More news from Moniaive

Thanks to C. Paul Lyttle, organiser of the Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, for the full lineup of this year's festival (28-30 Sept. 2012). Bands taking part will include the Ballinger Family Band (USA), the Knotty Pine String Band (N. Ireland), New Redwing (Scotland), High Speed Grass (Scotland), the Down and Out Bluegrass Band (N. Ireland), and Grass Routes (Scotland).

More details, together with playlists for Paul's new radio show 'Criffel Creek', aired from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon on alternate Sundays, can be found on the European Bluegrass Blog.

New Niall Toner single 'Tomorrow' available for airplay

Hope River Entertainment (USA) reports that Niall Toner's latest single, 'Tomorrow', is now available to radio stations via AirPlay Direct. The song is from his upcoming album Onwards and upwards, scheduled for release on Pinecastle Records in autumn 2012, in conjunction with an NTB tour in the US. Pete Wernick comments:

I admire the way Niall’s deep affinity for bluegrass and American country music blends seamlessly with his Irish sensibilities. It makes him a uniquely appealing artist, and Pinecastle is lucky to have him.

Read the whole news report on Hope River Entertainment's news blog.

Well Enough Alone in Whelans, 5 Feb. 2012

Thanks to Hugh Taggart, lead singer and guitarist for Well Enough Alone, for the news that the band will be playing this coming Sunday (5 February) upstairs in Whelans, Dublin 2. Doors open at 8.00 p.m., and admission is €5.

New look for County Clare in 2012

That's the title on a new post on Bluegrass Today. Our first thought, of course, was that Brendan Walsh and the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend in Sixmilebridge earlier this month have launched a regeneration of the Banner County - which may well be true...

However, the news is about the US band Shannon and Heather Slaughter and County Clare, whom we mentioned back on 4 May last year. Shannon explained then that the name came from the title of a New Grass Revival instrumental. The band's new look for 2012 comes from taking on new members; read the full story here.

Virginia Ramblers to come this summer?

The Virginia Ramblers (l-r: Jeff Vogelgesang, Donnie Shifflett, Charles Frazier, Zack Deming)

Thanks to Jeff Vogelgesang, mandolin player for a five-piece traditional bluegrass band, the Virginia Ramblers (USA), for news that the band are planning to book a 10-14 day tour in Europe, including these islands, in the coming year.

The Virginia Ramblers work festivals, concerts, wineries, etc., mostly through Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Delaware, and have also played at the Grass Valley festival in California and on the famous Prairie Home Companion radio show. They have an open period in their booking calendar between 10 and 22 June 2012; other blocks may be available in late July and mid-August.

You can enjoy quite a lot of Ramblers performances on YouTube: some examples are the medley: 'Unfaithful' and 'Lotsalove'; 'Pleasant Hill'; 'Mississippi Sawyer'; 'Don't hurry me'; and 'The old crossroad'. A warm recommendation of their self-titled CD is on County Sales. This is exactly the kind of band the BIB editor likes to see and hear, and we welcome comments from - say - Mel Corry or Sean McKerr.

Promoters, festival and event organisers, and others interested in contacting the Virginia Ramblers should send Jeff an e-mail.

Weekend at Colfer's, Carrig-on Bannow

Woodbine report with regret that they will not after all be playing at Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, tomorrow (Sunday 29 Jan.). John Murphy, who has given hospitality to all forms of Americana over the years and has run an annual Bluegrass, Country, and Americana weekend there since 2005, has been obliged to cancel arrangements this year with all bands except for Sarah Savoy & the Francadians (see photo), a highly regarded Cajun band of French musicians led by Louisiana-born Sarah, who belongs to one of the most distinguished families in Cajun music. The band have been touring in Ireland (see their tour schedule). They will be playing the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, tonight, and their show in Colfer's at 8.00 p.m. tomorrow is the last in the tour.

I Draw Slow at Celtic Connections, 28 Jan. 2012

Following the coup by Dublin's I Draw Slow last week, opening for Béla Fleck & the Flecktones at the National Concert Hall, Dave Holden sends the following news:

For anyone who happens to be in Glasgow this Saturday, I Draw Slow are delighted to be playing the Celtic Connections festival. We're on this Saturday (28 January 2012), at 7.30 p.m. in The Arches, supporting the Sweetback Sisters.

Full details, including online booking, are on the concert's web page.

