Next up at The Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour, 25 Mar. 2012

Adele Ingram reports from the Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour at the Green Room in the Black Box, Belfast:

Next up... [Sun. 25 Mar. 2012] The White Mansions, a six-piece bluegrass/country band with banjo, fiddle, pedal steel, mandolin, guitars, and double bass. Think Hank Williams with a touch of Dan Tyminski and it's Soggy Bottom Boys eat your heart out.

Adele also reports on the Parlour's Facebook page about the venue's launch on 26 February:

A great day was had at the launch of the Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour yesterday. Thanks to Sarah at the Black Box, Andy and all the staff at the Green Room, Jayne Trimble and her fabulous band, the one and only Acoustic Dan & the Black Mountain River Dipsos (Wow!), The Saturday Magazine radio show and all the bluegrass boys and girls who showed up and played a blinder of a session after. Cheers and beers me dears. Oh and the pizza was delish.

Watching a master

The BIB editor reports:

Today's delivery to me from Bluegrass on the Tube came in the form of a three-minute video of J.D. Crowe & the New South on stage in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2009, playing one of the songs that made Rounder 0044 (1975) a classic album - the Utah Phillips song 'Rock salt and nails'.

The video is notable for its closeups on J.D.'s hands, not on a lead break, but while he is backing up the singing - an essential part of the banjo's role, and something at which J.D. is an acknowledged master. You can see and hear it here and on YouTube.

J.D. is also one of two prominent banjo players to be honoured by awards at this year's Uncle Dave Macon Days festival at Murfreesboro, TN, in July. Read more here.

PS: For an extra treat, see further close looks at J.D.'s backup and lead work on 'Sally Goodin', here.

21st Omagh Festival: 31 Aug.-2 Sept. 2012

Thanks to C. Paul Lyttle, of the Moniaive Bluegrass Festival in Scotland, for news of the dates for this year's 21st Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The Festival will take place from Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September 2012.

Details of this year's lineup are to be confirmed shortly. Ticketing and camping information are on the Park's web page, which also says: 'Hear all the news about the festival first on our Ulster American Folk Park Facebook Page.'

The dates are not yet on the Facebook page - which does, however, carry the UAFP emblem (above left) showing Geordie MacAdam and the rest of the Broken Strings band.

'A vocal powerhouse': the Berea Bluegrass All-Stars in Ireland, 26 May-6 June 2012: addenda

Thanks to the indefatigable John Nyhan of Co. Cork for this schedule of a tour he has organised for the Berea Bluegrass All-Stars, a seven-piece band from Berea, Kentucky. Berea's history as an educational, social, and cultural centre for Appalachia goes back over 150 years, and six band members are past students of Berea College where they studied bluegrass under Al White, who is also a member of the band. Al is on the left in the above photo of the 2011 Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble; a photo of the current ensemble will appear on the BIB as soon as possible. An earlier Berea ensemble visited Ireland some time ago, and four of the members from that tour will be returning this year.

The 2012 Berea Bluegrass All-Stars, who have been described as 'a vocal powerhouse', consist of Al White (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals), Ashley Long (vocals), Donovan Cain (guitar, vocals), Katie Morgan (vocals), Ryan Blevins (banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Deborah Payne (fiddle, vocals), and John Bradley (bass). John Nyhan adds:

... Al White... was in the Bluegrass Alliance and is married to Alice McClain, a sister of Raymond and Michael McClain. John Bradley, the son of Dale Ann, will also be in the band... They are also fine musicians: Ryan Blevins... was here before and was also in No Speed Limit, whom I saw in the States; he is an all-rounder, plays banjo, mandolin, and guitar. Al is also great on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitar. Deborah Payne was here before and is a fine fiddler. I've heard Ashley Long on CD; she has a powerful voice. The other two, Donovan Cain (who is an Episcopalian minster) and Katie Morgan, I don't know much about, but am informed that they are great vocalists.

Their full schedule is as follows:

May 2012
Sat. 26th-Sun. 27th Ballyhooly Arts Festival, Ballyhooly, Co. Cork (afternoon and night both days); info from Oliver McCarthy ('phone 086 2659496 or Ballyhooly on Facebook).
The Ballyhooly Arts Festival takes place from Thurs. 24th to Sun. 27th May, and includes not only bluegrass but also traditional Irish and rock music, an arts and crafts exhibition, poetry, and storytelling.
Mon. 28th Private party
Tues. 29th Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork. 8.15 p.m.; booking and inquiries 087 7921771
Wed. 30th The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; booking and inquiries +44(0)2886761630
Thurs. 31st Day off for sightseeing

June 2012
Fri. 1st Tom Malone's/Market House, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m.; 087 6881650
Sat. 2nd Connolly's Bar, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 10.00 p.m.; 091 637131
Sun. 3rd (afternoon) Tom Malone's/Market House, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare; 087 6881650
Sun. 3rd Crane Bar, Galway city, 10.00 p.m.; 091 587419
Mon. 4th Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo, 7.30 p.m.; 087 2296018
Tues. 5th Private party
Wed. 6th St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; 068 22566

All dates are on the BIB calendar.

