Power to the dulcimer

Relatively few people here are playing the mountain dulcimer, though its credentials in Appalachian music are impeccable and it can add a lot to the rhythmic pulse of a string band. To give it a stronger voice, Gold Tone's breeding experts have crossed the dulcimer with a Weissenborn guitar and produced the Dulciborn, a guitar-sized 4-string dulcimer with structural refinements and provision for sound enhancement. Full details are on the Dulciborn web page.

Gold Tone's wizards have also been busy developing their baritone guitar, steel-body guitar, cello banjo, and banjitar. An inventive lot...

Dust Busters' debut release on Smithsonian Folkways, 14 Aug. 2012

All who recall the tours in Ireland by the Dust Busters (USA), culminating in last year's Westport festival, will be glad to hear that on 14 August Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will release Old man below, a collaboration between the Dust Busters and their mentor, John Cohen of the legendary New Lost City Ramblers. Thanks to John Murrell of Smithsonian Folkways for the news.

The 20-song collection features old-time American folk, jug-band blues, fiddle tunes, and ballads passed down through earlier generations of folk musicians and learned from 1920s and ’30s recordings. John Cohen has helped guide the Dust Busters since the band formed in 2008 and began visiting his home in Putnam Valley, New York, to jam, cook, and soak up as much of the music and its history as possible. He is quoted as saying: 'The Dust Busters start where the New Lost City Ramblers left off, evoking the golden age of the 1920s and 1930s.'

Listen to a sneak preview of the CD here; you can watch a YouTube performance of 'Two soldiers' live from the Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, here, and one of 'Roving gambler' live from the WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour here.

4WD in Ireland - now on video

Thanks to Jan Michielsen of 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/B) for this link to the latest video triumph from Cheap Aldi Camera Productions - a collage of still and moving pictures from the band's recent ten-day tour in Ireland.

Many familiar faces and places will be recognised in the course of the twelve-minute production. Although it has to be admitted that a very small percentage of what you will see is (like the image above left) not strictly contemporary with the tour, this is a valuable document of the life of the touring bluegrass musician.

Dangem at Omagh festival (31 Aug.-2 Sept. 2012)

Dangem Bluegrass of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, will once again will be supplying a Deering Goodtime 2, worth $699.00, in a free draw at this year's festival. Deering's Goodtime Banjo is the only American-made beginner’s banjo. Made of high-quality rock maple with traditional American quality by Deering Banjos in Spring Valley, California, it has a slender, low-profile neck, easy to finger and comfortable for large and small hands. The strong and stable wood contributes to its bright sparkling sound.

Derek Lockhart says: 'This is our opportunity to support the largest bluegrass festival outside North America. Richard Hurst and his team at the Ulster American Folk Park have put a lot of work into this, and this is our opportunity to thank them and show our support... It is a perfect opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s best acoustic musicians.' Campers are in for an extra treat, as every evening after the show jam sessions will be taking place at the official campsite, at Omagh Rugby Ground, just up the road from the Folk Park.

Dangem's stand in the Old Wagon Shed at the Folk Park will, as always, have the largest range of banjos and spares in Ireland on site, with Deering, Goldtone, and Pilgrim banjos, as well as books and teaching aids. You can also bring your banjo to the stand for a checkup. Read the full news in Dangem's latest e-newsletter.

When Tumbling Bones roll into the West

Uri Kohen reports from the far West:

For readers and contributors to this blog, bluegrass is all around us all the time; it is not always the case for everybody in Westport, Co. Mayo. Although our festival brought this wonderful music into the knowledge of a lot of people, it is not always easy to get access to good live bluegrass music.

Last Friday (27 July) Tumbling Bones from New York came to town as part of the last leg of their Irish tour. McGing's pub was full from door to door, and when the sweet music started it was great to see the smile of the excited audience. There was a great feeling in the air that bluegrass made its mark on Westport.

The show was phenomenal: the lads kept changing instruments and backing each other with wonderful harmonies and great control of the instruments. They played for over two hours and left the crowd asking for more. Tt was a great show and highly recommended for bluegrass lovers.

Once again Westport took bluegrass music into its heart and proved to be a welcoming home for the music and those who can play it. Next time bluegrass will call over to McGing's to say hello will be at the end of August, and details of that show will come soon. See you all in Westport!

