More detached notes

Thanks to Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland for the December 2013 issue of his 'Country Cuts' newsletter. This is reproduced verbatim on the BIB, and can be reached through the link in our right-hand column.

One of Roger's news items announces a return visit by Sligo-based Rackhouse Pilfer on Saturday 21 Dec. to the Rockies Club, Church Road, Cork, where their show earlier this year was sold out. Roger adds: 'This is the start of the Christmas holidays so there should be great craic at the Rockies. As usual there's no cover charge. Refreshments will be served and the show will start at 9.00 p.m.' More details and links can be found on Ray O'Brien's 'Bluegrass in Ireland' Facebook page.

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The BIB mentioned yesterday the highly favourable review in the latest British Bluegrass News for the new EP by Lands End - so thanks again to Ray O'Brien for passing on the following news from Richie Foley of Lands End.

Richie, who accompanied Niall Toner on mandolin in the USA this autumn, has just finished recording a version of Niall's instrumental 'Burren backstep' (see the BIB for 9 Nov.). It's a fine version, and can be heard on 'Bluegrass in Ireland' or on SoundCloud. The musicians are Richie himself (mandolin), Sam Rose (guitar, double bass), and Paddy Kiernan (5-string banjo).

'Burren backstep' will also be the theme tune for Niall's RTÉ Radio 1 show 'Roots Freeway', which is back on air on 7 December.

New Essex Bluegrass Band for 24th Athy Bluegrass Festival, 11-13 July 2014

The NEBB (l-r): Grahame Turner, Terry Hymers, Greg Smith (hidden), Paul Brewer, Marc Noel-Johnson
Next year Ireland's oldest bluegrass festival will welcome Britain's leading classic hard-core traditional bluegrass band to the top of the bill. Tony O'Brien sends the news that the 24th Athy Bluegrass Festival will be held at Athy, Co. Kildare, on the mid-July weekend Friday 11th-Sunday 13th. Woodbine will of course host the event. The headliners are the New Essex Bluegrass Band (GB), who in 2014 will have existed as a band for twenty years.

An earlier NEBB lineup with Mike Stanhope on bass
In that time the NEBB have played major festivals on the British bluegrass scene and several abroad - three times at the EWOB Festival in the Netherlands (where they jammed throughout the festival when not on stage), and the La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France, where in 2009 they placed second in the European band contest and gave a special gospel concert in the main church. They are the acknowledged experts in Britain on using the single microphone, and a major section of their website is devoted to this.

Check out the updated Athy Bluegrass Festival website.

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The BIB editor adds:

The latest issue of British Bluegrass News, the official magazine of the BBMA, includes 'Some bluegrass memories', a major feature by Paul Brewer, founder-member and guitarist of the NEBB.

BBN is really an excellent magazine, and the many good things in this issue include several items of Irish interest: Sharon Loughrin reviews the new CD from the Down and Out Bluegrass Band and reports on this year's Omagh festival; and the review of the debut EP from Lands End calls them 'the most innovative and imaginative band to hit the scene for years', and compares their emergence to that of New Grass Revival in the '70s.

Oh yes - and the new album by the NEBB is reviewed, and the Paul Brewer feature is where I first got wind of their coming to Athy in 2014...

High Plains Tradition and Martin Gilmore - the full tour schedules, 16-27 Jan. 2014

Thanks to John Nyhan, tour organiser extraordinaire, for full details of the coming New Year tour by High Plains Tradition (USA), the classic bluegrass band from Colorado. John's heading slogan is 'Back by popular demand, the return of High Plains Tradition has been eagerly awaited', and he's not kidding.

An added feature to several of the HPT shows will be the presence of Martin Gilmore, singer/ songwriter in bluegrass and country genres. Martin is the guitarist and lead singer with the bluegrass band Long Road Home, which features the iconic banjo player Pete Wernick ('Dr Banjo').