Twice as nice

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

On Tuesday 14 February, I was honoured to be invited to a Valentine show of the Noriana Kennedy Trio [see the BIB for 24 Jan. 2012]. I have seen Noriana many times before and I'm a big fan of her music, but this show was special: it was the first time I have seen her performing her music in theatre-show style. It gave me and the rest of the audience that packed the house the opportunity to listen to every note and words of the songs, without the noise of the pub.

Noriana, Noelie, and Nicola mastered their performance, and both the choice of song and the deliverance were superb. With this show, I'm sure they are going to win the hearts of the Australians from next month.

It was important to me to have Noriana in Westport for one last time before her Australian tour. Last Friday (24 February) she came to our new home in McGing's pub, backed by other friends. Peter and Mark from the band Doghouse took Noriana's music on a different adventure. Alongside the old-time and Americana-type songs, we got some blues, swing, and some superb acoustic guitar solos. Once again the Westport crowd gave the band a big welcoming hug.

On a personal note: I got to see one of my favourite Irish artists twice in ten days, and got another feather in my hat for bringing more top-class music to Westport. I want to wish Noriana all the best in Australia, and to all music lovers - David Hope will be playing McGing's pub on Friday 9 March. See you in Westport!

High Plains Tradition in Ireland, 19-28 Oct. 2012

Thanks again to John Nyhan for this complete tour schedule for the splendid Colorado band High Plains Tradition in Ireland this coming October. The dates are as follows: further details and a full programme for the Kilworth Bluegrass Weekend will follow in due course.

Fri. 19th/Sat. 20th/Sun. 21st Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork: Bluegrass Weekend (concerts, workshops, gospel recital, sessions); 087 7921771
Mon. 22nd Private party
Tues. 23rd The Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m. (a Sixmilebridge Folk Club presentation); 086 8464509/ 086 8599615
Wed. 24th St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; booking 068 22566
Thurs. 25th Tom Malone's/Market House, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, 9.00 p.m.; 087 6881650
Fri. 26th The Tearoom Sessions, Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; booking 087 1205353
Sat. 27th 4th Balla Bluegrass Festival, Balla, Co. Mayo; 2296018
Sun. 28th 4th Balla Bluegrass Festival, Balla, Co. Mayo; 2296018

All dates are on the BIB calendar.

The well-tempered... what?

The BIB editor reports:

Non-bluegrass subjects are usually kept off the BIB as far as possible; so you may well wonder why this little book for players of classical music (first published in Germany when Charlie and Bill Monroe were still playing together) should be mentioned, even if it is one of my long-time personal favourites.

Part of the reason is in the sub-title: A book of counsel and entertainment for all lovers of music in the home. This book is not aimed at professional players in any genre; it is written for devoted 'hobby musicians', which is why many players of bluegrass and old-time music - people who also play string music in small ensembles - should find plenty in it to which they can respond with deep sympathy. The passages about the problems of simply bringing together four players with different personalities, for instance...

Make no mistake: two-thirds of the book are a detailed examination of the published repertoire for string quartets; much of the advice applies only to classical players; and one or two sentences may take modern readers aback. It's out of print, and the secondhand prices I've seen are more than a casual reader might want to pay. But if you come across a copy, give it a try; it's good to be in this environment of people who get together to play demanding music on string instruments without expecting to make a pile of money at it. Does that sound familiar?

Bruno Aulich and Ernst Heimeran, Das stillvergnügte Streichquartett (translated by D. Millar Craig as The well-tempered string quartet).

love:live music: (Inter)National Music Day, Thurs. 21 June 2012

Cora Venus Lunny, Seán Mac Erlaine, Francesco Turisi

Thanks to Sarah McDonagh for this news of a midsummer opportunity for all musicians. The love:live music movement, presented by Music Network in association with RTÉ Lyric FM and funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is Ireland's part in the Fête de la Musique, first held in France thirty years ago and now a worldwide programme of free musical events on the summer solstice (21 June) each year.

The Fête de la Musique is generally known in English as International (or World) Music Day, or as National Music Day in individual countries; there are also regional networks such as European Music Day. The Music Network press release says:

The love:live music movement is a celebration of Ireland’s musical identity and aims to promote access to Irish music for everyone. 120 countries around the world will coordinate their national music day on Thursday 21 June, and Irish musicians, both professional and amateur, are urged to occupy a stage and create a free music experience.

The release understandably emphasises 'Irish music', but this clearly comprehends 'music-making in Ireland': the projected events include classical, jazz, rock, and other genres. Among the many musical events that will take place on 21 June (there were 160 last year), we hope that bluegrass and old-time music will be clearly heard. Read the full details here and here.

Pudsey's thanks to Ulster pickers

Following Tony Curran's last report in November on the series of 'Bluegrass for Pudsey' sessions in Dunadry, Co. Antrim, thanks to Tony for sending this

... photo of Brian Crawford and I presenting the BBC 2011 Children In Need certificate to Ray Magill and Laura Benton of Ellie May's. £517.83 - a great result! Thanks again to all who supported us by coming along, listening, joining in and, above all, by donating!!

Bluegrass in Ireland: an illustration

Thanks to Colin Henry, who writes:

I was just scrolling through the blog and realised just what a wealth of bluegrass and bluegrass-related talent we have on this small island. From Cookstown to Dublin, Mid Ulster to Galway, Westport, Tullamore, Tramore, Naul, Omagh, Athy, Ardara, and more. It is great to see that it is thriving, and no small thanks to the likes of yourself and Niall Toner and other long-time promoters.

