The Coal Porters: coming back to Erin?

The Coal Porters performing earlier this year in Italy (photo: Claudio Guidotti)

Thanks to Sid Griffin for news of the Coal Porters, 'the world’s first "alt-bluegrass" act', based in the UK and led by Sid - a native of Louisville, KY, but long resident in south London. The band are constantly raising their profile, with appearances in the USA (including the IBMA's World of Bluegrass) and Europe, and with a string of albums of which Durango, released early in 2010, is the most recent.

The Coal Porters consist of Sid Griffin (vocals, mandolin), Neil Robert Herd (guitar, vocals) Carly Frey (fiddle, vocals), Dick Smith (banjo, vocals), and Andrew Stafford (double bass). They have already played at two major bluegrass festivals in Ireland - Dunmore East and Westport - and look forward to the chance of bringing their music over here again. Sid says:

I really feel we should play in the Emerald Isle more. The Irish 'get' our music and we are always treated so warmly there.

Uri Kohen, organiser of the Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, where the Coal Porters were the headline act this year, reports:

I can honestly say that the Coal Porters were outstanding: they have a lively and very professional show. I certainly can say that to my opinion they will be a great addition to any bluegrass festival in Ireland.

Full details - bios, show dates, photos, CD reviews, and performance videos, plus a video interview with Sid Griffin - are on the band's MySpace and website. You can also keep up with the Coal Porters on Facebook.

High Plains Tradition at Athy

Thanks once again to Sharon Loughrin for this video from the finale of one of the sets at the recent Athy Bluegrass Festival by the headline act - High Plains Tradition from Colorado. Brief though it is, it shows all the members, gives a good impression of this splendid band at work, and is published here with their permission.

Book review: Peter Pardee, Banjo picking - a complete method

Thanks to Dublin banjoist Conor Daly for his review of this stimulating work of 5-string instruction:

Published in 2006, it would appear to represent the school of less conventional approaches to banjo instruction, rather like the late Paul Hawthorne's Gestalt banjo: volume one. I've always been a fan of going back to basics as a way to refine technique, and whenever something new and unique like this comes along I usually can't resist acquiring it. The thing I particularly like about it is the very graduated approach it takes, giving very solid advice on hand position in the beginning stages, progressing through to painfully slow right-hand exercises, all the way to intermediate, advanced, and 'extreme' sections.

This is all good stuff and the sections of roll permutations are like daily banjo vitamins to supplement your musical nutrition. What you won't find here is the usual approach of tab-reading basics, banjo construction, and a few basic rolls followed by arrangements of stock tunes with possibly some backup licks. Experienced players should not be put off by the mind-numbing Zen-like exercises, as they can only make one a better player with an even sharper sense of timing.

This all goes hand in hand with my belief that a banjo is a drum first, then a melody maker second; and while it doesn't get into the nitty gritty of right-hand technique the way Gestalt banjo does, it is a great aid for beginners and experienced players alike. If you are looking for a quick, painless approach to get you 'up and running' and playing in jam sessions or a band ASAP, do not get this book. On the other hand, if you are serious about playing the banjo and are willing to sacrifice some Blood, Sweat, and Tears to become a solid player and just need some sound advice and direction, then this will go a long way towards achieving that goal. It also comes with a very helpful audio CD.

I purchased my copy on amazon.co.uk but it is available through many online vendors.

BIB editor's note: As a Mel Bay publication, this book should be readily available from music stores; but anyone who likes the 5-string should check out this online source in particular.

Update 13 Jan. 2017: Since the above note was written, the domain thebanjoman.com has expired, so the online source the BIB recommended no longer exists.

End of the road for Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry

Thanks to Colin Henry (left) for his chronicle, of which this is the final instalment. Colin's previous reports can be seen on the BIB at 12, 19, and 26 July.

The Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry Irish tour 2010 came to a rousing end at the Shed, Killyleagh, on Monday night. We played a set and the Tennessee Hennessees played a set and then we all joined together at the end for 'Sitting on top of the world' and 'Will the circle be unbroken'. It was a good crowd and was a happy finale to what has been a good tour. The smiles on our faces (see pictures) say it all.

Gary has returned to Gettysburg, and Janet and I are heading to the North Coast and the beach (weather permitting!). We are already looking to next year and returning to some great venues. We have had a good time this year and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those people from Cork to the Causeway Coast and all points in between who have promoted our gigs. In these economic times it is not easy to take the risk, and those that do should be applauded and, more importantly, supported in what they do.

Mel Corry of the Tennessee Hennessees

Thanks also to Richard our editor for allowing me to post on our travels. Above all, thanks to Janet and Gary for some great times and great music.

I Draw Slow at the Cobblestone, Dublin, 31 July: update

A few days ago Dave Holden of I Draw Slow reported:

Just to let you know that I Draw Slow will be taking a break from recording their new album to play the Cobblestone this Saturday (31 July). Hope to see you there. Doors 8.30; €12.

Thanks to Linda Devlin of the Cobblestone, who adds:

We are delighted to announce that Cobblestone favourites I Draw Slow return to our stage this Saturday...

I Draw Slow is a five-piece outfit comprising vocals, guitar, fiddle, banjo, and double bass. Holden siblings Dave (guitar) and Louise (vocals) have been writing together for two decades, starting on Dublin’s gigging circuit with funk operation Tabularasa. Since then the pair have teamed up with violinist Adrian Hart (Yurodni, Prison Love), clawhammer banjo player Colin Derham (Tabularasa, Choral Sex, Global Funk Orchestra), and double bassist Konrad Liddy (Prison Love).

