Titbits from FOAOTMAD

Thanks as always to FOAOTMAD, the UK's old-time music and dance association, for their weekly mailout - a treasury of news, not just about old-time subjects. For instance, there's a mention of the new range of designer bluegrass T-shirts by Anne Steel of © Maui Waui Design in Norfolk, England (see left for a sample and the BIB of 7 June for more detail). FOAOTMAD remind those who would prefer T-shirts with an old-time theme that the association's own shirts, with the slogan 'Old Time here is not forgotten', are available.

There's this link to a 56-minute video, a salutary reminder that Elderly Instruments is not just an online address for browsing or ordering things but an actual building and store in Michigan, stuffed with fine instruments and accessories of all kinds, and clearly a highly rewarding place to visit or work at.

And there's this link to an 'American Roots Music' Facebook page, with dozens of photos of musicians from the 1920s and '30s. Sign on for FOAOTMAD's newsletter for more of the same.

GrassStock festival lineup (13 Oct. 2012)

Thanks to Adele Ingram-Magee of One-A-Chord Music Promotions for the latest poster image for the new GrassStock festival in Belfast - 'A fun-filled foot-stomping day of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music at the Haymarket Arcade' (as announced on 17 July) - incorporating the names of many of the acts in the confirmed lineup, and promising many more. Graphic design is by Johnny Cordner.

Note that GrassStock now has its own website. Tickets can be booked here. For further info, follow the Grass Stock Facebook page, or e-mail.

We Banjo 3 tour, 7-29 Sept. 2012

Thanks to Maeve Murphy of Music Network for news of shows to be given in September by Galway-based We Banjo 3 - award-winners Enda Scahill, Martin Howley, and David Howley. The group features three tenor banjos, mandolins, tenor guitars, guitars, banjolin, and David’s vocals. Music Network tours are presented in association with RTÉ lyric fm and funded by the Arts Council.

The tour coincides with the release of We Banjo 3's new album Roots of the banjo tree, a title that reflects the group's interest in the music of the minstrel-show and old-time music eras. Their plans for next year include collaborating with Nashville-based Chessboxer (former members of Cadillac Sky), in line with the previous collaboration by the Brock McGuire Band (with Enda Scahill as a member) with bluegrass wizards such as Ricky Skaggs, Aubrey Haynie, and Bryan Sutton.

Fri. 7th: Roisin Dubh, Galway, doors 8.00 p.m., adm. free

Tues. 11th: The Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin, 8.00 p.m.; €15/ €10/ €40 (family); booking 01 6719429 / online

Wed. 12th: Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 8.00 p.m.; €16 / €14; booking 01 2724030, online

Thurs. 13th: Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.; €16 / €14; booking 094 9023733/ online

Fri. 14th: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 8.00 p.m.; €15 / €12 / €40 (family); booking 045 448327 / online

Sat. 16th: Siamsa Tíre, Town Parks, Tralee, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; €16 / €13; booking 066 7123055/ online

Thurs. 20th: Athlone Folk Club, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, 9.00 p.m.; €15; booking 087 311 9514

Fri. 21st: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Tullamore, Co. Offaly; booking online

Sun. 23rd: Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway, 10.00 p.m.; €12 / €10; booking 095 21699

Fri. 28th: Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne, 8.30 p.m.; €15 / €10; booking 026 45733

Sat. 29th: Tipperary Excel Centre, Tipperary town, 8.00 p.m.; €12 / €8 (for children up to 16 years); booking 062 80520 / online

Get a complimentary month of online lessons

The ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass, with its roster of A-list instructors on all six bluegrass instruments, is offering one month's instruction free (value $30), when you choose a three-month subscription to learn a bluegrass instrument online.

The ArtistWorks Video Exchange™ Accelerated Learning Platform allows you to show your instructor what you're playing and get personalised feedback. Plans start at $90 for three months. ArtistWorks says:

You can learn from the best for less than it would cost for one lesson from the guy down the street! And of course, we're offering a free month. So if you sign up before 15 September, we'll give you four months of the most effective way to learn bluegrass for the price of three.

For full details and links, read the Academy newsletter here.

NTB play the Salty Dog at Electric Picnic this weekend

A genuine message from Niall Toner, this time:

Just a note to say that the Niall Toner Band are looking forward to playing the Salty Dog Stage - a very appropriate name, don't you think, and at least one old traditional bluegrass song we'll have to perform! - at the Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co. Laois, tomorrow (Friday) at 6.00 p.m. It looks like we'll be blessed with good weather, and a huge crowd, on a unique stage. It's an old wooden ship, located in the middle of a forest [above, from a previous year], and hopefully we'll get a few photos.

The following Friday (7 Sept.) NTB continue to perform locally with our second performance at Killoughternane schoolhouse with another sold-out-in-advance show. What amazing local support we are getting these days, and long may it continue.

Down & Outs on the road in September 2012

Thanks to Richard Leeman, guitarist and lead singer of the highly mobile Down and Out Bluegrass Band, for this list of their confirmed dates for September 2012:

Sat. 1st–Sun. 2nd: Bluegrass and Appalachian Music Festival, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone (open mic stage)

Sat. 8th: Hillsborough Oyster Festival, Hillsborough, Co. Down

Sun. 9th: McNamee’s bar, Mullagh, Co. Cavan, 4.00 p.m.