On that note I played a few tunes at the Red Room on Saturday past with the Drogheda-based Watery Hill Boys [photo above]. Sharon has already posted on this, but they are yet another great example of the talent I am talking about. I had not come across them before, and they seemed to me to have caught the essence of the music and yet were fresh. Anyone who plays 'Roll in my sweet baby's arms' in the key of E either doesn't know bluegrass or is very good! They were the latter.

For conspiracy theorists

For bluegrass enthusiasts who also love conspiracy theories, we have good news - you're not alone. Chris Jones's 'You didn’t hear this from me…', his latest piece for Bluegrass Today, reveals not only the fundamental bluegrass conspiracy theory which we all know about, but twelve (count 'em) others. Find out more about the secret forces that move our musical lives here.

Charlie Parr to tour Ireland in May 2012

Thanks to Robin at Tin Angel Records (UK) for the news that US old-time country blues musician Charlie Parr (National steel guitar, 12-string guitar, banjo), who toured Europe in February and November 2011, will undertake a short tour of Ireland in May. The dates are as follows:

3 May Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast
4 May JJ Harlows, Roscommon town, Co. Roscommon
5 May Clubhouse Hotel, Kilkenny city (Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival)
6 May Clubhouse Hotel, Kilkenny city (Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival)
7 May Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city

Bluegrass live in east Ulster, 25 Feb. 2012

Thanks to Howard Walker of the Down and Out Bluegrass Band for the news that the DOBB will be playing this Saturday (25 February) in the Plough Inn, Hillsborough, Co. Down. from 3.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. It will be an acoustic set and is free admission. Everyone is welcome. (The band will also be appearing this evening, 22 Feb., on BBC2 TV NI at 7.30 p.m. in 'Santer'.)

The above photo, showing the DOBB (r-l: Howard, Roy Brown, Richard Leeman, and the left hand of fiddler Mal Duffin) at last September's Omagh festival, is at the top of the latest e-newsletter from Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, announcing the next in the series of monthly Dangem Bluegrass Get-Togethers.

This will also take place on Saturday 25 February 2012, from 9.30/10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon at the Lagan Valley Island, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim. The normal arrangements will apply, except that the banjo beginner’s class (10.30-11.00) will henceforth be taken by Howard Walker, at a cost of £5.00 per person - a reduction on Howard's normal one-on-one tuition fee (£15.00 per half-hour), as this is a group session. Full details can be seen here or on the Dangem website.

Wookalily to represent Ireland on the new Daughters of Bluegrass project!

Thanks to Adele Ingram of One-A-Chord Music Promotions for this great news for Ireland's premier all-woman, bluegrass-and-more band:

Wookalily have been invited by Tom T. and Dixie Hall to feature on the brand new Daughters of Bluegrass recording project, but were sworn to secrecy with a threat of being bound and gagged with banjo strings and bow hair. But now the news is out. Good Home Grown Music has confirmed in an e-mail to broadcasters that there is a new recording under way.

The Daughters consists of around 50 women in bluegrass and their fourth album this year will include names such as Sierra Hull and Dale Ann Bradley.

The award-winning 'Daughters of Bluegrass' was an idea conceived by bluegrass artists Lorraine Jordan and Gena Britt. They decided that since there were so many great women pickers and singers in bluegrass, why not bring them all together for a recording project showcasing those talents? This year they are including women from all over the world and Wookalily will be representing Ireland.

Their first album, The Daughters of American Bluegrass, was released on CMH Records in 2005 and nominated later that year for the 2005 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year. Since that time, the Daughters have recorded two more albums including Back to the well, winner of the 2006 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year, and Bluegrass bouquet, winner of the 2009 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year for the song 'Proud to be a Daughter'.

Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour opens in Belfast, 26 Feb. 2012

Thanks to the Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour in Belfast for this announcement:

Red-hot bluegrass in the Green Room at the Black Box. You don't get more colourful than that.

The Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour is a new monthly club and will launch on Sunday 26 February. We will also be raising money and awareness for two charities: A21 Campaign and ECPAT UK, both of whom are fighting to stop human trafficking.

We invite all bluegrass pickers, strummers, and singers to 'gather round the open mic'; there'll also be a special guest slot each month and a bluegrass pickin' parlour jam to finish. Starts 2.00 p.m. Free entry!

We are delighted to announce that Acoustic Dan & the Black Mountain River Dipsos will be kicking it all off. Sometimes referred to as 'psychobilly cowpunk', the Black Mountain River Dipsos present a raucous but uplifting soundtrack to a world of Violent Teenagers wielding golf umbrellas, ill advised text s**, and the pleasures and pitfalls of bacchanalian excess. Expect lightning-speed banjo and thunderous vocals.

Jayne Trimble, who is just back from recording her first EP in Nashville, will be joining us for the 'gather round the open mic' session. Don't miss this chance to see her perform live with her band before she heads off on her Ireland tour.

The Watery Hill Boys in the Red Room, 18 Feb. 2012

Sharon Loughrin reports on the latest house concert at the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone:

OK Richard, where have you southern lot been hiding the Watery Hill Boys? How come we haven't heard about them before now? This isn't on, you know; they're too good for you lot to keep to yourselves!

