Omagh festival dates this year: 30 Aug.-1 Sept.

Thanks to Jeremy Smith for the news that the dates for the 22nd Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, have been announced on the Park's Facebook page: - from Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September 2013. The announcement was made a week ago, and the dates are now on the BIB calendar.

Live - Mike Compton and Joe Newberry

Two artists who have both performed in Ireland as members of prestigious bands have together made Live, an album of a dozen traditional, old-time, and bluegrass songs and tunes. Mike Compton (above left), the #1 man for embodying the Bill Monroe spirit in mandolin playing, and Joe Newberry (above right), the man who made Rudyard Kipling's career as a bluegrass songwriter, recorded their album Live almost a year ago with a single mike. The following YouTube link to them playing 'Garfield's Blackberry Blossom' (not on the album) gives the feel of their close collaboration.

Thanks to Heidi Herzog, assistant to Mike Compton, for news of the album, which has had a warm welcome from discerning critics. A revealing interview with Mike Compton is on the Mandolin Cafe website. For extended liner notes and contact, schedule, and booking information, visit the Mike Compton or Joe Newberry websites. CDs may be purchased through CD Baby. (CD cover art: Eric Young)

Prison Love at Sweeney's, 2 Feb. 2013

Thanks to Mark 'Marko' O'Mahony of Prison Love for this news, which reached us wrapped round a file with crumbs still on it:

Howdy Friends,

Following up on a great night in Sweeney’s Bar before Christmas, Prison Love are back for more this Saturday night.

Over a long dry January in stir, we brewed a batch of our musical moonshine and now we’re ready to take a big swig…

Come an' join us – show starts at Midnight and it’s Free in. Sweeney’s is on Dame St., Dublin 2 – map to it here.

I Draw Slow at Whelan's, Dublin, 22 Feb. 2013

Thanks to Dave Holden of Pinecastle recording artists I Draw Slow (left) for this news:

I Draw Slow will be playing Whelan's [Dublin 2] on Friday 22 February. We plan to record our next album in the spring, so we're road-testing some of our new material. €10; doors 8.00 p.m.

Wookalily in new Daughters of Bluegrass project

Legendary country and bluegrass songwriters Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall of Good Home Grown Music will hear their latest 'Daughters of Bluegrass' four-CD, 69-song project Pickin' like a girl launched at 10.00 a.m. (CST) tomorrow, Wednesday 30 January, on Sirius-XM satellite radio, on Kyle Cantrell's 'Bluegrass Junction' show. The project is also scheduled to be played on Sirius on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday as part of the launch. Tom T. and Miss Dixie announce:

This project took around a year and a half in the making. It would, of course, have been completed sooner but we just couldn't quit! If the truth were told there really is no stopping place. There is just too much female talent out there that should not pass unheard.

Why is this mentioned on the BIB? Because track #17 on the first disc, the Dixie Hall composition 'To a dove', is performed by an all-woman band from Northern Ireland - Wookalily (Meghan McWilliams, lead vocals; Ruth Millar, high harmony vocals; Siobhan Skates, high harmony vocals, Cajon; Adele Ingram, low harmony vocals, rhythm guitar; Ruth Millar, fiddle; Sharon Morgan, banjo; Frances Mooney, bass; Rebekah Long, bowed bass), and the track was recorded by John Rossi at Boi-oinngg Studios in Northern Ireland.The BIB congratulates Wookalily in joining the number of Irish performers of Americana music who are making their mark on the US scene, in very distinguished company.

Michael Miles back in Ireland, 2-14 Apr. 2013

Thanks to clawhammer banjo maestro Michael J. Miles (USA) for his latest e-newsletter. of forthcoming events and tours.

Michael's inspired application of clawhammer technique to many forms of music has still been seen and heard by too few people over here; so it's good news that he will be touring Ireland in early April with his one-man show 'From Senegal to Seeger: stories of the American banjo'.

Exact dates and locations will be announced as soon as possible. Read this, and a lot of other news, here.

Les Bassettes Cajun band in Europe, May-June 2013

Les Bassettes (l-r): Kelli Jones, Heather Mullen, Megan Brown

Thanks to Heather Mullen for news of the Cajun band Les Bassettes, from Lafayette, south-west Louisiana, USA - three young women who all sing, and play accordion/fiddle, fiddle, and guitar. Heather reports that the band will be touring in the UK, Ireland, and France during May/June 2013, and are looking to fill out a few nights in their schedule.

Les Bassettes have a forthcoming CD on Valcour Records. More information, pictures, and music can be found on their website.

Event organisers and venue owners who have an opening for Les Bassettes at that time can contact them by e-mail.