Clonmel World Music news: Zoe Muth on 2 Feb. 2012

Thanks to Gerry Lawless of Clonmel World Music in Co. Tipperary for this news of the 2012 season of CWM shows:

The first Clonmel World Music gig of 2012 is on Thursday 2 February, in Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, and it features the excellent Americana singer Zoe Muth, with her band the Lost High Rollers from Seattle, USA.

She has a strikingly honest vocal delivery and unpretentious poetic lyrics. Her voice immediately recalls Nanci Griffith, Iris Dement, and Kitty Wells. The Lost High Rollers band are Dave Harmonson on (pedal steel, Dobro, electric guitar), Ethan Lawton (mandolin), Mike McDermott (electric bass), and Greg Nies (drums). The band are playing at the prestigious Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow and will do a short UK and Irish tour before heading for Holland, Sweden, and Norway. Clonmel is one of only three Irish dates. Bob Harris of the BBC has championed her from the start and says she is 'in a class of her own'.

Zoe Muth has released two critically acclaimed albums to date. Her latest album, Starlight Hotel, was on top of many music critics' and magazines' polls for 'album of the year' last year. It ended 2011 as No. 1 on the US Radio Stations Airplay chart as most-played country album in all the USA.

As usual, doors for the Clonmel World Music gigs will open at 8.00 p.m. There will be no support act, and the band will start at 9.00 p.m. prompt. This ensures the gig will finish before 11.00 p.m. Tickets are only €15 each and are available in Premier Music Centre, Clonmel (052 6129811), from Gerry Lawless (086 338 9619), or from Martha Beardmore (087 910 7201).

See the BIB for 10 Jan. for an earlier brief mention of the band and the show. Gerry adds:

We have 6/7 gigs planned for 2012. The confirmed gigs so far are:

Thurs. 2 Feb. Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers (USA)
Mon. 12 Mar. Ashelin (Newfoundland)
Thurs. 26 Apr. Woody Pines (USA)
Thurs. 14 June I Draw Slow (Ireland)

Ronnie Norton for LBG 2012

Congratulations to Ronnie Norton of Dublin, ace bluegrass photographer, critic, reporter, and radio presenter, who will be a member of the 2012 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass class.

The Leadership Bluegrass programme aims to build up a network of people who have shared learning and communication related to the needs of the bluegrass community. Ronnie, who presents the 'Lonesome Highway' internet radio show on World Wide Bluegrass, is also a member of the Lonesome Highway website team, and as a photographer he has covered the major bluegrass events in this island for years, often serving as a festival's 'staff photographer'. He is the only member of this year's LBG class to come from outside the USA.

The BIB sends Ronnie our best wishes for LBG 2012, which will be held in Nashville on 8-10 March - three days of the most intense learning experience most people will ever encounter after leaving school...

Noriana Kennedy: pre-Australia tour, Feb. 2012

Thanks to Noriana Kennedy of Galway for this news and press release:

Folk singer Noriana Kennedy, together with Nicola Joyce and Noelie McDonnell, will be touring Australia this spring and summer through an exciting record deal offered by ABC Australia. As a farewell and warmup, their pre-Australia Irish tour brings their great music to the Crane, Galway (9 Feb.), the Linen Hall Theatre, Castlebar (14 Feb.), Campbell's Tavern, Headford (25 Feb.), and Whelan's, Dublin (29 Feb.).

From a Filipino and Irish background, Noriana Kennedy was born in Dublin. She worked in Castlebar for a year with the EPA but moved to Galway in 2005 to become part of its thriving Irish music scene. After six years of gigging and honing her craft, last year she released Ebb n flow, an album that revels in both the Irish and American folk tradition. The Irish Times lauded Ebb n flow for its 'exquisite phrasing and a songbook as wide as a southern porch'.

Noriana now finds herself at the fore of the Irish roots music scene, singing with esteemed players like Sharon Shannon and the Waterboys' Trevor Hutchinson. The singer was awarded the Irish Music Network Performance and Touring Award in February 2011, and consistently wins audiences over with her nuanced, joyful performances and her fluid playing of the quirky hybrid banjo-ukulele. Her performance at the Galway Arts Festival last year was reviewed by the Connacht Tribune as one of Galway's most memorable folk concerts in 2011.

For her Irish farewell tour , Noriana will be joined by Galway native Nicola Joyce, who Earl Hitchner of the Wall Street Journal praised as ‘a magnificient vocalist who sings with sheer beauty and poignancy’. Nicola is a seasoned and gifted performer who has played in over 500 cities across the globe with Americana/Irish group Gráda. Nicola plays percussion and mandolin and is a harmony singer of both precision and grace.

