Andy McKee in Ireland, March 2011

Thanks to Nigel Martyn, the BIB mentioned in October 2010 a series of coming tours by outstanding acoustic guitar players. Thanks again to Nigel for more detail of the latest of the series, comprising four dates in Ireland a month from now, by Andy McKee.

Wed. 2 Mar. The Black Box, Belfast. Tel. 02890 244400
Thurs. 3 Mar. The Radisson Live Lounge, Galway city. Tel. 091 538300
Fri. 4 Mar. Cyprus Avenue, Cork city. Tel. 021 427 6165
Sat. 5 Mar. The Helix (Mahony Hall), Dublin. Tel. 01 700 7000

Any connection between McKee's music and bluegrass is negligible; but his remarkable musicianship and formidably inventive technique can be sampled on his own website and especially on YouTube, where he has made an enormous impact. For more information, jpegs, media interviews, etc., please contact

Nigel Martyn
23 Lowwood Park
Belfast
BT15 4BB
Tel.: +44 (0)28 90 580 793
Mobile: +44 (0)7545 020938
Skype name : nigelmartyn
website

Michael J. Miles, May 2011? - an update

Six weeks ago the BIB announced that Michael J. Miles (USA), one of the most remarkable 5-string banjo players now alive, would be coming to Britain to perform and teach in late May 2011, and would welcome other opportunities to play in these islands during that period.

Since that date, Michael has released a new CD, col-lage; samples from all the tracks can be heard on CD Baby. There is also an online press kit with photos and audio tracks. If you have, or know of, an opportunity for this outstanding banjo-player to perform, please contact Michael by e-mail. His latest e-newsletter can be seen here.

Tennessee Mafia Jug Band in Europe, July 2011

The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band on the Grand Ole Opry stage, with WSM announcer Eddie Stubbs and Marty Stuart

A reminder that the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band (USA) will be performing at the G! Festival in the Faroe Islands in July 2011, and would be glad to know of any other opportunities to play in Europe around that time.

The band, who have made a big impression at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in Longford, consist of 'Lonesome' Lester Armistead (jug), Leroy Troy (banjo), David Ferguson (bass), Dan Kelly (fiddle), and Mike Armistead (guitar). Contact Mike himself by e-mail, or the band through their website.

DIY Bluegrass Biz

Thanks to the original Bluegrass Blog for news of a valuable new resource for all bluegrass bands who are trying to make music that deserves to have people pay to hear it: DIYBluegrassBiz.com, a website run by Bob Faris of the Faris Family (USA).

The Bluegrass Blog says: 'We strongly recommend that all independent bluegrass bands take advantage of this amazing resource.' Read more on the BB, or go direct to DIYBluegrassBiz.com.

Moniaive Festival dates for 2011

Thanks to FOAOTMAD, the UK old-time music organisation, for the news that the 3rd Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival will be held this year on 23-25 September in the village of Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.

Links between northern Ireland and western Scotland have been strong in the past, and previous Moniaive festivals have continued this by having a visible presence of bluegrass people from Ulster, including the Dangem Quality Instruments company of Craigavon, Co. Armagh.

The village hosts other bluegrass events during the year: last Saturday (22 Jan.) a 'Bluegrass Connections' show was held, featuring the Woodshed All Stars from Scotland. Check the Moniaive website.

'Music in the Bar' at Blackrock, Cork, 20 Feb. 2011

Thanks again to Roger Ryan for the news that the Blackrock National Hurling Club at Cork will be hosting a 'Music in the Bar' show on Sunday 20 Feb. 2011 from 9.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m., featuring Ray Barron of Two Time Polka, Hank Wedell, and Marian Bradfield. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Charlie Louvin, 1927-2011

Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland reports:

Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin [left] passed away this morning at his home in Wartrace, Tennessee, after battling pancreatic cancer for the last several months.

Charlie and his brother Ira placed twelve songs on the country music charts as the Louvin Brothers, from 1955 to 1962, including one #1, 'I don’t believe you’ve met my baby'.

Ira was killed in a car crash in 1965 and Charlie continued as a solo act and scored thirty chart singles from 1964 to 1989, including six duets with Melba Montgomery.

Charlie was born Charlie Loudermilk in 1927 in Rainsville, Alabama.

Charlie Louvin was one of the truly good folks in the country music business and will be missed.

Thanks also to John and Terry Eberle of the IBMA's LBG circle for forwarding this link to the substantial obituary feature by Peter Cooper in the Tennesseean; and to Karen May for forwarding this news of a radio tribute:

Music has lost a Legend today with the passing of Charlie Louvin. In honor of his contribution to bluegrass music, we would like to invite you to a one hour special broadcast on World Wide Bluegrass, celebrating the career of Charlie and Ira Louvin. This special broadcast will be hosted by Ernie and Debi Evans of Evans Media Source Thursday 27 January 2011 at 2.00 p.m. EST on Facebook.

The obituary that appeared in the Daily Telegraph (UK) can be seen here. Thanks to Richard F Thompson, the tributes and reminiscences of many musicians can be found on the Bluegrass Blog.