Fri. 14th–Sun. 16th: Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Newquay, Cornwall, UK

Fri. 28th–Sun. 30th: Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegass Festival, Moniaive, Scotland

We will post confirmed times, etc., on our Facebook page closer to each gig. Alternatively people can e-mail us.

BIB editor's note: Dangem Bluegrass have just sent us this photo of the truck they'll be taking to Omagh, and mentioning Richard in connection with it; so this may well be the Down & Outs' tour bus for future dates...

Who's that knocking on my door?

The BIB editor reports:

As I mentioned ten days ago, it may not be who you think. This morning I received another e-mail with a California address, saying 'nialltoner.music@gmail.com wants to follow you'. It went on:

'Is nialltoner.music@gmail.com you friend?'

so standards have slipped since the first message. Anyhow, the point is that neither of these messages has anything to do with Niall Toner, so if a similar message comes to you, put it in the trash.

Spirit Family Reunion and Open House

The latest Open House e-newsletter celebrates the coming tour by Spirit Family Reunion (USA), which begins this Friday with appearances at the Omagh festival as well as two shows under the auspices of Open House. Full credit is given to Gerry Lawless of Clonmel World Music, where the band will be playing tomorrow week (Thursday 6 Sept.).

Full tour dates are on the BIB calendar and here. Details of all Open House shows can be seen here; they include much Americana, notably shows by the Punch Brothers and Trampled by Turtles in November.

Compass Records: a deal on mandolin CDs

The latest 'Deal of the Day' from Compass Records is on albums that feature the mandolin - which includes virtually all the bluegrass CDs from their catalogue. (There are also some recordings of Irish and other Celtic music, which make up a high proportion of Compass's total production.)

See the circular here; read the details of the CDs in this particular Deal through this link.

Westport 2013 - off to an earlier start

From the organisers of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival in Westport, Co. Mayo:

The bluegrass festival season is very much at its peak, and on the eve of the big festival in Omagh, Uri and his team in Westport have started working on the 2013 festival.

Due to unforeseen events in Westport, we had to move from our known dates of the last weekend of June. We spent a considerable amount of time to find the right new dates. We can now announce that the 7th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival will take place on 14-16 June 2013.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish good luck to the team in Omagh and hope that all bluegrass fans will have a great time. See you in Westport in June 2013!

Interview and filming opportunities at Omagh

Thanks to Jane Williams of JPR for useful information for the news media about the Ulster American Folk Park’s 21st Annual Bluegrass Music Festival (31 Aug.-2 Sept.).

Interview opportunities will be available throughout the first day of the festival with event organiser Richard Hurst and a range of bands and musicians. Public performances will take place in the unique setting of the Ulster American Folk Park from 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. For interviews or to set up filming opportunities contact Jane Williams or Andrea Kennedy at JPR on 028 9076 0066.

Tin Box Company: new website, new CD

Thanks to Derek Duff, banjo- and fiddle-player with the Tin Box Company, for this news:

The TBC are delighted to announce that their first studio-recorded CD is now released (OK, escaped!) and is available through the band at their gigs. The CD, titled Outside the box, was recorded at Cauldron Studios in Dublin, engineered by Michael Manning, and features some of the nuggets most often requested at their live performances.

Anybody interested in more details re the CD or the band can look the guys up on their new website or indeed come along any Thursday night to their long-running residency at Delaney's Pub in Knocklyon, Dublin.

Also, a big 'thank you' to the many friends of the band who lent support at their recent appearances at the Jack of Diamonds Festival: great to see everyone. 'Bye for now.

Fiddler available in the Dublin area

Fiddlers are surprisingly rare on the bluegrass scene in Ireland, so we're glad to hear from Michael McHugh in Lucan, Co. Dublin, who writes:

I was wondering if there is anybody in the Dublin or Dublin west area who would be interested in forming a bluegrass band. I am an amateur fiddle player and I would be interested in joining or forming a bluegrass band.

Contact Michael by e-mail or through his web page.

Prison Love in the Trailer Park at Electric Picnic

Mark 'Marko' O'Mahony reports:

Prison Love are very excited to be playing the newest and freshest stage at Electric Picnic this year. Keep an eye out for the Trailer Park area (no. 54 on map) - two mobile homes stacked on top of each other and supported by a whole host of great music. It's located beside the Silent Disco, so come and do some time with us if you're around the neighbourhood at 9.00 p.m. this Friday night...

Mohill: a second successful festival

Thanks to Tommy Kelleher, head of the Mohill Bluegrass Festival organising team, for this news:

A big thanks to the Bluegrass Ireland Blog, musicians, and all who turned up for yet another magical music weekend of bluegrass music at the Mohill Bluegrass Festival. Our second year was a huge success, with visitors from as far away as Asia, Europe, and America. Mohill has established itself as one of the most enjoyable and friendliest festivals in Ireland.

Work has already started on next year's festival to make it even better than ever. Thanks once again, and best wishes to all.

Sara Grey in Ireland: updates

Thanks to Sara Grey (shown with Kieron Means) for corrections and updates for her appearances in Ireland in the coming months. The tour by Sara (banjo) and Kieron (guitar) early next month begins on Friday 7 September at Gleeson's in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, a day earlier than previously stated on the BIB, and ends with their BelfastTrad weekend (15-16 Sept.; see the BIB of 24 Aug.).