Lands End - bluegrass and beyond...

Lands End (l-r): Richie Foley (mandolin), Sam Rose (bass), Paddy Kiernan (banjo), Bruno Pichler (Dobro), Hubert Murray (guitar, vocals); Sam Draper (fiddle) not shown

Thanks to Richie Foley for this information on a band that's making an impact on the circuit here and in Britain after only three months in existence:

Lands End are a diverse group of young musicians who crossed paths at one of the UK's premier bluegrass workshops, Sore Fingers, which is held annually in Oxfordshire. Originally formed for a one-off show, the band, who have been tutored by some of the most prolific names in bluegrass, made such an impact in their first performance they couldn’t possibly stop there! The members hail from Cork, Galway, Dublin, Munich, Liverpool, and Canada and their name, 'Lands End', pays tribute to the fact that each member comes from a different geographical location.

Although their music is strongly embedded in the bluegrass tradition, with double bass, dobro, 5-string banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, each member brings the distinctive sound of their own tradition to the musical arrangements of the band. Playing a mix of original material alongside bluegrass standards and the odd hint of Celtic and Baltic tastes, Lands End have been gathering huge momentum since they formed in April this year.

Lands End play a number of gigs in Cork and Waterford this August before performing at Europe's largest free bluegrass festival in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, Ireland, and Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, UK, in September – a band not to be missed!

Thurs. Aug. 9th: The Oliver Plunkett, Cork city
Fri. 10th: The Folk House, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Sat. 11th: The Nook, Youghal, Co. Waterford
Sun. 12th: The Anchor, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
Sat. 25th: Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival
Sun. 26th: Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival
Fri. 31st: Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, England
Sat. Sept. 1st: Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, England

Facebook; e-mail; 'phone +353 087 2947178

Golden moments of Westport 2012

From the opening jam (l-r): BIB editor, John Denby, Hugh Taggart, Sean McKerr, Tim Rogers, Anto Griffin

Uri Kohen, producer of the Westport festival, writes:

It is now three weeks since one of the best Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festivals to date. Over the three days we had sessions, workshops, and many great gigs. From the first sound which was provided by Sean McKerr and his friends to the last note by Tim Rogers and his friends, folk and bluegrass echoed through Westport all weekend.

There were too many highlights to mention them all, but Viper Central left their stamp on our new venue and old fans; the Molly Hicks stole the show once again; and the fantastic sound of the Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys will stay in our memories for many years to come.

Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys warming up before a show

As the producer I was greeted with compliments from musicians, fans, and publicans in the town, which I am very proud of. From the foundation of the festival we always aimed to provide a good place for musicians and music fans to enjoy a weekend of music, and we believe that we achieved it once again. More pictures can be seen on our Facebook page, and we have started work on the 2013 festival.

On stage in the Clew Bay Hotel

Last weekend I made a rare appearance in Ardara Bluegrass Festival, and it was one of my own best bluegrass weekends. It is great to be part of our unique music family. I would like to thank everybody who took part in the Westport festival - and looking forward to seeing you in Westport in June 2013.

The Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys describe their experience, with video footage, on their own blog; and Viper Central have photos of their Irish tour on this album (and the following page).

More talent for Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival 2012

Thanks to Chris Keenan for this news:

The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival is pleased to announce further updates to its impressive lineup for September!

Joining us in our new home town, Tullamore, 20-23 September... newly confirmed: Michael J. Miles [left], Rachael Hester, Rick Shea... these are in addition to Suzy Bogguss, Blue Highway, Blackjack, George Harper, Barcelona Bluegrass Band, Niall Toner, Bending the Strings, Gerry O'Connor, Paul Brady, Mundy, etc!

Four days and nights of concerts, workshops, sessions, and jams, busking competition, free outdoor music, craft exhibits, late-night festival club...

Weekend passes at Ticketmaster.
Further details: website; e-mail; 'phone +353.87.281.7825

Watery Hill Boys at La Roche and in Catalonia, Aug. 2012

Thanks to Dónal Black of the Watery Hill Boys of Drogheda, who reports a busy month coming for the WHB:

We were picked to play on the main stage at La Roche this year, so we'll be travelling over next week to play the street festival on Wednesday and main stage on Thursday.

