More dates for the calendar

Thanks to Niall Toner for this news:

There was a massive turn-out at Chris Twomey's cremation in Cork yesterday. Fergal, the owner of the Corner House, laid on a fine spread for all Chris's friends, and Mick Daly and the boys [of the Lee Valley String Band] provided the music. I met and talked with so many old friends that my throat is a bit ragged (but right?).

Niall also sends

... a last-minute reminder about the NTB show at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, on this coming Saturday night, 1 June. Advance ticket sales have been very good, but we could do with a few more!

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

Ray Barron sends news of Two Time Polka shows in June:

Mon. 3rd. The Clancy Brothers Music Festival, Sean Healy Park, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary. Open air. On stage at 3.00 p.m. Adm. free.

Fri. 7th: The Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork. Kickoff 10.15 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209

Sat. 29th: The Briar Rose Bar, Douglas Rd, Cork. Kickoff 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4291686.

This is a warmup gig for us prior to our performances at the Skagen Festival in Denmark and gigs in Belgium.

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

Thanks to Phill Morley, founder member of the British Bluegrass Music Association, for news of a new event for the calendar:

My band BroadOak Bluegrass Band will be running a mini bluegrass festival on 15-18 August 2013 at the Richmond Inn, Clondra, Co. Longford. We will be running concerts, jam sessions, a barn dance on the Saturday. We played there last year and the landlord asked us to run this festival this year and hopefully continue each year.

Wookalily in the recording studio

Thanks to Adele Ingram for the news that Wookalily are currently recording their long-awaited debut album at Millbank Studios in Lisburn, Co. Antrim. For more info visit the band's website or Facebook.

Wookalily made their mark on the international bluegrass scene as recording artists in January this year when legendary country and bluegrass songwriters Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall of Good Home Grown Music released the latest 'Daughters of Bluegrass' four-CD, 69-song project Pickin' like a girl. Track #17 on the first disc, the Dixie Hall composition 'To a dove', is performed by Wookalily. The next issue of Bluegrass Europe magazine will include special features on 'Women in bluegrass', with Wookalily alongside such pioneer performers as Roni Stoneman.

Ferguson & Barwick in Ireland, 7-16 July 2013: update

 

Thanks to Trish Lund for a complete updated schedule of the ninth consecutive tour in Ireland by singer/songwriter Gary Ferguson (USA), who this year will be accompanied by multi-instrumentalist and singer Kathy Barwick to form the duo Ferguson & Barwick.

Trish also sends a comprehensive bio of both artists, listing their ample experience, qualifications, and honours, which can be read here.

Sun. 7th July: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; e-mail; +44 7747 120659 

Mon. 8th: Ballymore Acoustic Gigs, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare; e-mail; +353 86 327 0780

Tues. 9th: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city; e-mail; +353 21 427 8487 [CANCELLED]

Wed. 10th: De Barra's Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork; e-mail; +353 23 883 3381

Thurs. 11th: Blackrock GAA Club, Cork city; e=mail; 087 2944821

Fri. 12th: St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry; e-mail; +353 68 22566 

Sat. 13th: Copper Café, Allihies, Co. Cork; e-mail; +353 (0)27 73218 

Sun. 14th: Tech Amergin Art Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry; e-mail; +353 66 9478956

Tues. 16th: The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin 14; e-mail; +353 01 296 9340 

Tom Hanway and Hickory Wind at the Melting Pot Festival

Thanks to Tom Hanway (shown above with his original Stelling SwallowTail Deluxe) for this news:

The Melting Pot Festival takes place Friday 31 May - Monday 3 June in Ardara, Co. Donegal, and has American bluegrass musician Tom Hanway playing his guitar and banjo for a solo show on Friday, 10.00 p.m. at Nancy's Bar, then joining forces with Hickory Wind for bluegrass and newgrass on Saturday, 10.00 p.m. at the Greenhouse Bar.

