New website for Moniaive festival

Thanks to Paul Lyttle, artistic director of the Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival in Scotland, for the news that the festival now has a new website. At its masthead (shown above) is the festival logo and a nice performance shot of Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters with Roger Williams (USA), who were the headline act for last year's festival as well as playing at the Omagh festival and other shows in Ireland and Britain.

Moniaive has attracted support from Ireland (especially Ulster) in the past, and we congratulate the Festival on its new website and wish it all the best for this year's event (23-25 Sept. 2011) and the future.

Tupelo: new single, new CD, new shows

Dublin folk/roots/rockers Tupelo released yesterday their single 'Don't let go' on Crashed Records. The track will also be featured on their forthcoming debut album Dirty money, which will be released on 9 September.

Tupelo have been getting airplay from British bluegrass DJ and singer Lynne Butler, among many others, and their festival appearances this summer include the big La Roche Bluegrass Festival (3-7 Aug. 2011) at its spectacular site on the edge of the French Alps. They will be playing shows in Dublin and Galway to mark the release of the new album.

Guardian obituary of Kenny Baker

Thanks to Bill Whelan for the news that yesterday's Guardian (UK) newspaper carried a good obituary of Kenny Baker, who died earlier this month. Many (including Bill Monroe) consider him to have been the supreme bluegrass fiddler.

The obituary is illustrated with a backstage photo taken during the 1975 tour of these islands by Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys - a tour that included Belfast, where several backstage photos were taken by our own Niall Toner.

Thanks to Niall for these photos, which he took in 1975 during a backstage warm-up at Belfast: (above) Kenny Baker, and (below) Bill Monroe.


Update 3 Aug.: There's a fine tribute to Kenny Baker by Laurie Lewis in the August issue of Laurie's e-newsletter.

Further update 4 Aug.: There was a gathering of Kenny Baker's fans and friends in Nashville, TN, last night to celebrate his life and accomplishments. For more details, see the Prescription Bluegrass Blog.

Bluestacks on radio (and at Greystones) TODAY!

The multi-talented, multi-coloured Bluestack Mountain Boys will be playing a couple of songs on Dublin's Sunshine Radio (106.8FM) today (Saturday) at 1.30 p.m. Thanks to Aran Sheehan (above, with blue mandolin) for the news.

Aran sends a reminder that today the band will also be in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, taking part in the exuberant 2nd Americana and Roots Weekend, which is well under way after its opening at 5.00 p.m. yesterday. As well as playing the finale to today's entertainment, the Bluestacks will be doing an extra gig from what is on the schedule: a supper gig outside Bells Restaurant from 6.00 to 8.00 p.m. on Sunday.

A week from today, they will be playing in the 'Bluegrass on the Walls' section of the Maiden City Festival in Derry from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. (Saturday 6 August).

Quote of the month

Cliff Bruner had told me when I was fifteen, I was asking him about how he learned to play jazz, they used to call it take-off or hokum fiddle, and Cliff said: 'Do you think that kind of music?' I said: 'I go around humming it all the time.' He said: 'When you learn your instrument well enough that you can play what you think and what you hum, that's how you do it. You are never gonna play what you can't imagine.'

From an interview by Stacy Phillips with the great Western Swing fiddler Johnny Gimble on the Bob Wills website; the advice works for bluegrass too!

Water Tower Bucket Boys in Britain and Ireland, Aug.-Sept. 2011

Thanks to Geraint Jones of GPromo PR for the news that the Water Tower Bucket Boys (also on Facebook) from the lively Portland, OR, scene will be touring these islands again in August and September.

Supplementing the dates in the press release with information from the band's own tour schedule, we see that twenty-five shows are in the tour, of which seven are in Ireland:

Tues. 6 Sept. The Weigh Inn, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 10.30 p.m. £6. 07841 977816
Wed. 7th: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Thurs. 8th McHugh's Basement, Belfast (as part of Open House Festival), 8.00 p.m. £7. 028 9050 999
Fri. 9th St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m. €15. 068 22566
Sat. 10th St Paul’s Community Centre, Clogheen, Co. Tipperary, 7.00 p.m.; €10. 087 6967661
Sun. 11th Nancy Blake’s, Limerick, adm. free, 6.30 p.m. 353 61 416443
Mon. 12th The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m. €15. +353 87 7921771

The band's new five-track EP Where the crow don't fly is due for release on 29 August. A performance video can be seen on YouTube.

Final view

Colin Henry rounds off his journal of this year's tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry:

The last gig of this year's tour was in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, as part of the Boyle Arts Festival. This is a lovely riverside town with a beautiful forest park close by, where the kids had a long-awaited chance to stretch their legs. Boyle is not a large town but its Arts Festival lasts a week and is extensive and varied with regard to music, drama, and the visual arts. The town was very quiet on the night of our gig and we were initially concerned that we would not get a good audience. In the end we drew a good, appreciative, and knowledgeable crowd and it turned out to be one of the best shows of the tour. We even had a band shot taken (above) by a professional photographer who turned out to know as much about dobros and dobro players as I do! Anyhow, it was a fitting end to the trip.

My view of this year's tour is that it was one of the best yet. It was different having the kids along, but they were great. A dry run, perhaps, for a tour to the USA. I have thanked Gary personally, but I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank him for setting up the tour. Gary does all the booking, and it is a thankless and difficult task to secure gigs that fall on the right days but do not mean long tiring drives. He succeeded well this time.