Well Enough Alone news - and guitar instruction

Hugh Taggart (left) reports:

Just thought I'd let people know that Well Enough Alone have a double-bass player after being without one one for quite a while. We welcome Anton Mulanovic to the band and are looking forward to playing gigs with a full lineup in the near future.

We've been playing every Sunday since the start of December in the restaurant part of the Kilkenny Shop on Nassau St., Dublin 2. We'll be there again next Sunday from 2.15 till 4.15 p.m. and we're usually joined by special guest banjo player Derek Duff from the Tin Box Company bluegrass band.

I'm also offering guitar lessons in the Dublin area, specialising in bluegrass flatpicking and trad. For anyone interested: they can e-mail me or call me on 0871717850.

Sacred Harp Dublin 1st Birthday Singing

Dear all,

We would love to have you join us at a singing next Saturday (2 February) to celebrate a year of Sacred Harp in Dublin.

This will also be an All-Ireland Singing as we welcome friends from Cork and Belfast, meeting in the lovely Franciscan Friary at 2.30 p.m. Please spread the word as well - this will be a great opportunity to hear Sacred Harp singing at its best.

 Hope to see you there!

 Sacred Harp Singers of Dublin

The Cabin Sessions, Dundrum, Dublin, 31 Jan. 2013: update

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:

January's Session is next Thursday (31st) with the McGrane Family, Con Butler (bass), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro), and Christian Volkmann (harmonica).

Special guests: Paul Hennessy (singer/songwriter), Pat Killalea & Cathal Cusack (Irish music: guitar duets), Red Clay Halo (Americana) and special surprise guest. 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.

Dermy Diamond & Co. at Open House Folk Club, 27 Jan. 2013

The tireless Open House Festival team remind us that on Sunday 27 Jan. 2013 (doors 2.00 p.m.) the Open House Folk Club will present Dermy Diamond and Tara & Terry Bingham with special guest Helen Diamond at the John Hewitt, 51 Donegall St., Belfast BT1 2FH.

Tickets can be bought through the Open House website at an advance price of £5. All ages can come; there is unreserved limited seating with some standing. The Open House press release is worth reading in its own right.

Dermy Diamond is a fine old-time fiddler: the photo above is the one Open House issued, but that below shows him as a member of the OXO Boys with Bill Whelan and Ben Keogh.

The NTB at the Stag's Head Raw, 10 Feb. 2013

Niall Toner (not at all on the rocks, as the photo might suggest) announces:

Venturing into Dublin! Yes, it feels as though we are undertaking a visit to another country, but that's just the perspective from here in the foothills of Mount Leinster.

I'm delighted to say that the NTB are to play in the Stag's Head Raw on Sunday 10 February, and for me it's like returning to one of the 'Fountains-of-inspiration'. The last time I played at the Stag's Head was in the '70s, with folks like Mick Daly, Richard Hawkins, John Caulfield, the late Imor Byrne, Colin Beggan, Bill Whelan, and more, and I'm so looking forward to bringing Clem and Dick to this wonderful listening venue in the heart of Dublin city.

Spaces are limited, so book early! E-mail the Stag's Head for details. Say Niall sent ya! Also on the night we'll have CDs and T-shirts for sale, so bring spare funds...

Special C. - Co. Cork shows, 26, 28 Jan. 2013

Following our news on 15 Jan. about the current Special Consensus (USA) tour in Ireland, with reference to the two shows arranged by John Nyhan in the Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork (Sat. 26 Jan., 8.30 p.m.) and the Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork (Mon. 28 Jan., 8.15 p.m.), here's the latest information from John:

 As expected the show for Special Consensus in Kilworth is booked out. 

You might please give the Banteer show another mention as there are tickets still available. This is a fairly new venue for bluegrass. Anyone who cannot get to the Kilworth show can go to Banteer. They can give me a ring [087-7921771] or pay at the door on the night.

Rose's Pawn Shop in Ireland, 6-10 Mar. 2013

On Christmas Eve 2012 the BIB carried news from G Promo PR of a forthcoming tour in these islands by Rose's Pawn Shop, an Americana band from Los Angeles. Thanks to Geraint Jones of G Promo PR for the news that the band are now booked to tour England, Scotland, and Ireland from 28 Feb. to 18 Mar. Their dates in Ireland are as follows:

Wed. 6th Mar.: Whelan’s, Dublin 2
Thurs. 7th: The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Fri. 8th: Conary Community Hall, Avoca, nr Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
Sat. 9th: Lynhams Hotel, Laragh, Co. Wicklow
Sun. 10th: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork

You can see on YouTube a video of the band in a recent live show, performing 'Dancing on the gallows' from their album of the same name, due for release on 25 Feb.