Seriously though, we had a fantastic night on Saturday night. Jim, Neil, and Donal were a real pleasure to have as house guests, and the night of bluegrass music they played was second to none. Jim has a great line in bluegrass-related stories and facts which was much appreciated by the audience, and after three encores we still had about two-thirds of our crowd remaining glued to their seats. The night then developed into a session with Colin Henry and Janet Holmes who had travelled up to hear the band (Colin played dobro at times through the concert too).

We let our camcorder run throughout the whole night as usual (we like to have something decent to watch of an evening and TV is rubbish), and I think we have about six hours of music recorded that night. I'm sending a link to a small part of it; there are a few more tunes on YouTube and on our Facebook page.

Many thanks therefore to the BIB for drawing our attention to this great band a few months ago. Promoters/festival organisers really should be checking them out!

Athy 2012 lineup - on a new-look website

Thanks to Tony O'Brien for the full lineup and other details of the 22nd Athy Bluegrass Festival, to be held at the GAA Centre, Dublin Road, Athy, Co. Kildare, on 13-15 July 2012.

In addition to the headliners already announced - 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/B), who will be playing in concert on each day of the festival - the acts on the official schedule are the Niall Toner Band, Bending the Strings, Southern Welfare, the host band Woodbine, and a special 'Tribute to Doc Watson' by Clem O'Brien.

The festival website has also been given a new look for this year - the image shown above is a sample.

Tramore festival (1-4 June 2012): updates

The organisers of the 1st International Bluegrass Festival at Tramore, Co. Waterford, invite bluegrass enthusiasts to check the Festival's Facebook pages for updates. New info since the BIB post of 6 Feb. includes an outline of the projected development of the festival over the next five years.

Mike Gangloff in Ireland, 6-12 Mar. 2012

Thanks to Vicky Langan of the Cork Sacred Harp Singers, for news of the show she is organising in Cork city on 8 March for Mike Gangloff from south-west Virginia. Mike is a member of the Black Twig Pickers old-time band, and this is his first solo tour of Ireland. The Cork show is a particularly rich and varied one, and you can find full details here, together with performance videos of Mike and the other artists taking part.

Mike's complete schedule in Ireland is as follows:

Tues. 6th: The Candlelight Sessions, The Sky and the Ground, Wexford town, 9.00 p.m. FREE
Wed. 7th: The Sitting Room Sessions, De Barra's Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m.
Thurs. 8th: Black Sun presents at Plug'd Records: Mike Gangloff (Black Twig Pickers/Pelt), Yawning Chasm, Brigid Power Ryce, Sacred Harp Singers of Cork, & screening of Luther Price's 'Green'; 8.00 p.m.; donations
Fri. 9th: Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, 10.00 p.m. FREE
Sat. 10th: The Swan Lake Inn, Effrinagh, Co. Leitrim, 10.00 p.m. FREE
Sun. 11th: Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo, 7.00 p.m. FREE
Mon. 12th: Boyle's Bar, Slane, Co. Meath, 9.00 p.m. FREE

More details, including YouTube links, are on the No Ego Promotions blog.

Vicky also sends a reminder that the 2nd Cork Sacred Harp Convention will be held in Cork on 3-4 Mar. 2012.

FHH farewell shows, 7-8 July 2012

Thanks to Gary Ferguson (USA) for this news, which is good and sad at the same time:

Ferguson, Holmes, and Henry will be doing their last two shows in July: 7 July at the Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, and 8 July at the Red Room in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Highly suggested that anyone wanting to see the Trio at the Red Room make their reservations early, as this will be their last show and seating is limited and sure to be a full house.

Joe Moretti - a 'Blue Grass Boy'

Thanks to Louis O'Dwyer for this news of Joseph Edward Moretti (1938-2012):

Joe Moretti died today - Johnny Duncan & the Blue Grass Boys, etc. - and a formidable contributor later to commercial UK country music. I'm sure you recall that high lonesome sound on Radio Luxembourg in the '60s when we were supposed to be asleep. Check out the tributes here.

Joe has taken his 'Last train to San Fernando' and his next stop will rightly be amongst the Celestial All-Stars.

For younger readers: John Franklin 'Johnny' Duncan (1932-2000), from Tennessee, made a mark on the skiffle scene in Britain in the late 1950s with his high tenor singing, his 'Blue Grass Boys' band, and such recordings as 'Footprints in the snow', based on Bill Monroe's version, and (as Louis mentions) 'Last train to San Fernando'.

The BIB editor recalls that his grandmother and her sisters were tickled by hearing Duncan sing 'Footprints' on the radio, as they had known it as a late Victorian popular song.

Solid bluegrass and a Bluegrass Circle Jam in Sweeney's, 17 Feb. 2012: correction

Thanks to Hugh Taggart of Dublin bluegrass band Well Enough Alone (shown above), who asks us to make it clear that the show today (Friday 17 Feb.) in Sweeney's Mongrel bar on Dame St., Dublin 2, is not a Well Enough Alone show - those playing in Sweeney's (ground floor, 5.00-7.00 p.m.) will be Hugh himself (second from left), Conor Daly (far right), and a special guest. Hugh has also put this information up on Facebook and in personal contacts; our previous announcement was due to a misunderstanding.