And a final view - I mentioned in an earlier post that life on the road is not always as glamorous as one might think, and to share some of that with the reader I give you a shot taken from the bedroom window of one of our stops. What a view indeed!

A week of old-time music around Dublin

Dublin's Bill Whelan is the mainstay of old-time music here and well respected further afield (he will teach the old-time banjo course at this year's Sore Fingers October Weekend, the fifth time he has done so; read his SF bio here). Thanks, then, to Bill for this schedule of a busy week in the Dublin area:

Sun. 31st July Bill Whelan & Friends, the Burnaby, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, 4.30-6.30 p.m. (as part of Greystones Americana & Roots Weekend); adm. free

Mon. 1st Aug. The OXO Boys Stringband, the Red Stables, St Anne's Park, Dublin 3, 2.00 p.m. (as part of Northside Music Festival); adm. free

Thurs. 4th Aug. The OXO Boys & Guests at the Poor Mouth Folk Club (folk club with featured guests every month), Stag's Head, Dame Court, Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m.; adm. €6.00

Fri. 5th Aug. The OXO Boys, Bandstand, St Stephen's Green (lunchtime 1.00-2.00 p.m.); adm. free

Thanks to Bill also for the picture below of the Hat-Trick Stringband, who played a 'mystery gig' at the Grand Social venue in Dublin recently: (l-r) Stephanie Coleman (USA; fiddle), Cleek Schrey (USA; fiddle & piano), and Bill (5-string banjo). Bill adds:

I will give you advance notice of when they will be back again but please advise people (through the blog) not to miss them.

1st Mohill Bluegrass Festival, 12-14 Aug. 2011

Thanks to Tommy Kelleher for the detailed and very full programme of the 1st Mohill Bluegrass Festival, to be held at Clarke's Hotel, Main St., Mohill, Co. Leitrim, on 12-14 August 2011. Clarke's is on the south side of Main St., about 100m west of the intersection with the R202, and has a sizeable car park.

Fri. 12th: 9.30 p.m. Southern Welfare Bluegrass Band (Waterford) in the bar, followed by session.

************

Sat. 13th: 11.20 a.m. Live on Shannonside/ Northern Sound Radio 104.1FM: Charlie McGettigan’s Saturday Connection (launching their first album, Crossing the Cumberlands), Southern Bluegrass Union (Mallow), and MC for the Festival Big John Cline (South Carolina via Holland) on mandolin.

12.30 p.m. Afternoon jam session in marquee and showing of the fine documentary film High lonesome sound on big screen. All musicians welcome!
Children’s entertainment all weekend including Buckin' Broncho, Bouncy Castle, 3.00 p.m. Story telling, face painting, etc.

8.00 p.m. Gospel Mass in St Patrick’s Catholic Church with Southern Welfare Bluegrass Band.

9.30 p.m. Concert in Clarke’s Hotel: Southern Bluegrass Union, Woodbine, Southern Welfare. Followed by jam session.

************

Sun. 14th: 11.00 a.m. Gospel service in Church of Ireland, Mohill, with Southern Welfare Bluegrass Band.

1.00 p.m. Jam session in marquee. All musicians welcome!

2.00 p.m. Auris Carlon Nursing Home: Jimmy Quinn and friends - Bluegrass all the way for our Seniors.

7.00 p.m. Colin Beggan (of Cryan's Bar session, Carrick-on-Shannon) and guests. All musicians welcome!

There will be a barbecue on Saturday & Sunday. Visit the Festival website for more info.

The Mary B. Sessions, Arklow, 28 July 2011

Thanks to Brendan O'Regan, who runs the Mary B. Sessions at the Mary B., Lower Main St., Arklow, Co. Wicklow, for his previous hospitality to bluegrass acts, both visiting and home-grown. Brendan sends the news that Ciara Sidine, a new Irish roots/ country/ folk singer, is performing at the Mary B. this Thursday (28 July) at 9.00 p.m., accompanied by Conor Brady (guitar) and Dave Hingerty (percussion) and supported by local acoustic band Rumours of a Rift. Tickets from the Mary B. 0402-23963.

'If you want to get ahead get a hat'

Colin Henry sends the penultimate instalment of this summer's tour by FH&H:

I have said it before on this Blog, but it is worth saying again that if every promoter was as good and as likeable as Uri Kohen there would be a lot more great live music out there. He had given us a gig in Geraghty's in Westport, Co. Mayo, and it did not disappoint. Uri did the sound (I took a night off!) and he seemed to get us a great ambiance and so we all felt comfortable.

I firmly believe that a good sound to the performer will make for a good performance; conversely, if the sound is not right the player never really settles easily into the music. With the sound Uri gave us we eased in very quickly and we played to an appreciative audience which included the O'Rourke family from Ballyshannon. They are long-standing fans of Gary's music and always make it to at least one gig on the tour. This time they made it to two! A further advantage of a good overall sound is that the audience can get the full flavour of the music and are more inclined to purchase the CDs! Anyhow - many thanks to Uri for a great gig and for looking after us so well.

And so what about the hat? Hats have figured already in the Blog tour diary. I have taken to wearing a hat on stage on occasions, Janet bought one as seen in the previous entry. Uri of course always has some hat on his flowing locks. Gary has avoided such affectation but I managed to capture him relaxing outside Geraghty's (see picture). I think it gives him that street cred edge. Comments accepted!