Special C. in Ireland - in their own words

The past week of touring in Ireland by the Special Consensus (USA) is described today in a report by Greg Cahill on Bluegrass Today, covering their travels from Limavady to Listowel, with special mention of driving through the snowbound Sperrins and playing at the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend and the famously haunted Leap Castle. Read the full story, with photos, here.

OCMS at Open House Winter Weekender, 31 Jan.

A reminder from the Open House Festival team in Belfast that the Old Crow Medicine Show (USA) will be playing in concert at the Belfast Mandela Hall on Thursday 31 January as part of the Open House Winter Weekender. Doors are 7.30 p.m. and tickets are only available from the Open House website.

Open House remark that the OCMS's music is 'played with such swagger and punk-DIY attitude that [...] it actually makes you forget you're listening to folk music and makes you think you're listening to rock 'n' roll'. Read the whole press release here.

Southern Tenant Folk Union on the Late Late Show, 25 Jan. 2013

Thanks to Pat McGarvey of the Edinburgh-based band Southern Folk Tenant Union for the news that the band will play live on the Late Late Show on RTÉ tomorrow night (25 Jan. 2013), in preparation for next month's tour with their new album, Hello cold goodbye sun, scheduled for release on 4 Feb.

Details of the tour appeared on the BIB on 14 Jan., and all dates should also be on the BIB calendar. Pat assures us that the band will be playing bluegrass tomorrow night to the Late Late's immense viewing audience...

Tribute to Mike Auldridge, 12 Feb. 2013

Dobro maestro Rob Ickes (USA) announces a celebration of the late Mike Auldridge, to be held at the Birchmere, the renowned Washington-area bluegrass venue, on 12 February:

I'll be participating in a special performance of Mike Auldridge music at the Birchmere, along with other friends of Mike, including Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, David Bromberg, John Starling, Tom Gray, Fred Travers and the Seldom Scene, Sally Van Meter, and many more. Tickets go on sale today at 12:00 p.m. EST on Ticketmaster.

If you are in range, I hope to see you there - or if the Birchmere is too far, I hope you'll join us in spirit to celebrate this legendary life.

 More details about the event and about Mike Auldridge are in this press release.

Breffni Bluegrass shows tonight (Navan) and tomorrow (Cavan)

Tom Hanway (left; photo by Vernon Webb) reports:

Breffni Bluegrass, Ireland's hottest bluegrass, country and newgrass outfit, plays a special show tonight, Wednesday 23 January, at the luxury Newgrange Hotel, 10 p.m., Bridge St., Navan, Co. Meath.

On 24 January, we play our regular Thursday show at our favourite haunt, JP's Bar, 10 p.m., 57 Main St., Cavan, Co. Cavan.

We look forward to seeing and taking requests from our many new fans!

E-mail warning

We apologise for introducing a matter that has no direct connection with bluegrass or old-time music, but it is one that could affect many people. Veteran promoter Tom Stapleton forwards a warning against opening any e-mail message headed 'Invitation FACEBOOK'.

It is likely to have the appearance of coming from a friend or someone already in your address book. It should be deleted immediately without opening, as it contains, apparently, an extremely destructive virus capable of doing irreparable damage to computers.

Early in the spring, late in the fall: new release from Meitheal

Thanks to Vicky Langan in Cork for news of Early in the spring, late in the fall, the first recording by the group Meitheal. The three members (Vicky, voice and fiddle; Mike Gangloff (USA), voice and fiddle; David Colohan, voice, harmonium, and shruti box) met in March last year (see the BIB for 18 Feb. 2012).

Early in the spring, late in the fall, released on Fort Evil Fruit, comprises three tracks totalling just over half an hour's playing time. Meitheal's music merges texts and harmonies from the Sacred Harp tradition with old-time fiddle music and drone improvisation, using what Bill Monroe might have called 'the ancient tones'. More details are here, with audio and video links.

Henry Girls join Locust Honey String Band for Oct.-Nov. tour

On 7 January the BIB published the Brookfield Knights agency's announcement that the Locust Honey String Band (USA) would be available for bookings in these islands during late October/early November 2013. Brookfield Knights now follow this by announcing a two-act package in which the Locust Honey String Band will be paired with Co. Donegal's Henry Girls (above) for a tour in Ireland. The agency adds:

Both [groups] will perform on their own before they join each other on stage for a very rousing finale. We predict this will be one of the most entertaining shows to tour in 2013.

You can watch both groups on YouTube: the Locust Honey String Band here and the Henry Girls here and here.

