New Bill Monroe 100th Birthday Celebration website

Thanks to the European Bluegrass Blog for news of a new website set up by the local authorities in Owensboro-Daviess County, Kentucky, as part of their support for the Bill Monroe 100th Birthday Celebration programme.

Bill Monroe (1911-96), 'Father of Bluegrass Music', would have been 100 years old in September 2011. The new website is a comprehensive guide to the centennial celebrations, listing events, facts about Bill Monroe's life, awards, photos, maps, and links to the International Bluegrass Music Museum and the Monroe Home Place in Rosine, KY, where a special Bill Monroe Birthday Party on the Lawn will take place on 13 Sept. 2011. More details are on the EBB, and much more on the new Bill Monroe 100th Birthday Celebration website. A link to this site has been added in the right-hand column of the BIB.

Woody Pines available for Ireland, April 2011

Further news from the Brookfield Knights agency in the UK, for promoters in Ireland:

We recently e-mailed news that the great North Carolina band Woody Pines would be returning in April/May for their most extensive tour to date. Response from venues in Scotland/England/Wales has been good, but the band has expressed an interest in taking in some dates in Ireland this time around and the slots to be filled are [all the six days from Thursday 14 April to Tuesday 19 April 2011].

Can you please let us know if you might have some space - and interest - to want to include the band in programming for that period? They did great business in the UK during their first trip over and most of those who booked them are wanting the band to return. They will be playing Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, the Tolbooth in Stirling, and the Jumpin' Hot Club in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for instance.

We are confident that people will want to come out and see the band and undertake to provide full-colour over-printed posters and flyers and circulate press releases and CDs on a widespread basis to all local/regional/national print media and obvious targets in radio. If you'd like to receive a copy of the band's latest CD, just give us a shout and we'll stick one in the post.

The band, who are also on MySpace, played an unscheduled informal show during their last tour in Britain, which can be sampled on YouTube; other videos of their performances can be reached from there.

Clonmel World Music looks forward to 2011

Gerry Lawless, organiser of the Clonmel World Music series of shows, announces:

Our gigs for 2010 are now over. We've had four excellent gigs this year and we've brought some amazing acts to Clonmel, in a brilliant venue, and played to sell-out crowds. This is all what we hoped for when we set out. Thanks to the wonderful bands for coming, to all who helped out in any way, and mostly to all who came and supported us.

We have a great lineup for 2011. For up-to-date news keep an eye on the website, become a fan on Facebook, or e-mail us to join the mailing list.

Photos from the 2010 shows can be seen on the Clonmel World Music website.

London Old-Time & Bluegrass Week, 5-11 May 2011

Thanks to Rick Townend, long-time pillar of the UK bluegrass scene, and BBMA area representative for London and south-east England, for this good news for any pickers and/or fans who may be in London in early May:

London Old-Time and Bluegrass Music Week 2011 will be from Thursday 5 to Wednesday 11 May. Events will take place all over Greater London, and will include concerts, music clubs, restaurants and bars, barn-dances, jam sessions, Sacred Harp shape-note singing, Appalachian clogging displays, workshops etc. Most of London’s great bands and artistes will be performing – see details of all the events here.

Any bluegrass or old-time performers wishing to appear should contact me by e-mail for a list of venues to approach. Visitors to London during the week will be able to find an up-to-date programme on the website, and printed schedules will be available shortly beforehand.

Twenty years of the BBMA

British Bluegrass News #54 (autumn 2010) has been posted out to members of the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA). It celebrates twenty years of the BBMA since the association was founded in 1990.

The 40-page issue includes tributes to the late Gill Harrison, a pillar of the British bluegrass scene and especially of the annual Sore Fingers Week. Other features include a two-page article by mandolinist and bandleader Arthur Robinson, who established strong links with bluegrass in the Czech Republic; an interview with Tony Furtado (USA); features on the Britannia Bluegrass Band and the Biggin Hillbillies; festival reports; and articles on preserving a cultural identity and on tone ring vibrations. All this plus the report of the BBMA annual general meeting, the regular 'What’s on', tour details, CD and book reviews, ten area reports, and more.

This issue is the first to appear since Richard F Thompson withdrew as editor-in-chief, and it maintains the high standard of presentation and content achieved under his editorship. To join the BBMA, contact the Membership Team, Clare and David Rozzell, by e-mail. You can also join online through the BBMA website.

Nashville Music Workshop: a new instruction resource

Megan Lynch, Ned Luberecki, and Stephen Mougin (all equally distinguished in the USA as performing/recording artists and teachers) announce their joint formation of the Nashville Music Workshop. Their basic purpose:

... if you want to take music lessons on just about any instrument, we are here to help. Those of you in the Nashville area who choose to take private lessons will get the benefit of a monthly group jam, led by us! Those of you in other parts of the world can take lessons online, right from the comfort of your own home. Here's the deal. You can access each of us through our individual websites or through our joint site. Ned teaches banjo, Megan teaches fiddle, and Stephen teaches guitar, mandolin, and voice. Don't worry, we welcome all levels and all ages. We love all kinds of music and teach most of 'em. If there's an instrument or musical genre you can't live without but we don't teach, never fear. We have a group of highly recommended instructors to which we can connect you.

More details are here.