Don and Martha in Dublin, 18-22 Aug. 2011

Good to hear from Don DePoy and Martha Hills, based in McGaheysville, Virginia, who play as the duo Me & Martha as well as with a five-piece band. They'll be visiting Dublin for a few days, just under a month from now (18-22 Aug.), and though they won't be bringing their instruments (well, Don plays seven, for a start, and Martha's main instrument is the upright bass), they would love to meet some bluegrass folks while they're here.

Don is a fifth-generation musician from a Virginia family, and Martha comes from the northern state of Maine near Belfast. In addition to a lively and varied career picking and teaching traditional mountain music and bluegrass, they're founders of the Shenandoah Music Trail (see also here). The map of the Trail shows that the southern end stops just short of Dublin, VA; is some kind of pattern emerging here?

Find out more about Don and Martha through their website, through which you can also contact them. The BIB editor is contemplating ways of making them welcome during their brief stay in Dublin; if you'd be interested in taking part, e-mail the editor.

Vincent Cross: dates in Ireland, 30 July-13 Aug. 2011

Thanks to Vincent Cross, back in Ireland from the USA (where he has been in good company; see left), for this news:

I've been finalising gigs, but thought you'd like to know that I'll be playing in various counties throughout Ireland during July and August. The full details are below... I will be fortunate to have Sean McKerr and Tom Portman as good company for a number of the gigs, and I hope to be sharing some new material from my upcoming album. Of course there will be many unscheduled sessions, and the more thrilling for it.

July 30th The Greystones Americana & Roots Weekend, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Time: 9.00 p.m. (20 min. solo slot)
This is a free event with loads of bands and picking going on. Last year there was an abundance of sessions, a good old-timey atmosphere, dueling banjos, and a full pig-on-a-spit barbecue for that down-home authenticity.

Aug. 6th The Session, Spells Pub, Pound St., Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon. Time: 9.00 p.m.-11.00 p.m.
I will be playing with the ubiquitous Tom Portman on Dobro.

Aug. 7th The Sunday Sessions, Tigh Neachtain, Galway city. Time: 9.00 p.m.-11.00 p.m.
I will be playing with the ubiquitous Tom Portman on Dobro in probably the most famous pub in Galway. Tigh Neachtain's strong connection with Galway’s arts and musical communities adds to the allure of its already welcoming interior. We are expecting guests, so this should be a cool chilled-out night.

Aug. 12th Whelans (Upstairs), Dublin 2. Time: starts 8.00 p.m.
I will be joined by the versatile Sean McKerr on mandolin and sheer enthusiasm. There are a number of cool bluegrass and roots bands* at this gig, so come early and enjoy them all.
*Including Well Enough Alone (also on MySpace) and the Lazy Band.

Aug. 13th Geraghty's pub, the Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo. Tel. 098 25565. 10.15 p.m.-12.30 a.m.
A photo of the outside of Geraghty's can be seen here.

Beside the seaside

The continuing tour experiences of Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry, received from Colin Henry:

I write this from an internet cafe in Clifden, Co. Galway, on a nice sunny morning. We had arrived after a long six-hour drive and then had to unload all the gear before grabbing a small bite to eat. Life on the road is not all luxury hotels and a large road crew. A little food and drink works wonders, however, and our gig at Foyle's Hotel [left] was a good one.

Foyle's is a family-run hotel and it is an easy place to play. Jason Foyle looks after us well. We met a couple at the gig who we noticed were singing along to all the Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell songs that we cover. As this is not usual we spoke to them, and it turned out that those two American songwriters were their favourites and they visited Nashville often... you never know who you are going to meet along the way.

Just two more gigs to go. Tonight we are doing a gig in Geraghty's in Westport for Uri Kohen, with a very short drive this time as Westport is only a small hop away... plenty of time for Janet and the kids to look at the shops!

'Farther along...' - the Road in Kerry

More news of Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry on tour, from Colin Henry:

Another great arts theatre gig at the Carnegie Arts Centre in Kenmare, Co. Kerry; not quite as big as its American namesake but a good spot to play nonetheless. I had to do our sound as the sound man was not available but, even though I say so myself, it was a pretty good result - maybe I can take up a new career behind the faders! (I think I said that last year as well!)

The weather finally realised it was summer and we had a lovely sunny evening in Kenmare, a lively busy town with plenty of music going on. Our set has now bedded in and we have the performance well oiled and smooth. It's always fun when you get to that stage; you can relax just enough to let the music breathe. On next to Foyle's Hotel in Clifden, Co. Galway.

I should also mention that Janet managed to purchase a new 'country' hat (see picture) which will make its Northern Ireland debut at the bluegrass opening evening for the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Folk Festival on Wednesday 27 July.*

* see the BIB for 11 July.

Lazy Tater - with an ambition to play in Ireland

The cover story in the latest issue of Bluegrass Europe, the official EBMA magazine, is about the fine Netherlands band Lazy Tater, composed of (l-r in the photo) Jan Pals (mandolin), Beppie Gasman (bass), Ronnie Snippe (guitar), and Gert van Schoonderwoerd den Beszemer (banjo).

Near the end of the interview the band are asked: 'Which is your most favourite place, where would you want to play some day?' And their answer:

Ireland, or some festival in the US. Mainly, it's important to play where the people like us and we like the people.

Ireland's experience with bands from the Netherlands has been 100% positive up to date, and the BIB editor confidently recommends Lazy Tater to Irish festival and event organisers to maintain that record - speaking of which, they have two CDs of their own. NB: no mandolins were harmed in the making of the photograph.