Also concurrently in Sweeney's, but on the first floor, there will be an open Bluegrass Circle Jam from 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. 'Circle' refers to the basic operating procedure - breaks are played in order, going round the circle (in a previously agreed direction) and the choice of song or tune similarly goes round the circle, so that everyone taking part gets the same chances. You can pass up your turn if you wish.

Down And Out Bluegrass Band: on the air and rarin' to go

The DOBB (l-r): Howard Walker, Roy Brown, Richard Leeman, Mal Duffin

Richard Leeman reports:

The Down and Out Bluegrass Band will be appearing on the first episode of the new series of ‘Santer’, to be shown on BBC 2 Northern Ireland at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 22 February. Another performance by the band will be shown later in the six-part series, date to be confirmed.

'Santer' aside, we are looking forward to another year of getting out and playing bluegrass wherever and whenever we can. We’re pleased to have taken a number of bookings for the coming months, including the first International Bluegrass Festival in Tramore in June and the Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival in Scotland in September. However, we’re always on the lookout for further gigs, and anyone interested in booking the band can contact me on +44 (0)7779 721 643 or by e-mail.

Richard also runs the monthly Belfast Bluegrass sessions.

Genuine Irish washboard (or other percussion) wanted

Glad to hear from Sam Pierce Harrell III of Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta, GA, who sends this request:

Do you have any percussion instruments, like a washboard, from Ireland? I would love to have something from Ireland to play in our bluegrass circles!

We have of course cautioned him against accepting anything remotely like a bodhrán from anyone. If someone has a solidly made washboard with good tone, no tuning problems, and a reliable Irish provenance, Sam can be contacted by e-mail.

The above image shows a fairly generic washboard, suitable (with customising) for most musical occasions but not really up to concert professional standards. Serious washboards can be seen on the RattleBrainEd website.

High Plains Tradition coming in October 2012

The BIB announced on 11 Nov. 2011 that High Plains Tradition (USA), the fine band from Denver, CO, who made such an impact during their tour in the summer of 2010, were working on making a return trip.

The good news is that HPT will be in Ireland this coming October; they plan to arrive on the 18th and leave on the 29th. Event organisers should take the opportunity of presenting this very satisfying band, plenty of whose work can be seen on YouTube - again, the BIB recommends this for a starter. And for those who need another look at the band, here's their promo shot in full stage order (l-r): Bobbie Vickery, Doug Elrick, Mark Leslie, Steve Gilmore, and Kenny Pabst.

Wookalily audition for singer, 25 Feb. 2012

Following up the BIB post of two weeks ago, the all-woman, bluegrass-and-more band Wookalily will be holding auditions on Saturday 25 February for a singer.

The band's plans for 2012 include recording an album and touring in Europe and/or the USA. Full details are on the poster - click on the image for an enlarged view. You can contact Wookalily by e-mail, and send audio or video files.

'British Bluegrass Veterans' on Facebook

Lynn Lewis (UK) reports to the Scottish Bluegrass Association's e-magazine Bluegrass and More that Dave Morriss of the Morriss Boys String Band has created a 'British Bluegrass Veterans' page on Facebook, with the aim of

... reconnecting with old friends and fans and exchanging memories and photos of the old days. It's well worth joining Facebook if only for this page. Come and join us with your own contributions.

The site already holds a treasury of photos of British bluegrass bands and individual musicians from the past decades, and will be a valuable source for historians of the music in Britain. There must be, in photograph albums around Ireland, the makings of a similar archive, and a similar meeting place, for the scene in this island.

The Molly Hicks at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, 17 Feb. 2012

Thanks to Ruth Dillon for this news:

The Molly Hicks, featuring Ruth Dillon (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Bernie O’Mahony (vocals, banjolele), together with Peter Akerstrom (vocals, guitar), Geoff Ward (mandolin), Juliana Erkonen (fiddle), and Paul O'Driscoll (double bass), will host the big annual bluegrass gig at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, this Friday night, 17 February (tickets online).

As well as producing quite possibly the finest and most authentic-sounding blend of bluegrass/folk music in Ireland today, the Molly Hicks possess a trump card in the heart-achingly beautiful voices of lead singers Ruth and Bernie, described by Siobhan Long of the Irish Times as '... a thing of great beauty... their voices communing with the seamlessness of Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss'.

This tight vocal and instrumental six-piece group is revered in Galway, and having toured across Ireland, Britain, and USA, are noted for their uncanny delivery of traditional and contemporary bluegrass songs. The Molly Hicks are a harmony tour de force, with everyone taking turns singing lead and harmony, doing call and response.

In addition to their wide repertoire of traditional songs and fiddle tunes, Ruth continues to write original songs for the band in a true bluegrass style.

Peter burns up the guitar with amazing speed and accuracy, Geoff and Juliana play sizzling American tunes and licks, driven by Paul’s unmistakable bass sound, and all underpinned by the sister-like singing of Bernie and Ruth. Sometimes tending towards intimate and traditional, while other times very tempo-driven and quite funky, the Molly Hicks always deliver illuminating and spontaneous live shows, and they never fail to leave their audience engaged and wanting more.