The sound: Alt-country, folk, roots, old-time, Americana. The five have created a new sound, rooted in the old-time style of the Appalachian Mountains, drawing on Irish traditional music and modern Americana. However, this is a whole new songbook of stories and melodies. These are dark tales of debauchery and trouble, swinging from the kind of well-crafted melodies that survive.

The band has built up a considerable following at gigs and online, and their much-requested debut album Downside is a simple, arresting collection of original compositions - a candid, unadorned production, recorded around one microphone at Downside Farm in Dunlavin. It is available to buy in HMV in Grafton St., Dublin, and online at Claddagh Records for €15.


For reviews of Downside from the Irish Times, Hot Press, and Event Guide, see the band's MySpace. By the way, don't let 'violinist' mislead you. Adrian Hart is a violinist, but he is also a good old-time fiddler.

'Roots Freeway' banjo competition: latest news

Thanks to Niall Toner, who sends the latest news on this exciting competition for lovers of the banjo:

As you know [see the BIB post of 4 June 2010], we are running a competition for two Clareen banjos on 'Roots Freeway' based on nine questions, question number seven coming up on next Saturday's show. For anyone who has missed any of the questions, I am delighted to say that the RTE Guide will publish all nine questions in the edition which will be in the shops on Monday 9 August. Readers can then enter by e-mail, or by mail to Roots Freeway, RTE Radio One, Donnybrook, Dublin 4; and/or by text to 51551 (but only during the show, 11.00 p.m.-12.00 Saturday night).

Niall Toner Music
Teach Burren, Coolasnaughta, Myshall, Co. Carlow
Niall Toner Band
'Roots Freeway'

Rising Sun melodies and efolkMusic

We mentioned on 22 July Rising Sun melodies, the new Smithsonian Folkways compilation of recordings by Ola Belle Reed. The album is given pride of place on its website by the efolkMusic organisation, and also in its latest newsletter.

As the efolkMusic website says, the organisation

... has a mission, to get more folk music into more ears, and we're open 24-7 to help you find great folk, bluegrass, Americana, country, Celtic, old-time, traditional, roots, and blues music. We've been using the border-busting power of the folk music mp3 for TEN YEARS now, getting the music out via our website and outreach activities.

This guarantees that there will be a good deal on efolkMusic's books to interest BIB readers, and we recommend checking out the website.

Bears on the loose in Dublin

Most BIB readers will already be aware of the German Bear Family record label, which has been producing for thirty-five years an astounding series of re-releases of classic bluegrass, traditional country, rockabilly, and other music. The bluegrass enthusiast is in Bear Family's debt for the great boxed sets covering the recorded work of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, the Osborne Brothers, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse, etc., etc., to say nothing of such other Bear Family products as the 12-CD collection of Carter Family recordings and the 13-CD box covering Bob Wills's later career from 1947. These boxed sets have been available for some time from - among other stores - Tower Records in Wicklow St., Dublin.

But Bear Family also do a large number of single-CD releases; and you can now find Bear Family CDs in a special bay at Tower Records - on the left-hand side of the ground floor, near the headphone section. To give one example: Windy mountain by the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, with personnel including Bobby Osborne, Paul Williams, the Goins Brothers, 'Curley' Ray Cline... The 26 tracks (recorded 1950-54) include such classics as 'Pain in my heart', 'Twenty-one years', and 'My brown-eyed darling', and the notes are by Gary Reid, world expert on the Stanley Brothers and their era.

If there are displays like this in other record shops in Ireland, we'll be glad to hear about them.

On the Irish road: 3

Thanks to Colin Henry for a further instalment on the current tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry:

To sit at one o'clock in the morning in a small bar in Kilworth, Co. Cork, listening to the indomitable John Nyhan singing and playing guitar is an experience every musician should have, and one which most musicians who have played Kilworth Arts Centre will have had. So it was on Monday last. Gary, Janet, and I had just played a double gig with the Tennessee Hennessees, and a very happy and successful one it was. The sound was good and the audience were a real listening crowd. Mighty indeed.

From Kilworth we travelled to Listowel in Co. Kerry to play an 'In the Round' with one of Ireland's best known songwriters, Charlie McGettigan. Charlie's songwriting pedigree is well known, having won the Eurovision contest. He is also a very good guitar player and has toured with many great singers such as Maura O'Connell. Above all he is a nice man to know and work with. The 'In the Round' gigs have become a regular feature of the tour and are musically very satisfying. Charlie, Janet, and Gary each perform their own songs with everyone joining in. I play throughout and do one or two of my own instrumentals. You can see us all [below] in the green room in the interval.


Wednesday found us in Miltown Malbay and a gig at the Market House Theatre for Sean Malone. I really wanted to play in Miltown Malbay as for me, an Andy Irvine fan for many years, it is a place with an iconic status. The place was a real find for us. It was a great place to play, with an audience that was there to hear the music, though we were all able to get a drink as well! We hope to return there again. Gary caught a bug of some sort and has developed a cough, but nothing stops him singing.

From Co. Clare we moved on to Mullarkeys Bar in Foyles Hotel in Clifden, Co. Galway. It is a family-run hotel and Jason Foyle runs the music and the bar. Jason's hospitality to us is immense and well exceeds what any travelling musician could expect. We were treated to a lovely meal in the restaurant before we played. The bar is not as quiet as the previous gigs but it was a good night. We did get a slight shock at four in the morning when some chap and his girlfriend kicked down our door to find a bed for the night. Having no success in our room, he did the same to Gary. We were stirred but not shaken.

On Friday we had a long journey from Galway to Portstewart, Co. Antrim, though the scenery en route made it all worthwhile. We stopped to take some pictures and Gary left his jacket on the roof of the car. Of course we drove off and lost it. We concluded that the scenery was so spectacular the jacket wanted to stay! The gig was in the Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and we were concerned we would not draw a crowd. In fact we need not have worried. It was a good crowd and we had a good night. Being home territory for me I had my sister in the audience and she finally got to see what we did on the tour and to hear me sing live on stage. The picture of Gary and me [below] proves it really did happen.