Sara will be back in Ireland late in October for the South Roscommon Singers' Festival at Knockcrogherty, Co. Roscommon (26-8 Oct.), where she and fiddler Ben Paley will present another programme on the transatlantic migration of songs. For information on the Festival, contact Declan Coyne ('phone +353 (0) 87 966 7029; e-mail).

Nashville news

Four weeks from today, the Mountain Music Entertainment agency and Pinecastle Records will be hosting a special by-invitation-only evening at Jack’s BBQ on Lower Broadway, Nashville, TN, during IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2012.

The show, featuring many distinguished Pinecastle and MME artists, will run from 5.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday 25 September. I Draw Slow are scheduled to perform from 7.15 to 7.45, and Niall Toner (marking the release of Onwards and upwards, his debut Pinecastle album) from 8.45 to 9.30.

Claire Lynch, twice IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, is now on the artist roster of Compass Records. She is shown (right) signing up, with Compass owners Alison Brown and Garry West. Claire Lynch and Alison Brown are both well known to BIB readers and other bluegrass enthusiasts in Ireland from personal appearances with their bands.

Bluegrass California style

The West Nile Ramblers

Uri Kohen reports from Westport, Co. Mayo:

When Lauren Norton left Bray, Co. Wicklow, to become a teacher in the States, little did she know that one day she would be back in Ireland as a leading singer with two bands.

The West Nile Ramblers and Souterrain are sharing some of their members, so it felt right for them to tour Ireland together. With a little help from some friends they managed to get a few gigs, but winning a band competition in a folk festival in Donegal opened the doors for them for a full-on monthly tour. When they arrived to Westport on Friday night (24 Aug.) they were at the end of the tour and after two gigs that day.

First the West Nile Ramblers took to the stage playing some old-time fiddle tunes with their own unique interpretation. Lauren then joined them as a backing vocalist, and shortly after that herself and David played some jazz classics in new arrangements alongside Lauren's own songs; it got very lively when Andy [Lentz] joined them on fiddle and took it old-time style again. After the break they all joined together for another hour of swing, bluegrass, and everything else that was thrown into the mix. A great show and a great night for the packed house in McGing's pub.

Souterrain with Andy Lentz on fiddle

Bluegrass Europe #85: deadline 10 Sept. 2012

Angelika Torrie, editor-in-chief of Bluegrass Europe, the official EBMA magazine, sends this message:

Dear bluegrass bands and bluegrass event producers in Europe,

The deadline to send in dates for BE #85 is 10 September!

Please send in your public gigs and concert dates between 15 October and 31 January 2013!

Thanks to all who used our spreadsheet to send in data for the last issue - it saved us a lot of time. Please use it again, either save from this message or download here. Again, we have to insist that we will only accept data sent in this format. We are really short of (wo-)manpower, so we really appreciate your effort and support. It's worth it, as many people refer to our listing, the more interesting it gets in all countries. Make sure YOU ARE IN THERE! IT'S FREE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER!

Please e-mail back the completed form as soon as possible, no later than 10 September 2012.

If you don't get Bluegrass Europe in your mail, but you would like to, please consider a subscription at only €25/yr. Get it online here (starting a subscription in October is only half the price through 31 March).

We always have some space available for your advertisements, the rates are fair, and for a little more we also do the artwork. Please have a look at the data sheet and contact us here for more information.

Please also check out EBMA's website - we have many things bands could be interested in. For example, if you are an active member of EBMA, you are entitled to a free listing in every issue of Bluegrass Europe in EBMA's Bluegrass Guide, which is also online.

A next call will be sent sometime in November 2012 for the January-March 2013 issue.

Thank you for your contribution!

European Bluegrass Music Association & Bluegrass Europe

All I want is a pig in a pen...

... but at least the pig should be in good condition. Dangem Bluegrass send this reminder that they will be doing set-up jobs at their stand in the old Wheelwright's Shop at the Ulster American Folk Park during the coming weekend's Bluegrass Music Festival; so if your banjo is a 'pig' to play,

we will check up, and check it out, and leave it sounding so good even the pig will be smiling.

As shown above. Dangem add:

Let’s face it: everyone likes an easy playing, good sounding 5-string banjo.

In an ideal world, that would indeed be true... As chance would have it, Bluegrass on the Tube has just sent a link to a video of Nothin' Fancy doing a nice version of 'Grandma bought a hog'.

Practice...

Thanks to Cathal Cusack for drawing our attention to recent instalments in the 'Blue Yodel' series of articles on Bluegrass Today by Chris Stuart (left). Blue Yodels #40-42 are the first three (in a promised total of four) in which master musicians are interviewed about their approach to practice.

You can find information about their own methods, and highly rewarding advice on practice in general, from Ron Block, Matt Glaser and Bryan Sutton, and Alan Munde. #4 in the series is bound to be out soon, and we look forward to it.

Update 28 Aug.: #4 is now out, and it consists of advice from Chris's musical partner Janet Beazley, with Chris's own comments.

Josh Graves in his own words

The publication of any book on the father of bluegrass dobro playing is a welcome event for all bluegrass enthusiasts. Bluegrass bluesman: Josh Graves - a memoir comes with three assets that put it ahead of any possible competition.

First, it's a memoir, told in the words of Burkett Howard ('Buck', 'Josh', 'Uncle Josh') Graves himself. Secondly, it's edited by Fred Bartenstein and has a foreword by Neil Rosenberg, both of whom have a knowledge of bluegrass music and musicians from the first generation onwards that is matched by very few. And thirdly, it's published by the magnificent University of Illinois Press as part of their 'Music in 'American Life' series, which guarantees first-class editorial standards.