Chris Twomey, pioneer of autoharp in Ireland

Niall Toner sends sad news, published earlier today on his own blog:

Today I lost a good friend. Chris Twomey passed away today. He had been ill for some time.

I first met Chris Twomey, the doyen of the autoharp, in Cork in 1966, when I was transferred to the southern capital by the Lyons Tea Company. I sang a few Woody Guthrie/Bill Monroe/Hank Williams songs during the interval at a Jim O'Donnell Folk Group concert, and Chris was in the audience. He introduced himself, and we became instant, and firm, life-long friends - forty-seven years in all. We began playing music together, with Chris playing his 'DAM-GUD' guitar, an ancient instrument he had restored himself, and along with Gary Cronin, we did our first gig in the Group Theatre, opposite the Beamish Brewery, and we called ourselves 'The Kinfolk'.

Shortly after that, we teamed up with Jim O'Donnell and his group, and became 'Paddy's Goatskin and String Band'. That conglomerate performed folk songs from just about every tradition, and Jim encouraged Chris and me to feature our American songs and tunes in what would have been the interval at each gig. Our repertoire was largely drawn from the songs of the Carter Family and the New Lost City Ramblers. After being joined by my brother Colm, we named our group the Lee Valley String Band, in honour of Chris's home place in Monard, right smack in the middle of the Lee Valley. We played two guitars and a mandolin, with one guitar capoed-up to replicate the high-strung sound of Mother Maybelle Carter's autoharp.

One day, while perusing the music shops of Cork (there were several back then), I spotted an old autoharp in a place on Oliver Plunkett Street, which, on enquiry, was priced at the princely sum of £6 (six pounds). I made the purchase and presented Chris with the instrument. About three weeks later he turned up for rehearsal and played the newly acquired instrument as though he'd owned one for years. Chris never looked back, and became a true master of the autoharp, as well as being no mean player of the guitar, concertina, and dulcimer, and a unique singer too.

Chris, you will be missed by all your pals and fans in the music. I just hope that Bill Monroe and Hank Williams have recruited you into their Heavenly Band.

Your friend, Niall

The photo, taken in 1966 by Moira Toner, shows Chris on guitar and Niall on 'tater-bug' mandolin in the back yard of Parnell Terrace, off Pouladuff Road, Cork. Chris's music can be heard on his CD Midnight on the water and with the Lee Valley String Band on CD and YouTube.

Update: Niall sends this link to Chris's death notice at RIP.ie. A funeral service will take place at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday 29 May: 'No flowers please, donation in lieu to a charity of your choice.'

News digest #19: Roni Stoneman visit

Events in the next week (taken from the BIB calendar; please check also the 'Weekly sessions' section of the calendar)

Mon. 27th: Woody Pines (USA), Atlantic Bar, Portrush, Co. Londonderry

Tues. 28th: Woody Pines (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Hard Station, JJ Smyth's, 12 Aungier St., Dublin 2 (part of 'Dublin Guitar Night'); doors 8.00 p.m., music 8.30 p.m., €10

Wed. 29th: Woody Pines (USA), Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Thurs. 30th May-Thurs. 20th June: Roni Stoneman (USA), 'First Lady of Banjo', in Ireland

Thurs. 30th: Tumbling Bones (USA), McCann's Bar, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
The Cabin Sessions, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dundrum, Dublin: the McGrane Family, Con Butler (bass), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro), Cathy McEvoy (fiddle), Christian Volkman (harmonica); guests - Huegrass (folk/bluegrass), Berni Philbin (contemporary folk), and very special guest Roni Stoneman (USA)! 9.30-11.30 p.m., adm. free

Fri. 31st: Rackhouse Pilfer, Monroe's Upstairs, Lower Dominick St., Galway city, 9.30 p.m.
Tumbling Bones (USA), Beehive Bar, Main St., Ardara, Co. Donegal, 9.30 p.m., adm. free

