Bending the Strings: new promo video for 'All keyed up'

Thanks to Vinny Baker of Bending the Strings for the news that the band's new promo video, 'All keyed up', based on the title track of their latest CD, has been showing live on Showcase TV (Sky channel 201) since Monday and is now also here on Youtube.

The song, which Vinny wrote specially for the CD, became a popular choice with radio DJs around the country, and the album itself was honoured in the 2010 Leinster Entertainers Awards (see the BIB of 26 Apr. 2011). The six-minute video presents the song in a comedy drama sketch about a bluegrass band whose advertisement for a mandolinist has been answered by a keyboard player. They take some convincing, but she gets the job in the end. 'A true story', as Vinny says (and BTS did get their mandolin player, too). Supporting roles are ably played by Vinny's two-year-old twin grandsons on 5-string banjos.

On a more serious note: Vinny thanks everyone who sent good wishes on this and other BTS videos, and wishes to explain why comments can no longer be posted on the band's YouTube channel. The reason is that (as happens too often on the internet) ugly, bickering, and offensive comments were also being received; and, while the band welcomes constructive criticism, these had reached a pitch at which disabling the comments facility was the only practical remedy. The BIB unreservedly sympathises with Bending the Strings in this action.

Vinny, Moyra, Martin, and Gerry thank all their friends for their continued support, and look forward to seeing them this weekend at the 17th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, where the band are scheduled to play three shows on Saturday and Sunday, as shown on the official festival schedule.