The complete HPT schedule is as follows - beginning (thanks to Sean McManus) in Meath with a new venue for bluegrass music, and continuing in Clare with a well established multi-genre music festival:

Thurs. 16th Jan.: Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087-9762337

Fri. 17th, Sat. 18th, Sun. 19th: Shannonside Winter Music Weekend, Sixmilebridge and Bunratty, Co. Clare; various times and venues; tel. 086-1571847, e-mail

Mon. 20th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; plus Martin Gilmore; tel. 087-7921171

Tues. 21st: Church of Ireland, Bruff, Co. Limerick, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086-3027976

Wed. 22nd: Dolan's Bar, Dock Rd, Limerick city, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 061-314483

Thurs. 23rd: St John's Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 068-22566

Fri. 24th: The Tea Room Sessions, Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; plus Martin Gilmore; tel. 087-1205353

Sat. 25th: Mannion's Bar, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m.; plus Martin Gilmore; tel. 087-2296018

Sun. 26th: The Pikers Lodge Hotel, Loch Gowna, Co. Cavan, 7.30 p.m.; plus Martin Gilmore; tel. 086-2268567

Mon. 27th: The Pikers Lodge Hotel, Loch Gowna, Co. Cavan, 8.30 p.m.; plus Martin Gilmore; tel. 086-2268567

NB: In addition to the dates shown above where he is playing in support of High Plains Tradition, Martin Gilmore is at present scheduled to play the following date:

Tues. 21st: O’Neill’s Bar, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m., with Jacob's Ladder (vocal harmony group); tel. 086-8168692

Further dates may be added to Martin’s tour, and will be shown on the BIB.

For further inquiries, tel. 087-7921771.

Thanksgiving greetings from the NTB

Thanksgiving greetings are flooding out from the bluegrass world in the Mother Country. Of special significance to BIB readers: the greetings card (above) from the Niall Toner Band, by courtesy of Niall's US agents, Make Welcome Entertainment in Nashville.

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BIB readers may also welcome the Thanksgiving offers from Homespun and from Gold Tone - the latter features a turkey with bluegrass attitude.

Grace after meal: bluegrass and Thanksgiving dinner at Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, 28 Nov. 2013

Thanks once again to Ray O'Brien for this link to an announcement by Peter Larkin in Co. Galway: at 8.30 p.m. tomorrow night (Thurs. 28 Nov.), Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings (see the illustration on Ray's Facebook page) will be served in Rafterys Rest, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, followed by music from the Bluegrass House Band. Peter adds:

All proceeds of the night go to Gort & South Galway Social Services; all are welcome. Looking forward to seeing all our American friends.

ArtistWorks Online Bluegrass Schools: Holiday Gift Certificates

The ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass offers direct online instrumental tuition from some of the biggest names in bluegrass music: Tony Trischka (banjo), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Darol Anger (fiddle), Missy Raines (bass), Andy Hall (dobro), and Mike Marshall (mandolin). Thanks to Ian Alexander for a release issued yesterday on the gift certificates now available for the six online interactive Video Exchange™ bluegrass schools at the Academy of Bluegrass:

How the Creative Gift programme works:

Give the certificate to the lucky person in your life.
They can redeem the code on their digital certificate and receive three months of online lessons at the ArtistWorks instructor school of their choice.
Once enrolled, they begin with access to a comprehensive library of pre-recorded video lessons from beginner to advanced. They can view these lessons at their own pace, whenever they have time.
When they want guidance, they can submit practice videos to their world-renowned teacher through the ArtistWorks Video Exchange™ Feedback Platform using their webcam, phone, iPad or video camera.
Their all-star instructor will review the video submission and respond with video feedback designed to help the student get better – fast.

ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass Gift Certificates cost $90 for three months unlimited access and can be purchased directly at the ArtistWorks website.

Memories of Westport 2013 - now on YouTube

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for forwarding the news from Westport festival director Uri Kohen that many moments (whether from informal gigs or the main concert) from this year's Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival can now be relived, thanks to recent additions to the Festival's own YouTube channel.