Bending the Strings: July 2011 schedule UPDATE

Thanks to Vinny Baker, who sends updates to the July 2011 schedule of Bending the Strings. The band look forward to seeing all their friends in the following venues over the coming weeks:

Fri. 22nd: Cox's Bar, Tucker St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Sat. 23rd: 20th Phil Murphy Weekend, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Wed. 27th: Cairncastle Ulster Scots Folk Festival, nr Larne, Co. Antrim
Sat. 30th: Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

The Road from Cork to Kerry and back

Colin Henry's saga of the current tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry continues:

From Durrus we moved on to Listowel in Co. Kerry for a concert in the lovely St John's Theatre. The theatre is right in the square in the centre of town and is a great space to play. You can see the family team outside [left] on the evening. Joe Murphy has been running the theatre for many years and has the organisation well practised. We had a good crowd and a good gig. We had the quite coincidental experience of a couple in the audience from Pennsylvania, Gary's home state, but the husband was originally from my home town of Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Many thanks must go to Niall Toner, who plugged the gig on his radio show which resulted in some extra audience, and in particular a man who gave up his football coaching for the night to attend the gig - I think that pretty impressively shows the power of the radio plug! Incidentally, we stayed the night in a large country house [below]. We had the very large place to ourselves completely. It is supposed to be haunted. It may be, but we sat by the large open fire after the gig and had a glass of wine and no one else joined us, though maybe I did hear the sound of a distant banjo!


After Listowel we drove on to Clonakilty, Co. Cork, to play in the famous De Barra's Folk Club. We were playing the 'Sitting Room Sessions' which is a weekly event with predominantly acoustic music in an informal setting, run by Gavin Moore, nephew of Christy. Gary and I have played it twice before but this was Janet's first time. Gavin is a good guy and we had a great night. Plenty of 'ghosts' in this place - if you look around the walls they are covered with pictures of artists who have performed there, from Christy himself to Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix's bassist) to Ralph McTell.

From De Barra's it is on to Kenmare and the Carnegie Arts Centre - will keep you posted!

Bluegrass returns to its roots! - 17th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival bound for Dunmore East

Press release: After 16 years, almost 1,000 gigs, 150 bands and artists, and a whole heap of whoopin’, hollerin’, pickin’ and clawin’, the 17th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival is returning to the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. The lineup has been announced for the festival which takes place from August 25th to August 28th, and in 2011 the Dunmore East festival is bringing together an enviable lineup of bluegrass artists for Ireland’s largest free bluegrass music festival. The famous local hostelries - the Strand Inn, the Haven Hotel, the Spinnaker, the Ocean Hotel, Powers Bar, and Azzurro - will play host to over 50 free gigs throughout the weekend with local and national bands playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. The 17th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival will feature some well known bluegrass names, but the stages will be heaving to the strains of festival veterans Knotty Pine, Molly Hicks, Little Ass Birds, and Bending the Strings among others. Desert Aces [above] are Dunmore Festival veterans. This highly talented six-piece has played extensively in venues throughout Ireland. Citing musical influences such as Kenny Hall, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Jerry Garcia, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, Cisco Houston, Pete Seeger and many more, you can expect a high-octane bluegrass performance from Ireland’s finest! Having made a big impression at last year's Electric Picnic, Galway band Mikey and the Scallywags are new to the Dunmore bluegrass scene. The band is composed of five skilled musicians; Mikey McCrory, guitar player and lead singer, brothers Alan and Brian Gosker playing banjo and drums respectively, Paulie Small on bass, and Juliana Erkkonen playing violin and fiddle. The genre of their music varies from gypsy to folk, bluegrass, and storytelling... a must for any rhythm, roots, and blues fan! Now in its 17th year the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival has firmly established itself as the Mecca for bluegrass fans from all over the country. According to Mick Daly, who established the festival in 1995, the festival is the highlight of the year for blues, roots, and bluegrass fans: The Dunmore Festival has evolved to bring together a fusion of country, rhythm, roots, newgrass, and blues. Because the festival is free and has such an eclectic line-up over three days it makes it open to everyone, not just hardened bluegrass fans. Coupled with the great headline acts, you have the stunning vista from Dunmore East Harbour, award-winning restaurants and pubs, fringe entertainment throughout the village, and, of course, some of the best musical entertainment for free! The 17th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday 25 August at the Haven Hotel and will feature over a dozen bands, playing 50 free gigs in the village's pubs, restaurants, and hotels. BIB editor's note: further info on this year's event will soon be posted on the Festival website. Mick Daly is available for interview on 051 878 832 / 087 256 2899 or by e-mail. Complete 2011 lineup: Bending the Strings, Knotty Pine String Band, Mikey & the Scallywags, Mons Wheeler Band, Little Ass Birds, Desert Aces, Molly Hicks, Gypsy Rebel Rabble, Southern Welfare

2nd Greystones Americana & Roots Weekend, 29 July-1 Aug. 2011

Thanks to Conor O'Donnell, organiser of the 2nd Greystones Americana & Roots Weekend (29 July-1 Aug. 2011), who announces:

Last year saw the arrival of the inaugural Greystones Americana and Roots Festival. Bluegrass and alt. country acts from both sides of the Atlantic were bashing out all kinds of roots and Americana goodness. The first of its kind in Co. Wicklow, the festival took place between two venues comprising three stages, the Beach House and Danns Bar, Greystones.