From a good crowd in Co. Antrim we then had a small audience in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, on Saturday night. Professional to the end, however, we did our whole show and notched it up to the vagaries of the time of year and the weather - a bit like fishing really.

Sunday night brought us back to Sharon's and Arnie's house concert in Cookstown. We were the first band to play for Sharon and Arnie last year, and there have been successful concerts with others since. They are wonderful hosts and have now perfected the house concert setup. There really should be more of these about the country. Gary left with two bottles of Arnie's potent brew - he said he needed something for his cough, and it certainly disappeared after one glass.

Into the final few days now of the tour and one last gig at The Shed in Killyleagh, Co. Down. It is another night with the Tennessees and I think we are going to end on a high.

Dangem at Omagh festival, 3-5 Sept.

Thanks to Derek Lockhart of Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, who writes:

Hi, everyone,

Attached is the programme for the biggest and best bluegrass festival outside North America. Plan to attend. Camping for tents, caravans, and motor-homes is available.

Don't forget to visit us on the Dangem stand. Pick up a programme for a chance to win a Goodtime 2 by Deering, sponsored by Dangem. See you all,

Derek
Dangem Quality Instruments
Tel. +44 (0)7521 464125

Great prizes for bass players...

A great opportunity for upright bass players - the exemplary Barry Bales (bassist with Alison Krauss & Union Station) has just released a 140-minute DVD, A solid foundation to acoustic bass, on Acutab Publications.

But that's not all the good news; some astounding prizes, worth up to over $1,000 for the grand prize winner, can also be won in an associated competition which looks like a good deal of fun. Find all the details here or on the original Bluegrass Blog.

Book now for 19th Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival

Thanks to Richard Hurst of the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, for news of this year's 19th Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival, which will be held at the Park on 3-5 September 2010.

You can see a copy of the Festival flyer, giving full details of the lineup, schedule, ticket prices, and other information, here. Bookings can be made by e-mail or telephone - the Festival Ticket Line is at ++ 44 [0] 28 8224 3292.

Banjo is good for the brain

Thanks to our friend Paolo Dettwiler, editor of Bluegrass Europe magazine, for news of a feature on the Deering Banjos website, written by Carolina Bridges.

Working through a six-point programme set out in a Reader's Digest article, 'Tips for a healthy brain', Carolina conclusively shows that banjo is good for the brain.* Read exactly why this is so here.

*The player's brain, at any rate - doesn't say anything about the effects of passive banjo-playing...

Ola Belle Reed: Rising Sun melodies

The BIB carried on 14 May 2009 news from the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the USA, about a media event centred on the late Ola Belle Reed (photo left), influential mountain singer/songwriter, and one of the pioneer female musicians in bluegrass.

The Institution's non-profit record label, Smithsonian Folkways, now announces the release on 3 August of Rising Sun melodies, featuring eleven remastered tracks from her influential Folkways recordings, as well as eight previously unreleased live recordings made at the Festival of American Folklife in 1972 and 1976 (denoted on the track list below by **). As the Smithsonian says:

Decades after these recordings, and eight years after her passing, Ola Belle’s original songs and voice still ring true and continue to influence a new generation of musicians.

Rising Sun melodies track list
1. I’ve endured 2:51
2. Ola Belle’s blues 2:21
3. Ragtime of life 4:18
4. Bonaparte’s retreat 2:51
5. Foggy mountain top 2:38
6. Fortunes 4:12
7. High on the mountain 3:06
8. Sweet Evalina 2:47
9. Sing me a song 4:31
10. Tear down the fences 3:37
11. My epitaph 3:14
12. Look down that lonesome road 2:37**
13. Undone in sorrow 4:45**
14. I believe in the old time way 3:22**
15. Nine pound hammer 4:50**
16. I am the man, Thomas 3:41**
17. I’ve endured 2:33**
18. Ranger’s command 4:38**
19. I saw the light 5:23**

Water Tower Bucket Boys in Ulster, 3-12 Sept. 2010

Thanks to the GPromo PR agency for the news that the Water Tower Bucket Boys (USA) neo-old-time string band will be playing a score of dates in Britain and Ireland, beginning on 9 August 2010 and culminating in appearances at the 19th Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at Omagh, Co. Tyrone (3-5 Sept.) and the Open House Festival in Belfast (9-12 Sept.).

The Water Tower Bucket Boys are from the fertile Portland, Oregon, music scene, like the Foghorn Stringband, who have become established favourites with audiences in Ireland. The WTBB consist of Cory Goldman (banjo, guitar, vocals), Josh Rabie (fiddle, guitar, banjo, vocals), and Kenny Feinstein (guitar, mandolin, vocals), with Walter Spencer (bass, vocals) joining them whenever possible. Their third CD, Sole kitchen, was released this year. Full details of the schedule, together with music samples and other info, can be found on their MySpace page.

NI gospel group to record for US label

The Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing agency of Arden, North Carolina, has just signed the Northern Ireland gospel trio Revelation (left) to its record label, Pinnacle Records. This is the first time in decades that any major Southern Gospel record company has signed a group from outside North America.

The group was founded in the last five years, after David Strange and Thomas McCalmont met Andrew Calderwood. Jeff Collins of the agency says: 'It is with much excitement that Crossroads has the opportunity to present Revelation to the US market.' Revelation begin work on their first Crossroads project on 2 August 2010 at the Crossroads Studios in Arden, NC.