New CD from Gail Wade

Singer/songwriter Gail Wade (USA), with whom Gary Ferguson made the first of his annual tours of Ireland, has just brought out her new CD, October moon. It features a host of accompanying artists - Emory Lester (mandolin, guitar), Mike Auldridge (resophonic guitar), Brooks Williams (guitar, harmony vocals), Kevin Lynch (mandolin), Peggy Ann Harvey (fiddle), Dan Menzone (5-string banjo), Tim St Jean (mandolin, harmony vocals), Rob Rainwater (acoustic bass), Joe DeLillo (acoustic bass, harmony vocals), Ian Wade (electric bass), Mike Connors (percussion), and Kala Farnham (keyboard).

October moon can be bought direct from Gail or on CD Baby. Gail is also on ReverbNation and MySpace.

Old-time music in Appalachia and in the Observer

Thanks to Art Menius of the IBMA for sending this news to the IBMA's LBG list: today the London Observer carries 'Across the Appalachians with a banjo', an article by Rose Skelton on finding and learning old-time music in Appalachia. Radio host and banjo teacher Brett Ratliff is quoted as saying:

Kentucky is so diverse. Even from one side of the county to the other, people play music in different ways...

You can see the full article here - and that's surely a 12" pot on that banjo...

Cedar Hill release I've got a thing about doors

News for the friends and fans that Cedar Hill (USA) made during their visit last September: the latest e-newsletter from Good Home Grown Music announces that Cedar Hill will officially release their new CD, I've got a thing about doors, at 9.00 p.m. on 3 Feb. 2011 at Nashville's world famous Station Inn. On the following three days, the band will be taking part in the annual SPBGMA convention and awards show in Nashville.

Good Home Grown Music (that's the GHGM logo above) is the publishing house for the prolific songwriting team of Tom T. Hall and his wife Miss Dixie, who wrote the title song of the new album. Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland, who will be at the launch party in the Station Inn, writes:

We will be staying with Tom T. and Miss Dixie at Fox Hollow near Franklin and will be commuting to SPBGMA. Looking forward to it now and counting the days. Daniel O'Donnell will also be in Nashville for some filming and will record a live album at the Ryman on 12 Feb. It's going to be a great time to be in Nashville. I'll be staying on with Barry & Holly [Tashian] until 15 Feb.

Southern Welfare in Killoe, Co. Longford, 28-9 Jan. 2011

Thanks to Ray O'Brien of Southern Welfare (current front-runners for the Most Mobile Bluegrass Band in Ireland title) for this news:

Southern Welfare will be playing a bluegrass weekend on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 January in the Olde Forge pub, Killoe, Co. Longford [between Longford town and Ballinalee].

It's set to be a cracking weekend, with a lovely picking session in the bar on the Friday night and a plugged-in gig on the Saturday night. It's a weekend not to be missed; so if you are around Longford next weekend, this is the place to be with ample parking for cars and campers, and there is no admission fee; this is a free weekend! For more info, call Ray on 085 1386710.

An extra chance to see the Special C. - Banteer, Co. Cork, 29 Jan. 2011

Thanks to John Nyhan, who sends the following info on a special addition to the current tour schedule of the Special Consensus (USA).

Special Consensus will be appearing at the Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork, on Saturday 29 January at 8.30 p.m. Booking and inquiries from John (087/7921771) or Con (029/56239), or at the door on the night. John's flyer continues:

THIS CONCERT CANNOT COME MORE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
'Special Consensus are a superb bluegrass outfit and are the reason why people come to love bluegrass' (Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange Magazine)

Thanks also to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for forwarding the good news. The Special C.'s show at Kilworth, Co. Cork, on Monday 17 Jan. was sold-out and full to the brim.

For non-Corkonians: Banteer is west of Mallow, and north-west of Cork city. The Special C.'s tour concludes with their appearance the following day (Sun. 30 Jan.) at the top of the bill for the annual Colfer's Country, Americana, and Bluegrass event at Colfer's pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford.

The banjo as a key to American history

Thanks to Denis Hayes of Cork, who first sent us news of the Banjo Project documentary film ten months ago, and now sends this link to a recent interview with Banjo Project director Marc Fields on the ear.tyme website. The item, which includes two video clips, appears under the title 'How many films does it take to right the history of the banjo?', and quotes from a Project press release:

In its long history, the banjo has symbolized patriotism and protest, pain and pleasure, low entertainment and sophisticated leisure. It's been a black instrument, a white instrument, a laborer's pastime and a socialite's diversion, a young person's fad and an old-timer's friend. But mostly it's been a snubbed instrument. Whether it's Dan Emmett in blackface, the Jazz Age flapper whamming on a 4-string or Pete Seeger leading an anti-war rally with his long-necked Vega, the banjo has been the symbolic prop for stereotypes about race, class, gender, region and political persuasion right up to the present day.

Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival programme

The first announcement for the lineup for this year's Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival (29 Apr.-2 May 2011) includes Frontier Ruckus (USA; left), the most bluegrass-related among a group of acts including Mary Gauthier and Little Miss Higgins. Further details are on the Festival website, and more releases will follow in the near future.

Dailey & Vincent for Omagh this September

Many thanks to Daphne McAllister for the news that the repeatedly multi-award-winning Dailey & Vincent (USA) will be the headline act for this year's Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. At the 2010 IBMA Awards Show, they received the awards for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Album of the Year, and shared in the awards for Recorded Event of the Year and Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project. They have been nominated for nine awards in next month's SPBGMA convention. Their excellent band is focused on (but by no means confined to) D&V's outstanding duet singing.

