US bands to visit in 2014 - DEFINITE and possible

Tours in Europe in 2014 are currently being prepared for several young, dynamic bands from the USA. Della Mae (above) from Boston, Mass., have just released their second album, This world oft can be, and have been nominated for the Emerging Artist award at this year's IBMA awards show. They took part in Rainer Zellner's Bluegrass Jamboree! package tour in central Europe in 2011, the year when their debut album I built this heart was released.

Promoters and event organisers in Europe who would like to book them to perform around the time of their projected appearance at the 12th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival (2-3 May 2013) in Bühl, Germany, should contact Glenn Blackman of WBA Entertainment.

Also scheduled for the Bühl Festival, Tumbling Bones (above) from Portland, Maine, present bluegrass, old-time, and classic country music with intense trio harmonies backed by guitar, bass, banjo, slide guitar and more, and expert buckdancing from Pete Winne. They released their debut EP (Risk not your soul) in 2011, and their first full-length album will be recorded in autumn.

They're well known in Ireland, having toured here for the second time and for over a month earlier this year, culminating in the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, and they will return to Ireland in April 2014. Promoters and event organisers who would like to book them for performances should contact them by e-mail.

The Hot Seats (above) from Virginia, presenting 'old-time music with attitude' (Washington Post), will be returning to these islands in 2014 for tour dates and festival availability from 25 July to 10 August. They have previously made an impact at British events such as Celtic Connections, the Shetland Folk Festival, Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Maverick Festival, Speyfest, the Edinburgh Fringe, and HebCeltFest. A YouTube video, made during a low-key house concert for a friend, can be seen here. Bookings can be made through the Brookfield Knights agency.