Dangem workshops and sessions resume for 2013

Thanks to Dangem Bluegrass in Craigavon, Co. Armagh, for this photo of a 2009 Deering De Luxe peghead, and the news that after the holiday break they are resuming their programmes for learning and playing all the bluegrass instruments.

Banjo lessons for the beginner will be held on this coming Friday evening (25 Jan., 7.00–9.00 p.m.) at the Spectrum Centre, 331 Shankill Road, Belfast BT13 3AA.

On Saturday morning (26 Jan., 10.00 a.m.–12.00 noon) the regular monthly bluegrass get-together will be held at the Lagan Valley Island Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT27 4RL.

If you don’t have a banjo, there's no problem: for the Spectrum Centre, 'phone Jennifer at 028 9050 4555 and she can arrange to have one hired for you. For the Lagan Valley Island session, 'phone Derek at 07521464125 (or e-mail) and he can arrange to have one hired for you.

Dangem are confident that they have the largest stock of banjos in Ireland, so don’t run out and buy an instrument before getting good advice from one of their tutors or checking the buying advice on the Dangem website.

The Red Hat moves to another head

Thanks to Paul McEvoy for the news that the Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, held since late last year in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, now has a new venue - the Harbour View Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare, named for the old canal harbour. The Club will continue to meet on the first Friday of every month, starting at 8.30 p.m.; all musicians and listeners are welcome.

The hotel is easily located, especially for anyone who remembers driving through Naas town centre on the way to Newbridge and beyond before the M7 was built. Follow R445 down South Main St. and turn right at the Murtagh's Corner traffic lights on to New Row. This is still on the R445, and the hotel is easily seen about 200 yards down on the right, on the far side of an intersection. There is plenty of parking space. The sign visible as you approach from the town centre says 'Harbour Hotel' (which is also the name on the website); but over the front door the full name 'Harbour View Hotel' appears.

Clawhammer banjo teachers in Dublin/Bray?

Brendan McCarthy is looking for clawhammer banjo lessons in Dublin or Bray. Brendan is on Google +, but we have no e-mail address for him. We suggest that he should drop in at the regular old-time music sessions at Hannan's in James's St. on Friday night from 10.00 p.m., and at the Cobblestone in Smithfield on Saturday evenings from about 4.30 to 7.00 p.m., and ask the banjo players there.

The gold standard in clawhammer banjo playing in this island is set by Bill Whelan, shown above at the Cobblestone in a photo from an article on the Journal of Music website; other musicians in the picture include Liam Kennedy, mandolin; Ben Keogh, guitar; and Dermy Diamond, fiddle. The author, Ciaran Carson, has allowed his regard for old-time music to put him off bluegrass banjo - but no one's perfect...

Ireland remains in the front rank

The January 2013 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine contains this year's list of bluegrass festivals in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Japan. Bluegrass Unlimited depends on festival organisers to send in the details of their events, and bluegrassers outside North America will be aware of many other events in their countries besides those shown on the list.

Nonetheless, it's gratifying to report that with four festivals listed, Ireland comes an equal first with England among countries other than the US and Canada, and continues to appear before the world as one of the more bluegrass-minded nations.

15 Feb. 2013, and after

The BIB editor writes:

On Friday 15 February, four weeks from today (as announced on 17 December last), I'll be retiring from editing bluegrass blogs, and the BIB will not continue as it has done for the last seven years. The basic reason is that for me, keeping a blog active every day, or even just ready for action every day, needs too great an investment of time.

As mentioned in the original announcement, the many kind words that friends have said about the BIB and its usefulness are greatly appreciated, and I realise that its complete disappearance would leave a large and steep hole. Any kind of calendar or other online medium on which people can enter their own news would need daily supervision to keep junk and the like off it; and for this reason, I'm shelving the idea.

I am contemplating keeping the BIB open as a kind of directory - with links to festival websites, to band websites, and to select venue websites, so that readers can make their own checks on what may be happening. It would be possible to highlight a link to a website where significant new information has become available. This, together with the existing links displayed on the BIB's front page, would make a good deal of information accessible without heavy maintenance.

For some friends of the BIB, though, even this level of activity would be a regrettable fall away from the day-by-day responsiveness of the BIB in the past. I can only say that if anyone (and again, I recommend that it should be more than one) is prepared to keep up the kind of flow of information that I've tried to keep on the BIB, such an undertaking will have my full approval. If you want to discuss this, please e-mail me.

But in any case, this isn't the end of the world; even 21 December 2012 was not quite what some of us expected.

Frank Ray and his son Scott

Cedar Hill from Missouri made a lot of friends and fans when they played over here a couple of years ago, so many people in Ireland will have been saddened to learn that Frank Ray (left), founder of the band, lost his 39-year-old son Scott earlier this month.