Tupelo at Whelan's, 24 July

Dublin-based rhythm 'n' roots band Tupelo will be bringing their great ability to excite and entertain to Whelan's, Dublin 2, on Saturday 24 July. Doors open at 8.00 p.m., and admission is €10.

Tupelo will be on the 'Bluegrass Thursday' concert at this year's Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival. An up-to-date description of the band by their fiddle player, Kevin Duffy, is here.

'The people's festival' - Athy 2010 reviewed

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin for this personal report on one night of the twentieth Athy Bluegrass Festival:

Athy Bluegrass Festival has certainly notched up yet another successful weekend of great bluegrass music. Unfortunately we could not make it down until Saturday, but friends tell us we missed a good night on Friday. Host band Woodbine got Saturday night off to a rousing start with the usual good craic and friendly banter adding to a strong and varied performance. Great music combined with the ability to get lots of laughs make for a good beginning to any night!

Niall Toner and his band delivered a professional performance of mainly original material which demonstrate the great songwriting skills of Niall, Dick, and Clem backed by fine musicianship (Clem O'Brien performed solo on Saturday afternoon to great acclaim). It's always good to hear the personal anecdotes from Niall that led to some of his creations.

High Plains Tradition rounded off the night with a breathtaking performance, the very essence of traditional bluegrass - superb vocals and picking coupled with impeccable timing in true bluegrass fashion. Athy seems to have a soft spot for wee Bobbie, but the audience loved them all! We also thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday morning gospel concert with the band in the Carlton Abbey Hotel, a fitting setting for such wonderful gospel and a cappella numbers.

For us as regular festival-goers, each festival brings its own unique quality - while it's a thrill to see the plethora of big names playing at some festivals, perhaps it's fitting that Ireland's oldest bluegrass festival is very much the people's festival. Athy places great emphasis on local talent, and was recently described to me as 'the pickers' festival' - we certainly enjoy the impromptu sessions around the hotel and the pubs as much as the organised concerts.

Long may Tony O'Brien continue to pull people in from all corners to support this event - a place to catch up with old friends and make new friends.

We hope to post photos and video material from the festival on the BIB shortly. Has anyone taken some good shots of the NTB on stage at Athy, in particular? The band would be glad to get copies.

Mumford & Sons concert sells out at Open House Festival

On Sunday the Open House Festival announced:

London’s nu-folk finest, Mumford & Sons [above], are to headline the festival on Monday 6 September with an opening night hoe-down in Custom House Square, Belfast. This latest announcement represents a major coup for the festival as Mumford & Sons are arguably one of the most successful British acts of the last 12 months. Tickets are on sale NOW for £25...

Today it is announced that the 2,000 tickets for the show have been sold out in 36 hours - a Coors Light Open House Festival record. What else could possibly be responsible except the 5-string banjo?

Derek Nally

Niall Toner sends the sad news that Derek Nally of Silverstream Avenue, Stameen, Drogheda, Co. Louth (and formerly of Warrenstown, Drumree, Co. Meath), died suddenly at his home on Thursday 15 July. A club DJ early in his career, he became a highly respected and important figure as promoter, booking agent (especially for Whelan's and the Village in Dublin), and manager, and was - in Niall's words - 'a true friend to all in the music business'. The funeral mass took place this morning (Monday 19 July) at St Mary’s Church, James' St., Drogheda.

Details are given on the RIP.ie website. Obituary notices have appeared in the Irish Times, Hot Press, and Belfast Telegraph.

On the Irish road: 2

Left: Gary Ferguson, Monika Bermingham, John Bermingham, and mountains

Thanks to Colin Henry for a new instalment on the current tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry:

Well, after a welcome rest in Belfast, Gary and I headed south to Clonakilty in Cork to perform on Wednesday night as a duo at the famous De Barras Folk Club. Clonakilty is a lovely town to visit with plenty to see and do. I also discovered a wonderful music shop, Allegro Music, owned by a committed Mary Ballard. It has all manner of good instruments and I even managed to get a stand for my 'new' mandolin.

De Barras Folk Club is rightly famous. Its walls are lined with photographs of all the big names that have played there from Noel Redding, the bass player for Jimi Hendrix, to Christy Moore. We played the Sitting Room Sessions, organised by Gavin Moore, Christy's nephew. Gavin is a fine singer and songwriter in his own right. We had a good gig with great sound and we made some new friends by way of Lydia Phillips and her partner Sean, musicians and songwriters from Australia.

From Clonakilty we moved east to Mullinahone in Co. Tipperary. We were playing at a new venue, Croc An Oir, which has been established by John and Monika Bermingham. We were only the third act to play there; Mick Hanly and Charlie McGettigan were the first two. It is a magical place at the foot of the mountain - an Irish mountain of course. You can see John, Monika and Gary in the picture [top] with the mountain behind them. It is John's ancestral home and was in a pretty run-down state until John, with a vision that only some are blessed with, decided to completely refurbish (indeed rebuild) the place as a music venue with accommodation. It is the only place I have ever played where my bedroom was ten feet from the concert venue. John is a musician's musician and a fine guitarist. We had a mighty session [photo above] after the gig. The hospitality was immense and I reckon this will become a premier place to play.

After Tipperary we travelled north to the Ardara Bluegrass Festival. We were the opening act of the festival and we were proud to be so. Pat Magill, who organises the festival, is another fine host and a real enthusiast. The festival is going from strength to strength and I hope that it continues to do so. The great band Woodbine, with our esteemed editor on banjo, played on Saturday night and only that we were recording in Belfast, I would have stayed to enjoy the music.

So after recording here in Belfast we return to Co. Cork and Kilworth and the legend that is John Nyhan. It is a double header with the Tennessee Hennessees and it will be fun, or 'mighty' as John would say.