Also hailing from Galway, Noelie McDonnell plays with an ease and magnetism that is all too rare in modern performers. A singer-songwriter of genuine class, Noelie received extensive airplay in Ireland with 'Nearly four', a song inspired by his nephew. He has been hailed by the New York Post as 'a startlingly good new Irish talent’ and his album Beyond hard places spent two months in the iTunes Top 10 folk album charts. The live arena is where Noelie thrives, and he has been invited to share the stage with such luminaries as John Martyn, Greg Brown, Luka Bloom, and Eddie Reader.

Noriana is overwhelmed by the reaction the Australian market seems to be having on her music, saying: 'It's a really exciting time for us, as great friends and musicians, to all head off to Australia. We are blessed that ABC Australia have taken us on so confidently. There's talk of us playing Sydney Opera House... but all to be confirmed soon!'. Together, Noriana Kennedy, Noelie McDonnell and Nicola Joyce spark splendidly off each other, bringing added magic to the already impressive Ebb N Flow. Their Irish concerts will be well worth the visit and their splendid vocals combine with guitar, percussion, and the banjo-ukulele to weave a beguiling tapestry of Irish and American folk. Listen out for their live performance on the Pat Kenny radio show on 8 February. See Noriana's website for further details.

Thurs. 9th: Crane Bar, Sea Rd, Galway, 9.00 p.m. €10
Tues. 14th: Linen Hall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m. €16
Sat. 25th: Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway, 9.30 p.m. €10
Wed. 29th: Whelans Live (upstairs), Dublin 2, 9.00 p.m. €10

Noriana Kennedy
30 Crescent Court
Fr Griffin Road
Galway, Ireland
Tel. +353 0861003342
e-mail

Music hath charms

Thanks to C. Paul Lyttle of the Moniaive Bluegrass Festival in Scotland, and to 'Gerry' who sent him this YouTube link found on the Mandolin Cafe website (that wouldn't be Gerry Madden, would it?).

The video will please all of us who feel bluegrass is close to nature; it should have a special appeal for those who know Josh Williams (USA) from his visits as a teenage mandolin player with Special Consensus about ten years ago, who is now an acclaimed bandleader, singer, and multi-award-winning guitarist. As the photo shows, Josh gets on well with animals. In the video, one of his fans just wanted to get as close to him as possible.

A further bonus: Terry Baucom, the Duke of Drive, is playing banjo.

Get your coat on!

... says Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh:

You have a jam session to go to!
This Saturday 10.00 a.m.-12.00 noon 28 Jan. 2012
Lagan Valley Island, Island Civic Centre, The Island
Lisburn, Co. Antrim BT27 4RL

See full details . Even more - don't miss

Tuesday 7 Feb 2012: 8.30 p.m. until who knows when -
The Belfast Bluegrass Sessions
The Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Road,
Belfast, Co. Antrim BT7 2GE
Tel: 028 9064 1410

NTB for USA, Sept.-Oct. 2012

Last week brought the news that Niall Toner has joined the artist roster of the noted US bluegrass label Pinecastle Records. This week the US booking agency Mountain Music Entertainment announces the dates of NTB's planned US tour later this year, in association with his forthcoming record release:

Niall is available for booking September 15th-October 15th, 2012. Please contact us for your venue, festival, or event!

Read the full MME press release (which includes the above photo of Niall's guitars and mandolin) here.

4th European Bluegrass Summit, Bühl, 2-4 Mar. 2012

The 4th European Bluegrass Summit will be held on the weekend 2-4 March 2012, hosted by the city of Bühl, south-west Germany, which provides all facilities. The Summit was first held at Bühl in 2009, as an initiative by the International Committee of the IBMA, and has been held since then under the auspices of the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA). The EBMA announces:

The summit is open to all, professionals and non-professionals, members and non-members of the European or other national associations, who think they may benefit from sharing ideas and best practices with like-minded people doing similar work in other countries. This includes fans, musicians, promoters, journalists, webmasters, national association reps, and anyone else with a personal, professional or organisational interest in bluegrass in Europe.

The programme includes a concert by two leading European bands. Full details, with facilities for registration and reserving accommodation, are on the EBMA website.