Tom Hanway (USA), Nancy's Bar, Ardara, 10.00 p.m. (part of Melting Pot Festival)


JUNE 2013

Sat. 1st June: Tom Hanway (USA) and Hickory Wind (bluegrass and newgrass), the Greenhouse Bar, Ardara, Co. Donegal, 10.00 p.m. (part of Melting Pot Festival)
Niall Toner Band, the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare

Sun. 2nd: Roni Stoneman (USA), with Hugh Taggart and John Denby, the Purty Loft, Monkstown/Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, 8.30 p.m.; tickets €13 (€10 booked online)
Tumbling Bones (USA), Aras Eanna Arts Centre, Inis Oirr, Árainn, Co. Galway, 8.30 p.m., €5 for students and OAPs

Other news

As noted on the BIB on 2 May, the First Lady of Banjo, Roni Stoneman of the legendary Stoneman family, will be in Ireland from 30 May to 20 June on a friendly visit. She will make some select performance appearances, notably at the 7th Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival (14-16 June) in Co. Mayo. At the Cabin Sessions in Dundrum, Dublin, on 30 May, she will make a brief appearance as a very special guest in an informal setting.

Her first full show on stage (thanks to Paul Lee and his Musiclee.ie agency) will be on Sunday 2 June at the Purty Loft in Old Dunleary, between Monkstown and Dun Laoghaire, near where the west pier meets the mainland. There Roni will be accompanied by Hugh Taggart (guitar) and John Denby (mandolin), two of the hottest young pickers on the bluegrass scene here.

Doors will open at 8.30 p.m.; tickets are €13.00/€10.00, and can be booked online, where more details are available. This has the hallmarks of a historic occasion for bluegrass music in Dublin.

Scottish Autoharp Weekend, 9-11 Aug. 2013

Sharon Loughrin, as Northern Ireland representative of the British Bluegrass Music Association, forwards this news of the 2013 Scottish Autoharp Weekend (9-11 August), which includes a special Irish dimension.

The Weekend will be held at Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, location of the annual Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, which regularly features bands from Ireland. Nadine White of UK Autoharps announces:

 Although the autoharp is not one of the usual bluegrass instruments, given the history of the autoharp in old-time country music and with such seminal recordings as those of the Carter Family and the Stonemans, the autoharp has always been linked to this genre. This year, two of the workshop leaders and performers in the Saturday night concert would be of special interest to the bluegrass community:

· Bob Fish from Wales (With a huge professional background as a singer and performer, Bob is singing and writing songs in the bluegrass genre. He's appearing on his own at the Autoharp Weekend, but can be seen elsewhere performing as half of the bluegrass and country duo 'White Doves')

· Maeve Toner from Dublin (Younger sister of Niall Toner, Maeve has an authoritative and distinctive style with old-time and quirky songs).

Maeve launched her CD Just for the record in Dublin a month ago, and her report on the 2012 Scottish Autoharp Weekend appeared on the BIB for 15 Aug. 2012. A major article by Nadine White, 'Maeve Toner: Dublin's queen of quirky and wonderful songs with the autoharp' can be read here.

More information on the Scottish Autoharp Weekend, including booking and accommodation details, is on the UK Autoharps website. Click on the link to 'Future events' and follow links to 'Scottish Autoharp Weekend'.

Berea Bluegrass All-Stars at Bruff - on video

After a splendid weekend at the Ballyhooly Arts Festival in Co. Cork, we're grateful to Leo Hayes of the Banjaxed Bluegrass Band in Limerick for this link to a YouTube video of the Festival headliners, the Berea Bluegrass All-Stars from Kentucky with their powerhouse lead vocalist Ashley Long, performing at Bruff, Co. Limerick, on Tuesday last. The band are shown in close-up, singing Darrell Scott's 'You'll never leave Harlan alive'. The link also facilitates access to several other videos of the All-Stars in performance at the Red Room in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

Among its many rewarding aspects the Festival featured a powerful music programme, and we're pleased to report that the Down and Out Bluegrass Band made a strong and favourable impression on the Kentucky visitors.