Rather than just come home, we decided to organise a small tour of Catalonia straight afterwards, playing village squares and beaches around Girona City [see details on poster image and WHB tour page].

When we get home it's the Mohill Bluegrass Festival (we'll also be doing the gospel mass on the Saturday evening). Then the Ulster American Folk Park for the three days.

More details are on the WHB's tour page.

SBA and Guildtown Bluegrass Music Festival: the way ahead

As some bluegrass fans in Ireland attend the Scottish Bluegrass Association's Guildtown festival, we're reprinting the following news which appeared yesterday on the European Bluegrass Blog:

John Sheldon, general secretary of the Scottish Bluegrass Association, announces that after more than forty-five years of involvement with bluegrass, including chairing the BBMA, and more than twenty-five years of organising the Guildtown Bluegrass Music Festival in Scotland, he will be concentrating in future on working more actively with his band Goldrush.

To take over the future organisation of the Guildtown festival, Mark McClymont and his colleagues of the Hellhounds bluegrass band have been chosen, and will become www.scottishbluegrass.com. The Rev. Dr Robin Hill, author of a dissertation on bluegrass and also the new mandolinist for Goldrush, will help to organise tour dates for visiting US bands.

In the face of extreme challenges for this year's Guildtown festival (loss of the main sponsorship and the band accommodation and meals provided by it, together with provision against wet weather and other consequential emergencies), feedback from those attending describes it as the best Guildtown festival to date. John Sheldon intends to persuade the Guildtown Village Hall Committee that this year's arrangements should become the standard. He therefore invites comments from everyone concerned with the future of Guildtown, and would like to hear

• views on this year's event compared to previous experiences;


• views on whether the price should be increased;


• views of Scottish bands who supported the festival receiving only complimentary admissions;


• views on the status of US bands in the event, as well as the link with Czech Republic bands;


• views on the 'value for money' of Guildtown in comparison with other bluegrass festivals in Britain.

Tickets on sale online for 21st Omagh festival

Printed flyers for the 21st Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival (31 Aug.-2 Sept. 2012) at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, have now been sent to those on the Park's mailing list. You can book tickets online (where there are full details of ticket prices and options, plus links to concert programmes and band bios, and a downloadable programme) or by 'phone on the ticket hotline at 028 8224 3292. The impressive list of bands confirmed is:

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (USA)
Don Rigsby & Midnight Call (USA)
Mandolin Orange (USA)
The Branchettes (USA)
Spirit Family Reunion (USA)
Old Man Luedecke (Canada)
Blue Grass Boogiemen (The Netherlands)
Covered Grass (Germany)
Toy Hearts (England)
Clew Bay Critters (Co. Mayo)
I Draw Slow (Dublin)
Watery Hill Boys (Drogheda)
Broken String Band (Co. Down)
Northern Exposure (Co. Armagh)
Knotty Pine String Band (Co. Tyrone)

Covered Grass, by the way, will be showcasing at IBMA's World of Bluegrass later in September - the first German band ever to do so. You can keep up with further Festival news through the Park's Facebook page.

NTB shows at Killoughternane, Co. Carlow, 24 Aug., 7 Sept. 2012

Thanks to Niall Toner, who sends

... more good news from the outback. We have just sold out the first night (24 August) at Killoughternane Community Hall [above] in rural County Carlow, near Bagenalstown. The demand for tickets has been huge, and they have just added an extra concert for us on Friday 7 September. This is all happening at a restored National School hall in Killoughternane.

Tickets for the second concert are already going fast, and folks can book a seat from Jim Quirke at 087-2612194.

A location map can be found here. Killoughternane Community Hall's Facebook page adds:

Due to the phenomenal sell out of the first show date, the Niall Toner Band will perform a second date on Sept. 7th 2012. Ticket EUR 20 from Jim (087 2612194), Olivia (087 2233307), Hugh (086 8309874), or Sean (087 2609720).

Carrivick Sisters in Dublin and Derry (2, 4 Aug. 2012)

The BIB carried on 11 July news of this year's Maiden City Festival (4-5 Aug.) in Derry, with the news that the Carrivick Sisters (UK; left) would be among the artists taking part in the Saturday evening concert on Craft Village Square.