Blue Cedar Project in 'dream session'

Thanks to Gerry Tully and Emmett Vaughan of Blue Cedar Project in Co. Meath for news of a feature on them by Grace Charley in the Arts & Music section of the Meath Chronicle yesterday - the same day on which they were playing at Vicar Street, Dublin, supporting 'Friends in Low Places: the Ultimate Garth Brooks Experience'. They will be doing the same on further dates round the country in the coming weeks.

As Grace points out, this is no small achievement for a duo who launched their joint career less than a year ago. Read the entire feature, reproduced on their website.

Western swing at Mount Merrion, 10 Mar. 2012

Thanks to Musiclee.ie for the news that Chris Meehan & his Redneck Friends - a ten-piece band that plays western swing together with Cajun and an element of rock 'n' roll, with a lineup that includes some distinguished artists in Irish music - will be playing at Kiely's, the Sportman's Inn, Mount Merrion, Dublin, on Saturday 10 March at 9.00 p.m. Tickets are €15 if booked in advance. Tel. 01-2832666.

The Electric Cave Production found a new home

Thanks to Uri Kohen of the Electric Cave Production in Westport, Co. Mayo, for this good news:

My last post to the blog was about the sad news of the closure of Geraghty's pub, which was the home of the Electric Cave Production and a host for many unforgettable nights of quality music.

Since then, we were invited by McGing's pub to host our gigs under their roof. McGing's hosted many gigs and sessions in the last five Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festivals, and now we hope that it will be our main residence. A Band Called Wanda (the Cave's favourite) opened the current series in late December with a superb gig that brought the house down.

Last night (20.1.2012) we welcomed to Westport the Young Folk [photo above] - a folk-rock band from Dublin, recently marked by IMRO to be Ireland's next big band. Their visit to Westport proved why: the band, led by the fantastic voice of Anthony Furey, performed a fantastic line of originals and covers in the spirit of such folk legends as Dylan, Young, and The Band. Young Folk created a unique sound and left their mark on well known songs such as 'The wight' or 'Bad moon rising'. The fiddle playing of Karen Hickey added a great dimension to all the songs. The bands are currently touring around the country, and it's well worth catching up with one of their shows.

The Electric Cave Production are working on a winter programme for the pub which will feature folk & bluegrass music at the highest level. We are also putting finishing touches to the 2012 Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival. See you in Westport!

Ry Cavanaugh in Ireland, 17-26 Feb. 2012

Thanks to Ry Cavanaugh (USA), former Donegal resident, who sends this release:

With a song on Mary Black's new album and a string of dates with Donegal's Henry Girls, Boston singer/songriter Ry Cavanaugh returns to Ireland for a short 'solo' tour this February.

During the winter of 2010 Ry Cavanaugh was holed-up in a house on the beach in Culdaff, Co. Donegal, writing songs, playing with local musicians, and running a Thursday night session (non-trad) at the local music pub. On one of the Thursdays, Mary Black's band was rehearsing for a tour in the back room. The band all joined the session after rehearsal and as he did every Thursday, Ry closed the night by singing his song 'Lighthouse light'. A year later, the song appeared on a new Mary Black CD, performed as a duet with Janis Ian.

Ry writes and demos songs regularly, but seldom performs on his own. His vibrant band Session Americana keeps the live music part of his life busy, fun, and rewarding. Session Americana plays regularly around his native New England, and has toured Ireland a couple of times, including Galway Arts Festival and Earagail Arts Festival in 2010. But his desire to re-centre some of his musical life in Ireland and reconnect with some of the musicians he worked with in Donegal, and an offer to play the Belfast Nashville Songwriter Festival, have led him to plan a tour on his own this winter.

The timing of the trip coincides with a stretch of dates the Henry Girls were booking, so they asked him to be part of their shows - as co-star, guest, support, collaborator, guitar player, bass player, whatever is needed. Ry is most comfortable in a collaborative musical setting, and even though this was supposed to be a 'solo' tour, wandering around with the Henrys and other friends is a perfect way to share a few of his songs and spend a couple of winter weekends.