Woody Pines and Tumbling Bones in Ireland NOW

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin of the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, who sends

... a wee reminder on the BIB that Woody Pines return to the Red Room, Cookstown, this coming Tuesday night (28th). Full details on our Facebook page; I know that we've a lot of people keen to see them following last year's house concert, that in itself is a good sign. All welcome as usual.



Can you also draw attention to the tour dates for the group Tumbling Bones [see video above] from Portland, Maine - they're already listed on the calendar but with the exception, I think, of McCann's Bar in Omagh next Thursday night. They played a great show here on Tuesday night past, we've had really positive feedback from our regulars, and I couldn't stress enough that they're a band not to be missed if you're anyway near a venue they're playing. Fabulous vocal harmonies combined with first-class playing and a great mix of bluegrass/old-time/country and blues.

As well as original material, they covered many favourites from the likes of Hank Snow, Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, to name a few (with a bit of buckdancing thrown in too!). We'll certainly be hoping for a return visit to the Barn.

Rocky Top String Band to release new CD, Tall pines

Thanks to Hubie MacEvilly for news of this coming release:

The Rocky Top String Band have drawn on the deep love of bluegrass music from the band collectively, comprising the following members:

· Mr Tommy Lyons – Prizon, Balla (never done time, done a few crimes on the 5-string, but never harmed an instrument in his life)
· Mr Rob Thornburgh – Carracanada, Swinford (went to school in Boone, North Carolina, and picked up a few classic tunes on the fiddle from the Appalachian States).
· Mr John Flatley - from the Partry Mountains (drives a long-wheel base for the upright bass, and has lower voice range than a crawlin' gear)
· Sarah & Hubie MacEvilly – From MacEvilly's pub originally, Killawalla provides the songs & harmonies on autoharp & guitar respectively.

While some of the songs may give the hint of sadness and heartbreak, the vibrant and uplifting melodies and harmonies balance the heart strings, and generally bring about a longing for more.

The band are drawing a loyal Bluegrass and Old Timey following from the region, and of course in June every year the eagerly anticipated Bluegrass Festival provides a reserved spine-tingling excitement for all Bluegrass musicians alike.

At their gigs the best of Bluegrass is being churned out, covering all the great classics from Bill Monroe, the Stanley Bros, Del McCoury, Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, together with Old Timey music being rejuvenated, bringing it back into the public domain.

With Sarah pulling in some old Carter Family classics on the autoharp to keep the songs and tunes alive from that era, this opens up a whole new audience, and by providing their own twist, give the songs a new edge, and an excitement that makes people want to 'shake a leg'. The sound encompasses a well rounded sound with all stringed instruments and well entwined harmonies.

The making of the CD (Tall pines) which has been a very fun project to work on with the other band members, and together with the culmination of the launch night - planned for Saturday night 1 June in the Clew Bay Hotel - and the upcoming Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival (14–16 June), this could well become the 'Month of Bluegrass Music'.

15th Open House Festival, 19-23 June 2013; and Bluegrass Picnic in Bangor, Aug.

The latest e-newsletter from the Open House Festival team in Belfast includes a link to the full printed programme for the Festival (19-23 June 2013). The multi-venue event includes shows by the Morgan O'Kane Band (USA), Hillfolk Noir (USA), and the Belfast American Folk & Roots Club, as well as American sessions hosted by Ian Carmichael.

To celebrate fifteen years of Open House, the team is also holding its 'summer holiday' in the form of the 400 Festival, extending throughout August, in Bangor, Co. Down. The schedule includes a Bluegrass Picnic. More details are available here.