The band is currently in the process of recording a new CD, which they plan to launch in the summer of 2012.

Grammy awards, flying with instruments, etc.

For a long time now Bluegrass Today has been issuing daily e-mail notifications of the newly published posts on the site. A further development is 'The Daily Buzz in Bluegrass Today', which comes in the form of an e-newsletter that can be opened in your browser - thus.

Among new items today are Grammy results: those that interest bluegrassers are the award to Alison Krauss & Union Station for Best Bluegrass Album (Paper airplane, which also received the award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical), and that to Béla Fleck and Howard Levy for Best Instrumental Composition award for Life in eleven. More startling, perhaps, is the discovery that a Grammy winner from the neighbouring island turns out to be a fan of the Steeldrivers: find out more here.

Maybe even more important in the long run - and certainly likely to be a relief to musicians - is the news of a forthcoming US law, enabling instruments to be carried in the cabin of an airliner without extra charge if they fit in an overhead locker or under the seat. Full details here. There's something that would be welcome as an EU regulation; we can't see a certain airline wearing it, though...

Kilkenny 2012 festival preview

The organising team of the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival have issued a preview of the 15th Festival (4-7 May 2012), for which tickets will go on sale this coming Friday (17 February 2012) at Rollercoaster Records: 'phone + 353 56 77 636 69.

Featured artists for 2012 include the Alabama Shakes (USA), Kitty, Daisy, and Lewis (UK), Amanda Shires (USA), Rod Picott (USA), Israel Nash Gripka (USA), Hiss Golden Messenger (USA), Dan Baird & Homemade Sin (USA), Willy Vlautin & Dan Eccles (USA), Richard Buckner (USA), Charlie Parr (USA), and Danny & the Champions of the World (UK). There will also be an 'audience' with celebrated broadcaster Andy Kershaw.

A good deal of varieties of Americana; we await the appearance of anyone who counts as bluegrass-related. The whole preview can be read here.

MusicLee seeks venue in Dublin

Paul Lee of the MusicLee agency, which has recently put on such old-time or bluegrass acts as David Holt (USA) and the Toy Hearts (UK), writes:

Musiclee has been presenting folk/traditional concerts and theatre in various locations around Dublin for over thirty years.

We are currently looking for a venue where we could set up an art space that would be suitable for such presentations and could also be used for rehearsals and exhibitions.

We would be very interested in discussing possibilities with any landlord who may have such a space. One large open space with toilet/kitchenette facilities would be ideal, but if a suitable space were available we could finance installation of same.

The space would be used largely by members. Noise is not an issue as the music we specialise in is folk and traditional, and by and large our audiences are mature music lovers who seek alternative venues to the normal pubs and clubs around Dublin. Ideally the space could seat 100 plus.

If you require any further details or have any ideas or suggestions, please contact Paul Lee by e-mail.

Digital press kit for NTB on AirPlay Direct

The Niall Toner Band now have their own digital press kit online, as part of the service provided by AirPlay Direct, the US agency making bluegrass recordings available for radio presenters.

The online press kit provides everything you'd expect in a press kit, and indeed practically all the information you'd find in an artist's individual website: bio, discography, press releases, tour dates, photos, and music samples. The NTB add:

We hope you enjoy our latest single, 'Tomorrow', now available for download on AirPlay Direct. Our USA success has been incredible. Thank you for your support. Pinecastle Records has been kind enough to sign us to their label. We are excited to work with them! Visit our website to learn more.

The NTB are booked in the US by Mountain Music Entertainment.

News from the Red Room

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin, chatelaine of the Red Room at Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, for the latest news from Ireland's premier bluegrass house concert venue:

We had a very entertaining night last Sunday, not bluegrass though, but maybe you're interested in hearing about it yourself. We had a Nashville singer/songwriter, Kevin Montgomery, play a concert [photo above]. Lots of good stories: his father was Bob Montgomery who was in a band with Buddy Holly as kids, and co-wrote the song 'Heartbeat', along with many others such as 'Back in Baby's arms', recorded by Patsy Cline (their neighbour in Nashville at the time)

He was accompanied by a great local singer, Ruth Trimble from outside Belfast, also Mike McAdam on guitar, who has played with Bob Dylan and Steve Earle. We also had a first for the Red Room (perhaps for Ireland) in that Kevin streamed a live webcast from his laptop to fans around the world as the concert took place - there were people watching from Paris, Nashville, North Carolina... even Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone! Our own Janet Dowd from Lurgan was in the audience and took to the stage to perform a tune, a great night had by all.


Main purpose of my e-mail is to let you know that we have a concert next Saturday night (18th). We spotted the Watery Hill Boys [photo above] on the BIB a few months ago and when we checked out their Facebook site we thought they sounded first class. We're really looking forward to having them up to play in the Red Room next Saturday night, their first time playing in the North I think. As usual, everyone is welcome and contact details are on our Facebook page.

Sacred Harp spreads to Dublin

We learn from the Cork Sacred Harp website that:

Following a wonderful singing workshop last weekend, Dublin has become the home to a brand new community Sacred Harp sing.

Starting Friday 17 February, the group will be meeting every Friday evening in Exchange Dublin (a community-run, collective arts space in Temple Bar) from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. The obvious exception to this will be 2 March when the Second Ireland Sacred Harp convention will be under way here in Cork.