Thanks to Aileen Galvin of Entertainment Architects for the news that the multi-talented, multi-instrumental, award-winning duo will also be performing in Dublin on Thursday 2 August at the Workman’s Club in central Dublin. Doors open at 8.00 p.m., and tickets are €8 at Ticketmaster.

Laura and Charlotte Carrivick play guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, and fiddle between them, as well as being accomplished songwriters and fine individual singers, with the blend of harmonies that siblings often achieve. Their principal influences are bluegrass and old-time music; but there is also a strong folk influence, with many of their original songs inspired by their local Somerset landscape and stories. Their fourth LP, From the fields, was released in autumn last year. Among other honours and achievements, they have won BBC 3’s Upstage Talent Show four times; Laura took 2nd place at the 2008 RockyGrass Fiddle Contest (USA); and earlier this year Charlotte won FOAOTMAD’s Old-time Banjo & Old-Time Fiddle award.

Acoustic Guitar #236 (Aug. 2012)

Acoustic Guitar magazine #236 (Aug. 2012), now in the shops although it's no longer the 'current' issue (even though this is still July), includes an article by Kenny Berkowitz on the Punch Brothers, which can be read online; a tutorial on flatpicking 'Wreck of the old 97' (in F) by Jody Stecher, with video and tab; a brief appreciation of the late Doc Watson by Scott Nygaard; and plenty more that may interest BIB readers.

3rd Greystones Americana & Roots Weekend, 3-6 Aug. 2012: update

Following the initial release two weeks ago, thanks to Conor O'Donnell, organiser of the 3rd Greystones Americana & Roots Weekend (3-6 Aug. 2012), for the latest news:

Welcome to the 3rd Americana & Roots Weekend. 2010 saw the inaugural August Bank Holiday Weekend Americana Music Festival - bluegrass, alt-country, blues, and rockabilly music for the whole family and music fans alike. The Festival is the first of its kind in Co. Wicklow and takes place over four days and nights over the August bank holiday weekend in Greystones, Co. Wicklow.

There is an abundance of music and sessions; a good old-timey atmosphere; and even better still, the majority of events are recession-busting, FREE of any cover charge. Music lovers from all over the world come to enjoy over thirty acts in the beautiful Greystones town, village, and new harbour.

The 2010 lineup included the amazing I Draw Slow, the biggest alt-country/folk/roots band in Ireland; Phelim Drew & the Undertakers; the Niall Toner Band; Al O'Donnell; from Portland, Oregon, the legendary Wayne Waits, and so many more.

Our 2011 festival was attended by over 10,000 people who came for the biggest hoedown on the east coast. There was music on the street - double basses and washboards could be heard all over the Town. this time everyone enjoyed the music of Mundy, Clive Barnes, Luan Parle, Gypsy Rebel Rabble, Vincent Cross from New York, and our own The Big Muddy, to mention but a few. Hungry or fun-searching souls indulged in offerings of French markets, restaurant food on the streets, bouncy castles for the young 'uns, and so much more.

Our venues this year include the Beach House, the Hot Spot Cafe, A. Caviston, Mrs Robinson's, and our lovely new harbour. Come join us this year, 2012, for our 3rd Americana Music Festival, bigger and better than ever. Confirmed acts include Spellbound [below right]; the Baskervilles; the Macrae Sisters [top] from Portland, Oregon; and the New Peasants are confirmed. All music lineups will be posted soon on Our Events Page. Four days of music, folks - all free!

Cahalen Morrison & Eli West to tour Ireland, Scotland, and Shetland, Apr.-May 2013

Thanks to the Brookfield Knights agency for the news that neo-old-time duo Cahalen Morrison & Eli West (USA), who have just completed a tour in Britain, will be returning to these islands for the period 12 April-8 May 2013 and have specifically asked the agency to focus on dates in Scotland, Ireland, and Shetland, beginning in Ireland.

Morrison & West are earning considerable acclaim and took part last December in the Bluegrass Jamboree!, Rainer Zellner's annual 'touring festival' in central Europe. Read, see, and hear more of them on their own website, on the Brookfield Knights artists page, and on UKBluegrass.com. The image above is from the front of their second CD, Our Lady of the Tall Trees; they are expected to release another this year.