Kimber Ludiker with Laurie Lewis

Kimber Ludiker, who was in Ireland early last month as fiddler for Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters (USA), is scheduled to play a series of dates in the far west of the USA during the next few weeks as part of Laurie Lewis & the Runaways, a trio in which the third member is another young fiddler, Tashina Clarridge. Full details of the schedule and more about the Runaways are on Laurie Lewis's latest e-newsletter. While you're there, check the links to YouTube videos of performances by Laurie; we particularly recommend 'Old Ten Broeck'.

I Draw Slow at the Cobblestone, Dublin, 31 Oct. 2010: correction

Thanks to Dave Holden of I Draw Slow for the news that the band will be playing at the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, this coming Sunday, 31 October.

Dave also sends the news that the band's new video, 'Swans', can now be seen on YouTube here - where, as an added bonus, there are links to many other videos of I Draw Slow in performance.

BIB editor's note: Apologies to the band and everyone else for the first version of this post, which gave the day as Saturday - Sunday is correct.

Sara Watkins in Ireland, 18-20 Nov. 2010: UPDATE

Thanks to Katherine Selby of UKBluegrass.com for some welcome further information about fiddler Sara Watkins (USA), formerly of Nickel Creek. She will be playing one date in the Republic, as well as two dates in Northern Ireland, at the end of a tour in these islands which begins on 3 November in Sheffield. After nine shows in England, one in Wales, and one in Scotland, she will be playing:

Thurs. 18th: Whelan's, Dublin 2
Fri. 19th: Errigle Inn, Belfast
Sat. 20th: Bronte Centre, Rathfriland, Co. Down

More details of the tour are here.

The Wilders in Britain, Jan.-Feb. 2011

Fans of the Wilders who might consider going to Britain for their next tour there in January and February 2011, should check the final revised schedule issued by the Brookfield Knights agency.

The schedule, which dates from their appearance at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow on 26 Jan. up to 13 Feb., can be seen in full on the European Bluegrass Blog.

Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival programme for 2011

Electric Cave Production reports from Westport, Co. Mayo:

It is hard to believe but in June 2011 it will be five years since Westport joined the bluegrass family of Ireland and it is now in the running to be crowned as the bluegrass capitol of the west of the country. To celebrate the fifth festival, Uri and his team created a rich lineup with strong bluegrass acts alongside some folk golden moments. The festival's motto was always 'the best of local, national, and international music', and this year we will have two Westport bands, three Irish acts, one from Northern Ireland, four acts from America, and a headline band from England.

A Band Like Alice

The main event will showcase the great talent of Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters (Westport), the Dust Busters (USA), and A Band Like Alice (UK). Among the other acts we will see the MacEvillys (Westport), the Bluestack Mountain Boys (Dublin), Louisiana Joyride (Belfast), the Molly Hicks (Galway), County Line (USA), and two folk singers from the States - Jim Keaveny and Jason Serious.

Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters

The main event will be moved this year to the Wyatt Hotel, and a special offer should be available for accommodation. A new website for the festival should be live by January next.

It is going to be a great weekend for bluegrass fans with the usual workshops, sessions, and pub gigs. Tickets for the main event will stay at the very attractive price of €15. More details about the festival in the next few months, and Geraghty's pub in the town will continue to hold folk and bluegrass gigs leading to the festival. See you in Westport!

The Dust Busters (USA)

Hot Club of Cowtown in Cork, 24 Oct. 2010

Following the BIB post of 21 Oct., Roger Ryan reports:

This is the Hot Club of Cowtown performing to a full house at the Crane Lane Theatre, Cork, during the Jazz Festival. The trio of Elena (fiddle), Whit (guitar), and Jake (bass) put on a high-energy two-hour show and left the crowd shouting for more. I have no doubt they will include a visit to Cork in all future Irish tours.

Southern Welfare at Balla

Southern Welfare, from Waterford city, outside Mannion's in Balla, with Tom Lyons (second from left) and dedicated bluegrass supporters. Thanks to the band for this photo and report:

Southern Welfare would like to thank everyone in Balla, Co. Mayo, for having us play on the opening night of the festival. A big thanks to Tom Lyons and his crew for making it happen, and also to Chris Mannion of Mannion's pub for saving our life after the gig with the tea and sambos. A good night was had by all, and we hope to see you all again next year.

Dangem bluegrass get-togethers resume, 30 Oct. 2010

Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, send a reminder that their next bluegrass get-together (the first after the summer break) will be on this coming Saturday. Bring along your banjos, guitars, mandolins, fiddles, Dobros, and bass - or just come along and enjoy! Saturday 30 October 2010, from 9.30/10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon, at Lagan Valley Island, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn BT27 4RL, Co. Antrim.

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

Bluestacks at Limerick on Sunday 24 Oct. 2010

For all bluegrass fans in the Limerick area: Dublin's Bluestack Mountain Boys are playing tomorrow night in the Pier One bar and restaurant at Sarsfield Bridge in the centre of Limerick city, starting at 8.30 p.m. Admission (probably) free! The poster on the left says nearly everything - except that Lily, eldest daughter of Aran Sheehan (on mandolin in the photo), will be singing a couple of numbers with the band on the night.

Roots/Country concert on the East Wall, Dublin, 16 Oct.