As a final bonus, you can obtain an autographed copy from Fred Bartenstein himself. Use this link. Shipping begins on 15 Sept. 2012.

So where will you be this time next week?

... asks the latest Dangem e-newsletter, drawing attention to the many attractions of the 21st Omagh Bluegrass Music Festival, with an outline of the concert schedule and other features. Read the whole release here.

This time next week, the evening concert will be underway; apologies to Dangem for not publishing this news yesterday when the release was received, but the BIB has in any case been carrying a good deal of news about the Festival and we didn't think any of our readers were likely to be taken by surprise.

One feature of the Festival that deserves more media attention is the annual McAuley Lecture; this year there will be only one (on Saturday) instead of the normal two, but that one should be a classic. Rodney McElrea, a genuine national treasure and a world-class collector of country music records and other memorabilia, will be speaking at 1.00 p.m. in the Library from his encyclopedic knowledge of compositions and recordings by country artists on the theme of the sinking of the Titanic a century ago.

Bluegrass news from Wales, Sept.-Oct. 2012

As events in Wales are often attended from Ireland, and because of interest in Cedar Hill in particular, we publish the following news - first, from Roland Emmanuel in South Wales:

As part of the Gower Bluegrass Festival 2012 we are presenting a special concert that will feature traditional music from both Wales and America. A similar theme to the 'Transatlantic Sessions' series broadcast on BBC4.

From America we welcome Cedar Hill, who made a great impression during their last visit in 2010 and featured on the Roy Noble show on BBC Wales. The main character of the band, Frank Ray, was inducted into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He’s a great raconteur and his band would really like to experience listening to and playing with Welsh musicians.

From Wales, Angharad Jenkins, Bethan Rhiannon, and Sam Humphries regularly feature in the excellent folk band Calan. These three outstanding musicians will perform a short programme of traditional Welsh music and will join with our American friends in this unique event. They will be supported by Ric-a-do (Mansel Kedward & Roland Emmanuel) who also play traditional and contemporary Welsh music.

The evening promises to be an exciting mix of traditions from both sides of the Atlantic! The concert will be held at Mynyddbach Chapel, Swansea, on Wednesday 5 September, to start at 7.00 p.m. This famous chapel has amazing acoustics and was the home to Daniel James - ‘Gwyrosydd’ – the author of Calon Lan.

Tickets for this unique event are available at £5 and can be booked in advance by contacting +44 01792 522672, +44 07811358475, or e-mail.

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

And from North Wales, Tom Degney sends news of the weekend 19-20 Oct. 2012, which we've paraphrased here:

Friday 19 October is Open Mike Night for pickers at two venues: the King's Head, Rhuddlan, and Rhyl Folk and Acoustic Music Club, which meets in Rhyl Football Club, Belle Vue, Grange Rd, Rhyl LL18 4BY.

On Saturday 20 October there will be a Bluegrass and Folk evening charity concert and morning workshops in Rhuddlan Community Centre Hall, Parliament St., Rhuddlan, to help raise funds for Macmillan nurses. Instrument workshops for banjo, mandolin, Dobro, ukulele, and guitar will be held in the Hall from 10.00 a.m.; there is no set charge but donations are welcome.

The concert begins at the Hall at 7.00 p.m., featuring Stained Glass from Rugby, and two local bands: the Conwy Mountain Bluegrass Band and Tom, Dick, & Harry) with John on bass. Adm. £7 or (concessions) what you can pay. Local camping is available at the Sun Valley Caravan Park, Rhuddlan (01745 590841) and B&B at the Premier Inn, Rhuddlan.

Those who want to keep in touch with Wales events can e-mail Roland (south) or Tom (north).

Jeff & Vida and Peter Rowan

Thanks to John Nyhan of Kilworth, Co. Cork, for this important news, including amendments and additions, about coming shows by US artists:

Jeff & Vida (USA) are not playing Kilworth on Monday next (27 Aug.) [as previously announced on the BIB]; instead, they are in McCarthy's Bar, Buttevant, Co. Cork, at 9.30 p.m. Enquiries 087 7921771.

The following night (Tues. 28 Aug.) they are in the Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, at 9.30 p.m. Enquiries 086 8464509 and 086 8599615.

As you are aware Peter Rowan is in the Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, on Tuesday 4 September at 8.15 p.m. Booking and enquiries 087 7921771.

The following night (Wed. 5 Sept.) Arlo Guthrie is in the Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork. This concert as you know is part of Arlo's tour of Ireland commemorating the centenary of the birth of Woody Guthrie. This concert is sold out.

It is all go now to get a crowd for Peter Rowan.

So anyone who has missed a chance to see Arlo Guthrie at Kilworth can still see another legendary US performer there the previous night.

Michael Miles in Ireland, 19-23 Sept. 2012

We're delighted to hear from Michael J. Miles that this truly outstanding banjo player will be making two important appearances in Ireland next month. On 19 September Michael presents his From Senegal to Seeger musical survey of banjo history at the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

He will also be taking part (20-23 Sept.) in the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival at Tullamore, Co. Offaly - 'one of the world's most important banjo festivals where he'll be sharing his new compositions in concert, collaborating with other fine players, and conducting workshops on style and repertoire', to quote from the latest Miles Music newsletter, which you can read here.