24th International North Wales Bluegrass Festival, 5-8 July 2012

A report by the BIB editor, with a selection of photos by Tim Hawkins:

'... I promise, I've never seen another place like this... Conwy, such a pretty place' wrote Christoffer Olsson of Sweden's G2 Bluegrass Band after G2 played in North Wales (you can hear the song in full on their MySpace site). Conwy is as handsome as ever (above, castle and quay from the Conwy river estuary; left, the estuary from the castle), and gets many visitors just on that account; it has also been, for eighteen years, home to the North Wales Bluegrass Festival.

John Les and Gill Williams (aka Highly String) run the NWBF as 'a festival of friends', and it has a large and loyal following. Tim and I arrived on Thursday afternoon, long before formal events began, to find the campsite already pretty full and jamming well under way. It's a great place for meeting or making friends on the UK bluegrass scene, and an excellent showcase for the talent there, with a respectable roster of bands and artists from abroad. This year the headliners were New Section (CZ) - many Irish fans will remember their powerful performances at the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival.

The NWBF also regularly features outdoor displays by at least two troupes from the sizeable UK Appalachian dance community; above, Raise the Dust on the quayside dance floor, with their own banjo/fiddle player.

Formal concerts are held in the Civic Hall, but the main marquee (above) not only puts on the same bands but stays open longer and becomes - after the bands have left - a rendezvous for jammers.

Above: John Denby (left, in red shirt), from the Irish bluegrass community, jamming in the marquee. John dived headfirst into the big pool of pickers at Conwy, where his talent earned him a special spot on the Sunday afternoon stage (below, with a picking partner from one of the UK bands).

Merchandise booths - an important bonus at the festival - included those of Steve and Joan Noon of the Eagle Music Shop (an invaluable source of instruments, strings, picks, bridges, straps, teaching aids, etc., as anyone who saw them at last year's Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival will know) and James Bowen's Griffin Banjos. Moreover, Jaroslaw Průcha (CZ) had come over with New Section and displayed some of his superb instruments at the Eagle booth. Set-up jobs were being done, and I was lucky to have Dr Průcha (below) give the editorial Mastertone a thorough checkup, including meticulous retuning of the head and a new Průcha bridge. It was sounding gorgeous last night, and I'm hoping it keeps in good humour this weekend at the Ardara festival.


Both the premier English band, the Down County Boys (who also ran an impeccable sound system at the concerts), and their Scots counterparts Longway (who did a riveting 'By the mark') were in cracking form with new members. Special attention, however, should be (and was) given to Kidnap Alice, a younger band of whom a lot will be heard.

Basically, the only downside to the festival was the day of rain on Friday; and the fact that this was the first time it had happened in eighteen years is something of a miracle in North Wales. We owe special thanks for the weekend to the Stena Line whose generosity made our trip possible, and whose quality of service made the journey a real pleasure. Irish bluegrassers have been coming to Conwy for years, and we unreservedly recommend more to do so.

Woody Pines available for bookings in May 2013

Thanks to Loudon Temple of the Brookfield Knights agency in Britain for the news that the band Woody Pines, based in Asheville, North Carolina, will be available for bookings in these islands for three or four weeks next year, beginning on 6 May 2013.

As announced on the BIB on 22 April 2012, Woody Pines played a short but successful tour in Ireland in April, beginning with the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, and including Clonmel World Music in Co. Tipperary - the Brookfield Knights newsletter includes this link to YouTube footage from one of their sold-out shows at Clonmel. Anyone interested in booking them should contact the agency.

Velvet Blue + Kentucky Hoedowners at Cork

Following on from our last post, thanks to Roger Ryan for sending these photos, taken by George Hatchell, showing the Velvet Blue bluegrass band (above) from Morehead, KY, with the Kentucky Hoedowners dance troupe (below) last night at Blackrock GAA Club, Cork city, where they performed to a full house. Velvet Blue and the Hoedowners can be seen and heard tonight at O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty, at 9.00 p.m.

Velvet Blue and Kentucky Hoedowners in Munster, 18-23 July 2012

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for the news that the Velvet Blue bluegrass band from Morehead, Kentucky, is now on a brief tour of the south and west of Ireland. The Velvet Blue (Brian Cooper, vocals, guitar; Carrie Johnson, vocals, bass; Hearld Henry, vocals, banjo; Taylor Hampton, mandolin) can be heard on their ReverbNation page and on YouTube (don't confuse them with the Blue Velvet Band).