17 Feb. Monroe's, Galway, with the Henry Girls
18 Feb. Kenny's Bar, Lahinch, Co. Clare, with the Henry Girls
19 Feb. The Playhouse, Derry city, with the Henry Girls
20 Feb. Roddens Bar, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, with Finbarr Doherty and Seamus Devenny
23 Feb. McGrory's, Culdaff, Co. Donegal
24 Feb. Castlereagh Civic Centre, Belfast: 'In the round' with Eleanor McEvoy and Benita Hill
25 Feb. venue TBD, Belfast, with Ted Ponsonby and Denise Boyle, Doors 1.00 p.m., show 1.30 p.m.
25 Feb. The Glens Arts Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, with the Henry Girls
26 Feb. The Half Moon Theatre at Cork Opera House, with the Henry Girls

Knotty Pine String Band: forthcoming dates

Thanks to Declan O'Kane, fiddler of the Knotty Pine String Band of Omagh, Co. Tyrone, for some good news for the start of 2012:

The band are appearing at a fundraising event for Concern Ireland in Lansdowne Rugby Club, Dublin, on Friday 10 Feb. 2012. Tickets for the event are available online, and this will show times for the event as well.

Later on in the year (30 June 2012) we are playing at the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh; and in September we are touring Scotland for a week, starting at the Moniaive bluegrass festival (Friday 28 Sept.).

New festival planned for Tramore, 1-4 June 2012

Thanks to Joe Lonergan of Waterford city, who was involved in the earliest stages of the Guinness International Bluegrass Festival at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, for the news that he is preparing the 1st International Bluegrass Festival at Tramore, Co. Waterford, to be held on the bank holiday weekend 1-4 June 2012. We look forward to being able to publish further details in due course.

Holmes & Henry: live on Drive FM, 21 Jan. 2012

Colin Henry & Janet Holmes (photo: Richie Tindall)

Colin Henry reports:

Janet, accompanied by myself, will be live on Drive FM (105.3 FM) from Derry/Londonderry at 1.00 p.m. this Saturday (21 January). The programme is called 'For Folks Sake' and is hosted by Dessie Fisher. I think we will be taking up most of the programme, which runs until 2.30 p.m. The website is here.

JKBF 2012 in a new home: Tullamore

Thanks to Chris Keenan and Kathy Casey (left and right respectively in the photo) for this major news for the 2012 festival season:

The organisers of the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival wish to announce that the festival has moved to a new location...

The festival's new home will be TULLAMORE in the county of Offaly!

This move is seen as a positive step in making the festival more accessible with regards to location and in the form of accommodation, with a number of hotels, B&Bs, and camping facilities within the town's boundaries.

Further details will be released shortly, including lineup, events, and relevant information about Tullamore and surrounding area.

We hope everyone will join us in Tullamore 20-23 September 2012, to celebrate the start of our second decade!

Earl in the New Yorker - blog, that is

Thanks to Bluegrass Today for drawing attention to the appearance of an article by Steve Martin about Earl Scruggs on the culture blog of the prestigious New Yorker magazine. Acknowledging help received from Gary Scruggs and from two master communicators and banjo historians Pete Wernick and Tony Trischka, the article provides a good overview of the career of the Father of Bluegrass Banjo, with a fine recent photo, and may have a surprise or two even for some who already know a good deal on the subject. And you get to hear 'Foggy Mountain breakdown'.

Niall Toner signs with Pinecastle Records

Bandleader, singer/songwriter, broadcaster, and 'Godfather of Irish bluegrass' Niall Toner has joined the roster of artists on the prominent US bluegrass label Pinecastle Records. He will soon release a new single in Ireland, a song called 'Tomorrow', taken from his upcoming Pinecastle release - a new album of original material, due in autumn 2012 in conjunction with a US tour.

Niall's most recent release in the US was The sounds of the Blackstairs Mountains, featuring his tribute to the father of bluegrass, 'William Smith Monroe', which is still receiving extensive airplay on bluegrass radio. Niall writes:

I am thrilled and delighted to be the first Irish artist signed to Pinecastle Records. It's a dream come true for me, and an honour to be part of a label roster that includes many of my own musical heroes, like Jesse McReynolds and the Osborne Brothers. I look forward to working with Lonnie, Ethan, Matt, and the entire Pinecastle team. Onwards and upwards.

The Pinecastle press release includes tributes to Niall's achievement from Greg Cahill of Special Consensus (USA), Robert Weingartz, chairman and CEO of AirPlay Direct (Niall has the fastest rising bluegrass album in APD's history), and Paul Williams, songwriter and president of ASCAP. Niall's compositions have been recorded by many artists in and out of bluegrass, and in 2003 he was nominated for a Global Artist Award by the CMA. His radio show, Roots Freeway, is broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. A feature is also on Bluegrass Today.