Songwriter workshops out West?

Thanks to Pete Lamb, who writes from south Galway, on the edge of the Burren:

My singer/songwriter night, the Off Quay Song Club, is gathering momentum (first Wednesday of the month in Tully's, Kinvara). This month we have Penelope Chung and Gracie Kiely. Video clips are up on FaceBook (the page is called Off Quay Song Club) or they can be viewed on YouTube. Here's a couple: 1, 2.

Anyhow, meeting all these songwriters got me thinking about maybe organising some workshops... So I've compiled a wee survey to try and establish how much interest might be out there for such a thing.

Pete, who has some enterprising ideas for launching the workshop series, invites songwriters and other interested parties on the bluegrass scene to check out the survey.

Migrating songs: Sara Grey and Kieron Means in Belfast, 15-16 Sept. 2012 (update)

Thanks to William Duddy of BelfastTrad (the Belfast and District Set Dancing and Traditional Music Society) for news of what should be a real treat for old-time music enthusiasts (and not only them) within reach of Belfast - two days of workshops, concert, and more, to take place three weeks from now.

BelfastTrad presents a weekend with Sara Grey and Kieron Means (USA/UK; photo) with the theme 'Traditional songs and their migration' on Saturday and Sunday 15/16 September 2012 in the Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast. The workshop programme is:

Sat. 15 Sept.
10.30 a.m.-1.00 p.m. Sara and Kieron share the history of traditional songs which have migrated across the Atlantic
2.00-4.30 p.m. Sara and Kieron run separate sessions on banjo and guitar accompaniment, with singers welcome at both

Sun. 16 Sept.
9.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. Sara focuses on old-time 5-string banjo accompaniment and Kieron will be happy to spend time with guitar players who want to develop old-time accompaniment styles.

Cost: '2 for less!' - Sat./Sun. £20 (£15 members)
Sat. only, £15 (£12 members)
Sat. half-day, £8 (£6 members)
Sun. brunch session £8 (£6 members)

There will also be a concert by Sara and Kieron on Saturday night (7.30 for 8.00 p.m.) in the Cube Theatre of the Crescent. Admission is £10 (£8 concession). Tickets can be ordered by e-mail or 'phone (07875 094 446).

The Belfast Trad weekend closes a ten-day tour in Ireland by Sara and Kieron, beginning on 7 Sept. in Gleeson's Bar, Westgate, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. A full schedule is on the BIB calendar.

Correction 28 Aug.: This post has been corrected in accordance with the latest information on Sara's schedule; the Gleeson's date begins, instead of ending, the tour, which starts on 7 Sept. instead of 8 Sept. as first stated on the BIB.

Covered Grass - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Thanks to Brian McNeal of the Prescription Bluegrass Blog for news of a major development affecting the plans of Covered Grass (D), who will be playing a week from now at the Bluegrass Music Festival at Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

The band is scheduled to play an official showcase at IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2012 (24-30 Sept.) in Nashville, TN. On top of this, a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has opened for them in the USA - but they will need help to be able to take it up. Read the full details on the European Bluegrass Blog and the Prescription Bluegrass Blog.

Musician needed urgently

A fiddle player/harmony singer is wanted urgently for a roots/Americana band based in Northern Ireland. Get in touch by e-mail.

Local people ready to ‘Sing Out’ at Omagh

Members of the Bluegrass Festival Singers (l-r) Ena Rafferty, Janet McAlister, Walter McFarland, Noel McAlister, and Briege McClean prepare for their first concert at the Festival on Sunday 2 Sept.

Thanks again to Andrea Kennedy of JPR for this news:

Around fifty-five Tyrone and Fermanagh people, ranging in age from 16 to 80, have formed a community choir which will take centre stage at this year’s Ulster American Folk Park’s Bluegrass Music Festival.

The Bluegrass Festival Singers have been rehearsing all summer for a special ‘Sing Out’ event on Sunday 2 September, the third and final day of the festival, now in its twenty-first year. Led by well-known Omagh-based singing tutor Valerie Whitworth, members will perform a range of music including bluegrass, gospel, and shape-note traditions.

The initiative has been organised though Live and Learn, a Big Lottery Funded project, supported by Age NI in partnership with National Museums Northern Ireland. It aims to provide creative learning opportunities for over-fifties using collections and exhibitions of National Museums Northern Ireland.

Organiser Briege McClean, Live and Learn project officer at the Ulster American Folk Park, said: 'Local people of all ages, many of whom have been coming to the Bluegrass Festival for years, have embraced the opportunity to be part of a new group and to work with Valerie to form a collective powerful voice.

'Learning something new is an exciting challenge no matter what age you are and our members have been hugely successful in learning all songs and parts by ear. The Ulster American Folk Park is proud to support such a creative and fun project, which is very appropriate this year as it is the European Year of Intergenerational Solidarity.'

Valerie Whitworth added: 'The Bluegrass Festival Choir is really looking forward to performing as part of the Bluegrass Festival in the Ulster American Folk Park. This is an experience not to be missed!'