There was an abundance of sessions, a good old-timey atmosphere, duelling banjos, and a full pig-on-a-spit barbecue for that down-home authenticity. Music lovers from all over the world were attending, with venues full to capacity from 2.00 p.m. till 1.00 a.m. each day.

The 2010 artist line up included the magnificent I Draw Slow, an alt-country/ folk/ roots/ old-time/ Americana band, the Oxo Boys, and the Big Muddy and B & the Honeyboys, two well-renowned acts on the local Americana scene. Also playing was the Niall Toner Band, who are considered the most authentic bluegrass band in the country. We also had folk legends like Al O’Donnell and Phelim Drew, and a washboard master-class from world-renowned player Wayne Waits from Columbus, Ohio.

This year (29 July–1 Aug.) is going to be bigger and better than ever, with new venues and even more bands than last year. The Greystones Theatre and the Burnaby have been added as venues. We will even have music on the street in Greystones village and the Burnaby Park on the Sunday.

The Niall Toner Band returns on Sunday night in the Beach House; we also have the wonderful Wookalily and the Bluestack Mountain Boys. In the Greystones Theatre this year we have Mundy, Luan Parle, the Mighty Steff, and we have plenty of new acts that you'll love. There will be more bluegrass and Americana than you can swing a cat at!

We believe in totally brainwashing our kids into listening to music and putting down their consoles, so we'll have lots of early music for young kids and teens alike.

We hope you'll come along and join us - nearly all events are free.

You can see the Americana Weekend's new video by Luis Poveda, with music by the Foghorn Stringband, on YouTube or Vimeo.

Well Enough Alone at Bewley's, Dublin, 24 July 2011

At the Athy Bluegrass Festival two weeks ago, Well Enough Alone played the first of a series of shows to launch the band's new CD. The next show in the series will be this coming Sunday (24 July) in Bewley's Café Theatre, Grafton St., Dublin 2. The Theatre's page on the event announces:

Well Enough Alone’s debut CD is a continuation of the tradition while adding their own taste. The self-titled CD is half original songs written by the band's lead singer and flat-pick guitarist Hugh Taggart. The album is not just hot guitar and banjo licks, though there are plenty of those from five-string banjo player Conor Daly. Upright bassist Ben Goodbody and mandolin player Martin McWhorter blend harmony vocals with Hugh for that authentic high and lonesome sound.

Read the whole feature here. The show starts at 8.00 p.m.; admission is €10, or free with the purchase of the new CD.

IBMM's 'Finish the Film' campaign

The International Bluegrass Music Museum at Owensboro, KY, is in the final stages of completing a full-length documentary video about Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, in commemoration of the centenary of his birth on 13 September 1911. The Museum raised over $7,500 at its annual outdoor music festival, ROMP (23-25 June 2011), to kick-start the documentary campaign. The goal is to raise $50,000 to complete the documentary in time for the Museum's once-in-a-century Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration (12-14 Sept. 2011).

The Museum hopes for the support of bluegrass fans and music lovers everywhere. Donations to the campaign can be made in the next six weeks, either by (1) donating on the Museum's secure home page, or by (2) posting a bank draft to IBMM, 207 E. 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. Donors may choose from several premium 'thank you' gifts from the Museum. Full details are here.

Since 2003 the IBMM has recorded over 250 in-depth video interviews with bluegrass music's legendary first- and early second-generation performers. This collection represents the only comprehensive video archive of bluegrass music. Those interviewed include all the surviving members of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys.

The IBMM's press release can be read in full here. Contact Gabrielle Gray, IBMM Executive Director, by e-mail for further information, or visit the Museum's website.

Omagh 2011 flyer issued

Thanks to Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, for forwarding a copy of the flyer for this year's Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival (2-4 Sept. 2011) at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The release (which you can see in full, with a Dangem heading, here) gives the full details of the schedules for the evening concerts, the 'Bluegrass in the Park' performances, the 'Spirit of Bluegrass' gospel concert on Sunday evening, instrument workshops, Bluegrass Camp for Kids, the McAuley lectures, and full ticketing details.

Dangem Bluegrass
101 Belfast Road
Magheralin
Craigavon, BT67 0RP
Northern Ireland

I Draw Slow at the Grand Social, Dublin, 20 July 2011

L-r: Colin Derham, Louise Holden, Konrad Liddy, Dave Holden, Adrian Hart

A reminder from Dave Holden of I Draw Slow:

'Captivating' (Irish Times), 'achingly beautiful' (Hot Press), 'polished and gutsy' (Sunday Times): Dublin roots band I Draw Slow have been drumming up enthusiastic reviews in Ireland since the release of their top 10 selling second album, Redhills. However, their impact abroad is redrawing the map for these Irish/Americana songwriters. They have been described in the UK press as 'American top league equivalents' destined 'to blow the opposition away', drawing favourable comparisons with Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss. The band has been invited to tour the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium in 2012, so catch them while you can at the Grand Social at the Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin, this Wednesday 20 July. Doors 8.00 p.m.

'Further down the road'

Colin Henry's second instalment of the touring experiences of Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry:

From the Red Room of Sharon and Arnie we headed west to Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, for a gig at the Abbey Theatre. It was a wet and windy evening and we were fearful that people would be reluctant to come out. In the end we got a reasonable crowd and had a good night. The theatre itself was a delightful space with a good sound system and sound man. I would recommend this venue to any other musicians. I don't think I mentioned in the last post that for the first time our two youngest children [left] are with us on the tour all the way. So far all has gone well and they have been roped in for 'roadie' duty. Olivia (aged 8) has turned out to be the perfect saleswoman for the CDs, totally irresistible as she 'confronts' the unsuspecting audience member!