Without an official release from Omagh, the news would be incredible - except that (1) the Festival often does pull off this kind of coup, and (2) Daphne checked D&V's tour schedule, and the Festival is right there at 3-4 September.

Both Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have appeared in Ireland before: Dailey at Omagh with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and Vincent in Dublin with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. They are booked to appear in Gstaad, Switzerland, in the week after this year's Omagh festival.

More memories of Bruff 2010

Thanks to Ray O'Brien from Southern Welfare, who has sent this YouTube link to a performance of 'Free as a breeze' by Woodbine during the final evening of the 2nd Bruff Bluegrass Festival in Bruff, Co. Limerick, at the beginning of October 2010. It's an informal recording under far-from-ideal technical conditions, but conveys a lot of the atmosphere of a very enjoyable night for everyone present.

The Wilders in Ireland, 21-8 May 2011

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin for news of the next trip to Ireland by the Wilders (USA). In a few days time they will be appearing at Celtic Connections in Glasgow before fifteen shows in England - but not over here. Ireland's turn comes in May: the Wilders' next tour begins with the Shetland Folk Festival at the end of April, followed by shows in Scotland up to 20 May, and then:

Sat. 21 May The Black Box, Belfast
Sun. 22 May Wexford Arts Centre
Mon. 23 May Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Wed. 25 May Private function, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Thurs. 26 May Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Fri. 27 May Nesbitt Arms, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Sat. 28 May Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

followed by five more shows in Britain. The full schedules for both the Jan.-Feb. tour and the April-June tour can be seen on the website of the Brookfield Knights agency, where there are also details of visits to Ireland by such bands as Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three, the Wiyos, and - imminent now - the Fox Hunt & the Henry Girls. Sharon notes that

Loudon Temple from Brookfield Knights reports on Facebook that the Fox Hunt and Henry Girls have been really well received at Celtic Connections and have even been asked to record some material for a new music program on BBC Alba and BBC2. I've asked him to keep us posted...

and adds that in the 7th Annual Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and Song Writing Convention, Janet Holmes will be sharing the stage with Nanci Griffith in a 'Songwriters in the round' night at the Empire, Belfast, on Thurs. 24 Feb. If 2011 keeps on like this, it'll be hard to manage to see everything that deserves seeing.

Bluestack Mountain Boys in Westport, 15 Jan. 2011

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

The Bluestack Mountain Boys came to Westport for the first time in January 2010. I knew Aran, as he was a regular visitor to Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival. I was more then happy to 'pay' him back by booking him for a gig.

Exactly a year later, Aran and Patrick came back to Geraghty's pub, Westport, in the new look of the band with a strong driving sound of bass and banjo to be added to the already great sound of mandolin, guitar, and superb bluegrass singing.

As a music promoter that found the way to the bluegrass world, I feel that the Bluestack Boys are the living proof that bluegrass music is still alive, vibrant, and true for today as it was years ago. May bluegrass music live forever!

Special C. at full strength - and then some

The BIB editor reports:

Special Consensus has been known for a long time as a pool of talent, and several band alumni have gone on to high positions in the bluegrass world. Since the band began coming here in 1995, it has had five different mandolin players, six bass players, and seven guitarists. All but one of these configurations of the Special C. have been to Ireland;* everyone who has enjoyed seeing and hearing the band here will have favourites among past lineups, and I'm no exception.

But even competing with these memories, the present Special C. (on last night at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul, Co. Dublin, and tonight in the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend) is a real treat to see and hear. I enjoyed the band at Naul as much as I've ever enjoyed a Special C. show, which is saying a lot.

Making all allowances for the location (the band clearly enjoyed being in Naul, and the audience were very clearly glad they'd come), the Special C.'s own excitement at making powerful music together was infectious. Greg Cahill has expressed his own enjoyment at picking with his current band - 'they all love to play and sing and write songs, and even rehearse' - and it shows. I specially recommend any bluegrass enthusiasts there may be in the Dublin city area to hear the band at the Mercantile Hotel on Tuesday. You'll hear plenty of Special C. classics, plenty of classic bluegrass, and plenty of fine new material. Oh, yes - there are some subtle treats for instrument freaks, as well.

*We did not see the 1997 version with Clem O'Brien on guitar, though Clem has played with the Special C. by invitation at shows in Ireland since then.

Fiddle-driven folk rock from Texas

Outside the normal comfort zone of the BIB, but any helpful response will be welcome: Steve and Tammy Zielnicki of the USA are looking for help in planning a two-week visit to Ireland (or Scotland), any time from late June to early August, for the four-piece Lost and Nameless Orchestra, based in Austin, Texas. Their daughter Kimberly (14) is in the band, which plays 'fiddle-driven folk rock'. Steve and Tammy write:

We are looking for open sessions as well as possible gig opportunities in any music venues, festivals, or other.

The Lost and Nameless Orchestra consists of Patrick Conway (acoustic & electric guitars, vocals); Chris E. Peterson (fiddle, lap steel, mandolin, bass); Kimberly Zielnicki (fiddle, bass, vocals, ukulele), and Nathan Quiring (keyboards, accordion). If you have, or know of, an opportunity for this band, please contact Steve & Tammy by e-mail.