Newcomers to the tradition are very welcome, no matter what their singing experience or ability might be. As this is a new group, we very much hope that people will lend their support. Initiatives like this thrive on community involvement - and besides, it is a lot of fun.

There will be no admission fee at any of these sings, though small donations are appreciated. Any questions can be directed to [e-mail]. We would like to wish Sacred Harp Dublin the absolute very best of luck with all their efforts.

Karen Lynne wins songwriting award in Australia - again

Given the many links between Ireland and Australia, we're glad to pass on news from down under: Karen Lynne (shown left; photo by June Underwood) and Allan Caswell are joint winners of the 2012 Contemporary Country Song of the Year award from the Tamworth Songwriters Association.

The song, 'The road that brought me here' (from her 2011 album Heart songs and laugh lines), is based on Karen’s life in the music industry; the words emphasise that the music and the audiences remain the real satisfaction for her. Karen won the same award back in 2001.

As can be seen from her bio, Karen performs in several different formats, including her full bluegrass band Acoustic Shock, comprising top pickers from the very talented Australian scene. Samples of her music can be heard on CD Baby.

Carolina Chocolate Drops in the Daily Telegraph

The British Daily Telegraph's music critic Andrew Perry contributed a page-sized feature on the Carolina Chocolate Drops to the review section of last Saturday's paper, with the photo above (by Crackerfarm) showing the band in its present four-piece configuration. Perry describes the leaders of the black string band revival as 'a purist's nightmare' but 'really... a breath of fresh air'.

Mind you, he also describes the banjo, fiddle, and mandolin as 'arcane' instruments; and the article appears under the title 'America's new bluegrass pioneers', but that may have been written by an editor. Look out for the article in case it appears on his page of the Telegraph website.

SPBGMA 2012 awards

Thanks to our friend Lilly Pavlak of the Czech Republic and Switzerland, who sends this link to the list of award winners at the 38th Annual Awards of the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), which took place at the SPBGMA national convention a week ago in Nashville.

The SPBGMA awards can be compared with the 2011 IBMA awards, though the two systems don't use exactly the same categories. However, as some people have criticised the IBMA awards for going too often to a limited number of artists, it's interesting to see how many of the same artists receive the awards given by a differently constituted organisation with a different membership.

Snuffy Smith

Thanks to Conor Daly of Well Enough Alone for passing on the sad news of the recent death of Joe 'Snuffy' Smith - banjo-picker, luthier, and much more - of North Carolina. Known among players throughout the world for his top-quality bridges, he was held in very high regard for his skill in setting up instruments.

A feature by John Lawless on Bluegrass Today includes a moving personal account from Pam Rice, wife of Tony - the Rices were close friends of Snuffy Smith and his family. The funeral took place yesterday evening.

Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour: every month in Belfast

Happy Belfast pickers! Not only do they have the long established Belfast Bluegrass jam session in the Maple Lounge of the Errigle Inn on the first Tuesday of each month: they now have the Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour in the Green Room at the Black Box on the last Sunday of every month.

The Parlour's inclusive policy, and its schedule for each meeting - open mic, special guest band, and jam session - are shown on the poster image (click to enlarge). All further information is on the Parlour's own Facebook page.

The grass turns a greener shade of blue

A rapprochement between bluegrass and Irish music has been growing in recent years. Bluegrass Today carries an item on the latest collaboration between American and Irish musicians: the Carter Brothers (above), longtime favourites at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, have recorded in Nashville a joint project with Barney McKenna, the Paganini of the Irish tenor banjo, together with Gerry 'Banjo' O'Connor and John Doyle (guitar, bouzouki). Also playing are Ross Sermons, the Carters' regular bassist, and Alison Brown of Compass Records, the label most sympathetic to this blend of genres. The title will be Where the greengrass meets the bluegrass, and Niall Toner co-wrote the title track with Tim Carter. Read the full story here.

Tramore festival now on Facebook

Thanks to Joe Lonergan for the news that the new Tramore bluegrass festival is now on Facebook.

The 1st International Bluegrass Festival will be held in the Grand Hotel, Tramore, Co. Waterford, over the June bank holiday weekend (Fri. 1 June-Mon. 4 June 2012), with six bands, eighteen shows, an all-star jam on Sunday night, and all-day and evening sessions on Monday with the bands. The hotel has a special three-night offer for the period of the festival.

The lineup so far comprises Southern Welfare, the Down and Out Bluegrass Band, Bending the Strings, the Kentucky Cow Tippers (UK), and Woodbine.

More details are on the Festival's Facebook. Contact Joe by phone (+353 (0)51 381414) or e-mail.

Sore Fingers 2012: 9-13 April

John Wirtz of the Sore Fingers Summer School, Europe's premier instruction camp for the instruments of bluegrass and old-time music, announces:

Sore Fingers Week takes place at the usual location, Kingham Hill School near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, 9-13 April 2012, and promises to be another classic event with a stellar line up of bluegrass tutors and old-time tutors. The bluegrass classes are bursting at the seams. We have three bluegrass banjo classes with Richard Bailey, Danny Barnes, and Richard Collins!