David Holt & the Lightning Bolts for Omagh festival

L-r: Josh Goforth, Zeb Holt, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, David Cohen

The events of last weekend's very successful Athy festival are all rather a happy blur to your editor, but he particularly thanks the friend who gave him a copy of the flyer for this year's Omagh festival, which is now only seven weeks away.

From the flyer, it appears that we can look forward to seeing and hearing David Holt & the Lightning Bolts at Omagh. Holt may be the most influential performer bringing Appalachian music to a wider audience since the Seegers, and in the Lightning Bolts he has formed a distinguished old-time band for the 21st century. Ulster audiences will already be familiar with Josh Goforth from several appearances in 'Bluegrass on the Walls' at Derry. Full details, including links to the Lightning Bolts' individual websites, can be seen here.

Sam Bush 2-DVD instruction set from Homespun

Latest news from Homespun Tapes is the release of two instructional DVDs by Sam Bush, 'father of newgrass music'. The DVDs each last 1 hour 40 minutes, deal respectively with lead and rhythm mandolin playing, and can be bought either singly at $29.95 each or as a set for $49.95. Like all Homespun products, they're also available as a direct download to your computer, saving $5.00 a DVD and $10.00 for the set. Full details are here.

Homespun continue to offer recession-busting prices over much of their extensive catalogue, so make sure to look at what's currently on sale when you visit their website.

Upcoming gigs at the Cobblestone, Dublin

Thanks to Linda Devlin of the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, who sends congratulations on the BIB's reaching the 100,000 mark, and news of the following two shows at the Cobblestone in the very near future:

Fri. 16 July: The Blood Red Mountain Band - Moonshine For Your Ears! Bar-brawlin' blisterin' hoedowns. Honest to goodness country love songs... This well known Dublin 7-piece outfit will be showcasing new songs from their forthcoming album as well as giving some of the auld favorites an airing out! Doors 9.00 p.m. €8

Sun. 25 July: The By and By String Band combine original songs and covers of traditional spirituals and Appalachian old-time country with stripped-down acoustics and rich harmonies. The band grew out of the New Orleans street music scene in the fall of 2008. They have been invited to play at the Abita Springs Opry, a musical institution dedicated to the presentation and preservation of Louisiana roots music and have been featured on New Orleans Community Radio Station WWOZ radio program, 'New Orleans all the way live'. Doors 8.00 p.m. €5

O lucky Jan...

Photo: Michael Keller (West Virginia Division of Culture and History)

Thanks to Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive (D/NL/B) for the news that he will be going to the Appalachian String Band Music Festival on 4-8 August 2010 at Clifftop, West Virginia - news which at once fills us with consuming envy.

Clifftop (as the festival is usually known) is the main pilgrimage centre for the old-time music world. The festival's website and MySpace economically describe it as:

A five-day mountaintop gathering of musicians and friends with contests, concerts, workshops, square dances, camping and a hymn-sing. West Virginia masters are presented to an audience of more than 3000 musicians and string band music lovers from around the world. Over the history of this festival, more than 20 foreign countries and 48 of the 50 states have been represented, with many returning year after year...

For a full-flavour taste of what this means as an experience - West Virginia Public Broadcasting made in 2008 a 27-minute documentary film which can be seen on YouTube. (And while you're there, check out the associated videos, including the profiles of Hazel Dickens.)

Greg Cahill in the Chicago Reader

Thanks to the original Bluegrass Blog, which today has a post with a link to a major article by Peter Margasak in the Chicago Reader - 'The dean of Bluegrass University' - about Greg Cahill, third from left in the above photo of the current lineup of Special Consensus, the band he has led for the past thirty-five years.

The band's tenth and latest CD, commemorating this marathon achievement, was released on Alison Brown's Compass label in May this year.

Mick Daly to open for Tom Paxton, 23 July 2010

Thanks to Tom Stapleton for the news that singer and multi-instrumentalist Mick Daly (left) of Any Old Time, the Lee Valley String Band, the Sackville String Band (original version), and Four Men and a Dog, will be opening for legendary folksinger and songwriter Tom Paxton (below right) on Friday 23 July at the Damer Court Hotel, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

The show starts at 9.00 p.m. Tickets are available from the Music Store, Roscrea (tel. 0505 23481) and the Damer Court Hotel (0505 23300).

On the Irish road

Thanks to Colin Henry for this first instalment on the current tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry:

Well, Gary, Janet, and I began our Irish tour with our first gig at the Seamus Ennis Centre at Naul. It was an 'In the Round' gig with the great songwriter Charlie McGettigan. The place was sold out and the atmosphere was perfect for a first gig. We had no rehearsal time at all, so it was seat-of-the-pants stuff. You can see us in the photo taken in the green room [above] five minutes before the start with Charlie and Gary 'learning' a song that Janet wrote. The night went well with a great reception from a listening crowd. Two encores - not bad for an opener. I even got to play the mandolin on stage for the first time in my life - Sean McKerr showed me some chords last week - I think his mandolin seat in the Tennessees is safe though!


The following night we had another great gig for Uri Kohen in Westport [see yesterday's post on the BIB]. Again a great crowd. Uri is a wonderful guy. I wish every town in Ireland had a Uri!

A rest back in Belfast for two days, and then Gary and I go to Cork and Tipperary and then Janet joins us for the Ardara Bluegrass Festival on Friday 16 July. Looking forward to it.

16th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival lineup announced

Waterford band Southern Welfare with festival organiser Mick Daly (front), in the idyllic setting of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford

Thanks to Karen Cheevers of B2B Communications for the latest news of this year's festival:

After 15 years of banjo pickin', mandolin pluckin', step dancin', fiddle playin', double bass clawin' sessions in the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East – 2010 promises an even more jam packed, foot tappin’, barnstormin’ weekend for the 16th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival. The countdown has begun to this summer's Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, which takes place from 27 August to 29 August.