Visiting string bands - courtesy of Brookfield Knights: UPDATE

Thanks to Loudun Temple of the Brookfield Knights agency in the UK for the news that the Chicago-based string band Elephant Revival is the latest addition to the Brookfield Knights artists roster, bringing the present total to twenty-eight acts. A look at the roster will reveal a lot of names already familiar from appearances in Ireland - most recently, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West.

US string bands on the BK roster who are already scheduled to tour in Ireland this year include Woody Pines (24-29 May) from Asheville, North Carolina, Hillfolk Noir (20-23 June) from Boise, Idaho, and the Locust Honey String Band (23-27 Oct.) from Swannanoa, North Carolina. The Stray Birds from Pennsylvania are due to tour these islands at the end of January and early February 2014. We also learn that De Temps Antan, a French-Canadian trio playing Quebec traditional music, are scheduled for Britain and Ireland twice next year: 21-28 January and 5-18 July 2014. A video of them in performance is here.

Having listened to audio samples on their BK page, the editor would be glad to see and hear a visit from Pharis and Jason Romero from British Columbia. This, of course, has nothing to do with their being also makers of custom banjos.

No need to play that banjo alone

Dangem Bluegrass announce in their latest e-newsletter:

No need to play that banjo alone. Join us at one of the following events:

Beginners only 5-string
The Spectrum Centre, 331, Shankill Rd, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT13 3AA, 028 9050 4555
Friday 24 May 7.00-9.00 p.m.
(this is for Beginners Only)
Or
The next Dangem get-together
Lagan Valley Island Arts Centre, Lisburn BT27 4RL, 028 9250 9292
Saturday 25 May 2013 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Bring along your banjos, guitars, mandolins, fiddles, dobros, and bass or just come along and enjoy
Itinerary: 10.00-10.30 warm up
10.30-11.00-ish Break out time; rest of players jam time
11.00 to 12.00 noon All back together
Look forward to seeing as many of you who can attend.
Also
The Belfast Sessions
Tuesday 4 June 8.30 p.m. to who knows.
The Errigle Inn, 312-320, Ormeau Rd, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT7 2GE, 028 9064 1410
Email: info@errigle.com

Dangem Bluegrass, 101 Belfast Rd, Magheralin, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, BT67 rp UK

Hard Station at JJ Smyth's, Dublin, 28 May 2013

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for forwarding the latest news on Hard Station, Ireland's newest, hard-driving bluegrass band, composed of musicians with years of solid experience: above (l-r), Johnny Gleeson (dobro), Vinny Baker (guitar), Roy Brennan (double bass), and  Joe Meehan (mandolin).

The Dublin bluegrass community can hear Hard Station when they play at JJ Smyth's, 12 Aungier St., Dublin 2, on Tuesday 28 May, the venue's 'Dublin Guitar Night'. Doors 8.00 p.m. (music 8.30 p.m.), €10.

Niall Toner: new book on songwriting to be launched 8 June 2013

Singer, songwriter, bandleader, and broadcaster Niall Toner (above), recipient of the EBMA's European Bluegrass Personality of the Year 2012 award, will launch his new book The nuts and bolts of songwriting on Saturday 8 June at 4.30 p.m. in Borris House, Co. Carlow.

The launch will take place as part of the Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas, which itself is part of the Carlow Arts Festival. Other speakers on this day in Borris include Martin Amis, Paolo Tullio, Paul Murray, Olivia O'Leary, John Boyne, and others. Liam O Maonlai will perform that evening.

Niall will give the audience a live demonstration of his teachings, and then talk about his career as a musician with actress Caitríona Ní Mhurchú. Tickets (€10) can be booked here. Copies of the new book will be available immediately after the event.

World Fiddle Day - TODAY!

Today is the first World Fiddle Day - that is (among many other things), a day dedicated to the instrument that the Father of Bluegrass considered central to his music.

The editor will employ some of the methods recommended on the World Fiddle Day website to celebrate the occasion - viz. getting out a neglected fiddle and playing it, and also listening to some of the great players of the past, such as the magnificent Ed Haley and Paul Warren. Thanks to Caoimhin Mac Aoidh of Donegal for bringing this concept to fruition.