Ireland's place in the bluegrass world

The January 2011 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine carries the annual guide to bluegrass festivals; and in the 'Worldwide' section, we're pleased to note that Ireland again comes in the front rank outside North America - level with England, with five festivals listed, and ahead of the Czech Republic (three); Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Wales (two); and Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Japan, Norway, and Spain (one each).

As the BIB has pointed out in the past (see our comment this time last year), the number of festivals whose organisers have entered them in the list bears little or no relation to the number actually held in the different countries - in the list for Ireland, for instance, neither our oldest nor our largest festivals appear. Nonetheless, the scene here is keeping in the front of things - thanks to the genuine efforts of our festival organisers who sent BU the details of their events.

Among the many other good things in this issue: 'A long expected party: Sore Fingers Summer School' by award-winning writer Chris Stuart, on the UK's instruction week which he describes as 'one of the best-run bluegrass and old-time music camps in the world'.

Joy Kills Sorrow in Ireland, 7-12 Feb. 2011

More exciting news: next month the Boston-based 'modern string band' Joy Kills Sorrow (USA), which has both stylistic and personal links with such bands as Crooked Still and the Biscuit Burners, will be playing six dates in Ireland to wind up a multi-country European tour that includes the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow.

Joy Kills Sorrow consists of Matthew Arcara (guitar), Jacob Jolliff (mandolin), Wesley Corbett (banjo), Emma Beaton (vocals), and Bridget Kearney (bass and songwriting). The dates shown on their tour schedule, all in early February, are as follows:

Mon. 7th: Kilworth Arts Centre, Co. Cork
Tues. 8th: St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Wed. 9th: Market House Theatre, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
Thurs. 10th: Dolan’s, Limerick city
Fri. 11th: Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare
Sat. 12th: Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

The band is also on MySpace and Twitter.

Tony Trischka School of Banjo at NAMM 2011

NAMM 2011 began yesterday in Anaheim, CA, and will go on till Sunday 16 January. NAMM is the International Music Products Association show, and among those taking part this year is the Tony Trischka School of Banjo, the online teaching system which uses Video Exchange technology to ensure that the student gets not just teaching but instant feedback from one of the best banjo players in the world. More info is here.

Nick Seaman

Tony O'Brien forwards this sad news from Ken and Mary Seaman in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA:

Friends,

We lost our dear son Nick early this morning [Tuesday 11 January]. He put up a grand fight against terrible odds. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Bohlender here in Fort Collins. There will be a memorial service for him later in the week, time and place not yet finalized. We will never forget all your support, prayers and kindness. This helped sustain Nick, Erin, Stella and our families for almost two years.

Fans of the Bluegrass Patriots will recall that Ken - the Patriots' banjo-player and a major figure of the bluegrass scene in Colorado and his native Missouri - was unable to visit Ireland with the band in 2009 owing to his son's illness.

An obituary of Nicholas Benjamin Seaman from yesterday's issue of The Coloradoan can be read here. Our sympathies go out to Ken and Mary and their family.

Greetings from Australia

Thanks to BywongQueen, who posted this message as a comment on our Welcome post. We thought it should be given a little more prominence:

Hello there from Australia - I am a friend of the Simpson family (Bluestack Mountain Boys) and the late David Simpson introduced myself and my husband to bluegrass. What a great privilege! We are set dancers and I have started doing some sean-nos dancing to great bluegrass rhythms.

I attach a short dance clip with music from Uncle Earl (they have featured this on their FaceBook page). Enjoy!

Bluestack Mountain Boys in Westport (15 Jan.) and Dublin (20 Jan.)

Thanks to Aran Sheehan of the Bluestack Mountain Boys (and as you can see from the photo above, those boys aren't kidding about the 'Mountain' bit), who reports:

The year is getting off to a fine start with the following two gigs and some new material.

Sat. 15 Jan. Geraghty's pub, Westport, Co. Mayo, 10.00 p.m. (Free in)
Thurs. 20 Jan. As part of the Dimestore Recordings in Sweeney's, 32 Dame St., Dublin 2 (Free in). Featuring three floors of live music.

Bending the Strings launch Mohill Bluegrass Festival

Thanks to Vinny Baker (on left above) for this report concerning the latest welcome addition to our festival calendar:

Bending the Strings played to a full house in Clarkes Hotel in Mohill, Co. Leitrim, last Saturday night (8 January) at the launch of the 1st Mohill Bluegrass Festival, which is scheduled to take place on 12-14 August 2011.

Tommy Kelleher and Joyce Merne, who are at the forefront of the organisation of the Mohill Bluegrass Festival, were very pleased at the fine turnout, and despite the bad weather and road conditions on the night a huge turnout of the 'Bluegrass faithful' made it to the launch; and indeed many, many familiar faces from Bluegrass festivals all over the country were present.

Bending the Strings kicked off at 9.00 p.m., played a lively set, and took a break at 10.30 for a display of cowboy gunfighting from a troupe of well armed cowboys who were there for the launch also. Bending the Strings resumed playing at 11.00 p.m. and played till 11.50, at which time there was a well supported raffle in aid of the festival. There was a large number of musicians there who were ready to launch into a bluegrass jam session as soon as the raffle ended.

All in all it turned out to be a great launch night for the festival, and you should make a note of the dates, 12-14 August 2011, in your diary for the 1st Annual Mohill Bluegrass Festival, and be sure to keep an eye on the Ireland Bluegrass Blog which is sure to keep you updated on the details of the festivals.