Welcome to Attila Tapolczai

Attila (guitar) with his folk trio in Tübingen, Germany, 2005

The BIB welcomes a new member of the scene: Attila Tapolczai, born in Budapest, Hungary, who has achieved a long-term ambition by coming to live in Ireland. He arrived in Galway last September and will be joined by his friend and bass-player Laszlo Pasztor next month.

Attila came to bluegrass from punk rock: the band he played with since his mid teens has recorded five albums. Looking for 'a more relaxed but also powerful music', he turned increasingly to American and Irish folk music and to bluegrass. Since 2005 he has played both punk and acoustic music in Germany and Hungary, recording three albums with his acoustic group. Strongly influenced by Tony Rice as a guitarist, he also plays mandolin and writes original material.

Attila has had an interesting and eventful musical journey so far, and is looking forward to taking an active part on the scene here. Some of his solo work can be seen and heard on YouTube; check out the further links shown below, and read his full musical biography here.

Attila & Friends: Facebook; Soundcloud; Reverbnation
Attila Tapolczai: MySpace, YouTube

A game worth knowing

The BIB editor reports:

The workshop given yesterday afternoon (14 Jan.) by Béla Fleck in Waltons New School of Music, George's Street, Dublin, was well attended. Fleck, who will be playing in concert with the original lineup of the Flecktones at the National Concert Hall this coming Tuesday (17 Jan.), responded to many questions on subjects ranging from banjo amplification to warm-ups (he uses three Bach pieces) to rhythms in Indian music, and let us hear plenty of his irreplaceable prewar TB-75 conversion. Anyone there had the opportunity to learn a lot.

To take one example: he described an 'improvisation game' played (offstage) by a particular band. The first musician thinks up a musical phrase and plays it till it satisfies him; the next musician devises something that will fit in with this phrase, and the two instruments then play together. The third instrument then plays something to fit the combined sound; and so on till everyone is playing and has contributed to the emergence of an overall sound. The first musician then adjusts what he is playing to suit the sound that has emerged, and the process begins all over again.

This can go on for as long as desired. As a means of producing 'togetherness' in a band that plays improvisational music like bluegrass, it seems hard to beat.

Butch Waller on Bluegrass Today

Among American musicians who have left their mark on the scene here, Butch Waller holds a special place as leader of High Country, the premier hardcore California bluegrass band. High Country took part in the first Athy bluegrass festival in 1991 and returned by popular demand in 1993 and then again fifteen years later; on the left, Butch is shown on stage at Athy in 2008.

His place in bluegrass history back in the USA is even more assured, as shown in a feature on him by David Thom on Bluegrass Today two days ago. The feature includes a video of Butch and the legendary Frank Wakefield in a hair-raising duet on the Monroe tune 'Roanoke'.

Hot-rodding your resonator guitar

We avoid saying 'your Dobro®', because Dobro® owners won't need the following advice. Owners of other resophonic guitars, however, may be interested in the Feb. 2012 issue of the UK magazine Guitar & Bass. There's a three-page article which takes one through ten clearly detailed stages for DIY-upgrading an Ozark resonator guitar.

The process, which includes replacing the cone but doesn't seem seriously expensive or difficult, left the instrument (according to Guitar & Bass) sounding 'louder, brighter, fatter, sweeter, and more dynamic'. Something we could all use.

Québec Redneck Bluegrass Project

Thanks to Mark Corry, who writes:

I'm a bassist from Longford, but play bluegrass (of a sort) with five French Canadians. We all live in China but are talking about doing a tour in Europe later on in the year. We've done two albums so far (another in the pipeline) and sing in French, English, Irish and Chinese. Our music is available for free here.

I'd love if you could give us a mention on your blog. And any help or suggestions of sheltered street corners for busking would be very appreciated!

Here's a video of a song as gaeilge in Quebec last summer; and another video.

Mark also sends a bio giving the band's history, the full text of which can be read here.

New weekly bluegrass session in Sligo town

Thanks to Gerry Grennan in Sligo town, who writes:

Hello and Happy New Year - just a mention of a new bluegrass session for beginners in McLynn’s pub, Old Market Street, Sligo, 9.30 p.m. every Monday. I would appreciate it if you could include it in your Calendar 2012 listing.

It's there now! McLynn's is a recognised music venue in the centre of Sligo, and videos from performances there can be seen on YouTube. A location map and contact details can be seen here.