Choir members say they have greatly enjoyed the summer’s rehearsals and are looking forward to their performance. Seventy-six-year-old Annie McClean, from Beragh, said 'I just love the fun, meeting new people, and the amazing sound we all make together.' Sixteen-year-old Ena Rafferty from Loughmacrory, said: 'I didn’t know much about bluegrass music before I joined the choir but it has been a great experience. I’ve met such a lovely group of people who are so committed to their music. The choir makes such a lovely positive sound when we are performing and for me that’s what music is all about.' Janet McAlister from Blacklion in County Fermanagh said: 'Seven of us travel from Fermanagh every Tuesday and we wouldn’t miss it. These bluegrass songs are beautiful.'

The choir performs at 4.00 p.m. on Sunday 2 September. For more information on bluegrass events and pricing, go here. Tickets can be booked online or on the telephone booking line on 028 8224 3292. You can also follow the Ulster American Folk Park on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest festival announcements and behind the scenes preparations.

L-r: Janet McAlister, Ena Rafferty, Walter McFarland, Noel McAlister and Briege McClean

Niall Toner and IBMA WOB 2012

On 10 August, the IBMA invited members to send in brief videos, recommending attending this year's World of Bluegrass. We're glad to report that Niall Toner has responded with one that can be seen here on YouTube. Niall comments:

The video was made by Kyle (14) and Jay O'Neill (10), two of my grandsons who live in Newbridge, and they make videos under the banner of supertortoisedude.

Niall, together with I Draw Slow, will be at IBMA WOB this year; see Bluegrass Today, where you can also hear a clip of one of his latest songs, 'Million dollar bill'. If you think it sounds really good, there's a reason for that: Niall explains:

It's me on guitar and vocals, Keith Sewell on guitar and harmony vocals, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Ashby Frank on mandolin, and Viktor Krauss on bass; recorded at Loud Studios in Nashville in April 2012, engineered by Jake Burns.

Prescription Bluegrass Newsletter

The BIB has had a link to Brian McNeal's Prescription Bluegrass since the beginning of December 2010. It's so rich a source for news, especially from the USA scene, that the reader may easily overlook some features. Thanks, therefore, to Roger Ryan for drawing attention to the Prescription Bluegrass e-newsletter, which can be sampled here.

The newsletter combines an editorial, playlist, and links to Prescription Bluegrass Blog news items, to CD reviews, to ads, to other arms of the Prescription Bluegrass Media empire, and much more. It can also be followed on Twitter and Facebook.

Dale Vanderpool

Thanks to Conor Daly for drawing attention to the sad news of the death yesterday of Dale Vanderpool in the USA after a three-year battle with cancer. He was a fine Scruggs-style banjo-player with long service as the backbone of different bands, predominantly traditional-style bluegrass, including Don Rigsby & Midnight Call (who will be at the coming Omagh festival).

More details are on Bluegrass Today (the source of this photo), where you can see and hear him playing 'Earl's breakdown' with Midnight Call in 2010.

The magic will happen here

... says the latest e-newsletter from Dangem Bluegrass of Craigavon, Co. Armagh, above this picture of the main marquee going up for the 21st Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone (31 Aug.-2 Sept. 2012).

The newsletter passes on the advice to buy tickets online before Friday 24 August for a chance to win free tickets to this year's Halloween Festival at the Folk Park. Prices of tickets for the Bluegrass Festival are also given, and Dangem adds:

You could also be the winner of a brand new Deering Goodtime Banjo made in the USA. Come see us at the Dangem stand for Goodtime and Deering Banjos, Goldtone and Pilgrim and much more! We are in the Old Wheel Shed in the Park all weekend.

Read the full details here.

Latest Omagh festival information

Thanks to the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, for an e-newsletter reminder of this year's Bluegrass Music Festival (31 Aug.-2 Sept.), with photos of the concert headliners, 'Bluegrass in the Park' lineups for all three days, and links to more details and online booking facilities - all of which can be reached on the main website. The programme can also be downloaded and printed off.

Thanks also to Andrea Kennedy of JPR for drawing special attention to the 'Spirit of Bluegrass' gospel concert that ends the festival - headlined by Kentucky-born, IBMA-award-winning Don Rigsby, with his band Midnight Call, and the Branchettes, the African-American duo of Lena Mae Perry and Wilbur Tharpe. Event organiser Richard Hurst says:

The Sunday evening concert is always a wonderful event and it’s fantastic to welcome such a high-profile name as Don Rigsby as well as seeing Lena Mae Perry, who has built up a loyal fan base here, return to the Folk Park for the third time. Don Rigsby has a rich heritage and lifelong experience in traditional music and is dedicated to preserving the sounds of old. The Branchettes are one of America's most celebrated traditional gospel ensembles, a powerful duo with a deeply traditional edge. Both acts are truly inspirational and we are sure our visitors will enjoy them immensely.

The 'Spirit of Bluegrass' gospel concert begins at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday 2 Sept. Tickets cost £12 and can be bought online or by calling the ticket hotline, 028 8224 3292.

4th Moniaive Bluegrass Festival, Scotland: 28-30 Sept. 2012

Thanks to Maeve Toner, who after her very positive experiences at Moniaive, Scotland, in the Scottish Autoharp Weekend (see the BIB for 15 Aug.) sends this poster for the 4th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival (28-30 Sept. 2012), with two Ulster bands on the bill. Most of the necessary details are on the poster (click on the image for an enlarged view); everything else is on the Festival website.

Tom Stapleton on air in centenary Guthrie tribute

Tom Stapleton, longtime benefactor and promoter of Americana music in Ireland, sends this reminder (left) of the forthcoming show by Arlo Guthrie at Roscrea (other dates in the tour are on the BIB here), plus this news:

Fran Curry has kindly invited me to participate on the 'Talking heads' hour in a centenary tribute to Woody and Arlo Guthrie on Tipp FM, Saturday next (25 Aug.) from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon.