Thanks to Niall Toner for these photos, taken by Ronnie Norton at the Sean O'Casey Community Centre on East Wall, Dublin, during the two-hour live Roots/Country special show on Saturday last, co-presented by Sandy Harsch and Niall himself. Above is the finale, with 'Will the circle be unbroken' being performed by all the artists taking part: Miss Paula Flynn, I Draw Slow, the Sick & Indigent Song Club, Gerry 'Banjo' O'Connor, and the Niall Toner Band. Below, the NTB having a good time on stage.

Forty years of Rounder

Forty years ago today, the Rounder record company issued the first releases in a massively important stream of bluegrass, old-time, and other recordings. Our friend Erio Meili of the Sao Paulo Bluegrass Music Association in Brazil writes to Rounder head Ken Irwin:

Ken, WE thank you!

Happy anniversary and congratulation to you and to the whole Rounder Team.

You have been a vital element to keep bluegrass constantly under a contemporary sunshine or even one step forward as visioneers for 40 years. Rounder is one of the main reasons that this music has never grown old to fade away or to become stamped as something of the past, although keeping its great respect to the roots of bluegrass pioneers.

On 12 October a celebratory concert was held at the Grand Ole Opry; a DVD of the show is now available.

Cedar Hill among the Rockies

Thanks to Roger Ryan, head of the Country Music Association of Ireland and alumnus of the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass programme, who writes:

Following a fantastic show at the Rockies Club in Cork, Cedar Hill joined with some of the locals for a souvenir pic.

The show took place on 7 September at Blackrock GAA Club in Cork, and the above photo shows Roger (centre) with members of the band and of the audience.

Celtic Connections 2011

Belated thanks to Sharon Loughrin, who sent on Tuesday the news that the programme has now been published for next year's Celtic Connections, which will be held from 13 to 30 Jan. 2011 and (as always) in Glasgow, Scotland.

Bluegrass and bluegrass-related acts on the programme include (in alphabetical order) the Alison Brown Quartet, Russ Barenberg, Crooked Still, Jerry Douglas, the Fox Hunt, Furnace Mountain, the Henry Girls (well done, Donegal), Joy Kills Sorrow, Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives, Alison Moorer, the New Rope String Band, Tim & Mollie O'Brien, Dirk Powell, the Quebe Sisters Band, and the Wilders, to mention but a few. Full details, including bookings, are on the Festival website.

Two more Tom Hanway shows this weekend

Tom Hanway and Beppe Gambetta at Strandhill Guitar Festival, Co. Sligo, 05/02/07 (photo: Denise Hanway)

Before heading back to the US for a week of rest and relaxation, a show and a session or two, Tom Hanway plays two shows this weekend with the Molly Hicks, tonight, Friday, 9.30 p.m. at McGinn's (formerly Pauric's) on the Quays, Galway town; and on Saturday night with the Molly Hicks full band and special guests at the Balla Bluegrass Festival, Mannion's, 9.30 p.m., Balla, Co. Mayo. Tom will be helping with the bluegrass jam session during the afternoon at Mannion's. All musicians, all playing levels, are welcome!

Tom Hanway in Larchmont, NY, 26 Oct. 2010

Native New Yorker, banjo innovator, and author Tom Hanway - now residing in Longford - takes a trip to his hometown of Larchmont to visit his family and friends. Tuesday, 26 October, 5-string banjo innovator and fingerstyle guitarist Tom performs at the Watercolor Café in Larchmont, NY. It’s fine dining and the show begins at 8.00 p.m., so book your reservations early for dinner and settle in!

Join Tom and ace guitarist Pat Corcoran from Arcadia for an evening of bluegrass, country blues, acoustic jazz, and Old World Celtic tunes. Listen to Tom Hanway on MySpace here. Mapquest directions are here.

Tom is the leading exponent of Celtic fingerstyle banjo, authoring the world’s best-selling book/CD, Mel Bay’s Complete book of Irish & Celtic 5-string banjo.

With master luthier Geoff Stelling, Tom co-designed the original Stelling SwallowTail Deluxe banjo, which actor Steve Martin also plays and recently used on his Grammy-winning recording, The crow.

Well known in acoustic music circles on both sides of the Atlantic for his ability to shape-shift between styles and within tunes, Tom Hanway began playing the 5-string banjo in 1985 and soon established himself as one of New York City’s most creative banjo players and composers. He has helped Irish, folk, bluegrass, rock, and alt-country artists on dozens of recordings on both sides of the Atlantic.

His debut CD Bucket of bees, recorded in Nashville and New York City, saw Tom working with legendary bluegrass artists, including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, and Vassar Clements. Tom wrote seven tunes for Bucket of Bees, shifting effortlessly between bluegrass, newgrass, Celtic, and jazz, confirming Tom’s ability to play 'in context'.

The Watercolor Café
2094 Boston Post Road
Larchmont, NY 10583
914-834-2213

Bluegrass in the Red Line Roots Festival 2010

Following the success of the last two years' Red Line Roots Festivals in central Dublin, the show is on again.

Thanks to Martin McWhorter, mandolinist of Well Enough Alone, for this link to the programme for Sin e and the Dice Bar. Well Enough Alone, with special guests, will be on at Sine e on Sunday 24 Oct. from 8.00 p.m. For more detail of the programmes, click on the poster image.