'Lost' may be the wrong word to use. Read Frank's tribute and valediction to his son, as shown on Tuesday this week on the Prescription Bluegrass Blog, here.

Tribute where tribute is due

For anyone who wonders why a notable upsurge in the playing of old-time string-band music came in the 1970s, an answer is in the latest FOAOTMAD news bulletin. On today's issue you can watch a video of Touched with fire: the Highwoods String Band story official trailer (also on YouTube here and here).

Over eight minutes long, this trailer for the forthcoming documentary by Horse Archer Productions, makers of Why old time? and The Henry Reed legacy (both 2009), reveals - in present-day interviews and, even more powerfully, in black-and-white footage from forty years ago - exactly why Walt Koken and Bob Potts (fiddles), Mac Benford (banjo), Doug Dorschug (guitar), and Jenny Cleland (bass) were the right band at the right time. And what a time it was! The film (in which FOAOTMAD's own Nick Pilley appears) can be pre-ordered here.

Vickers Vimy: That vinyl scratch for release

Thanks to Ed Drea of the Galway-based roots band Vickers Vimy (named for the RAF aircraft that made the first non-stop transatlantic flight) for the news that they will release their debut record That vinyl scratch on 14 March 2013. Produced by Daragh O'Toole (U2, Paddy Casey, Ballymun Lullaby) and mixed by Ger McDonnell (Martha Wainwright), the album features Colm Mac An Iomaire from the Frames and the Swell Season and a good crew of friends.

The band had enthusiastic reviews in Hot Press in June and July 2012 and have to date supported such artists as John Martyn, the Hothouse Flowers, Mundy, and Maria Doyle Kennedy & the Guggenheim Grotto. As well as their website, they are on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, and YouTube.

Special C. standing in front of it - BIB getting past it

All is now clear, and the confusion over the Errigle Inn, Belfast, as the venue for the first show of the Special Consensus (USA) tour is now revealed as your editor's confusion and nothing more. The Special C. has played the Real Music Club at the Errigle, but that was last week.

Everything is explained by Greg Cahill in a communique that has just appeared on Bluegrass Today, with the illustration shown above. There is no guarantee that the band will wear the same clothes on stage over here, and every likelihood that the backdrop in the photo has had to be left in England.

Carter Brothers celebrate 5 years of fan club

The many Irish fans of the Carter Brothers (USA) will be interested to know that the Brothers and their band have been celebrating five years of their fan club's existence at the club's convention and luncheon in the Hog's Breath Saloon, Key West, Florida. The Compass Records recording artists can be seen above at the occasion; more photos can be seen on this e-newsletter from Nashville Music Promotions.

Special C. at Naul, Friday 18 Jan. 2013

Thanks to the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre at Naul, Co. Dublin, for a reminder about the Special Consensus (USA) show there on Friday this week, 18 January.

The Centre's excellent online feature about the concert includes a five-and-a-half-minute video (also on YouTube) in which the band members talk about and play music from their sixteenth and latest album, Scratch Gravel Road, nominated for this year's Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Album.

We know from experience that whenever the Special C. play Naul, everyone (including them) has a memorable evening; and we draw attention to the Centre's advice: 'This wonderful band always attract a full house, please book early to avoid disappointment!' You can book online here. If you don't live within reach of Naul, check the BIB calendar for where you can see the Special C. - you won't regret it.

Tour updates from Old Flattop and John Nyhan

Following on the news that appeared on the BIB on 5 January, Nigel Martyn announces that in the Arlo Guthrie (USA) tour that begins tomorrow, the shows in Belfast, Ratoath, and Culdaff are now completely sold out. Tickets are still available for Thursday 17 Jan. in Dublin, and Tuesday 22 Jan. in Sligo. Arlo will be supported by Jess Klein (USA).

Nigel also reports on the Special Consensus (USA) tour that begins tomorrow (16 Jan.). Please note that the first show on the schedule will be in Barry's, Grange, Co. Sligo, and not in the Errigle Inn, Belfast, as previously announced.

Thanks also to John Nyhan, who is putting on two of the Special C. shows towards the end of the tour. The first is on Saturday 26 Jan. at 8.30 p.m. in the Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork. John notes: 'This is a beautiful venue, a school converted to a theatre. Bluegrass is fairly new to it, so we hope we will get a good turnout.' Bookings can be made by 'phone: 087-7921771 or 029-56239.

The second Special C. show arranged by John is on Monday 28 Jan. at 8.15 p.m. in the Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork - the last chance to see and hear the band before they fly home on Tuesday to spend Wednesday getting ready to leave for a Florida festival on Thursday! Booking is advisable for the Kilworth concert, and can be made by 'phone: 087-7921771 or 087-6492514.