Hopefully it will not be the radio version of Tom falling on his face but that prospect will give an extra tension to your experience! Best to all,

Tom Stapleton
Mountheaton
Roscrea
Co. Tipperary
Mobile +353 (0)872238040
Land line +353 (0)505 21647
Skype. tomstapleton

Spirit Family Reunion in Ireland, 31 Aug.-11 Sept. 2012

Thanks to Gerry Lawless of Clonmel World Music, whose shows have consistently been sold out, for news of the coming tour by Spirit Family Reunion, a six-piece roots-music band from Brooklyn, NY.

Spirit Family Reunion consists of Nick Panken (guitar), Matt Davidson (fiddle), Peter Pezzimenti (drums), Ken Woodward (bass), Maggie Carson (banjo), and Stephen Weinheimer (washboard); all sing harmonies. They have shared stages with the late Levon Helm and the Del McCoury Band. The press release for their debut tour in Ireland says:

Spirit Family Reunion play homegrown American music to stomp, clap, shake, and holler with. Ever since they started singing together on the street corners, farmer's markets and subway stations of New York City, their songs have rung-out in a pure and timeless way. When Spirit Family Reunion gather to sing, there is communion.

The Spirit Family Reunion tour, which Gerry Lawless helped to put together, opens with the band's appearance at the Omagh Bluegrass Festival. The full schedule is:

Fri. 31 Aug.-Sun. 2 Sept.: Omagh Bluegrass Festival
Fri. 31st: The Goat's Toe, Bangor, Co. Down (Open House show)
Sat. 1st: Black Box, Belfast (Open House show)
Mon. 3rd: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city
Tues. 4th: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city
Wed. 5th: St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Thurs. 6th: Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (Clonmel World Music)
Fri. 7th: Cleeres Theatre Bar, Kilkenny city
Sat. 8th: Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Sun. 9th: House concert, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Mon. 10th: Roddens Bar, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Tues. 11th: Sandino's, Derry city

You can hear Spirit Family Reunion's music on their website, and see them on YouTube and Vimeo (1; 2).

Frank Fairfield in Ireland, 6-7 Sept. 2012

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that multi-instrumental old-time musician Frank Fairfield from California will begin on 23 August a tour in Europe involving a dozen shows in Britain, one in the Netherlands, one in Denmark, and two in Ireland:

6 Sept. Belfast Barge, Belfast
7 Sept. Button Factory, Dublin city

More details are here.

Bruff Bluegrass Festival 2012: contact data

Jam at the first Bruff festival, 2009

Thanks to Jack Clancy of the organising committee of the Bruff Bluegrass Music Festival in Bruff, Co. Limerick, for the following important data for this year's festival (5-7 October 2012).

All bands interested in taking part in the festival should contact Jack by 'phone at 061 382488. This is the festival's official contact number.

More Jack of Diamonds events

Thanks to Hugh Taggart and Tom Hanway for news of some of the many events forming part of this weekend's Jack of Diamonds Rhythm & Roots Festival in Dublin, beginning today.

Well Enough Alone are playing in the Mercantile on Dame St., Dublin 2, at half past midnight tonight (Fri. 17/Sat. 18 Aug.). There is no cover charge.

Tom Hanway will lead the Bluegrass Banjo workshop this Saturday (18 August), 1.00-2.00 p.m. at the Stag's Head, Dame Lane. Joining Tom are Dublin banjo ace Conor Daly and Hugh Taggart, demonstrating back-up, the G-run and bluegrass guitar tips. Bring your banjos and guitars. Free tabs!

See all workshop details here. Full details for the weekend are on the Festival website. Y'all come!

Random Canyon Growlers in Ireland, Oct.-Nov. 2012

Thanks to C. Paul Lyttle of the Moniaive Bluegrass Festival and the 'Criffel Creek' radio show for forwarding a message from the Owlsworld agency in Britain. Owlsworld, who brought us the splendid Macrae Sisters a few weeks ago, announce that the Random Canyon Growlers (photo above) from the north-western USA will be in these islands later this year and available for dates.

The Growlers, billed as 'hard-driving bluegrass & old-time music boosted by lazer-beam harmonies', can be heard on SoundCloud and seen on YouTube (1; 2). They will be touring in Britain (9-28 Oct.) before coming to Ireland for a week. Dates already confirmed for them are:

Mon. 29 Oct.: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Tues. 30 Oct.: The Weigh Inn Bar, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Wed. 31 Oct.: St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry

The first four days of November are free for them at the moment. Contact Owlsworld to make bookings.

Thanks also to Loudon Temple of the Brookfield Knights agency in Britain for a reminder that Woody Pines (USA) are available for bookings in these islands between 6 May and 2 June 2013. See the BIB for 19 July 2012 for all the details.

Robirohi in Ulster, 18-20 Aug. 2012

Thanks to Tommy Vance for this news:

The Robirohi bluegrass group from Estonia will be in Northern Ireland for a three-day tour from Saturday 18 August to Monday 20 August.

They will be at Gospelfest with Live Issue and others at Old Bann Road, Donaghcloney, Co. Down BT66 7PW, on Saturday 18 August.