Hot Club of Cowtown in Ireland, 24-5 Oct. 2010

Thanks to Oona Fortune for the news that the Hot Club of Cowtown (USA) will be in Ireland playing two dates during the coming Bank Holiday weekend, as part of a current tour in these islands: on Sunday 24 Oct. at 3.00 p.m. in the Crane Lane Theatre, Cork, as part of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival; and on Monday 25 Oct. at 8.30 p.m. in the Button Factory, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Doors open at the Button Factory at 7.30 p.m., and tickets (€10) can be bought online.

The Western Swing trio consists of Elana James (violin, vocals), Whit Smith (guitar, vocals), and Jake Erwin (upright bass, vocals). They played here nearly six months ago, at the beginning of May 2010, as featured artists in the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast, and the Rhythm & Roots Festival, Kilkenny. Their next album, What makes Bob holler (a title to strike a chord in the hearts of the many bluegrass enthusiasts who also love the music of Bob Wills) is due for release on 1 Nov. 2010. Details of the album are here; but you can get it direct from the band in a few days' time...

Nicole Maguire and Sara Corkery in Westport, 16 Oct.

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

On Tuesday 12 October an article in the Mayo News invited the people of Mayo to Geraghty's pub in Westport to enjoy another gig from the production of the Electric Cave. This time it was two singer/songwriters from Cork. The article was so appetising that expectations were running high.

Nicole Maguire (above, left) and Sara Corkery (right) didn't let the crowd down. They presented a well balanced show of folk classics alongside their own material. The Nashville vibe that ran all trough the gig was presented perfectly in a slight Cork accent. It was a brilliant night and a welcome return for acoustic music to Geraghty's after a short journey through the sounds of reggae, punk, and rock.

This week: a slide guitar player from Scotland, Simon Currie (aka A Man Gone Missing). See you in Westport!

Sharon Cort announces CD release, Country cafe

Sharon Cort, who has toured twice in Ireland this year, will kick off the official release of her second release in ten years, the celebrated Country Café, on 15 November at 12th & Porter’s Lounge in Nashville, TN. Performing along with Sharon are Aaron Till on fiddle, Ernie Sykes on bass, and Justin Clark on mandolin (all featured on the recordings), with the addition of Larry Perkins on banjo.

This is the first reunion of the band since Ernie Sykes moved to New York in 2007. Aaron Till and Justin Clark, celebrated musicians in their own right, are both featured on Jim Lauderdale’s Grammy-winning Bluegrass diaries, while Perkins contributed to the 'Down from the Mountain' tour as well as the PBS special 'The Carter Family - an American family experience'. The night will also feature Barbara Lamb, formerly of Asleep at the Wheel, performing solo from her own new CD release, Twisty girl.

Foundation for Bluegrass Music: grant application deadlines

The Foundation for Bluegrass Music is a non-profit organisation under the auspices of the IBMA. Its directors have established a one-time general grant request application deadline of 15 December 2010 for projects planned for the calendar year of 2011 or 2012. Grant awards will be announced by 15 March 2011. The Foundation’s general grant budget for 2011 is $10,000, with the goal of funding four projects at an average of $2,500 each.

In addition, a one-time exceptional grant request application deadline of 15 December 2010 has been announced for projects that will celebrate the Bill Monroe Centennial and focus on educational efforts that involve young people, during the 2011 calendar year. Grant awards will be announced by 15 March 2011. The Foundation board has set aside an exceptional grant award budget for 2011 of up to $10,000, with the goal of funding one project.

The Foundation's full statement can be seen here. More information and downloadable grant application materials are here.

Bluegrass shows begin at the Mercantile Hotel, Dublin

Last Thursday the BIB carried a schedule for the imminent Irish tour by Steve Bonafel & One Iota (USA; above). The first on the list is tomorrow night (Wed. 20 Oct.) at the Mercantile Hotel, Dame St., Dublin 2. Follow Dame Street westward from College Green towards City Hall: the Mercantile is on the left side of the street just before you reach George's St., and opposite the entrance to Crow St.

This is also the first of a series of major bluegrass-related concerts in central Dublin - something that Dublin has needed for a long time. The full list of shows so far arranged can be seen on the BIB for 23 September. Thanks to Nigel Martyn for the series, which certainly deserves the support of bluegrass fans in the Dublin area.

Forthcoming guitar tours

Thanks to Nigel Martyn for the following news of this striking series of visits by outstanding acoustic guitar players:

Oct. 2010
Gareth Pearson has a new CD, Urban echoes: vol. 1, released on the Candyrat label - the same label that propelled Andy McKee [see below] to stardom. He has an eight-date Irish tour starting in Galway on 20th October, ending in Dublin on 29th.

20th Galway, the Crane
22nd Holywood, Yacht Club
23rd Culdaff, McGrory's
25th Limavady, Alexander Arms
27th Newry, Arts Centre
28th Belfast, Black Box
29th Dublin, Whelan's

Nov. 2010
Frank Vignola plays two Irish shows - Belfast (Black Box) on Friday 5th Nov. and Dublin (Whelan's) on Sat. 6th. An extraordinary guitarist from New York who has collaborated with Lionel Hampton and Madonna, covers Mozart and Black Sabbath on the same record, has a Grammy-nominated CD with Tommy Emmanuel, and was a member of both the David Grisman and Les Paul bands...

