed Gerhard, and Irish legend Jimmy Smyth, plus many more. Check out the event guide for more info.

The festival will consist of performances from some of the world’s most renowned guitarists, and don’t miss your opportunity to benefit from a guitar master class from some of the world greats!

If it’s gear and guitars you’re into, you won’t be disappointed! Drop by the Guitar Fair in the main exhibition room to see the latest on offer from all your favourite brands including Fender, Marshall, Martin, Taylor, Takamine, Godin, Breedlove, Boss, Yamaha, Peavey and much more. Throughout the festival the main stage will feature clinics from your favourite guitar brands, featuring some of the best performers in the world. Check out the event guide for more information.

Tom Hanway & his Bluegrass Pals are looking forward to being part of this incredible weekend of pickin’ and a-grinnin’!

Help to save Bean Blossom

You can help to save the Bean Blossom Music Park in Brown County, Indiana - and the annual festivals there in memory of Bill Monroe, father of bluegrass music and founder of the park as a venue dedicated to bluegrass - by voting here for a grant to Bean Blossom from the Pepsi Refresh project. The Bean Blossom Brown County Jamboree Preservation Foundation, Inc., says:

The monies from the Pepsi Refresh Project will allow the Foundation to continue to host music events that will increase public awareness of the special history, heritage, and music of Brown County, Indiana, and in particular, the music of Bill Monroe, by purchasing, conserving and operating in perpetuity the Bean Blossom Music Park.

The vision is for a permanent music park and educational center grounded in the history of the musical events at Bean Blossom that will allow local and regional artisans and bluegrass music artists and promoters the continuation of thousands of visitors to the festival site each year from all over the world who come to enjoy the events at Bean Blossom continuing the nearly seventy-year-old musical tradition for future generations.

The festival site is located in Brown County, Indiana, approximately 50 miles south of Indianapolis and was host to seven music festivals in 2009 attracting 100,000 visitors from all over the world.

Anyone who's been to Bean Blossom will know it's worth saving - so vote early and often!

Ireland's presence at MerleFest 2010

Thanks to Louis O'Dwyer, a pillar of the scene in the Tullamore area, for the following PRESS RELEASE:

It is reported by their press officer that the official ROI emissaries have had their first (and probably final) MERLEFEST 2010 reconnaissance meeting at the Cobblestone on Saturday evening last. They were officially welcomed by Banjo Bill & the other resident musicians and the tour agenda was speedily approved & signed off. The trusted envoy for MERLEFEST 2010 is made up of Dermot Reidy (tour manager), Pat Sheeran (P.R.O), and Louis O'Dwyer (logistics officer), each a noted stalwart to all things OTM & bluegrass.

The evening's music and song soon got under way, and the multi-stringed assemblage of resident and guest musicians put forth a quality selection of spirited old-time entertainment, much to the delectation of the entire company. Upon conclusion of the evening's proceedings, Bill Whelan was joined by all present in wishing the delegates bon voyage for 29 April, and Bill stated that the OTM and B/G brethren back home looked forward to the news bulletins and post-event reports expected to follow in May from N.C.