Artists from the 2013 lineup that can now be seen on YouTube include the Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL), Tumbling Bones (USA), the legendary Roni Stoneman (USA), Kidnap Alice (GB), the Whileaways, Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters, the Rocky Top String Band, Molly Hicks, Woodbine, the Tin Box Company, Tony Reidy, and Charlie Keating.

Dangem Bluegrass Get-Together at Lisburn, 30 Nov. - and more

Thanks to Derek Lockhart for the latest e-newsletter from Dangem Bluegrass, announcing that the monthly Bluegrass Get-Together at Lisburn Island Arts Centre will be held this coming Saturday (30 November), from 10.00 a.m. to noon. As usual, players of all the bluegrass instruments, or those who just want to listen, are welcome. The usual schedule will be followed. Full details are on the e-newsletter and the Dangem website. As an added attraction (see the photo on the right), Derek announces:

This month we will have a section of the new season banjos. So if you or someone you know would like to try one out, please come along at 12.00-12.30 and give one a whirl.

Derek also sends a reminder that the next Belfast Bluegrass Session will be held on Tuesday 3 Dec., from 8.30 p.m. to 'who knows', at the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2GE; 028 9064 1410; e-mail.

Two more detached notes

The latest e-newsletter from clawhammer-banjo maestro Michael Miles (USA), who toured Ireland this past spring, sends word that he will be performing in concert with folk legend Tom Paxton on this coming Saturday (30 Nov. 2013) at 8.00 p.m. in the Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago. A video of the two of them performing 'Last thing on my mind' can be seen through a link on Michael's e-newsletter or on YouTube.

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The following day, 1 Dec. 2013, is not only the anniversary of Carter Stanley's death (see our earlier post today) - it is the closing date for applications to perform at the 17th European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) Festival (19-31 May 2014) in the Netherlands. Full details are on the EWOB website.

Detached notes

Thanks to Sean McManus, Ireland's #1 bluegrass supporter, for the news that the splendid High Plains Tradition (USA) are scheduled to play the Pillo Hotel, in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, on Thursday 16 Jan 2014 - the first venue of their forthcoming Irish tour.

The date has been added to the BIB calendar. Sean promises more details later; and an updated schedule for the whole tour will be published shortly, with full details from the tour organiser, the indefatigable John Nyhan.

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The FOAOTMAD news blog reports that Tim Rogers in Westport, Co. Mayo (recently voted Ireland's most desirable place to live), is with regret selling his Dave Stacey 'Sodbuster' banjo, at a price of €800 (approx. £670) for a first-class, optimised-for-clawhammer banjo by a premier maker. Photos can be seen here, and Tim can be contacted by e-mail.

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Flatpicking guitar wizard, master instructor, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Kaufman (USA) sends good wishes for the holiday season, and a reminder of his cornucopia-like online store and downloadable/always current catalogue.

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Thanks to Good Home Grown Music for a reminder that 1 December will be the forty-seventh anniversary of the death of Carter Stanley, shown in the photo with his brother Ralph at the height of their career as the Stanley Brothers.

Good Home Grown Music (Tom T. and Dixie Hall, whose composition 'I wish that I could have met Carter' is doing very well with a lot of bands) propose that 1 December be celebrated as a day of musical tribute to the Stanleys.

Managing music media

Thanks to Brian McNeal of the Prescription Bluegrass Blog (USA), who draws our attention to an Irish connection in a detail of a post that appeared today (22 Nov.) on the PBB. The story, by W.J. Hallock,  celebrates Martha E. Moore (left) who, in twenty-five years as head of so much MOORE media, has made it one of the most respected music PR firms in Nashville. Brian writes:

It's a small spot in the post but it was something I didn't know and I thought there may be some readers in Ireland who remember the situation.

There certainly are - well, at least three! In the penultimate paragraph, after mentioning that so much MOORE media has developed its contacts with media outside the USA, W.J. Hallock writes:

At one time, Martha wrote a popular music column, 'Roots, Boots & "Billy"' for Ireland’s Country Music Plus magazine. Being able successfully to tap into the overseas market can do wonders for a musician’s career, and Martha brings years of experience in that area to her clients.