Bending the Strings members Martin, Moyra, and Vinny would like to thank Tommy Kelleher and Joyce Merne for the great organisation on the night and wish them every success with the Mohill Bluegrass Festival.

Molly Hicks band photo montage now on YouTube

Left: Ruth Dillon. Tom Hanway reports:

A photo montage of the Molly Hicks band performing at the Park House Lodge is now up on YouTube. In November 2010 the full band was featured in a live art and music performance organised by Galway artist Dara McGee, which took place in Spiddal, Co. Galway. It also featured McGee and Grammy-winning musician Vinnie Kilduff, best known for his work with U2, the Waterboys, and Clannad. The event was to raise money to develop an artists’ group and to acquire studio space. Fully attended despite a terrible winter's storm, it was a resounding success and the money was raised for the Connemara artists.

On the night, McGee and Kilduff performed the 'Blind Seal' (An Rón Dall­). As TG4's Darach Ó Tuairisg read the story, Kilduff played mandolin and tin whistle to an evocative soundtrack while McGee rapidly painted a series of illustrative acrylic-canvases [right: painting by Dara McGee]. When the story reached its shocking climax, McGee arranged the four canvasses together to reveal a totally new picture. The four paintings were then auctioned as a complete work. Artists also displayed and sold their works on the night.

McGee is organising more Americana concerts and events with the Molly Hicks Band. A native Irish speaker, he lives and works in the Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking area of south Connemara. While better known for his work as a designer in theatre and film, Dara McGee's paintings explore his strong link to the islands along the west coast and their people. He has spent time as an artist in residence on Tory Island, Inishturk, and Inish Oírr, where he has also worked as an art teacher. Dara McGee is also Ruth Dillon's fiancé.

The video features 'Blue and lonesome', the only collaboration between Hank Williams (country) and Bill Monroe (bluegrass), plus an instrumental adaption of 'Wildwood flower' – best known through the Carter Family recordings. It was the band’s great pleasure helping the Connemara artists and we look forward to working with Dara McGee down the road and for years to come!

On stage (l. to r.): Juliana Erkkonen (fiddle), Peter Åkerström (nylon string guitar), Ruth Dillon (steel string guitar), Paul O'Driscoll (upright bass), Bernie O'Mahony (banjolele), Tom Hanway (original Stelling SwallowTail 5-string banjo).

Jamming with Acoustic Guitar

The January 2011 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine (#217) includes an article on best procedures, good manners, and other ways of making the best for all parties out of a jam session, with (at least in parts) a specifically bluegrass frame of reference - though of course the basic rules work equally well for jams in all genres of music. It should still be possible to find this issue in the shops, though the February 2011 issue is now officially the current one: see the magazine's website.

Free listing for your festival in fRoots magazine

The London-based folk, roots and world music monthly magazine fRoots, established in 1979, has for decades carried an annual festival supplement in its April issue - its biggest seller each year, and a widely used source of information on Europe's folk, roots and world music events. The supplement, which appears in both print and digital subscription editions, always includes a free diary listing with basic details of as many folk, roots, and world music festivals and traditional events in Europe as possible. The April issue appears in mid March, and the deadline for delivering data is 8 February.

From 2011 fRoots will be collaborating with Spiral Earth (who have also published a folk festival directory in conjunction with the Association Of Festival Organisers) to produce the definitive listing site for UK and European folk, roots, and world music festivals, accessible from the existing URLs on all three sites, and widely promoted.

To have a free diary listing for your festival, send an e-mail to fRoots not later than 8 Feb. 2011, with the subject heading 'fRoots FREE Festival Listings: 2011 update needed', with information arranged as shown below.

Date of 2011 event:

Name of festival:

Location of event (town or city/ county / country):

Website URL:

Name of contact:

Postal address for public to enquire for information:

Phone:

E-mail:

Box office number if different from above:

fRoots would also be glad to know - not for publication, but for their files only - 'Who deals with advertising and publicity if different from the above contact?'

Artist lineups and programme details cannot be included in the free diary listing, but can appear in the news section of the fRoots issue for the month of your event, if a separate press release is sent in by around the 15th of the month that is two months before your event (i.e. 15 April for June events, 15 June for August events, etc.). Press releases and other news can be sent to the fRoots news editor Sarah Coxson by e-mail. Hi-res colour photos of participating artists can be sent to fRoots here.

To advertise in the fRoots festival supplement, see the magazine's website or e-mail.

The invasion has begun

Within ten hours of the publishing of this post, the Special Consensus (USA) will have landed to begin the first 2011 tour here by a US band; their tour includes the first festival of the year, the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend. But there's plenty more where they come from...

Many thanks to Arnie and Sharon Loughrin for news of a lot of forthcoming activity in the first half of this year, particularly visits from powerful US old-time outfits: the Fox Hunt later this month, the Water Tower Bucket Boys in March, and both the Wilders and the Foghorn Trio (Stephen 'Sammy' Lind, fiddle; Caleb Klauder, mandolin; Nadine Landry, guitar, bass) in May.

Further details of the Water Tower Bucket Boys and Wilders tours are awaited. Meanwhile, here are the dates for the Fox Hunt tour. On all shows except the last (30 Jan.) they will be with the Henry Girls.