The Wiyos - back in Ireland, 14-17 Feb. 2012

Loudon Temple, of the Brookfield Knights agency in the UK, reported back in August 2011 that the Wiyos (USA) would be back in these islands in Feb. 2012, anchored by their appearance at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. Two dates were at that time given as open for Ireland. It now appears that the band will be playing four dates in this island, beginning with a return appearance at the Ubangi Stomp Club, Dublin city (where they played last April), and ending at Naul, Co. Dublin. All four dates are on the BIB calendar.

In April 2011 the Wiyos' shows in Ireland included Clonmel World Music, where the show sold out in advance. And by the way - the first Clonmel World Music show for 2012 will be on Thursday 2 Feb., featuring Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers from Seattle, USA. This is an alt.country band including electric guitar, electric bass, and drums, but with a lot of lead mandolin and some bluegrass-compatible songs. Check them out on YouTube.

Fleck and Washburn in Cork, 25 Jan. 2012

Thanks to Junctions in Cork for the following comment on the BIB post about the forthcoming Béla Fleck workshop in Dublin on 14 Jan. The comment is important enough to deserve its own post:

Béla will also be appearing in Cork at the Pavilion on 25 Jan. This is part of the Junctions series and he will be joined by Abigail Washburn, Karan Casey and Buille. More details and tickets here.

Chris Stuart as Gaeilge

Award-winning writer, songwriter, bandleader, and lead singer Chris Stuart from California has taken to the teanga.

Chris and his namesake and fellow award-winning songwriter, bandleader, and lead singer Chris Jones are currently writing some of the sharpest and funniest prose about bluegrass subjects on Bluegrass Today. And in his latest piece, setting out his 'non-New Year’s resolution' for 2012, Chris S. gives his objective for this year as Ciúnas gan uaigneas. Read the whole piece (in English) here.

Prison Love Sunday Session at Sin É, Dublin: 8 Jan. 2012

Mark 'Marko' O'Mahony of Prison Love reports:

Prison Love will be at Sin É, Ormond Quay, Dublin, for a session this Sunday (8 Jan.) from 8.30 – admission free. Special guest on banjo – Colin Derham of I Draw Slow!

Location map

Happy birthday, Mr Scruggs

Today is the 88th birthday of Earl Eugene Scruggs, Father of Bluegrass Banjo. Bluegrass Today carries a post by John Lawless, father of the original Bluegrass Blog, on the anniversary and how it is being celebrated in California.

The new issue of Bluegrass Europe (#82, Jan.-Mar. 2012), which is now reaching subscribers, includes an article by banjo maestro, teacher, and communicator Peter Wernick, entitled 'Earl Scruggs' contribution acknowledged at Monroe Centennial celebration', which includes his statement delivered at the International Bluegrass Music Museum on 13 Sept. 2011. Like the rest of this issue of BE, this is very much worth reading.

And (just to remind us what all this is about) this YouTube video shows Lester, Earl, and the Foggy Mountain Boys having a good time on an Earl Scruggs composition, 'Ground speed'.

Blue Cedar Project

Thanks to Gerry Tully (guitar, vocals) and Emmett Vaughan (guitar, banjo, mandolin, vocals) for news of their new bluegrass and roots duo. Both have had wide and long musical experience before joining to form Blue Cedar Project, based in Co. Meath. To quote the Blue Cedar website:

We play bluegrass, roots, and blues music, focusing on the darker lyrical and melodic themes within these genres. Using acoustic instruments in an array of tunings, we strive to produce an authentic, original sound. We present our songs very simply, using vocal harmonies, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. This minimalistic approach is influenced by Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and other progressive artists.

As well as covers of Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show, etc., Blue Cedar Project play many bluegrass standards and are writing their own material in a progressive bluegrass/ roots style. They recently secured a slot supporting Friends in Low Places: the Ultimate Garth Brooks Experience in a nationwide tour, playing major venues such as Vicar Street, Dublin. Check the dates on their website, where other features include a sampler video of their music. Blue Cedar Project are also on Facebook.

Bluegrass (?) ukulele

With reference to what the BIB said a few days ago, that the ukulele is 'not yet' a bluegrass instrument - thanks to Eamonn Quigley, who sends this link to a YouTube video of ukulele maestro Jake Shimabukuro at a live show. The video has been given the title 'Bluegrass ukulele'; the channel owner notes that Shimabukuro 'introduced this as being inspired by his time with Bela Fleck'; and it's easy to imagine it being played in a Mountain Heart show.