This is the 16th year in which roots music pilgrims will flock to Co. Waterford for the free, family-orientated festival. All of the famous local hostelries will play host to over fifty free gigs throughout the weekend with local, national, and international bands playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music.

Last year's headline-stealing main act Jack Grace (USA), aka the Martini Cowboy, will make a welcome return to Dunmore East. Last year's performances on stage and on TV3’s Ireland AM reinforced Jack’s position as the King of Bluegrass with his gritty, down-home country style, with a twist of New York urban.

A band that is looking forward to the Dunmore Bluegrass experience for the first time is Wookalily, an all-female combo that refers to its own style as 'Frockabilly woo-grass, putting the blues in bluegrass, the rock in rockabilly, and the woo-factor into action'.

Wookalily has been playing together since 2009, and the girls received much acclaim at festivals such as the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival, the Ards International Guitar Festival, and Belfast’s Open House Festival.

Apart from some of the biggest international names in bluegrass and country appearing at the 16th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, some well known Irish acts will take to the coastal stages, including Knotty Pine, Molly Hicks, Little Ass Birds, the Blue Stack Mountain Boys, and Bending the Strings amongst others.

Waterford’s very own Southern Welfare will be making their debut at the Guinness Festival this summer. Lovers of bluegrass can expect a selection of authentic bluegrass and gospel from artists like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Ricky Skaggs.

Now in its 16th year, the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival has evolved over the years to meet the tastes of roots music fans. Mick Daly, the musical visionary, who founded the festival back in 1995, has seen a lot of genre-defying acts take to the free stages of Dunmore East:

It has been a really exciting journey for all of us involved. We are delighted with this year’s lineup, particularly the return of the Martini Cowboy and the debut appearance of Wookalily. Both of these acts have strongly defined blues and bluegrass traits. However, over the years we have seen everything from old-time country to futuristic newgrass and rhythm and blues – that is the beauty of the festival!

The organic growth of the Festival has ensured that it is not only hardened bluegrass fans who can come along and enjoy themselves, but anyone who simply enjoys a good tune is guaranteed to have a great time.

For more information about the 16th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford, visit the Festival website.

Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry in Westport, 10 July 2010

Thanks to Uri Kohen of Westport, Co. Mayo, who reports on the latest show presented by Electric Cave Production:

Last night (10 July 2010) the golden trio of Gary Ferguson, Colin Henry, & Janet Holmes returned to Geraghty's pub in Westport after a successful gig last year. Once again they performed a very high quality of folk music, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. We were grateful that they included us in their sixth Irish tour, and they didn't let us down. At the end of the night one punter approached Janet and told her she is the best singer he ever heard, and I think it sums it all up.

Next week (17 July) we will host The Rye from Galway.

Update 13 July: Here's a link to the Mayo News about the Rye show.

For other dates in the current tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry, see the BIB calendar or our post for 7 July. Thanks also to Uri for his appreciation of the BIB's work for the 'bluegrass family of Ireland':

I'm honoured to be part of this family, and delighted to be able to contribute to the blog.

'Maiden Grass' at Derry, Sat. 7 Aug. 2010

Thanks to Frank Galligan for news of the 10th 'Bluegrass on the Walls', which will be held in Derry city on Saturday 7 August. A new feature this year will be an evening concert, beginning at 7.30 p.m., under the title 'Maiden Grass' - an all-female bluegrass and bluegrass-related show, with Janet Holmes, Eilidh Patterson, and Wookalily, at the Junction on Bishop Street, Derry.

The 'Maiden Grass' acts will also take part in the regular afternoon programme of 'Bluegrass on the Walls', together with the Niall Toner Band, the Broken String Band, Acoustic Grass, the Clew Bay Critters, and Woodbine.

Upcoming house concerts at Killyleagh, Co. Down

Following our post of 9 June on house concerts, the next in Adele Ingram-Magee's series of house concerts will be tomorrow night, Friday 9 July 2010 at 20:00-23:30 at the Shed, Killyleagh, Co. Down. The five-piece folk band Jukebox Gyspsy will be playing. Adele (left) says:

With an international line-up (English, Dutch, German and Irish), they are able to blend English and American folk, country, bluegrass and Celtic influences into a show of five-part harmonies and simple, punching songs.

The next show in the series, on 26 July, will be the bluegrass blockbuster combining Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry with the Tennessee Hennessees. Contact Adele by e-mail.

Bluestack Mountain Boys at Sin é, 14 July 2010 - and at Athy TONIGHT

Thanks to Aran Sheehan for the news that the Bluestack Mountain Boys will be playing at the 'Rhythm & Booze' night in the Sin é bar on Ormond Quay, Dublin, at 9.00 p.m. on Wednesday 14 July.

The Bluestacks are also performing in the opening night of the 20th Athy Bluegrass Festival at the Carlton Abbey Hotel in the centre of Athy, Co. Kildare. The show begins tonight at 9.00, and there is no cover charge. Full details are on the Festival website.

Old-time music at Oxfam, 10 July 2010

Tim Hawkins (fiddle) and Richard Hawkins (clawhammer banjo) will be playing an hour of old-time tunes at the Oxfam Bookshop in Parliament Street, Dublin 2, starting at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 10 July. If there are any guitar players in the vicinity who like backing up old-time fiddle music, they will be welcome - the gig will be over in plenty of time before the start of the regular Dublin old-time music session at the Cobblestone at 4.30/5.00 p.m.