Tommy Emmanuel, probably the world's greatest ever acoustic guitarist, is back for shows in the Belfast Waterfront Hall on 11th November, Dublin Helix (Mahoney Hall) on 13th, and Limerick UCH on 14th.

Mar. 2011
Andy McKee, the Kansas-based fingerstyle guitarist who has accumulated in excess of 50 million views on YouTube, returns in March 2011 for four shows:

Wed. 2nd Belfast, Black Box
Thurs. 3rd Galway, Live Lounge at the Radisson
Fri. 4th Cork, Cyprus Avenue
Sat. 5th Dublin, the Helix (Mahoney Hall)

Niall Toner Band at Celbridge, 21 Oct. 2010

Thanks to Niall Toner, who reports:

Next Thursday at the Celbridge Library, NTB are doing a show as part of the Des Carty Sessions. Special guest on the night will be Sean Garvey, a truly wonderful traditional Irish folk singer, and proceedings begin at 8.00 p.m. By the way, Des Carty, for whom the annual festival is named, was the man who taught Paul Kelly, fiddler extraordinaire.

One of the unique aspects of Thursday's gig is the fact that it is an all-acoustic performance, and that gives the listener an opportunity to hear the real sound of the acoustic instruments - guitar, mandolin, and bass.

Niall also reports on the success of last Saturday's concert at the Sean O'Casey Community Centre on North Wall in Dublin city centre, forming part of RTE Radio One's Big Music Week: 'We had a great turnout, and by all accounts, the show was very well received.' See also the comments posted last night by a member of the audience, on the BIB post of 4 Oct. which announced the show.

Crooked Still in Ireland, 22 Oct. 2010

Crooked Still (USA) will be playing at the Sligo Live Sessions on Friday 22 October, as part of a twelve-day tour in these islands. They will feature in a concert beginning at 8.00 p.m. in the Model, Sligo, with the 'progressive-traditional' Alan Kelly Quartet and special guest Eddi Reader from Scotland. Admission is €20.00.

The Sligo Live Sessions bio of the group can be read here. The rest of the tour consists of eight dates in England and one in Scotland. Full details are on their own website, together with details of their latest CD, Some strange country.

Emergency procedures

What to do when your band's on stage and the sound system fails? See the Bluegrass Blog feature on how Rhonda Vincent & the Rage coped when it happened to them over the weekend in Texas. The two videos show a top-class band not only doing the right thing but having a whale of a time in the process.

Tony Hutchinson of Knotty Pines: on the mend

Declan O'Kane, fiddler for the Knotty Pine String Band, reports:

Tony Hutchinson our guitar player is currently in hospital. This was planned, as he needs a heart bypass. He had the operation on Wednesday last and is recovering as well as can be expected at this time. I will keep you informed of his progress.

We wish Tony a speedy and complete recovery, and look forward to hearing his lead singing and Ovation guitar work again. Messages can be sent to Tony via the band's Facebook page.

'Hot Country' TV

For bluegrass bands who wish to reach the country music audience, Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland, who is also an alumnus of the IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass programme, forwards this news:

'Hot Country' is the biggest country music show on TV, now in its 53rd week and with a weekly audience of 431,000 viewers and growing. Broadcast times on Showcase TV, Sky 201, Sky 216, Freesat 403, and Free to view are Sunday and Monday 8.00-9.00 p.m., Tuesday and Saturday 2.00-3.00 p.m.

'Hot Country' is the perfect platform to promote your business or service at unbelievable TV rates; just give us a call on +353 21 4504841 or +353 87 6859895 for full details. You will get results from any promotion you do. We will have four shows up at any one time, starting this weekend. The weekly promotional adverts will also run as a separate section; this will make it very easy for viewers who might like to see what promotions are running for that week.

Bands, solo artists: would you like to feature on 'Hot Country' but you don't have a video? Just call us and we will make one for you at a very reasonable cost. Get your music showcased all over Europe on 'Hot Country'.

Communion Belfast opens, 31 Oct. 2010

The Coors Light Open House Festival announces the start of 'Communion Belfast', a monthly club night at the Black Box, Belfast. It is organised in association with Communion in Britain, which has been a hotbed of the 'nu-folk' movement; and Communion Belfast will have the same aim of encouraging new musical talent in a wide range of genres.

Communion Belfast's opening 'Halloween Hoedown' on 31 October, despite the title, has nothing Americana (still less bluegrass) in the lineup; but anything connected with the Open House Festival will be worth keeping an eye on. Club nights will be held in the Black Box on the last Sunday (mostly) of each month. For further info, contact the Open House Festival by e-mail.

5-string banjo lessons in Dublin from Paddy Kiernan

Thanks to Paddy Kiernan (left) of Dublin, who writes:

I'm now available for 5-string banjo lessons in bluegrass, folk, Irish traditional, and
contemporary styles in Walton's School of Music on South Great George's Street, Dublin 2. Prospective students can make inquiries through the office there on (01) 478 1884 or the school website.