Win tickets to Westport and Athy festivals

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for news of some very worthwhile prizes to be won, thanks to the organisers of two of our main festivals. Go to Ray's Bluegrass in Ireland Facebook page to enter for your chance of winning! Ray writes:

A big thank you to Uri Kohen of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival for 2 tickets to the main event to be held on Saturday June 15th in the Wyatt Hotel, Westport, which we are currently running on the page. So get the LIKES AND SHARES in to be in with your chance of winning this lovely prize.

Next week (W/C 20th May) we will be running another fantastic competition, courtesy of Tony O'Brien of the acclaimed Athy Bluegrass Festival which is now in its 23rd year. Tony has kindly given us 2 full weekend festival passes to all the concerts which will be held over the weekend in the GAA Centre in Athy this year.

Thanks again to the two guys for this and I wish them both every success with both their festivals this year. Below are links to each competition:

Currently running from 13th-20th - Westport main concert - 2 tickets

Upcoming next week preview - 20th May-27th May - Athy Bluegrass Festival - 2 full weekend festival passes

Berea in Bruff, 21 May 2013 - and more tour dates

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for forwarding this news from Biddy Hayes:

The Berea Bluegrass Band from Kentucky will play the Church of Ireland in Bruff, Co. Limerick, on Tuesday next (21st May) at 8.00 p.m. On a lightning tour of Ireland, do not miss it. Featuring vocalist Ashley Long.

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin for these details of the rest of the tour, as received from the band themselves:

Hey Berea Bluegrass friends, far and near! We're real EXCITED to post our upcoming tour dates for the latest incarnation of the Berea College Bluegrass Band's visit to our favorite country on earth, Éire!!! We land in Shannon on May 11th and are off to the Baltimore Fiddle Fair! HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY!

Sat. 11th-Sun. 12th: Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork
Mon. 13th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork (double gig with Beppe Gambetta)
Tues. 14th: Session in Buttevant, Co. Cork
Wed. 15th The Mine Museum, Allihies, Co. Cork
Thurs. 16th: Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare
Fri. 17th: Sean Malone's, Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Sat. 18th: Connolly's Bar, Kinvara, Co. Galway
Sun. 19th: Mannion's Bar, Balla, Co. Mayo
Mon. 20th: Session, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
Tues. 21st: Bruff, Co. Limerick
Wed. 22nd: Dolan's Bar, Limerick city
Thurs. 23rd: St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Fri. 24th-Sun. 26th: Ballyhooly Arts Festival, Ballyhooly, Co. Cork

Tumbling Bones in Ireland, 17 May-16 June 2013

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for forwarding news of the tour schedule of Tumbling Bones (USA). More details (including links to videos and music downloads) are on Ray's 'Bluegrass in Ireland' Facebook page, but here are the dates in the month-long tour, which begins tonight:

Fri. 17th: Killary Sessions on the Killary Fjord, Galway. Ship departs from Nancy’s Point, Leenane, Co. Galway. Doors 6.30 p.m.; tickets €10 at door or call 1800 415151
Sat. 18th: Mullarkey's at Foyle's Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Tues. 21st: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m., £10; bookings/more info, call Sharon at 07747120659
Fri. 24th: Kenny's, Main St., Lahinch, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Sat. 25th: Patrick's Bar, 6 Market St., Ennis, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Sun. 26th: Roadside Tavern, Doolin Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Fri. 31st: Beehive Bar, Main St., Ardara, Co. Donegal, 9.30 p.m., adm. free