The Velvet Blue, together with the Kentucky Hoedowners dance group, began their tour last night (Roger reports there was a full house at Blackrock), and are here till next week, when they will take part in the Damhsafest (Irish international folk dance festival) in Cork. Their schedule is:

Wed. 18th: Blackrock GAA Club, Church Rd, Cork city, 9.00 p.m.; 087 2944821
Thurs. 19th: O'Donovans Hotel, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m.; 023 8833250
Fri. 20th: Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m.; 086 8599615
Sat. 21st: Malone's Bar/Market House, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare 9.30 p.m.; 087 6881650
Sun. 22nd: Private party
Mon. 23rd: The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771
Wed. 25th-Sun. 29th: Damhsafest, Cork city

IBMA members can win a sea cruise

If you are an active member of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as of 27 September 2012, you have a chance to win an oceanview cabin for two (value $2,030) on Mountain Song at Sea’s Bluegrass Cruise. This sea-going festival features an amazing lineup: the David Grisman Sextet, Del McCoury Band, Punch Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O'Brien and Bryan Sutton, Kruger Brothers, Peter Rowan, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Travelin' McCourys, Shannon Whitworth, Della Mae, and Town Mountain.

The draw for the winner will be held on stage during Fan Fest at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in Nashville, Tenn., on 28-30 September 2012. The round-trip cruise (1-4 Feb. 2013) on the luxurious Norwegian Sky will be from Miami to a private island in the Bahamas, with concerts, artist collaborations and jams, and plenty of interaction between artists and fans in beer and wine tastings, workshops, games, and a poker tournament with cruise hosts the Steep Canyon Rangers, IBMA Entertainers of the Year. There's a 10% discount for IBMA members; the IBMA is also offering a discount bonus for professional membership, good up to the end of 2012. More information is here and on the IBMA e-newsletter.

Athy 2012 - the finale

Thanks to Niall Toner for this photo of the grand finale on Sunday of the 22nd Athy Bluegrass Festival, taken from the middle of the auditorium. The BIB editor (whose shoulder blades are making a dent in the festival banner) can testify that it was a little crowded on stage. Read more about the photo and the event on Niall's own blog.

Athy 2012 - an important postscript

With the Carlton Abbey Hotel no longer available and no apparent lessening in the attendance at this year's Athy Bluegrass Festival, it may have been more of a squeeze in the auditorium than last year but the enthusiastic atmosphere was even more concentrated as a result. Congratulations and thanks to Tony O'Brien and his team, to the artists taking part, and to everyone who made this event such an enjoyable success.

There's a shadow on the weekend, unfortunately, for one member of the audience who mislaid a digital camera during the Saturday night concert. To anyone who may have picked it up for safe keeping and is wondering how to restore it to its owner - please contact either the BIB editor (e-mail) or Tony O'Brien (e-mail).

Kitty Wells, 30 Aug. 1919-16 July 2012

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for the news that Kitty Wells, 'Queen of Country Music', died peacefully yesterday morning at the age of 92, at home and among her family, following complications from a stroke.

Born Ellen Muriel Deason, she took the stage name 'Kitty Wells' when singing with her husband Johnnie Wright. He and Jack Anglin formed the duo 'Johnnie and Jack', whose fiddlers included Paul Warren (best known for his work with Flatt & Scruggs). Many of the songs associated with them and with Kitty became staple repertoire with bluegrass bands. In 1952 Kitty was the first female singer to reach #1 in the country charts, with 'It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels'; in the following two decades, she had 28 Top Ten country singles.

Her funeral will be held on Friday at 1.00 p.m. at the Church of Christ, Hendersonville, TN, followed by burial in Spring Hill cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Goodpasture Christian School, c/o Kitty Wells/Johnnie Wright Scholarship Fund.

The Cabin Sessions: Dundrum, Dublin, 26 July 2012

Latest news of the Cabin Sessions, 'Acoustic Music at its Finest', at Uncle Tom's Cabin (not far from Dundrum Luas station in the city direction); Gerry Fitzpatrick announces:

Thursday 26 July sees the return of the Cabin Sessions with the McGrane Family, Cathy McEvoy (fiddle), Con Butler (bass), and Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro).