As with previous musical events at this venue, one object is to draw attention to the wealth of musical and other material in the Oxfam Bookshop.

Keith Sewell featured by Colorado Case Company

Keith Sewell (USA), singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who has collaborated with our own Niall Toner on many songs and was in Ireland in spring 2009, is the featured artist in the July 2010 Colorado Case Company newsletter. Keith has been an endorser of Colorado cases for years now, and the company considers him to be

surely one of the best guitar players and songwriters we have heard... Keith is the perfect example of why you need our insulated case covers, as he is always on the road touring with Lyle Lovett or most recently, the Dixie Chicks.

Gary Ferguson's sixth tour of Ireland: 9-27 July 2010

Janet Holmes, Colin Henry, Gary Ferguson

Gary Ferguson (guitar, vocals) returns to Ireland for his sixth consecutive annual tour, beginning this coming Friday. Like last year Colin Henry will be his sideman, playing dobro and guitar. Gary and Colin will be joined on a number of performances by Janet Holmes. They will perform as a trio. A highlight of this year’s programme is a series of ‘In the Round’ singer/songwriter evenings where Gary and Janet will be joined by Charlie McGettigan (right) to perform their own and each other's songs, and with Colin on dobro a great night’s music is promised! The full schedule is as follows:

Fri. 9th: Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin; 'In the Round'
Sat. 10th: Shannonside Radio, Longford, Co. Longford, 11.00 a.m. to noon
Sat. 10th: Geraghty’s, Westport, Co. Mayo (trio)
Sun. 11th: Mannion’s, Balla, Co. Mayo (Colin and Gary)
Wed. 14th: de Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork (Colin and Gary)
Thurs. 15th: Croc an Oir, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary (Colin and Gary)
Fri. 16th: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal (trio)
Mon. 19th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork (trio with the Tennessee Hennesees)
Tues. 20th: St John’s, Listowel, Co. Kerry; 'In the Round'
Wed. 21st: Market House Theatre, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare (trio)
Thurs. 22nd: Foyle’s Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway (trio)
Fri. 23rd: Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry (trio)
Sat. 24th: IRD Kiltimagh Town Hall Theatre, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo (trio)
Sun. 25th: Loughrin house concert, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone (trio)
Mon. 26th: One A Chord house concert, Killyleagh, Co. Down (trio with the Tennessee Hennesees)
Tues. 27th: Cherry Tree, Walkinstown, Dublin 'In the Round'

Events at the Séamus Ennis Centre, Naul

The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, as well as being a good friend to bluegrass in the Dublin area, presents other forms of music, film, and drama. The Centre's programme, updated to 24 July 2010, can be seen here. It includes the appearances by Charlie McGettigan & Friends (Gary Ferguson, Janet Holmes, & Colin Henry) on 9 July, High Plains Tradition (USA) on 19 July, and Sara Grey, Kieron Means, & Ben Paley on 24 July.

All performances are presented at the Centre, with doors open at 7.30 p.m. and the performance at 8.30 p.m., unless otherwise stated. Full details are on the Centre's website. For more information, contact the Centre by phone (+353 (01) 8020898) or e-mail.

The BIB at 100,000 - and news from Nashville

At the time of writing, the number of visits to the BIB since 1 April 2007 (when we first installed a site meter) has just reached the 100,000 mark. Thanks to everyone who finds the BIB useful (and occasionally entertaining), and especially to friends who have expressed their appreciation of it.

One of the latter is Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland, who has just passed the mid-point of a six-week stay in Nashville, TN. Roger writes:

We have had several great pickin' parties at the house and just last night we had Roland White and his wife plus Lucy Weberling here for a real old session. Sharon Cort and I went to the Station Inn last week to hear the Spaghetti Westerners and I really loved the type of stuff they play. One of the fiddle players is from East London and his mother is from Castleisland, so I guess we can't go too far here without meeting an Irish connection.

The Sharon Cort tour went very well in Ireland and we are bringing her back again in August. I will send you the dates as soon as they are finalised. Barry & Holly [Tashian] send their regards. Robert Mizzell has included one of their songs, 'Two ways to fall', in his latest album, Redneck man.

An article by Andy Ellis on Barry Tashian's remarkable career is in the Fall 2008 issue of the incomparable Fretboard Journal.

The OBS - a long-awaited version

In May and October last year the BIB carried news of videos released by the Bluegrass Babies; and the October post announced that 'Orange Blossom Special' was in preparation by the same team. Thanks to Caroline Roberts for the news that the long-awaited 'OBS' is now out and on YouTube. Was it worth the wait?

Well, we have to say that the absence of Wild Woolly Bunton from this performance is regrettable on both an artistic and a personal level. Bunton had conclusively raised the bar for banjo-picking by pink rabbits, and he could have added drive and bite to the ensemble sound. Instead, he appears only for a few seconds - in a car in the background, glumly dropping off Hottie MacScottie to play left-handed second fiddle. In the light of previous news, it seems clear that Woolly withdrew because of a decision to use two drummers. The rhythm is over-heavy as a result.

On the plus side: Flo's capable double-shuffle on lead fiddle, the presence of two dance teams, and - above all - the singing of all three verses. 'OBS' has good words, and they should be heard more often. So, on balance a qualified approval. But whatever it takes, Woolly Bunton must be rehired!

Cedar Hill in Ireland, Sept. 2010

Here's an update to our post of 27 May on the forthcoming visit of the outstanding traditional bluegrass band Cedar Hill from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. The above photo shows the band at Rosine, KY, birthplace of the Father of Bluegrass Music.