Maghaberry Elim Church, Co. Antrim (near Moira), on Sunday 19 August, starting 6.30 p.m.

Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, with Arnie & Sharon Loughrin on Monday 20 August, 8.00 p.m.; tel. Sharon 07747120659

Robirohi made a powerful impact at the 2007 Omagh festival, particularly with their intense harmony singing, and as a result they were booked to return to Ulster shortly afterwards. It was a stunning blow when their fiddler, Tarmo Vardja, was killed in an accident just before the tour was due to start; despite this, the band fulfilled their commitments (see the BIB, 11 Dec. 2007).

Tarmo's name still appears in the band's lineup; the other members are Robert Kreutzwald (guitar, banjo, vocals), Aivar Nurmik (mandolin, vocals), Indrek Vainu (dobro, autoharp, guitar, vocals), and Jurgis Kazjava (upright bass).

Picker’s paradise returns for its 18th year!

Thanks to Karen Cheevers of B2B Communications for up-to-the-minute news on this year's Guinness International Bluegrass Festival at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford:

Calling all bluegrass pickers!

If banjo-pickin', foot-tappin', mandolin-pluckin', barnstormin', step-dancin', fiddle-playin', double-bass-clawin' sessions are your thing, then Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, is the only place to be from August 23rd to August 26th.

Now in its eighteenth year, the Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival takes place in the picturesque fishing village over four days, in five venues, with dozens of national and international bluegrass and roots acts lining up!

Jack Grace (aka The Martini Cowboy) and his band will headline an enviable lineup of bluegrass artists for Ireland’s only free bluegrass music festival, and fans of bluegrass, country, rhythm, roots, new grass, and blues are expected to descend on the picturesque fishing village to enjoy free music events played throughout the village’s pubs and hotels.

The local hostelries - the Strand Inn, the Haven Hotel, the Spinnaker, Powers Bar, and Azzurro - will play host to dozens of free gigs throughout the weekend with local, national, and international bluegrass names playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music.

So if you can pick, pluck, or fiddle, come on down to Ireland’s largest free bluegrass festival for bluegrass at its best!

The 18th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford kicks off at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday 23 August at the Spinnaker Bar and Restaurant, and will feature bluegrass and blues bands, playing free gigs in the village's pubs, restaurants, and hotels. More information is here.

This year’s lineup includes:

The Jack Grace Band (see photo above)
Mikey & the Scallywags
Jeff & Vida
Mons Wheeler Band
Land’s End
Gypsy Rebel Rabble
Desert Aces
Knotty Pine String Band

BIB editor's note: Some of the links given here may be found to work better than the corresponding links on the Festival website.

Scottish Autoharp Weekend 2012

Thanks to Maeve Toner, who writes that

... my trip to Scottish Autoharp Weekend was a great experience.

The people were friendly and welcoming, the workshops were informative and fun, the sessions were mighty. There were many very talented people gathered in the tiny village of Moniaive, coming from England, Scotland, Outer Hebrides, and one Dub!

As autoharp players tend to be a little thin on the ground, it was a valuable opportunity to share different styles and techniques, and we were all getting a chance to 'test drive' one another's 'harps. This was a bit of a double-edged sword, as I am now developing the first symptoms of AAS (Autoharp Acquisition Syndrome), for which there is no known cure.

So it's not just banjo-players...

The Scottish Autoharp Weekend is a UK Autoharps event, and full details are on the SAW page of the UKA website. Videos from the first SAW last year can be seen on YouTube. Moniaive will be hosting its annual Bluegrass Festival (with strong Ulster input) on 28-30 Sept. 2012.

IBMA award nominees announced today

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) will announce later today the names of nominees for the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Awards.

The announcement will be made at the Loveless Barn, 8400 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN, home base of Music City Roots. For those who can't be there in person, the show can be heard live on Sirius XM ('Bluegrass Junction') or watched live stream on the Music City Roots channel. And it's quite a show: the press conference and announcement of nominees, hosted by Sonya Isaacs and Bradley Walker, will be followed by a concert with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Lonesome River Band, the Isaacs, and Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, with Jim Lauderdale as host.

The award winners will be announced live on Thursday 27 September at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, where the ceremony will be hosted by Laurie Lewis and Del McCoury. Read more details on the IBMA e-newsletter.

Prison Love (and others) at the Jack of Diamonds Festival

Thanks to Mark 'Marko' O'Mahony, who writes:

There is a great lineup of FREE gigs this weekend across Dublin city centre as part of the Jack of Diamonds Rhythm & Roots Festival. You won’t get a better chance this year to enjoy Ireland’s finest practitioners of roots, rockabilly, old-time, Americana, country, and Cajun music.

Prison Love are playing with their closest musical relatives, I Draw Slow, in the Button Factory on Friday 17 Aug. from 7.00 p.m. No cover charge. It’s an early curfew, so the lineup is as follows:

7.00 p.m. Twin Headed Wolf
8.00 p.m. I Draw Slow
9.00 p.m. Prison Love

See the rest of the weekend’s lineup here. Free music will be hosted all weekend in some of Dublin’s best venues: the Button Factory, the Workman’s Club, Grand Social, Sweeney's, the Mercantile, and the Stag’s Head. And if you want to brush up on your own performing skills, there is a host of instrumental, singing, and dancing workshops too, so check out the website for the when-and-wheres.

Everything is free for the weekend, so check the schedule and try to make it along to something. Be good...