Special guests: Blue Cedar Project (country/bluegrass); Pat Killalea & Cathal Cusack (guitar duets; trad); Spats Davenport (ragtime blues). See ya there! 9.30-11.30 p.m. Admission FREE.

If you or someone you know would like to perform at the Cabin Sessions, let me know [e-mail]. We are particularly interested in featuring local musicians and singers.

Slim Pickins on audio

Following on the BIB post of 11 July, thanks to Anthony Mannion of Slim Pickins (left) for this link to their Soundcloud page, which now holds four tracks the band have recorded for radio. Original material? - certainly an original sound, and well worth a listen.

Update 17 July: Yes, all the material is original; and see Colin Henry's comment on this post.

Ten years of original music: NTB 2002-12

Thanks to Niall Toner for this news:

To celebrate the fact that the Niall Toner Band have been making music together for ten years, we are releasing a compilation CD simply called The very best of the Niall Toner Band (2002-2012). This album is comprised of twenty-one of our original songs, drawn at random from our three albums on the Avalon Records label, ranging from blues to bluegrass and hardcore traditional country to acoustic ragtime. It also includes many of the songs that have helped us to reach an international audience. 'Bill Monroe's mandolin', 'The Master's resting place', 'Jimmie Rodgers' dream', and many other favourites are all included, as well as the guitar instrumental 'Bodels' blues', dedicated to the late Campbell Bodels of Bunclody, one of our greatest fans and supporters.

These recordings represent a very creative period in our music, and have also, in no small way, brought us to the threshold of a new and challenging chapter. This is not an end, but rather a new beginning, and we all - Clem, Dick, and I - look forward with enthusiasm to making a lot more new music together in the future. I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the contribution made by Clem and Dick to this music. It was their hard work, talent, and dedication that helped me to get my songs and tunes to this point, and their continuing support that nourishes me on my new journey into the future with Pinecastle Records of North Carolina, and the release of my first album with that label in Nashville on 25 September, during IBMA week 2012.

It is a case of 'Onwards and Upwards'...

The very best of the Niall Toner Band (2002-2012) will be available for purchase from Friday 20 July onwards at our live shows, from our website, and through all good record stores.

Tumbling Bones in Ireland NOW

Posted on the very verge of departure for the Athy Bluegrass Festival, with no time to add dates to the BIB calendar, so apologies to the band and anyone else if this post is not what it should be... Pete with the New York City-based roots/folk/bluegrass group Tumbling Bones writes:

Just wanted to let you know we arrived in Ireland earlier this week and we're starting a three-week tour of Ireland now. We're really excited; there's been a lot buzz about it already - we were invited to play on Tony Fenton's radio show on Today FM just this past Tuesday.

You can listen to our music here and watch us perform here. I've attached a photo [above], pasted in our full Ireland tour schedule, and provided a bio below if you need one.

Tues. July 10th: TODAY FM Live w/ Tony Fenton - national airwaves, 3:00 p.m.
Fri. July 13th: Tullys, Kinvara, Co. Galway, 10:00 p.m.
Sat. July 14th: The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, 8.30 p.m.
Sun. July 15th: The Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, 9:30 p.m.
Mon. July 16th: McGuire’s (Feile Iorras Arts Festival), Pullathomas, Co. Mayo, 9:00 p.m.
Tues. July 17th: The Sea Rod Inn (Feile Iorras Arts Festival), Doohoma, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.
Wed. July 18th: Kelly's Bar, Galway, 10:00 p.m.
Thurs. July 19th: Boyle's, Slane, Co. Meath, 9:00 p.m.
Fri. July 20th: Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon,, 10:00 p.m.
Sat. July 21st: Skelly's, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 10:00 p.m.
Sun. July 22nd: Flavours of Fingal Festival, Donabate, Co. Dublin, 8:00 p.m.
Wed. July 25th: Kelly's Bar, Galway, 10:00 p.m.
Thurs. July 26th: Foyle's Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway, 10:00 p.m.
Fri. July 27th: McGing's, Westport, Co. Mayo, 10:00 p.m.
Sat. July 28th: McCarthy's - Dingle, Co. Kerry, 10:00 p.m.
Sun. July 29th: The Mariner, Bantry, Co. Cork, 9:45 p.m.
Mon. July 30th: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city, midnight
Wed. Aug. 1st: Kelly's Bar, Galway, 10:00 p.m.