Thurs. 20 Jan. Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m. (as part of Ballyshannon Folk Festival)
Fri. 21 Jan. McGrory’s, Culdaff, Co. Donegal, 8.30 p.m.
Sat. 22 Jan. Nesbitt Arms, Ardara, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.
Sun. 23 Jan. The Black Box, Belfast, 1.00 p.m. (Out to Lunch Festival)
Thurs. 27 Jan. Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m. (Clonmel World Music season opener)
Fri. 28 Jan. Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8.00 p.m.
Sat. 29 Jan Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.
Sun. 30 Jan. Sandinos, Derry city, 9.00 p.m.

And here are the dates for the Foghorn Trio:

Thurs. 5-Sun. 8 May Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork
Mon. 9 May St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8:00 p.m.
Thurs. 12 May Linenhall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8:00 p.m.
Fri. 13 May Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 14 May Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, 8:30 p.m. Adm. €16. +353 (0)1 802 0898.

Robirohi in Markethill Courthouse, Armagh, 20-21 Jan. 2011

Very good news for lovers of traditional bluegrass, and especially bluegrass gospel - the splendid Estonian band Robirohi (above) will be playing on two consecutive nights at Markethill Courthouse, Main St., Markethill, Co. Armagh: 20 and 21 January, starting at 7.45 p.m. Admission is only £5.00 (a real bargain for a band of this calibre), payable at the door.

Robirohi, who have played four times at successive European World of Bluegrass Festivals in the Netherlands, made a sensation at the Omagh Festival in 2007 with their tight, driving ensemble and especially their moving and powerful harmony singing. As a result, they were at once booked to return for other dates in Ulster - which they played despite the tragic death of their fiddler, Tarmo Vardja, in a road accident shortly before they were due to make the trip (see the BIB for 11 Dec. 2007). Tarmo's name (with his birth and death dates) still appears on the band's website as a member.

The band includes Robert Kreutzwald (guitar, banjo, vocals), Aivar Nurmik (mandolin, vocals), Indrek Vainu (dobro, autoharp, guitar, vocals), and Jurgis Kazjava (upright bass). Thanks to Tommy Vance of Anchor Promotions, who is organising their Markethill shows. Tommy writes:

We hope to bring them over maybe three times in 2011 and have pencilled in 10-11 March also. Maybe we can take them to southern Ireland gigs later on in 2011.

Great idea! Southern promoters who are interested can contact Tommy by 'phone (+44 7834243009) or e-mail.

News from Nigel Martyn - and a note

Thanks to Nigel Martyn, organiser of the imminent Special Consensus (USA) tour, for news of artists in the Americana and acoustic fields who will be playing shows in Ireland in the near future.

Justin Townes Earle, with special guest James Walbourne, will be appearing at Whelan's, 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, on Tuesday 25 January. Doors open 8.00 p.m.; tickets are now on sale at the usual outlets. Earle, whose new CD Harlem River blues is now on sale, is attracting a lot of critical acclaim. A recent article on him is here.

A week later (Wednesday 2 February) at the same venue and times, Andy Irvine and Dick Gaughan will be performing together for the first time since their 1983 album Parallel lines. They will also be playing the following night (3 Feb.) at the Baby Grand, Belfast, as part of Féile an Earraigh. Dick Gaughan will then be playing six shows around Ireland between 5 and 12 February; full details are on his website.

Update 14 Jan.: Tom Stapleton writes:

Happy new year to all. Here is a gig to take us out of our lethargy.

Dick Gaughan, Leap Castle, Roscrea. Fri. 11 Feb. 9.00 p.m. Tickets in advance; please call/text Tom Stapleton 0872238040 and I will hold for you.

The spirit of Johnny Cash

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

The spirit of Cash is alive and kicking!

In the last three years of promoting gigs in Geraghty's pub, I have noticed that every time an artist played a Johnny Cash number, the crowd was over the moon. I then went in the search for the ultimate Johnny Cash tribute act. I was over the moon to find a hidden gem in Co. Tyrone. JP Mac is as close as you will get to the real thing.

I invited JP to open the 2011 season of Geraghty's Unfinished Music Series; so when he played Westport last Saturday night (8.1.2011), the fans came from every corner of the town and JP rocked the night away. Backed up by the great guitar playing of Gavin, the two did justice to the Johnny Cash legacy. It was a great night and set the tone for the nights to come in the month ahead.

Next Saturday the Bluestack Mountain Boys. See you in Westport!

Uncle Art now available

In view of the historic links between Bristol and Dublin, as well as the intrinsic interest of someone from these islands who became a major figure in the country music industry, we reproduce this news from yesterday's European Bluegrass Blog. Art Satherley played a large part in the careers of Bill Monroe, Bob Wills, Molly O'Day, and many other musicians.

Richard F Thompson of the BBMA reports that Uncle Art, Alan John Britton’s biography of the influential English A&R man and record producer Art Satherley (see this earlier post on the EBB) is now available. Satherley's story is told in full for the first time in Uncle Art by a fellow Bristolian and musician.

Published by Authorhouse UK, the 232-page book includes an introduction by Forrest White, who had first planned to write a biography of Satherley. Britton, who had access to White’s papers and recorded interviews, includes his own background and the discovery of this fascinating story, beginning with Satherley's childhood and schooling, and some history of Bristol and the important role that the city's port played in the movement of settlers and trade to the New World.