Sun. 2nd June: Aras Eanna Arts Centre, Inis Oirr, Árainn, Co. Galway, 8.30 p.m., €10/€5 for students and OAPs
Wed. 5th: Whelan's Upstairs, Wexford St., Dublin 2; doors 8.00 p.m., Greasy Coat Stringband as support act; €15/€13
Fri. 7th: Athy GAA Centre, Dublin Rd, Athy, Co. Kildare; doors 8.00 p.m., starts 9.00 p.m.; €10 door charge, Woodbine as support act
Tues. 11th: McCarthy’s, Goat St., Dingle, Co. Kerry; starts 9.30 p.m., €10 pay at door or reserve at 066-9151205
Wed. 12th: Old Oak pub, 113 Oliver Plunkett St., Cork city; starts 10.30 p.m., adm. free
Fri. 14th: Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival: Atlantic Coast Hotel, The Quay, Westport, Co. Mayo; starts 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Sat. 15th: Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival: Clew Bay Hotel, James St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 1.00 p.m., adm. free
Sun. 16th: Mannion's, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo; 9.30 p.m., adm. free

Award-winning band for Omagh 2013

The premier Belgian bluegrass band Rawhide will be taking part in the 22nd Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone (30 Aug.-1 Sept. 2013).

Rawhide have performed at every European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival in the Netherlands since 1998. This year the EWOB committee awarded them the Liz Meyer European Innovation of Bluegrass Music Award in recognition of their long-running success in bringing bluegrass music to a wider audience, coupled with their unique approach blending vocal and instrumental proficiency, imagination, creativity, showmanship, and humour.

Rawhide are probably the cleverest bluegrass band the BIB editor has seen. Like other bands in Belgium, they are benefiting from the recent phenomenal success of the film The Broken Circle Breakdown, which has been showing in sold-out cinemas on the Continent.

News digest #18

Events in the next ten days (taken from the BIB calendar; please check also the 'Weekly sessions' section of the calendar); dates added since this post was first published are shown in red

Thurs. 16th: Beppe Gambetta (I), The Crane, Sea Rd, Galway city

Fri. 17th: Bluegrass Slow Jam, Walton's New School of Music, George's St., Dublin 2, 6.30-8.00 p.m. 
Beppe Gambetta (I), McGarrigles, 11 O'Connell St., Sligo town
Tumbling Bones (USA), Killary Sessions on the Killary Fjord, Galway. Ship departs from Nancy’s Point, Leenane, Co. Galway. Doors 6.30 p.m.; tickets €10 at door or call 1800 415151

Sat. 18th: World Fiddle Day
Beppe Gambetta (I), The Stables, Dominick St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Two Time Polka, Roots Music Festival Weekend, The White Horse, West Village, Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Kickoff 11.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4871388
Tumbling Bones (USA), Mullarkey's at Foyle's Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway, 9.30 p.m., adm. free

Sun. 19th: Rackhouse Pilfer, Whelan's Front Bar, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2, 7.00 p.m.

Tues. 21st: Berea Bluegrass Band (USA), Church of Ireland, Bruff, Co. Limerick, 8.00 p.m.
Tumbling Bones (USA), The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.30 p.m., £10; bookings/more info, call Sharon at 07747120659

Fri. 24th: Tumbling Bones (USA), Kenny's, Main St., Lahinch, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Beppe Gambetta (I), Market House Theatre, Main St., Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Woody Pines (USA), Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
Two Time Polka, The Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork. Kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209
Rackhouse Pilfer with Sandy Kelly, Rockies Club, Church Road, Cork city, 9.30 p.m., adm. free

Sat. 25th: Tumbling Bones (USA), Patrick's Bar, 6 Market St., Ennis, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Beppe Gambetta (I), Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork
Woody Pines (USA), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Two Time Polka, Ballyhooly Arts Festival: The Old Forge Yard, Ballyhooly, Co. Cork. Kickoff 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Open-air.

Sun. 26th Tumbling Bones (USA), Roadside Tavern, Doolin Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, 9.30 p.m., adm. free
Beppe Gambetta (I), Colfers, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Woody Pines (USA), Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Rackhouse Pilfer, Whelan's Front Bar, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2, 7.00 p.m.