Nigel also announces that singer/songwriter Gretchen Peters (who has an outstanding style of guitar accompaniment) has a short tour coming up. She plays the Venue Theatre, Ratoath, on 27 Feb., the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh, on 28 Feb., the Real Music Club at the Errigle Inn, Belfast, on 1 Mar., and the Roe Valley Arts Centre on 2 March. Tickets are now on sale from the venues.

Slow Jam resumes in central Dublin, 18 Jan. 2013

Thanks to Paddy Kiernan (left) for the news that the Bluegrass Slow Jam recommences at Walton's New School of Music, George's St., Dublin 2, this Friday (18 Jan.) from 6.30 to 8.00 p.m.

All details, including the music to be played at the Jam, can be found via this link, from which lyrics and chords can be downloaded in pdf format.

Dates for the Jam in the first half of this year are:
8 February
8 March
19 April
17 May
14 June

'The banjo is so hip, it hurts'

Yes, we looked twice at those words too, in case there was some mistake. Admittedly, they're applied to We Banjo 3, so what they're really referring to is a loud member of the mandolin family. But the context is the Open House Winter Weekender of Irish and American Folk Music (Thurs. 31 Jan.-Sun. 3 Feb.) in Belfast and Bangor - 'a celebration of all that is good and true about American and Irish folk music', for which the lineup includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Sara Watkins, the Old Tire Swingers, and our own Noriana Kennedy.

Read the full Open House press release here, and get further information and tickets on the Open House website.

Update 17 Jan.: You can now read extra Open House press releases on Sara Watkins and We Banjo 3.

Watery Hill Boys in Drogheda and Cookstown, 25-6 Jan. 2013

The Watery Hill Boys from Drogheda, Co. Louth, who made a notable impact on the scene here last year at several festivals - not to mention the big La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France - will be presenting their blend of old-time music and early bluegrass later this month on two consecutive nights.

On Friday 25 January they play on their home ground at Carberry's pub (Tí Chairbre) in Drogheda; and on Saturday 26 January at the Red Room in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, where their show eleven months ago was highly acclaimed (see the BIB of 21 Feb. 2012).

Close to the anniversary of that show, the Red Room will host the Southern Tenant Folk Union (UK) at the mid-point of their forthcoming February tour; see the separate BIB post on this.

Southern Tenant Folk Union release new CD with tour of Ireland, Feb. 2013

Thanks to Ann Marie Walsh of Novatone Music Media for the news that the Edinburgh-based band Southern Folk Tenant Union, well known to audiences here from their past tours, are due to release their new album Hello cold goodbye sun on 4 Feb., followed by a nine-date tour in Ireland. On the new album, with cover art by Belfast-based designer Jonny McClean, the band continues to explore the themes of dark present and dark futures - even the adapted Donald Ker poem 'Days by the seaside with ice cream' is 'darkly comic'.

Southern Folk Tenant Union are Adam Bulley (mandolin, tenor guitar, Ebow, vocals), Ewan Macintyre (harmonica, lead vocals), Carrie Thomas (fiddle, octave fiddle, lead vocals), Rory Butler (guitar, lead vocals), Chris Purcell (guitar, harmonica, lead vocals), Ailig Hunter (double bass), Pat McGarvey (5-string banjo, guitar, vocals), and Jed Milroy (clarinet, guitar, clawhammer banjo, vocals), plus guest percussionist Steve Fivey (cajon, djemebe). The dates of their Irish tour are:

Thurs. 7th: The Spirit Store, George’s Quay, Dundalk, Co. Louth; 8.00 p.m., €12; box office/info 042 935 2697, e-mail

Fri. 8th: Ballina Arts Centre, Barrett St., Ballina, Co. Mayo; 8.00 p.m., €15; tickets/info 096 73593

Sat. 9th: Briery Gap Cultural Centre, Macroom, Co. Cork; 8.00 p.m., €15; info 026 41793

Sun. 10th: Crane Lane Theatre, Phoenix St., Cork city; adm. free; onstage 12 midnight to 2.00 a.m.; info 021 427 8487

Tues. 12th: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; 7.30 p.m., £10; bookings e-mail, 07747 120659 (after 6.00 p.m.)

Wed. 13th: Ballymoney Town Hall, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim; 8.00 p.m., £9/7; bookings e-mail, 028 2766 0230

Thurs. 14th: The Crane Bar, 2 Sea Rd, Galway city; 8.00 p.m. €12.50 (€10 members); 091 587419

Fri. 15th: Upstairs in Whelan's, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2; 8.00 p.m. €10 advance, €12 on door WaV box office 1890 200 078

Sat. 16th: The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; 8.00 p.m., €15; box office 0504 90204

The Myshall Fundraiser Cometh...