With the old-time classes - Erynn Marshall (above left; fiddle) and Carl Jones (above right; banjo) - not enough people are booking up to make these courses pay. Surprisingly, Carl’s course still has a lot of vacancies. Erynn’s class is looking reasonable, but five or six more students would certainly give it a boost.

So, if you are intending to get up to Kingham this year, we look forward to receiving your booking form. And if you’ve never been before, you should give it a try. It’s probably one of the nicest musical experiences you will have.

Full details are on the website. Hope to see many of you at Sore Fingers Week 2012.

Blue Cedar Project in the news again

Thanks to Meath bluegrass duo Blue Cedar Project for the news that a further article on them, 'The blue, blue grass of home', has been published in Meath News and Sport. A reproduction of the article, with accompanying photo, can be seen on their website, here.

Tin Box Company at Elvis Country Barndance in Dublin, 5 Feb. 2012

Thanks to Derek Duff (above, with banjo), who reports:

When Elvis recorded 'Blue moon of Kentucky' way back he gave Bill Monroe's profile a significant boost.

With this theme in mind the Tin Box Company are playing at an Elvis Country Barndance in the Church Nightclub in Jervis St., Dublin, this Sunday evening (5 Feb. 2012). Other Elvis-themed entertainment will be also taking to the stage on the night. A disco will round off the evening. There is a €10 cover charge and doors open from 7.00 till midnight. The Tin Box Company will be doing their stuff from 9.00.

A reminder also that the Tin Box Company have produced a DVD of their showcase performance at X Music in Dublin, extracts of which can be viewed on YouTube and their Facebook page. A complimentary copy is available to anybody attending their regular Bluegrass Thursday Night gig in Delaneys, Knocklyon. Just mention the Bluegrass Blog.

'Tequila Tíre' gets a new slot on Raidió na Gaeltachta

Thanks to Caitríona Ní Bhaoil of Raidió na Gaeltachta for the news that 'Tequila Tíre', the station's show for country, Irish, and folk music presented by Josie Ó Cualáin, is moving (after two years of growing popularity on Monday nights) to a new, extended slot on Sunday nights from 9.00 p.m. to midnight. It is hoped that this will bring it to an even wider audience.

If you’re wondering what the show is like, you can listen to any show from the past month on the RTÉ Radio Player; search for 'Tequila Tíre'. Contact the show by e-mail, or text them live at 51553.

Molly Hicks at Bunclody, 4 Feb. 2012: cancellation

Ruth Dillon and Bernie O'Mahony of the Molly Hicks

Ian Mullins, bar manager of the Carlton Millrace Hotel, Bunclody, Co. Wexford, sends with regret the news that - owing to unforeseen circumstances - the Molly Hicks will not after all be playing in the main bar of the Carlton Millrace Hotel tomorrow night (Sat. 4 Feb.) as previously announced.

Female vocalist urgently wanted

The accompanying image says it all.

Applications, and requests for more information, should be sent to the e-mail address shown.

JKBF 2012 - new accommodation and camping info

Following their announcement (see the BIB for 19 Jan. 2012) that this year's Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival (20-23 Sept.) will be held in the new location of Tullamore, Co. Offaly, the festival organisers, Chris Keenan and Kathy Casey, have issued a guide to accommodation and camping facilities in Tullamore, linked to other tourism services. Read the complete e-newsletter and start making your bookings!

Jim Mills on video

Enda Donnelly of Fair City Grass, Dublin's senior bluegrass band, draws attention to this feature on Bluegrass Today, which includes a video biography of Jim Mills's career and his present business of collecting and restoring vintage Gibson banjos. Thanks, Enda!

Jim Mills, a six-time winner of the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award and an expert on Gibson banjo history into the bargain, is one of the foremost figures in bluegrass banjo today. The photo on the left shows the cover of Jim's Acutab DVD.

Southern Tenant Folk Union on video

The Edinburgh-based band Southern Tenant Folk Union have now made several successful tours and (in the process) numerous fans in Ireland; so thanks to Alan Chapman of apachidesigns, who writes:

I've recently finished filming and editing videos showing a recent performance, at the Davy Lamp Folk Club, by the Southern Tenant Folk Union. The videos haven't been made to a professional standard (I'm only an amateur) but I think they show the STFU in full flow.

If you or your readers are interested, this link should take you to a YouTube playlist called 'Southern Tenant Folk Union'.

The playlist comprises twenty-three YouTube videos. The STFU have also played at the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn - see the post immediately preceding this one.

Live music at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn

BIB readers are already familiar with the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, as the venue for the monthly Bluegrass Get-Togethers hosted by Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh. It also presents a vigorous programme of activities and shows including live music; so thanks to Una at the Island for drawing attention to concerts in the coming months which may well interest the bluegrass fan.

No actual bluegrass is scheduled, as yet; but this month's concerts include two strong blues acts. The Mary Ryan Blues Trio - Mary Ryan (gospel vocals), Mark Braidner (Delta blues guitar), and Simon Templeton (ragtime and stride piano) - perform the older forms of blues from the 1920s onwards, together with sean-nós, Scottish Gaelic, and Ulster-Scots material, at the Island on Saturday 18 Feb., at 8.00 p.m. A week later (25 Feb.) guitarist Ronnie Greer brings his Chicago-style blues band to the Island. More info and booking facilities are on the Island Arts Centre website.