This is outstanding playing, but it doesn't convince us that the uke has a future in bluegrass except as an occasional novelty. However, in consideration of the feelings of those who love the instrument, we're attaching this photo of a Martin 2T tenor ukulele.

Greetings from Mohill - and Hoogstraten

Thanks to Tommy Kelleher, chief organiser of last year's 1st Annual Mohill Bluegrass Festival in Mohill, Co. Leitrim, who writes:

A very happy New Year to you, Richard, your family, and the Bluegrass Ireland Blog. Best wishes to all our supporters for 2012, from the Mohill Bluegrass Festival. Looking forward to seeing you in mid August 2012.

The Festival has its own Facebook, with photos and more from the 2011 event. Thanks also to Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive (headliners for this year's Athy Bluegrass Festival), who sends good wishes for 2012 and this link to the latest Cheap Aldi Camera movie, showing some of his family's Christmas in Hoogstraten, Belgium, and with a nice banjo piece as soundtrack - who can identify it?

Waltons introductory banjo class resumes for 2012

Thanks to Paddy Kiernan (left), who sends a reminder that his 'Introduction to 5-string banjo' course will resume on Thursday 26 January 2012 at Walton's New School of Music on George's St., south central Dublin.

The school is taking enrolments now, and the link to its website page with all the details of the course is here.

New year news from Moniaive

Paul Lyttle, organiser of the Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival in Scotland, sends new year greetings and good wishes to all, and reports that he has added new features to the Moniaive website, including many videos by Sandy Holland of performances from the 2011 festival.

As announced on the BIB on 23 Dec. 2011, 'Criffel Creek', a new radio show from Alive Community Radio (107.3 FM) in Dumfries, starts on Sunday 22 January 2012 and runs from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon then and on alternate Sundays thereafter. The show will consist of bluegrass, old timey, Americana, and gospel music, and listeners are encouraged to get in touch during the show and give Alive Radio feedback on the mix of music.

This year's Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival will be held on 28-30 Sept. 2012, and the list of bands already confirmed includes two from Ulster: the Knotty Pine String Band from Omagh and the Down and Out Bluegrass Band from the Belfast region. The website adds: 'MMBF is currently in talks with a top-flight band from the USA. Keep an eye on the website as we will release details at the end of January 2012.'

Béla Fleck to give Dublin workshop, 14 Jan. 2012

Thanks to Mike Gilchrist, whose Fickle3 Promotions is presenting Béla Fleck & the Flecktones at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 17 Jan., for the news that Béla Fleck will be giving an intimate workshop in Dublin a few days before the concert.

The workshop is presented by Fickle3 Promotions in association with Waltons New School of Music, George's Street, Dublin 2, where it will be held on Saturday 14 January from 3.00 to 4.30 p.m. The entry fee is €25; Waltons recommend early booking, as no more than 35 people will be able to take part. During this workshop, Béla will share his experiences, demonstrate his own songs and techniques, and answer questions about his approach to banjo and his career.

Full details can be seen here, where a booking application form can also be downloaded.

Mike also announces that Dublin's own I Draw Slow will be opening for Béla & the Flecktones at the NCH on 17 January. More on this very shortly, when the BIB will be able to give a link to the full new press release for the concert, which will include details of the workshop.

New Year greetings

Thanks to Colin Henry (centre in the photo, left, of Ferguson, Holmes, & Henry), who writes:

I want to take this opportunity at the start of a new year to thank our tireless editor Richard for all the effort and time, most of it single-handed, that has been put into the blog; not just last year but the six years it has been in existence. I am sure I speak for many when I say that it has been an invaluable source of information and interest. It is of course the main web presence of Irish bluegrass, and not only gives Irish bluegrassers a sense of community but lets the world (and I mean the world) know what talent exists here.

Thanks, Richard, for it all. How you get time to practise the banjo I do not know, but as we are all obsessed with playing we can always find the time for a few forward rolls (and backward rolls and forward/backward rolls and melodic licks, etc., etc.).

Happy New Year to the Blog, long may it continue.

And thanks to Gary Ferguson, Colin's US colleague in the trio - though we're sorry to hear the 2012 tour will be so short. Gary writes:

Please pass along my best wishes to everyone and mention that we (Colin, Janet and me) will only be doing two gigs in July and anyone wanting to come to the shows can contact us for any info. We will be at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart on 7 July and the Red Room in Cookstown on 8 July.

Happy New Year!