After Ballyshannon we were meant to have a gig in Tullamore, but - such are the hazards of the touring musician - we arrived to find that they had forgotten we had been booked and had another artist for the evening. We cut our losses and headed straight down to Durrus in Co. Cork. We had decided, like last year, to record some music and we chose 'Ocean West' recording studio which is attached to Carbery Cottage B&B. A beautiful spot to stay and record. The hospitality of Mike and Julia who own the place was mighty; in fact as I write this I have just had a wonderful home-made Irish beefburger, but I am sworn to secrecy about the secret ingredients that they use. When we arrived and had settled in we were invited to the local pub, 'The Tin Bar', where we gave the local customers a taste of our music [below].

Needless to say they had not encountered too many dobros before - the old 'hound dog' is always a conversation piece if nothing else.

I must say we could stay here in Cork forever, but we move on tomorrow to Listowel in Co. Kerry. Hope to meet some of you along the way.

Minnie & the Illywhackers at the Cobblestone, 22 July 2011

Thanks to Gerry Fitzpatrick, who announces that on Friday 22 July at the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin, the eclectic Minnie & the Illywhackers will present a programme of vintage ukulele swing and good-time music from the early and middle twentieth century. Doors 8.30 p.m.; admission €10.

Minnie & the Illywhackers consist of Angie McLoughlin (vocals, ukulele), Christian Volkmann (bass), Carl O'Byrne (trumpet), and Gerry Fitzpatrick (guitar, dobro). Special guests will be The Ukuladies (Helena & Nora) from Spain.

Old wine from new bottles

Thanks to Ray O'Brien of Southern Welfare in Waterford, who sends this link to a performance on YouTube by Chris Thile's Punch Brothers band. The song is 'Brakeman's blues', recorded by Jimmie Rodgers, Father of Country Music, and subsequently by many others including the Father of Bluegrass Music. The video is from a live show and the atmosphere is as lively as the band.

FH&H on the road: the Red Room

Thanks to Colin Henry for the first instalment of his journal of this year's tour by Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry (USA/NI):

If every gig was as easy and as much fun as the Red Room in Cookstown then you wouldn't really want to do anything else but play music. So it was that our Irish tour began last night [Fri. 15 July] with a house concert at Sharon and Arnie's. It was a full house and a great night and probably the best start to the tour that we could have had. Janet and Gary are even allowing me to sing a song as a regular feature, as you can see in the picture [above]. I think it was the hat that swung it for me!

As we stated before on the Blog, we were the first band to play a house concert in the Red Room and they have gone from strength to strength. Our hosts' hospitality is unequalled and it is important to remember that this is a house concert and is a non-profit-making venture, with people who love the music deciding to share it with friends in their own home. We were launching our new CD at the Red Room and Sharon gave us a surprise with a cake specially for the occasion, which you can see in the picture [below].

All in all a great night and a superb start to the tour. On to the Abbey Theatre tonight in Ballyshannon. See you all later.

Bending the Strings: July 2011 schedule

Thanks to Vinny Baker (centre), who reports:

Bending the Strings bluegrass band are looking forward to meeting all their friends and followers over the next couple of weeks in the following gigs around the country.

Sat./Sun. 16-17 July: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Co. Donegal
Wed. 20 July: St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Fri. 22 July: Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Sat. 23 July: Murphy's, Carrick on Bannow, Co. Wexford

Lookin' forward to seeing you all there!

Alison Krauss & Union Station in Britain & Ireland, Nov. 2011

Thanks to Richard F Thompson and our friends at UKBluegrass.com for the news that Alison Krauss & Union Station will be making their 'Paper Airplane' tour in these islands in early November this year. The dates on their schedule are:

Fri. 4th Nov.: Symphony Hall, Birmingham, England
Sat. 5th: The Sage, Gateshead, England
Mon. 7th: Waterfront Hall, Belfast
Tues. 8th: Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin
Thurs. 10th: SECC/ Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland
Sat. 12th-Mon. 14th: Royal Festival Hall, London (part of London Jazz Festival 2011)

A feature on the tour, with venue links and ticket booking facilities, can be read here.

Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry on the Irish road

This year's tour by singer/ songwriter Gary Ferguson (USA), together with fellow singer/ songwriter Janet Holmes and multi-instrumentalist Colin Henry, both of Belfast, begins tomorrow (Friday 15 July).

We're delighted to be able to report that, as with last year's tour, the progress of Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry around Ireland will be recorded by Colin Henry, and the results will appear in instalments on the BIB over the next two weeks.

Well Enough Alone: CD launch at the Cobblestone TONIGHT

Thanks to Hugh Taggart, lead singer and guitarist of Well Enough Alone, for drawing attention to the show tonight (Thursday 14 July) at the Cobblestone, Smithfield Square, Dublin, where Well Enough Alone will be performing (with support) as part of the schedule of gigs to launch their new debut album. Doors open at 8.30 p.m., and admission is €5.

The album is also available through internet sources (for instance, iTunes). This is hard-hitting bluegrass with a solid, driving ensemble sound and fine individual instrumental work, and the ten tracks are divided equally between items from the classic repertoire and original Taggart compositions.

Fair City Grass in the Green, 13 July 2011

Thanks to Enda Donnelly, leader of FCG, who reports:

Thanks to brilliant sunshine, which helped to attract a large crowd to St Stephen's Green bandstand area where Fair City Grass played a 'tribute to Bill Monroe' at our lunchtime concert.