Others who wrote for Cormac Belton's Country Music Plus included Ronnie Norton, Niall Toner, and the BIB editor. Happy days! Read the whole PBB story here. And on the subject of music media, check out the Niall Toner website, which has had a complete makeover.

Keeping on the Bluegrass - in style

Thanks to professional graphic designer and illustrator Anne Steel of © Maui Waui Design in Norfolk, England, whose 'Keep on the Bluegrass' range of designer bluegrass T-shirts in black and white, featuring all the bluegrass instruments and printed on heavyweight premium-quality 'Fruits of the Loom' T-shirts, was featured on the BIB on 7 June 2012.

Anne now announces a new 'Keep on the Bluegrass' style, in navy blue, and including a V-neck 'Ladyfit' model (see image).

Full details and online purchase and ordering facilities, giving postage for all countries, are on the Keep on the Bluegrass website. Anne - who also plays guitar and ukulele in the Darling Coreys (GB) - can be contacted by e-mail or telephone (+44 (0)1508 530934).

Cool Stuff for Bluegrass Players

WoodSongs in Dublin to be broadcast in USA, 1 Dec. 2013: update

Thanks to the Prescription Bluegrass Blog for this news: the double concert at the National Convention Centre, Dublin, on 18 July this year (see the BIB for 13 June), presented by the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, will be broadcast on US television on Sunday 1 December.

On that day, the DISH TV Network will present 'WoodSongs In Ireland: celebration of bluegrass' at 1.30 p.m. (EDT) on Dish Channel 102 as part of BlueHighways TV network programming. The PBB reports:

Bluegrass musicians came from all over the nation to be part of the broadcast, including We Banjo 3, Niall Toner, and more. A programme highlight includes an adorable double-banjo rendition of 'Grandfather's clock' by two 13-year-old kids.

Update 27 Nov.: Thanks to our friend Thierry Schoysman from Belgium (whose band Rawhide made a hit at this year's Omagh festival) for this link to an article on the event and the broadcast, as shown on the KyForward cultural website.

Tumbling Bones in Ireland, Germany, and Britain, Apr.-May 2014

Tumbling Bones warming up with Roni Stoneman, 'First Lady of Banjo', at this June's Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival

Thanks to Pete Winne (above left, with guitar) for the latest news of Tumbling Bones (USA) and their plans for next spring on this side of the Atlantic, including their third tour in Ireland. The dates are still flexible, but the outline of the whole tour is as follows:

April 10 through 30: Touring Ireland (both Republic and Northern);
May 1 through 5: Germany, appearing at the Bühl Bluegrass Festival;
May 6 through 20: Touring Britain; Alan of Owlsworld Entertainment will be handling the arrangements.

Pete adds:

Second, we've got a new album on the way, and as a preview we just released a single off it, titled 'Broken things'. You can listen to it and download it for free here. We have a Kickstarter campaign going for the record, which you can visit here, where people can contribute and pre-order the album.

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Tumbling Bones // Gritty Traditional American Music
E-mail
Phone (434) 872-3864
Website; Facebook

The Cabin Sessions, 28 Nov. 2013

Gerry Fitzpatrick announces the Thursday 28 November show in the Cabin Sessions series, 'Acoustic Music at its Finest', at Uncle Tom's Cabin in south Dublin (not far from Dundrum Luas station in the city direction).

This month features the Cabin House Band - Spats Davenport (gtr), Con Butler (bs), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dob), Cathy McEvoy (fid), and Christian Volkmann (hca) - with special guests Mongoose (contemporary folk), Blood Red Mountain Band (Americana), and Lynda Lucas & the Natural Born Heathens (Americana).

The show runs from 9.30 to 11.30 p.m., and admission is free. If you or someone you know would like to perform at the Cabin Sessions, let Gerry know by e-mail. The Sessions are particularly interested in featuring local musicians and singers.

Full lineup for Shannonside Winter Music Weekend (16-19 Jan.) online now

The 15th Shannonside Winter Music Weekend Festival (16-19 January 2014) will feature at least seventy acoustic music events at over fifteen venues in Sixmilebridge and Bunratty, Co. Clare. The Festival's stated mission - 'to present a diverse range of acoustic music in small venues' - looks like being well fulfilled this year.