BIB editor's note: In his mid-teens, Paddy was already probably the most adventurous and wide-ranging banjo-player to attend the weekly jams (2005-7) at Rosie O'Grady's in Harold's Cross; and in 2007, while a member of Fair City Grass, he played his Deering Golden Era in St Mary's College, Rathmines, in the practical section of his Leaving Cert. music exam (accompanied by FCG leader Enda Donnelly; see the BIB post for 20 Apr. 2007). At Easter this year he studied under Tony Furtado (USA) at Sore Fingers. In brief, this is good news for anyone wanting to learn 5-string banjo in the Dublin region.

For Charlie Louvin

Charlie Louvin, one of country music's living legends, is at present fighting pancreatic cancer. Many of the songs recorded by him and his brother Ira in the 1950s and 1960s have passed into the repertoire of bluegrass artists. As a result, the bluegrass community is taking a big hand in supporting him at this critical time. Details of the concerts and other activities in Charlie's benefit can be read here. See also this item on the original Bluegrass Blog. A leading role is being taken by Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike; many Irish fans will remember them as topping the bill at an Athy festival some years ago.

Charlie Louvin, like his near contemporary Dr Ralph Stanley, has never stopped performing and recording, and a new CD by him is due for release next month. The photo on the left, taken a couple of years ago in New York, shows him with Vincent Cross, a notable member of the Irish bluegrass diaspora.

Wanted: a bluegrass band in the midlands

John Cassin on bass at the Sunday midday jam in Clancy's at Bruff, 3 Oct. 2010 (from a photo on the Bruff festival blog)

Bassist John Cassin and his fiddling partner Toni Sheridan have been making their mark in jams at bluegrass events in Ireland during the 2010 festival season; and at the 2nd Bruff Bluegrass Festival at the beginning of this month, John was right in the centre of things, doing an impeccable job as bass player for the Waterford band Southern Welfare throughout the weekend.

John himself is based in the midlands, and would be glad to know whether anyone is thinking of forming a bluegrass band in that region. In our view, good upright-bass players who can sing lead on the bluegrass standards are worth their weight in platinum; and anyone in the midlands with plans for playing bluegrass would be well advised to send John an e-mail.

Bruff postscript: Last Tuesday the Bruff blog added a long report on the festival by visitor David Lennon; and here's an atmospheric photo of the Bluestack Mountain Boys on stage at Clancy's:

Sid Griffin interviewed at Country Music Hall of Fame: on video

Musician, author, and journalist Sid Griffin (left) leads the Coal Porters band (UK), who were at the top of the bill in this year's Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival.

Sid was interviewed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN, on Saturday 11 September, as part of the last day of the Americana Music Festival and Conference (8-11 Sept.) held at the Hall of Fame in partnership with the Americana Music Association. The full interview can be seen on video on the Sid Griffin website, or as a YouTube playlist.

On the radio THIS SATURDAY

Thanks to Gerry Fitzpatrick for news of two broadcasts this coming Saturday:

Sat. 16th: Shannonside/Northern Sound FM
The McGrane Family, with Con Butler & Gerry Fitzpatrick, will be live on Charlie McGettigan's show some time between 10.30 and 11.00 a.m.

Sat. 16th: RTE Radio One 10.00 p.m.-midnight
As part of RTE Radio One's Big Music Week, Sandy Harsch and Niall Toner will co-present a two-hour live Roots/Country special at the Sean O'Casey Community Centre on North Wall in Dublin city centre. Admission is free, but you must have a ticket! To obtain a pair of tickets, you should e-mail with your contact telephone number. Featured artists on the night will include Miss Paula Flynn, I Draw Slow, the Sick & Indigent Song Club, Gerry 'Banjo' O'Connor, and the Niall Toner Band. Doors open 9.00 p.m.

See also the BIB post for 4 Oct.

Steve Bonafel & One Iota: Irish tour 20-30 Oct. 2010

Thanks to John Nyhan for this tour schedule for Steve Bonafel & One Iota (above) from Kentucky - beginning next week at the new bluegrass venue in central Dublin, the Mercantile Hotel, Dame St., Dublin 2. The photo above shows the band showcasing at IBMA's World of Bluegrass in 2006. Steve's music can be heard on CD Baby, among other outlets.

Wed. 20th: Mercantile Hotel, Dame St., Dublin; doors 8.00 p.m.; tel. 01 6707100
Thurs. 21st: Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork; 8.30 p.m.; tel. 029 56239, 087 7921771
Fri. 22nd: Colfer's Bar, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford; 9.30 p.m.; tel. 087 8200986
Sat. 23rd: The Venue, O'Donavan's Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork; 9.00 p.m.; tel. 023 8833250
Sun. 24th: Burncourt Community Centre, Co. Tipperary; 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 9701653
Mon. 25th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork; 8.15 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771, 087 6402514
Tues. 26th: Private function
Wed. 27th: Private function
Thurs. 28th: The Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare; 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 7921771, 086 8464509
Fri. 29th: The Market House/Malone's Bar, Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare; 9.30 p.m.; tel. 087 6881650
Sat. 30th: Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo; 9.30 p.m.; tel. 094 9365093, 087 2296018

For further details on any of the above, telephone 087 7921771.