The crowd seemed to really enjoy themselves today [Wed. 13 July], but a remarkable feature were groups of children dancing in front of the bandstand.

Above photo, left to right: Graham (fiddle), Enda (mandolin/guitar), Tony (bass), Dave (guitar, sound system). As you can see from the photo [especially the closer view below], 'Big Mon' would surely not have approved of the headgear worn by our guitar player, Dave!

We had great fun today and are already looking forward to our next gig in the Green.

BIB editor's note: This is scheduled for Wed. 17 August (1.00-2.00 p.m.). For other lunchtime appearances in this venue by artists including the Bill Whelan Band and the Niall Toner Band, the full OPW Summer Music Festival 2011 schedule can be seen here.

Six String Sessions in Dublin and Belfast, Sept.-Nov. 2011

Thanks to Clem O'Brien for news of a forthcoming series, arranged by Nigel Martyn, of weekly concerts and workshops by leading guitarists, which should prove a real treat (and challenge) for aficionados in the coming autumn.

The venues for the series are the Helix, Dublin City University, Collins Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, and the Black Box, 18-22 Hill St., in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. The first event will be held in the Space at the Helix on Thursday 29 Sept. at 8.30 p.m., and will feature award-winning American guitarist, teacher, and workshop organiser Steve Kaufman together with our own Clem O'Brien (see photo below).


Subsequent weekends will feature Johnny Dickinson and Henry McCullough; Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo; Gareth Pearson and Craig d'Andrea; Clive Carroll and Shane Hennessy; and Martin Taylor and Andreas Varady. Each of these pairs will play on consecutive days in Dublin and Belfast.

Full details for the Dublin series can be seen here, and for the Belfast series here. A new instructional DVD by Steve Kaufman has just been released by Homespun Tapes.

Lost camcorder at Athy

Ray O'Brien of Southern Welfare reports that a JVC Camcorder was lost at the Athy bluegrass festival on Sunday afternoon in the concert hall of the Carlton Abbey Hotel. If the camcorder is found, please contact Tony of Southern Welfare on 087 6244718. The video record of the festival weekend is particularly valued.

Bluegrass opens 11th Cairncastle Ulster Scots Festival (27-30 July 2011)

Broken Strings at the Ulster American Folk Park

Thanks to Adrian Rolston for news of the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Folk Festival, held in Cairncastle village, on the B148, four miles north of Larne, Co. Antrim. This year's festival is the eleventh, and to mark the occasion there will be a special opening evening of bluegrass music on Wednesday 27 July, featuring bands who are pillars of the bluegrass scene in Ulster and beyond.

Bending the Strings from Mullingar (right) will kick off the evening at 7.30 p.m. with their powerful repertoire of music from the founding fathers of bluegrass; they are equally at home among the classics of western swing.

The Juke Joint from Co. Armagh (left) are the band formerly known as the Tennessee Hennessees - all veterans of the bluegrass scene, with a hard-driving blend of bluegrass, rockabilly, and traditional country, inspired by the music, the hell-raising lifestyles, and the talent for entertainment shown by the pioneers of the 1950s.

The Barnstormers from Co. Londonderry, who have played at bluegrass events in Ireland and Scotland, are the third of the bands making their first appearance at Cairncastle. The final set will be played by the premier Ulster band, the five-piece Broken Strings from Co. Down, who played at the Festival three years ago. Treasured assets of the annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at Omagh, Co. Tyrone (see photo at top), they have recently appeared on the BBC TV series 'Santer'.

The evening will be compered by Alistair McReynolds, a well-known bluegrass enthusiast who has written extensively on Scots-Irish history and culture, and in particular about the achievements of the diaspora in the USA. Ross Hume, who plays the great Highland bagpipes with Cullybackey Pipe Band, will play many tunes during the intervals.

The evening begins at 7.30 p.m. and admittance is £6.00. A location map for Cairncastle is on the 'Contact' page of the Festival website, where you will also find full details of the following three days of the regular Festival: folk bands, pipe bands, and ceilidh bands; solo and ensemble players on many traditional instruments; song, dance, workshops, lectures, and a musical bus tour are among the many features.

Rising Star: Belle Star in Ireland, July-Aug. 2011

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

The bluegrass music is still echoing around the streets of Westport. Last Saturday (9.7.2011) we were lucky enough to welcome another great bluegrass band from the USA. Belle Star are very talented musicians who play in the true tradition of bluegrass and country music. The Westport show was the second date of their month-and-a-half-long Irish tour.

Three lads and a lady play bass, guitar, banjo, and fiddle, rotating all these instruments between them to support the beautiful singing harmonies they produce. The show contain bluegrass standards alongside original material from their new album. They also pay tributes to such legends as Hank Williams, which adds a lovely touch to the fantastic show.

With a long list of shows around the country, it is sure worth to try and see them in a venue near you. For the full list of shows check out this link.

BIB editor's note: The tour began on Friday in Belturbet, Co. Cavan, and is scheduled to continue till at least 12 August. Links to venues, with location maps, are on the band's tour page.