Other news

Niall Toner's Onwards & upwards and I Draw Slow's Redhills are among the eight Pinecastle albums eligible for nomination as Album of the Year in this year's IBMA awards. Niall has also, through Make Welcome Entertainment (his agents in the USA), asked voters to consider supporting him as Emerging Artist of the Year and his song 'William Smith Monroe' as Song of the Year.

The updated schedule of events up to 9 June at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre at Naul, Co. Dublin, can be seen here. BIB readers should note the Woody Pines show on 25 May (see calendar above).

Terence Cosgrave announces: 'Muletrain are no longer playing on a weekly basis in the Kozy pub in Dun Laoghaire on Thursday nights. We are taking a break and may be back in the autumn.'

Roni Stoneman at the Purty Loft, 2 June 2013

As first announced on the BIB on 23 Nov. 2012, the First Lady of Banjo, Roni Stoneman of the legendary Stoneman family, will be in Ireland from 30 May to 20 June on a friendly visit. She will be making some select performance appearances, notably at the 7th Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival (14-16 June) in Co. Mayo. A full schedule will be published as soon as possible.

Her first show on stage (thanks to Paul Lee and his Musiclee.ie agency) will be on Sunday 2 June at the  Purty Loft in Old Dunleary, between Monkstown and Dun Laoghaire, near where the west pier meets the mainland. Roni will be accompanied by Hugh Taggart (guitar) and John Denby (mandolin), two of the hottest young pickers on the bluegrass scene here.

Doors will open at 8.30 p.m.; tickets are €13.00/€10.00, and can be booked online, where more details are available. This has the hallmarks of a historic occasion for bluegrass music in Dublin.

News digest #17

Events in the next two weeks (taken from the BIB calendar; please check also the 'Weekly sessions' section of the calendar); dates added since this post was first published are shown in red

Thurs. 2nd: Skip Gorman and Ron Kane (USA), Crane Bar, Galway city

Fri. 3rd: Tin Box Company, Langton's, Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m. 

Fri. 3rd-Mon. 6th: Kilkenny Roots Festival; many Americana acts including Woodbine and the Tin Box Company

Sat. 4th: Woodbine, Clubhouse Hotel, Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m.
11th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, Bühl/Baden, Germany (4 US bands)

Sun. 5th: Tin Box Company, Biddy Early's, Kilkenny city, 4.00 p.m.
Woodbine, Springhill Hotel, Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m.
Tin Box Company, Egan's, Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m.

Wed. 8th-Mon. 20th: George Harper & John Tomlin (USA) on tour in Ireland

Thurs. 9th-Sun. 12th: 22nd Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork: Casey Driessen, Bruce Molsky, Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, many more

Thurs. 9th-Sat. 11th: 16th European World of Bluegrass Festival, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands

Fri. 10th: Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare: Anna & Orla Greaves, Ray McGee, Mick Dunne, Paul McEvoy, guests; musicians and listeners welcome; €3 donation
I Draw Slow, the Lodge, Mallow, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m.; tickets 087/2445541 (presented by AliveOMusic)

Sat. 11th: Skip Gorman and Ron Kane (USA), Cuckoo's Nest, McGirl's, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
Beppe Gambetta (I), Bog Lane Theatre, Mostrim Rd, Ballymahon, Co. Longford

Sun. 12th: Beppe Gambetta (I), Whelan's, 25 Wexford St., Dublin 2

Mon. 13th: Beppe Gambetta (I), The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork

Other news

The editor now has a new e-mail address. Please note this and use it in all future correspondence.

Just to complicate matters further, the editor will be away from the computer from 3 May till 14 May inclusive; any news received in that time will not appear till 15 May.

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for forwarding news of the I Draw Slow show at Mallow on 10 May, and the Tin Box Company dates at Kilkenny (see above).

Sacred Harp Dublin have a new website up and running, so stay tuned for any upcoming events/Sacred Harp Dublin news.