The full lineup is shown in the image above and in greater detail here, where there are also links to artists' websites and you can watch performance videos. Every act looks rewarding for practically anyone; for BIB readers the likely priorities will be the splendid High Plains Tradition from Colorado; Martin Gilmore (USA), son of guitarist Steve of the HPT; and Tim Rogers & the Clew Bay Critters.

Update 19 Nov.: Thanks to Ray O'Brien for setting us right about our original last paragraph - due to work commitments, Mark Leslie will not be able to come to Ireland for this trip with HPT, and so (as in 2012) the HPT banjo player will be Ron Lynam, a pillar of Colorado bluegrass for over thirty years. The Winter Music Weekend website, however, carries a video (also on YouTube) of the band performing 'Rain, please go away' with Mark on banjo, which is well worth seeing and hearing.

Nechville gears up for the future

Thanks to banjo-innovation wizard and luthier Tom Nechville, designer of the Heli-Mount banjo pot system, for news of recent achievements at Nechville Musical Products (NMP), Minnesota, USA. A frequent visitor to European festivals and banjo events, including the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Tom writes:

Nechville has many strong international friendships, and with my passion for building inspirational banjos, I'm working toward seeing the banjo flourish around the world. [...] As a lifetime player and builder, I've never been happier with the sound, appearance, comfort, playability, and wide range of selection that we can now offer. In short, our thirty-year quest for better banjos might be called a tireless passion for achieving the sound that players want.

NMP recently acquired the USA's top tone-ring producer, giving the expanded company state-of-the-art facilities and expertise for producing the world's best precision tone rings. With this expansion, Tom can offer virtually any custom combination, both in his own Heli-Mount banjos, and in those with traditional-style pots. More details are on the European Bluegrass Blog, the NMP website, the NMP blog, and Tom's Banjo Hangout blog.

Tom also has this invitation for banjo-pickers who are forward-thinking and open to ideas: 'Nechville is eager to build the instrument you've been dreaming about.'

Nechville Musical Products
9700 Humboldt Ave. South, Bloomington, MN 55431
E-mail
Office +1 952-888-9710; mobile +1 612-275-6602

A dramatic anniversary

Thanks to Enda Donnelly for pointing out that Wednesday (13 November) was the anniversary of the day in 1985 when an intruder broke into the home of Bill Monroe, took a poker, and inflicted very serious damage on his main instrument, the 1923 Lloyd Loar Gibson F-5 mandolin #73987 (shown above), and another F-5. An almost miraculous restoration was carried out by Charlie Derrington, and #73987 was reunited with Monroe on 25 February 1986. The episode was described by Richard Thompson on Bluegrass Today.

Quote of the month

You have to practice even to be lousy.

Jack Benny (1894-1974), quoted on Banjo Hangout

'The Bluegrass People'

Thanks to Ray O'Brien of Bluegrass in Ireland for passing on this news of the project 'The Bluegrass People' (also on Facebook and other social media), founded by Carl White of North Carolina. Anyone who feels they can contribute to the project can contact Carl direct by e-mail, or post on Bluegrass in Ireland.

Bill Monroe's 'Danny Boy' on RTÉ One

The BIB editor reports:

Viewers watching 'Danny Boy: the ballad that bewitched the world' on Monday night (11 Nov.) on RTÉ One TV could hear at one point the voice of the Father of Bluegrass singing the song, and at the same time see film footage of Roscoe Holcomb of Daisy, KY, playing a dance tune on banjo on his porch. The commentary suggested that this recording of the song illustrated the affinities between Ireland and hillbillies.

The idea that Bill Monroe should record 'Danny Boy' seems to have come from the Decca producer Owen Bradley. Pop recordings of the song by Conway Twitty and Andy Williams had already sold well, and Bradley apparently thought that Monroe's intense, high-tenor voice would be right for a country version. Bill Monroe and his band recorded 'Danny Boy' on 30 Nov. 1961, and it was first released in June 1962 on the LP Bluegrass ramble.