Tumbling Bones // Gritty Traditional American Music
E-mail; phone in Ireland 0857218312
web: tumblingbones.com // facebook.com/tumblingbones

The four young men from Virginia and New York who make up Tumbling Bones play a mix of old-time bluegrass and old-fashioned blues that belies their relative youth. But their trad is no museum piece. It is living, breathing music infused with a little of the contemporary rock ‘n’ roll the band members were reared on and reworked into their original arrangements and compositions. The last half decade has taken them from street-performing on European street corners to venues across the continental United States to an acclaimed performance on the premier American radio program for live music: 'A Prairie Home Companion' with Garrison Keillor. The band’s debut EP Risk not your soul (2011) reached the Top Ten on the Roots Music Report's Folk Radio Chart, and their newest record Schemes (2012) was just released this summer. Check out their Ireland tour schedule.

I Draw Slow and Niall Toner to tour and showcase in USA

The latest releases from the US agency Mountain Music Entertainment announce that

• I Draw Slow will be touring in the USA in September and October this year to support the release of their album Redhills on the Pinecastle label. In the e-newsletter you can watch videos of their songs 'Goldmine' and 'Swans';


• Niall Toner, who currently holds the title of #1 most downloaded artist on AirplayDirect in the folk and bluegrass genre of all time, will also tour in the USA in autumn to support his coming Pinecastle release Onwards and upwards.


• Niall and I Draw Slow are both expected to appear at Pinecastle and MME showcases in Nashville, TN, during IBMA's World of Bluegrass week (24-30 Sept. 2012). Further details can be seen here.

'Lounge Folk and Honkabilly Western Garage!' - the Souterrain and West Nile Ramblers in Ireland, July-Aug. 2012

Thanks to One-A-Chord Music Promotions and the Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour in Belfast for the news that The Souterrain and the West Nile Ramblers (USA), billed as 'Lounge Folk and Honkabilly Western Garage!', will be playing at the Pickin' Parlour on Sunday 29 July, and at other venues in Ireland in a month-long tour (27 July-26 Aug.). A provisional schedule is given below; more details as and when we receive them.

July 27: Citog, Galway
July 28: Fringe Festival, Galway
July 29: Black Box, Belfast, Bluegrass Pickin' Parlour
July 30: Monday Echo, International Bar, Dublin city
July 31: Candlelight Sessions, The Sky & The Ground, Wexford town
Aug. 1: De Barra's Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Aug. 2: McCarthy's Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry
Aug. 3: The Mariner, Bantry, Co. Cork
Aug. 4: TBD, Bantry, Co. Cork
Aug. 5: TBD Kinsale, Co. Cork
Aug. 6: Greyhound Bar, Co. Clare
Aug. 7: White Horse Sessions, Kenny's Village Inn, Co. Clare
Aug. 10: The Widows, Cavan
Aug. 11: JJ Harlow's, Roscommon
Aug. 16: McKenna's, Monaghan
Aug. 17: Bewley's, Dublin city
Aug. 18: The Secret Garden Festival, Martinstown House, Co. Kildare (day)
Aug. 18: Skelly's, Longford town (night)
Aug. 23: Ballinamore Fringe Fest, Co. Leitrim
Aug. 24: McGirl's Bar, Leitrim (day)
Aug. 24: McGing's, Westport, Co. Mayo
Aug. 25: Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
Aug. 26: Workman's Club, Dublin city

The Souterrain will continue in Ireland till 4 September.

Dangem at Athy this weekend

The latest e-newsletter from Dangem Bluegrass in Co. Armagh gives further good advice for this weekend:

Grab a Tent or book a Room - It is never too late so head to Ireland’s oldest Bluegrass Festival at Athy

The newsletter gives contact data, notes on the headline band (4 Wheel Drive) and the host band (Woodbine), and times of the main concerts - though please note that the Sunday programme starts at 1.00 p.m., not 12.00 noon. Full details are on the Athy Festival website.

Dangem also describes the event as 'A fantastic weekend of Con'. We look forward to hearing him...