Live at Graves Mountain

BIB readers may have seen an item a few days ago on the Bluegrass Blog about the release of two videos and a CD by the Rural Rhythm record company in the US, to celebrate two things: fifty-five years of the record label, and the Graves Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Syria, VA.

Rural Rhythm has a very high-powered artist roster, and the twelve tracks of the album, recorded live at this year's festival, add up to some correspondingly powerful music. For a taste, see the 'All-star jam' video, culminating in a hair-raising vocal trio on 'Once more' by Russell Moore, Lou Reid, and Audie Blaylock. The videos can be watched here or on the Bluegrass Blog.

Woodbine and hypnosis in a good cause

On Thursday 4 November Athy-based band Woodbine will be taking part in a charity concert at the Killeshin Hotel, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois (see location here), organised by local bluegrass supporter Richard Connell.

Thanks to Richard for further details of the concert, which is in aid of Irish Guide Dogs. The show, which begins at 8.30 p.m., also includes a hypnosis demonstration by Louis Ryan. Tickets (€10) can be got at Anthem Music in Main St., Portlaoise; at the Killeshin Hotel; or from Richard Connell himself at 087 2776450.

BIB editor's note: As a member of Woodbine, I hope we can get a special rate for being hypnotised into sounding like Lou Reid & Carolina.

Southern Welfare at Bruff, 1-3 October

Thanks again to Ray O'Brien of Southern Welfare for this report and photos from the 2nd Bruff Bluegrass Festival a week ago:

Southern Welfare would like to say a big 'thank you' to everyone in Bruff, Co. Limerick, for making it a very enjoyable weekend. We played some fantastic gigs over the weekend, kicking off the Friday night in Derry's Bar to a huge crowd, then on Saturday we enjoyed yet another gig in Derry's Bar at 3.00 p.m. which was fantastic and the crowd were great.


We were joined on stage by the man we renamed as The Singing Hat, Mr Sean McManus [above], who sang a couple of fantastic bluegrass numbers with us, then that night we took to the stage in Clancy's Bar where we again were greeted by a huge crowd. After that we went on to a small bar at the top of the town called Glynn's, where we sat and chatted with the locals into the early hours and we had a lovely quiet picking session for a few hours; then it was off to bed until Sunday.

The Sunday morning jam in Clancy's, including members of three visiting bands

We awoke Sunday morning by the sound of bluegrass music from downstairs Clancy's Bar on the radio. So we appeared for our breakfast in Clancy's and we were greeted by Vinny, Moyra, and Martin from Bending the Strings and as we ate our meal we were delighted to hear the guys have a lovely picking session in the corner, so - breakfast finished - we grabbed the instruments and joined Bending the Strings for a few songs. Then as we came close to the afternoon the crowd started to increase and we were joined by members of Woodbine; then it was time for the final gig of the weekend to close the festival in Clancy's Bar.

Woodbine at Clancy's: the last concert

First to the stage were Woodbine, one of the best bands on the bluegrass circuit, and they played some lovely bluegrass music; then we took to the stage for the last hour to entertain the huge crowd, which we did for just over an hour. Then, to finish the festival off, we were joined on stage by Woodbine for the last twenty minutes. Our Gerry closed the festival with a fantastic Irish bluegrass song, 'When you and I were young, Maggie'; then it was over for another year. We hope to see you all again next year. Thanks again from Southern Welfare.

Some intense harmony on 'Maggie'

Southern Welfare will be performing on the opening night of the Balla Bluegrass Festival on 22 October. Also, we will be doing a live gig in the Lady Belle Bar, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, on 29 October. Hope to see some of you there for those gigs!

New website for Bending the Strings - thanks to Southern Welfare

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

We have a brand new website just going live, and it is being constantly updated.

The website has been put together for us by Ray O'Brien, guitarist and vocalist with the Southern Welfare bluegrass band. We got talking to Ray in Bruff and the conversation came round to websites, and we were telling Ray that we were looking at getting a proper website online. Ray graciously offered to put it together for us, I supplied all the necessary stuff to Ray to get it started, and a few days later Ray got the site up and running.

Ray has done a fabulous job for us and we are so grateful for his expertise and immense talent. The site is here and as I said it will continue to be updated on a regular basis and all gigs, CD and band information will be posted as it comes available.

New Tupelo CD

Thanks to Kevin Duffy, fiddler with Tupelo, who reports:

Just to let you know that Tupelo's long awaited first album, Dirty mon€y, is now available to buy in record shops throughout the country. Also available to download from the usual sites: iTunes, Amazon, HMV.co.uk, etc.

The band are playing a number of gigs around the country to coincide with the release. This evening* at 6.00 p.m. they play an in-store in Tower Records, Wicklow St., Dublin, and Sunday at 2.00 p.m. they are out in Dundrum Shopping Centre, and listeners of Radio Nova will also be able to hear them live in studio at 6.00 p.m. They launch their album in Whelan's next Wednesday, 13 October. So Dublin fans will be spoiled for choice this week.

Check the Tupelo website for further upcoming shows. Try and come and see them, buy the album, tell your friends...

Tupelo: Website, Facebook, MySpace, Muzu.TV

* i.e. Friday 8 Oct. - apologies to Tupelo, but the BIB opened this news too late to put it out before the show.