The book also includes many photographs and the lyrics to the song 'Uncle Art', written by Britton and Pete Willington. Anyone who orders a hardback copy from the author will receive a complimentary audio CD of the song. The book is also available from the publisher, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Barnes & Noble.

International Standard Book Number: ISBN-10: 1452083894, ISBN-13: 978-1452083896

Special C. on Pat Kenny Show, 12 Jan. 2011

Thanks to Nigel Martyn for the news that the Special Consensus (USA) are confirmed to play on Pat Kenny's radio programme on RTE on Wednesday 12 January between 11.00 and noon, at the start of their imminent tour of Ireland and Britain. Readers with long memories may recall that an appearance on the Pat Kenny show was a feature of the very first Special C. visit to Ireland, back in 1995.

The tour finishes with Colfer's Bluegrass Weekend at Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, on 30 Jan. All Irish shows in the tour are on the BIB calendar, and the UK dates can be seen on UKBluegrass.com.

Athy Bluegrass Calendar 2011

Tony O'Brien of the Athy Bluegrass Music Association wishes to thank everyone who helped to make the Athy Bluegrass Calendar for 2011 a wonderful success - a reprint was necessary to meet the demand.

There are just nine or ten copies left of the calendar (not just a calendar, but a document of the Irish bluegrass scene in general, and Ireland's oldest annual bluegrass festival in particular). If you've forgotten to get one, please contact Tony by phone/text (085 1656685) or e-mail.

Knotty Pines back at full strength for 2011

Thanks to Declan O'Kane, fiddler of the Knotty Pine String Band of Omagh, Co. Tyrone, for some good news for the start of 2011:

Happy new year to all! The Pines are back at full strength again with Tony Hutchinson [top right in photo above] returning to the band after his recuperation from heart surgery. He is fit, well, and raring to go. We have our Thursday night residency in Sally’s, John St., Omagh, and look forward to seeing you all in the coming year.

The Knotty Pines have a mission statement on their Facebook which more of us might think about: 'We insist on creating a show which lets fans enjoy what we do.'

Happy birthday, Mr Scruggs

Thanks to our friend Erio Meili of the Sao Paulo Bluegrass Music Association (SPBMA) in Brazil for a timely reminder that this is the 87th birthday of Earl Eugene Scruggs, Father of Bluegrass Banjo. The SPBMA's own tribute can be seen here.

The photos shown here are taken from the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival website, and show Earl during the 2004 Festival, when he made his first trip to Europe for about thirty years. The photo below shows Earl seated with his late wife Louise; standing behind are the Festival organisers, Kathy Casey (left) and Chris Keenan.

Clonmel World Music 2011 programme begins, 27 Jan.

Thanks to Gerry Lawless of Clonmel World Music in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, for this news:

Clonmel World Music presents a unique double bill: the Fox Hunt (USA) and the Henry Girls (IRE) at Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, on Thursday 27 January 2011. Doors at 8.00 p.m. and bands on stage at 9.00 p.m. sharp. Tickets €15 - on sale in Premier Music Centre, Clonmel.

From the USA, West Virginia combo The Fox Hunt peddle a streetwise, subtly subversive mix of vintage Americana and potent original songwriting. Bittersweet close harmonies, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and double bass are dynamically layered around a single condenser microphone. Joining them on stage will be Donegal sisters The Henry Girls, whose exquisite three-part vocals interweave their native traditions with blues, jazz and country, they are rightly one of Ireland’s top emerging folk acts. Between them the girls play harp, guitar, fiddle, and accordion with great gusto!

Both bands are showcasing the collaboration at the prestigious Celtic Connections in Glasgow in January 2011. They played this double-header set at two Irish summer Festivals in 2010, at the Cork Midsummer Festival and at the Eireagal Arts Festival in Donegal, where they won a standing ovation from 800 people.

Contact Gerry Lawless on 086 338 9619 or Martha Beardmore on 087 9107201 for details.

Clonmel World Music has five shows scheduled so far for the coming season. Details will be published as soon as available.

Geraghty's first gig for 2011

Uri Kohen reports from Westport, Co. Mayo:

For those of us who read the blog on a regular basis, 2010 seemed like a wonderful year for bluegrass - new festivals, many visiting artists, new weekly sessions, and most of all new talented bluegrass musicians who keep the spirit alive. I had the great honour to be part of this movement and to play my part in Westport with more than 30 gigs and a successful festival.

The lineup for the 5th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival in June 2011 is now full and we hope to have the same number of gigs during the year, leading to the festival. As I promised in the past, I'm going to start with a bang, and this Saturday (8.1.2010) we will host in Geraghty's pub the best Johnny Cash tribute act in the land - the JP MAC Johnny Cash Tribute Show. It is sure to be a great show and a great opening for the new session of the Unfinished Music Series.

The following week (15.1) we will welcome back the Bluestack Mountain Boys for another great night of bluegrass. See you in Westport!

BTS help launch Mohill Bluegrass Festival, 8 Jan. 2011

BTS (l-r): Vinny Baker, Moyra Fraser, Martin Cooney

Bending the Strings would like to remind all bluegrass fans that they are doing a gig to launch the Mohill Bluegrass Festival in Clarke's Hotel, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, on Saturday next, 8 January 2011.