Thurs. 14 July: Boyle's, Main St., Slane, Co. Meath, 8.00 p.m.
Fri. 15 July: Spell's, Pound St., Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon, 8.00 p.m.
Sun. 17 July: Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, 8.00 p.m.
Sat. 23 July: J.J. Harlow's, The Square, Roscommon town, 8.00 p.m.
Sun. 24 July: Sky and Ground, Parnell St., Wexford town, 7.00 p.m.
Mon. 25 July: The Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city, 12.00 p.m.
Fri. 29 July: Grellan Delaney & Son's, Main St., Portlaoise, Co. Laois, 8.00 p.m.
Sat. 30 July: Skelly's, Main St., Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 8.00 p.m.
Sat. 6 Aug.: Billy Byrne's Bar, Kilkenny city, 8.00 p.m.
Fri. 12 Aug.: McGinnity's Bar, Cavan town, 8.00 p.m.

Courses at Augusta, WV

Thanks to Roger Ryan for drawing attention to the courses offered by the Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College, Elkins, West Virginia. The name 'Augusta' will already be well known to old-time music enthusiasts, from its regular jam sessions, its Festival every August, and the Old-Time Fiddlers' Reunion every October.

As if those weren't enough, it also runs a very wide-ranging series of events, workshop weeks, and mini-courses. Roger (coming from the Country Music Association of Ireland), draws attention to the Early Country Music Week, which is now in progress; but there are similar instructional weeks, with eminently qualified teachers, for old-time and bluegrass (and cajun, blues, swing, Celtic music, vocal, dance, etc., etc.).

Fancy being taught banjo by J.D. Crowe (above)? It could happen, at Augusta...

Kenny Baker, supreme bluegrass fiddler, passes

We report with great regret that Kenny Baker, designated by the Father of Bluegrass Music himself as the supreme bluegrass fiddler, died a few hours ago in Nashville, TN, after suffering a stroke earlier this week. He was about two weeks past his 85th birthday - less than a month older than Bill Monroe had been at the time of his death.

The first of what are expected to be many commemorative posts can be seen on the original Bluegrass Blog.

Bluegrass on the Walls

Thanks to Frank Galligan, who writes:

This year is the 10th anniversary of 'Bluegrass on the Walls' in Derry. Significantly, it became an integral part of the Maiden City Festival, an event organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry, so that the regular appearances by bands from the Republic of Ireland assumed great significance indeed, not only playing on the historic walls but inside the Memorial Hall itself.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed over the decade, but apologise profusely to those bands who were who were expecting to hear from me about this year's festival. A number of weeks ago, I turned up for a meeting in Derry - ostensibly to finalise matters - but after an hour, nobody turned up. Imagine my surprise when I discovered through the Bluegrass Ireland Blog that the Festival was indeed going ahead but I had not been informed. Some matters have since been clarified; but after ten years, I was entitled to be afforded a greater common courtesy.

Musicians and festival moguls alike do not need to be reminded of my upfront and unfussy modus operandi when dealing with them. I look forward to working with the bands again in the future in a different capacity; and for those musicians fortunate enough to grace the Walls again next month, good luck and good picking.

The Twilite Broadcasters

Thanks to Hallie, at the Pete Knapp Music Publicity agency, for news of the Twilite Broadcasters working out of Weaverville, North Carolina.

Adam Tanner and Mark Jackson both have long personal histories of involvement in old-time and traditional country music and early bluegrass: among other things, with the Crooked Jades band and the Appalshop organisation. They began working together as the Twilite Broadcasters in 2008, exploring the rich heritage of duet singing and playing on guitars, mandolin, and fiddle. Music from their new album The trail of time can be heard on their website. The band is also on Facebook, MySpace, Reverbnation, and SonicBids.

Several visiting bands working in the old-time genres have recently had warm welcomes in Ireland, and the Broadcasters should be able to give and receive equal satisfaction. Contact them via GraceBerry Entertainment (an agency that handles such solid bluegrass acts as David Davis & the Warrior River Boys) or their website.

Folk legends on tour: autumn 2011

Thanks to Nigel Martyn of Belfast for the news that in the coming autumn his Old Flattop agency has three Irish tours lined up, each by a true legend of the folk world: Tom Paxton (28 Sept.-3 Oct. 2011), Peggy Seeger (left) (9-16 Oct.), and Dick Gaughan (9-13 Nov.).

Tom Paxton and Peggy Seeger will be playing in all four historic provinces, and each will be playing at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Tommy Sands will be the special guest of Tom Paxton and Peggy Seeger on selected dates, as part of Tommy's forthcoming tour of all the 32 counties of Ireland in 'a month and a day'! Wally Page will be the special guest of Dick Gaughan on selected dates.

Full schedules and other details are on the Old Flattop website. Photos and biographies are available on request from

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

Down and Out Bluegrass Band on YouTube - and ready for the road

Thanks to Richard Leeman, organiser of the monthly 'Bluegrass in Belfast' sessions at the Errigle Inn, who sends this news:

The Down And Out Bluegrass Band are now on YouTube. Here's a link to a video from Monday night 4 July, playing the Stanley Brothers classic 'How mountain girls can love'. This is the first time we've ever recorded ourselves, and we plan to post more videos in the coming weeks and months. If you want you can be notified of new videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

The attached photo was taken at a recent gig in Cloughmills, Co. Antrim. Band members are, from left to right, Mal Duffin, Richard Leeman, Roy Brown, and Howard Walker.

We're going to be playing at 'Bluegrass on the Walls' in Derry on Saturday 6 August from 1.00 to 4.00 p.m. as part of the Maiden City Festival, something we're really looking forward to. We're also taking bookings for other gigs all over Ireland and can be contacted through our website, on Facebook, or by telephone (07779 721643; +44 7779 721643 from the south).