At present, Cedar Hill is booked to play at two festivals in Britain and Ireland during September:

3-5 September 19th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Northern Ireland

10-11 September Gower Bluegrass Festival, Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea, Wales

The band is looking for additional dates in Ireland before it heads over to Wales. If you are interested in booking them, contact Pam Bunch, Nickeltown Music, 11503 Landers Road, Rogers, Arizon 72756 USA. Tel: 1-479-246- (studio) or 1-479-544-0053 (cell); e-mail.

The hard-driving bluegrass quintet was formed in 1967 by mandolin player Frank Ray with long time friend Ferrell Stowe (resophonic guitar) and Jim Bunch (banjo) stalwarts throughout the 1970s and beyond. In addition to the trio are recent recruits Mark Vaccaro (fiddle), Earon Adams (bass) and Roger Adams (guitar). A new CD should be released by the end of the month.

If you were ever thinking of putting on a first-rate traditional American band, there's unlikely to be a better opportunity than this. Contact Pam Bunch by the means shown above.

IBMA's World of Bluegrass, 27 Sept.-3 Oct. 2010

Sam Bush (left), who will deliver this year's Keynote Address

The International Bluegrass Music Association will hold its annual World of Bluegrass, in Nashville, TN, in the week from Monday 27 September to Sunday 3 October this year. World of Bluegrass comprises the Business Conference and Trade Fair, the Awards Show, and the three-day Fan Fest.

Full details are on the IBMA's latest press release. Even these, however, can give only the palest idea of what has to be the bluegrass event of the year on this planet. The special 'early bird' rates for registering will not be available after 7 July.

Bending the Strings - All keyed up

Thanks to Vinny Baker of Bending the Strings, who reports:

Bending the Strings play the following two dates this coming weekend.

Sat. 3 July Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar; special 'Independence day American music weekend'. Start time 9.30 p.m.

Sun. 4 July Open-air concert in St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, 3.00-5.00 p.m.

Bending the Strings' new CD All keyed up is NOW on general release. The album features many bluegrass classic tracks as well as some contemporary songs done in the band's own 'honky-tonk bluegrass' style, with instrumental and vocal tracks from all three members. The title track, 'All keyed up', is an original track written by the band and tells the story of a bluegrass-loving piano player who wants to play bluegrass on piano and by the song's end is a bluegrass-piano-playing specialist. It's a great song and features great playing from the band..

All keyed up is now on sale in most record shops and will be on sale at all of the band's gigs. This album is a very fresh and different sound and is a fresh take on traditional bluegrass; check it out and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Events at the Cobblestone, Dublin, July 2010

Thanks to Linda Devlin for news of forthcoming events at the Cobblestone, 77 North King Street, Smithfield, Dublin. The Cobblestone now has a good-looking and user-friendly e-bulletin system, and the July 2010 issue can be seen here. The month's schedule includes the Tumbleweed Love Sessions on 10 July, the Blood Red Mountain Band on 16 July, and the By & By String Band (USA) on 25 July.

The Cobblestone also hosts small theatre productions, CD & book launch nights. Seating 60+. *Concessions/advance booking by e-mail with no. of tickets, name & band in the subject title. Also e-mail for future listings with 'mailing list' in the subject title. In addition to high-quality traditional sessions daily, the long-standing old-time music session with Bill Whelan and friends continues every Saturday, 4.30-7.00 p.m.

Mike Seeger remembered online

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that the late, and truly great, Mike Seeger (1933-2009) is now commemorated on this website.

Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival stronger than ever

The MacEvillys, with Tommy Lyons (banjo and harmonica)

Electric Cave Production reports on another successful festival last weekend in Westport, Co. Mayo. Links to the websites of all bands, artists, and venues mentioned are on the Festival website.

Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival is stronger than ever.

Last Friday (25 June) saw over 150 people arriving to Westport from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and every corner of Ireland for three days of celebration of quality music at Westport's 4th Folk & Bluegrass Festival. The town was washed with sunshine and sessions started to take place during the day. The official launch of the festival was around 9.45 in the Clew Bay Hotel with the much-loved MacEvillys from Westport, who once again brought the house down.

Around the same time, three more shows were taking place around the town: in Geraghty's pub (the home of the Electric Cave Production) we had John Taylor (left) from Scotland who brought travelling fans from home with him. In McGing's pub, Well Enough Alone (below) had the crowd in the palm of their hands listening to solid bluegrass.

The Jester pub was a first-timer at the festival and hosted the 'wild card' show of the festival with Wookalily from Co. Down. The girls of Wookalily played live on 'News talk' that morning and played another acoustic show on Saturday afternoon. All their shows were top-class, and they proved that it was the right decision to book them to the festival.

Saturday started with one of the highlights of the festival - the Molly Hicks (above) played, in front of a full house, a superb lunchtime gig. After Tim Rogers conducted another fiddle workshop, all the musicians and the music fans made their way back to McGing's pub for a four-hour session that involved around fourteen musicians.

The main event at the Mill Times Hotel saw three excellent shows on one stage. David Hope & the Henchmen (above) started with one hour of original folk and amazed those who saw them for the first time. The Broken String Band from Northern Ireland served the people with a good measure of solid Appalachian acoustic bluegrass. Last on the bill were the Coal Porters (below) from England; they answered all expectations with a top-range bluegrass show. The night finished with a long session that involved all of those who stayed awake.

Jim Byrne from Scotland played another lunchtime gig in the Clew Bay Hotel, and Tim Rogers returned to his old spot at Geraghty's pub for another four-hour session of old-time music.

The festival was held as a great success, and Uri Kohen, the festival producer, would like to thank all of those who travelled, performed, hosted, and supported the festival in any way. Looking forward to seeing you here on our fifth birthday - roll on June 2011!

Uri is not resting on his laurels after the Festival, and has a full programme of gigs coming up for the summer months, which will be posted on the BIB.