Thanks to Niall Toner for this news just posted today on his own blog:

The excitement is building 'round these parts as we approach the date for our first gig of 2013, the Myshall Sports Complex fundraiser at the Myshall Community Centre on Saturday 19 January. The local response has been nothing short of phenomenal, and at this point it looks like we will have a sell-out! There's going to be a lot of 'well I told you so' about the place, so if you have left it to the last minute to book, act now, and call Ashling Kavanagh at 086-9674241, or drop in to the Myshall post office and talk to Mary or Vincent about reserving your tickets.

Full credit must be given to the local Sports Complex Fundraising Committee, and the old adage about horses and camels certainly does not apply here. Saturday next will be a unique one-off chance to hear the superb original music of Dublin's Lofires, as well as to enjoy the repertoire of the Niall Toner Band, featuring the amazing Richard Gladney from St Mullins on the upright bass, and the sensational guitar and mandolin and vocal stylings of Clem O'Brien from Ballylynan in County Laois. Modesty forbids me from singing the praises of, or saying too much about, yours truly... but here's a nice photo of me with my trusty Gibson guitar taken by Fiaz Farrelly in Ballymoon castle on the Muine Beag road. Onwards and Upwards...

Have a look also at Niall's blog post of a week ago, reprinting a review of his Pinecastle album Onwards and upwards which had then just appeared on the Country Standard Time website as part of 'Five great bluegrass albums I forgot to review during 2012', written by Donald Teplesky of Canada.

Ireland in America: Shamrock City by Solas

Thanks to Stephanie Fields of Make It Bigger Mama Publicity for news of Shamrock City, the forthcoming ambitious new project by Irish-American folk group Solas, focused on immigrant life in the mining centre of Butte, Montana, a century ago. Financed through a successful Kickstarter campaign, the project has three parts - a CD, a DVD, and visuals that will form part of live shows.

The band is taking part in the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow later this month. A point of interest for BIB readers is that one of the CD tracks features Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and another features Aoife O'Donovan of Crooked Still. A brief trailer of the project and one of the songs, 'Tell God and the Devil', are on YouTube.

I Draw Slow on Alternate Root TV

Ireland's own I Draw Slow, Pinecastle recording artists and neo-old-time band par excellence, are featured in video on season 2, show 3, of Alternate Root TV, along with other artists including Dom Flemmons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

You can watch it on Vimeo here. This can also be reached through a link from the latest Alternate Root e-newsletter, which carries details of the associated print magazine and can be read here.

Colfers Festival of American Country, Bluegrass and Roots: Sun. 27 Jan. 2013, 6.00 p.m.

The Once (photo: Renita Fillatre)

Thanks to John Murphy of Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, for news of this year's American Country, Bluegrass, and Roots Festival at Colfer's on Sunday 27 January. The talent-packed show begins at 6.00 p.m. and is sure to include John blending his championship harmonica playing with the visiting bands. The lineup features:

*Special Consensus (USA)*
A superb bluegrass outfit in a classic vein but with more than enough modern sensibilities to attract every ear .Their most recent album, Scratch Gravel Road, was nominated for a Grammy award as well as reaching #1 in the American Bluegrass Album charts.

*The Once (Newfoundland)*
A magnificent trio from Newfoundland who combine poetic songwriting and stripped-back ballads while re-inventing contemporary covers from Cohen to Queen. They create a perfect blend of voice and melody, sometimes funny, always poignant. The Once sound like nothing else that has ever come out of Newfoundland.

*Frankie Lane (Ireland)*
One of Ireland's best-known performers and traditional musicians of international renown and was the original front man of the legendary Fleadh Cowboys who went on to support legendary performers such as Bob Dylan, U2, the Pogues, Emmylou Harris, and B.B. King. Also nominated for a prestigious Meteor Music Award.

*Woodbine (Ireland)*
An Irish bluegrass band with their own distinctive sound. Three lead vocals, powerful harmony and exciting instrumentals. Woodbine play traditional and contemporary bluegrass and also write some of their own material. Regular visitors to Carrig-on-Bannow, this band are certain to enhance any music festival.

Tickets only €20. For more information, call 051-561159 or 086 3026460

Pe & Pe (CZ) in Ireland, 11-30 July 2013

Thanks to Petra of the fiddle-and-banjo duo Pe & Pe from Příbram in the Czech Republic, who would be glad of help in finding venues to play in Ireland in the period 11-30 July 2013.