Festival organiser Tommy Kelleher promises a great night of bluegrass, and Bending the Strings look forward to meeting many of their friends and supporters at the gig... So start your bluegrass calendar early for 2011 and come along to Clarke's Hotel in Mohill, Co. Leitrim - SATURDAY NEXT - 8 JANUARY.

A very happy New Year from Bending the Strings!

Quotes of the month

I think time spent practicing equals confidence.
Get out of your comfort zone when you practice.
Don’t play like you’re afraid somebody’s going to hear you.
I know a lot of notes. But I don’t play a lot of notes. I’m a big believer in 'less is more'.

Some of the advice given to students by instructors Missy Raines, Barry Bales, Jason Moore, and Mike Conner at the Bass Strummit III, but just as valid for all the bluegrass instruments; taken from the report on the Strummit by David Morris on the Bluegrass Blog

Dublin's Bluegrass Extravaganza, 28 Dec. 2010

Thanks to the Bluestack Mountain Boys for these photos from the Dublin Bluegrass Extravaganza at Sweeney's Mongrel, 32 Dame Street, last Tuesday: visible above are the Boys (Aran Sheehan, Patrick Simpson, Will Comerford, Conor Daly) plus Jacques Titley (third from left, with mandolin) and with Hugh Taggart from Well Enough Alone on lead guitar and lead vocal. Below: the Boys with Catherine Simpson (lead vocal) and your editor (second from left).


Jacques played a fine solo set of blues and music from the jug-band era on guitar and mandolin. It's fair to say that a good time was had by all! More photos from the night can be seen on the Bluestack Facebook page.

Mando Hangout launched today

Mandolinists now have a Hangout for themselves, as banjo-players, fiddlers, and resonator- and flatpicking-guitarists have had for some time: Eric Schlange has set up the Mando Hangout, which is officially launched today. For more details, including the Michael Kelly mandolin which is being given away in a free draw, see the press release on the European Bluegrass Blog, and visit the new Hangout - to which the other Hangouts are linked.

A bit of cheering up

First, the bad news for 2011: in the year of what would have been his hundredth birthday, Bill Monroe does not get a commemorative stamp from the US Post Office. The designs that will be printed can be seen here.

As if that were not enough, IBMA-award-winning guitarist Jim Hurst (who has played many times in Ireland either with the Claire Lynch Band or as part of a duo with Missy Raines) won't be here next month because there will be no Inishowen Guitar Festival.

Thanks to Sean McManus for showing us the best way to recover from this kind of news. Sean recommends going to YouTube to see the performances at last year's IBMA World of Bluegrass by Paul Williams, J.D. Crowe, and Doyle Lawson. We've followed his advice, and it works: this is how bluegrass is supposed to sound, and it is glorious.

New Year greetings from Southern Welfare

Thanks to Southern Welfare, who send their new logo (above), greetings, and news:

Southern Welfare would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year.

Southern Welfare will be releasing their debut CD in February, which is being recorded in VeeBee Studios in Mullingar by Vinny Baker of Bending the Strings. Thanks, Vinny!

Also Southern Welfare are now taking bookings for the new bluegrass season; so if you're interested in having a hard-driving, harmony-filled bluegrass band play your festival, call Ray on 085 1386710, e-mail, or log onto our website and fill out the inquiry form, and we will get back to you.

Update 3 Jan.: Southern Welfare also announce that in place of their previous weekly sessions, they now have a new Wednesday night session in Waterford city, starting on 12 Jan. in the Grattan Bar, Bridge St.

Dr Fox's Old Timey String Band in Cork, 11 Jan. 2011

Thanks to Fionn Lavery of Castlemaine, Co. Kerry, for the news that he and the rest of Dr Fox's Old Timey String Band will be playing in the Old Oak, 113 Oliver Plunkett St., Cork city (not far from Patrick St.) on Tuesday 11 January.

Dr Fox's Old Timey String Band is based in Keel, Castlemaine, and consists of Fionn, Cormac, and Ultan Lavery, Bryan Corbett, and Des Sheehan. As well as the Old Oak next week, they're playing several other dates this month in Kerry (tonight at the Sol y Sombra, Killorglin, for example), and more details on their upcoming gigs can be found on their Facebook page. They are also on Fionn's YouTube channel and Bebo.

Holly Tashian's mother passes

Roger Ryan forwards sad news from Holly Tashian in Nashville, TN. The sympathy and good wishes of the many friends of Holly and Barry in Ireland go out to them at this time.

My mother, Jeanne Kimball, passed away last night at the Alive Hospice Residence. She was 96 and lived a very happy, productive life. She was a choral conductor, vocal coach, and of course a wonderful mother. She lived with us for seven years and will be greatly missed.

My sisters Joy and Faith were here with me when she passed, as was my husband Barry and our sons Daniel and Carl. We are very sad, of course, but also relieved that she passed quickly and peacefully with all of us around her.

Bluegrass at the Errigle, Belfast, 4 Jan. 2011

Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, send this timely reminder (and see also the session's Facebook page):

Hi, all,

Not even the snow could stop the first ever bluegrass session [7 Dec.] at the Errigle Inn - great turnout, folks.

Let's kick off the new year with a great bluegrass turnout. Come join in and play along; or just you and your friends come along and listen to some good bluegrass music. If you can pass this on to as many people as you know, we would appreciate it.

Date Tuesday 4 Jan. 2011
Errigle Inn
312-320 Ormeau Road
Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT7 2GE
028 9064 1410