Cedar Hill at Omagh: photos

Thanks to Enda Donnelly of Fair City Grass for these photos of Cedar Hill (USA) taken at last month's Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The band is shown above on the main stage in the marquee, and below on one of the 'Bluegrass in the Park' stages. Enda adds:

I concur with all the appreciation for Frank Ray & Cedar Hill, they filled in the roll for traditional bluegrass music in great style. I might add very entertaining as well. Frank is a lovely man and I was lucky to have a chance to try out his wonderful Lloyd Loar Gibson. Looking forward to seeing them again.

Bluestack Mountain Boys in Dungarvan TONIGHT

L-r: Patrick Simpson, Will Comerford, Conor Daly, Aran Sheehan

Thanks to Aran Sheehan of the Bluestack Mountain Boys (above) for this reminder:

that we will be picking some bluegrass in the Lady Belle in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, tonight, so we would be delighted to see any local bluegrass enthusiasts who can make it.

Our next gig is in the Pier Hotel in Limerick on Sunday 25 October from 9.00 p.m. till late.

Cedar Hill tour: '... it couldn't have gone better'

Anyone who saw Cedar Hill at the Omagh festival, or their subsequent shows in Cork and Wexford before going to Britain, is likely to have strong and happy memories of these occasions. We're delighted to hear from Frank Ray (left), leader of Cedar Hill, that the tour 'couldn't have gone better' for them. Frank says about Omagh:

We could not have been treated better or our music received better... We made many new friends and look forward to a return performance. Please tell the folks hi for us.

We also had a simply outstanding experience in Wales at the Gower Bluegrass Festival. It seems that we were the first US group to appear at that Festival. The fans were simply overwhelming in their wonderful response to our Ozark bluegrass music. We also gained wonderful friends there that we will never forget.

I found both Ireland and Wales to be every bit as beautiful as I had imagined and then some. Even the weather was very cooperative for us. We did have a few rainy days but it absolutely did not dampen the fans' enthusiasm for us or our music. We sold out of all the product we had available for sale, which is a great problem. LOL! We also had about a dozen days of sunshine with temperatures in the 70° Fahrenheit range which felt perfect to us.

Two years ago, Frank became a member of America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame in LeMars, Iowa, in recognition of his four decades as a prime mover in traditional bluegrass in the Mid-West.

The only shadow on Frank's Omagh experience is that a jacket which he left at one of the venues in the Park went missing with a hearing aid in the pocket. If this has not already been returned, please send any relevant information to the Ulster American Folk Park.

The Gibson Brothers ring the bell twice at IBMA

Many people in Ireland will have seen and heard the Gibson Brothers (USA) perform 'Ring the bell', the title song from their latest album, at the Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at Omagh five weeks ago.

One week ago, at the IBMA awards ceremony in Nashville, TN, the Gibsons won the awards for Song of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for 'Ring the bell', together with Chet O'Keefe, the songwriter.

The full list of this year's IBMA award winners, which includes the names of many artists who have played in Ireland, can be seen here. Josh Williams, who first appeared here in his teens as mandolinist with the Special Consensus, has won Guitar Player of the Year for the third year running. The Gibson Brothers, like the Special Consensus and other bluegrass artists, record for Alison Brown's Compass Records.

Bluegrass Christmas cards - and a familiar face?

Many of us already have Christmas preparations on our mind, foremost among which must be the age-old question: where can one get bluegrass Christmas cards?

One answer is: from Karen Cannon in the USA, whose artwork also appears in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY, and Dollywood. As well as bluegrass, her cards include ranges for old-time music, the dulcimer (both Appalachian and hammered), other genres of music, cats (including bluegrass cats), and more.

Karen Cannon's Christmas card line became available on 1 October, according to the website. Can it be completely by chance that her images of Santa Claus bear a strong resemblance to Danny Rogers, familiar to Irish audiences from his tours here as bassist for the Bluegrass Patriots (USA)?

New book on the New Lost City Ramblers

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that the University of Illinois Press has published Ray Allen's Gone to the country: the New Lost City Ramblers and the folk music revival.

It's hard to believe that it's now fifty-two years since the NLCR first formed (the jacket photo shows the Mk II lineup, with Tracy Schwarz in place of Tom Paley), and it's almost impossible to overstate the importance of this group - both in demonstrating the richness and variety of old-time American rural music, and bridging the gap between the 'folk revival' adherents and the original makers of old-time and bluegrass music. The University of Illinois Press, with its exemplary editorial standards, has done a remarkable job of publishing works on bluegrass and related music, and this addition to their catalogue should get a warm welcome.

Well Enough Alone and Bluestack Mountain Boys at Sin é, 26 Sept. 2010

Thanks to Patrick Simpson of the Bluestack Mountain Boys, who sends this report and photo:

I was delighted to get in and watch Well Enough Alone and the Bluestack Mountain Boys team-up for a great gig on Sunday 26 September at the Sunday night residency that Hugh, Martin, and Ben have in the Sin é Bar, Ormond Quay, Dublin. The music and vocals were terrific and it was nice to have a comfortable seat and night off to enjoy such a unique event. If anyone has the chance to go and see Well Enough Alone, they should do! Great intimate venue and dynamic bluegrass music! Thanks a million, guys.