Pe & Pe have already been to Ireland five times and enjoyed playing in the street, in pubs in Dublin, and in Donegal town. They are also completely at home in more formal stage settings, as you can see from two of their videos on YouTube: one of them featuring Petra's singing to very clean, solid banjo accompaniment, and the other a fresh and driving rendition of 'Old Joe Clark'.

Venue owners and event organisers who are looking for good music in that time-frame should contact Petra by e-mail.

Aoife O'Donovan, Jeffrey Foucault, Ry Cavanaugh, and Jake Silver at Whelan's, 10 Feb. 2013

Thanks to Paul Lee of Musiclee.ie for new of a Dublin concert a month from now by Aoife O'Donovan. The show takes place on Whelan's Main Stage, Dublin 2, on Sunday 10 February, starting at 8.30 p.m. Tickets are €15 from WAV. Paul's notes on the Musiclee website add:

 For ten years, Aoife fronted the alt-bluegrass/string band Crooked Still. Aoife has performed with the Boston Pops and the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Alison Krauss recorded Aoife’s song 'Lay my burden down', which is included on Alison’s album Paper airplane and can also be heard in the film Get low. Aoife’s crystalline voice has also been heard on 'True blood' (HBO) and 'Private practice' (ABC). She will be joined by bass player Jake Silver, and opening the show will be Jeffrey Foucault and Ry Cavanaugh.

According to her show schedule, Aoife will also make a solo appearance at the Winter Music Festival, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, on Friday 25 January before six shows in Scotland (as part of Celtic Connections 2013) and England.

Old Crow Medicine Show in Ireland, 30-31 Jan. 2013

Thanks to Des Butler for drawing attention to the fact that the Old Crow Medicine Show (USA) will be playing on Wednesday 30 January 2013 at Vicar Street, 58-59 Thomas St., Dublin. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. and showtime is 8.30. Tickets are €26.

The following night (Thurs. 31 Jan.) the band will be playing at the Mandela Hall, University Road, Belfast. Tickets are £20. On both shows the OCMS will be supported by Johnnyswim. More info, including links to online booking, is on the band's tour schedule.

Special C. at Roscrea, 20 Jan. 2013

Hello Folks,

A great way to break the winter at the Leap: Special Consensus - Grammy nominated Best Bluegrass Album 2012

Sunday, 20 January 2013, 20:30, Leap Castle, Roscrea. Tel./ text 087 2238040 to reserve. Doors 8.00 p.m. Happy New Year,

Tom and Lucy

Tom Stapleton
Mountheaton
Roscrea
Co. Tipperary
Mobile +353 (0)872238040; land line +353 (0)505 21647; e-mail
Skype. tomstapleton

BIB editor's note: The Special C. will be playing at the Leap after an afternoon show on their second day at the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend; see the BIB calendar.

Bluegrass on Strabane Radio, Friday evenings: update

Thanks to Tony Friel in Co. Tyrone, who asks us to pass on this news:

I have a bluegrass radio show every Friday evening from 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. on Strabane Radio. I also hope that you find the time to tune in. Also, any Irish bluegrass bands wishing to have their music played on my show can send me their CDs to me on the Strabane Radio web page where they can contact me; we are also on Facebook.

I also give out any information on all the bluegrass festivals in Ireland; and as you know, I go to most of them.

The above photo, showing Tony (centre) between the BIB editor and Niall Toner, was taken in the lounge of the Tullamore Court Hotel on Sunday 23 September last during the 11th Annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, at Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Please note that the time of the show is now 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. instead of 6.00 to 7.30 as shown when this post was published yesterday. Tony's personal Facebook page is here.

Locust Honey String Band - here next autumn?

Thanks to the Brookfield Knights agency in Britain - whose press releases are increasingly bringing the reality of austerity home to us - for the news that the Locust Honey String Band (USA) - more of the 'daughters of Uncle Earl' - are making a big impression on the old-time scene, with the release of their CD He ain't no good late last year. Brookfield Knights add, for the benefit especially of radio presenters:

We have a chance to bring them into the UK for the first time in late October/early November and we are currently awaiting delivery of a fresh batch of promo CDs to get them into the hands of regional/local press to further enhance their profile over here. Please let us know if you have a slot and would like to include them in programming.

Locust Honey consists of Chloe Edmonstone (fiddle, guitar, vocals) from North Georgia, Ariel Dixon (banjo, guitar, vocals), from North Carolina, and Meredith Watson (guitar, slide guitar, banjo, vocals) from Boston, Massachusetts. You can see and hear them playing 'Trouble in mind' in a pleasing informal video on YouTube.