Although Rachel Liebling used it in the soundtrack of her film about Monroe, High lonesome, it remains something of an oddity among his recorded work and is not generally seen as part of bluegrass repertoire. It serves, however, as an example of how to use the discography in Neil V. Rosenberg and Charles K. Wolfe, The music of Bill Monroe (University of Illinois Press, 2007). The cover photo for this book (above left) was taken at the session at which 'Danny Boy' was recorded.

Update 14 Nov.: We are informed that no country singer appears to have recorded 'Danny Boy' in the period 1921-42.

Ferguson & Ferguson: on tour in Ireland, July 2014

Thanks to Gary Ferguson (seated, in the photo above) for this announcement of his next tour in Ireland:

Irish audiences are known for their love of American folk, country, and bluegrass music, a fact Gary Ferguson discovered on his first tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2005. Ferguson has toured in Ireland every year since then, working with such Irish musicians as Mick Hanly, Charlie McGettigan, Frankie Lane, Janet Holmes, and Colin Henry at folk clubs, pubs, and arts centres throughout the land. His upcoming July 2014 Irish tour marks his tenth trip to the Emerald Isle, and to commemorate the milestone, he’s going to tour Ireland and Northern Ireland with none other than… Gary Ferguson. That’s Gary Alan Ferguson, a renowned bluegrass and country musician from the state of Virginia who’s worked with such artists as Donna Fargo and the Knoxville Grass. Ferguson & Ferguson are excited to perform together and bring their songs to new audiences this summer!

Gary Gene Ferguson (guitar, lead vocals), a longtime resident of southeastern Pennsylvania, is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who’s been a mainstay of the bluegrass and Americana scenes since the 1980s. In addition to the Gary Ferguson Band, Gary has recorded or performed with such distinguished bluegrass musicians as Ronnie McCoury, Robbie McCoury, Mike Auldridge, Alan O’Bryant, Ron Stewart, and Jimmy Gaudreau.

A five-time finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, Ferguson is an acclaimed songwriter, best known for the Larry Sparks hit 'Last day at Gettysburg', which rose to number two on the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 chart. Three of his original songs were included in the Bluegrass Unlimited 'Top 200 Songs of the 1990s' list. Ferguson is also a prolific recording artist whose records span bluegrass, country, Americana and folk. The most recent additions to his tasty and varied discography are Live at Podunk and Ferguson, Holmes and Henry, recorded with Irish musicians Janet Holmes and Colin Henry.

Gary Alan Ferguson (lead guitar, vocals), a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, who now lives in the Washington, D.C., area, is an engaging singer, songwriter and versatile multi-instrumentalist whose music blends influences from rock, soul, and gospel to folk, jazz, country, and bluegrass. He plays acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, upright bass, electric bass, keyboards, and percussion instruments. His performance and/or recording credits include the Knoxville Grass, Donna Fargo, Claire Lynch, John Starling, the Virginia Squires, and many others.

Gary has toured throughout the US and Europe with a number of highly regarded country, bluegrass, and swing bands, performing at such acclaimed venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Wolf Trap, and the Birchmere. A member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, he currently plays with several popular groups in the D.C. area including East of Monroe (bluegrass/ Americana), the Hula Monsters (swing/ roots), and Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddys (country). Gary is currently writing songs for East of Monroe’s upcoming debut CD, as well as working on other recording projects.

Confirmed dates on the tour so far:

Mon. 14th July: Ballymore Acoustic Gigs, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare
Tues. 15th: Crocanoir, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary
Wed. 16th: de Barra’s, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Thurs. 17th: St John’s Art Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Fri. 18th: TBA
Sat. 19th: TBA
Sun. 20th: Tech Amergin Art Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry
Mon. 21st: TBA
Tues. 22nd: TBA
Wed. 23rd: Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; TBC
Thurs. 24th: Sunflower Folk Club, Belfast
Fri. 25th: TBA
Sat. 26th: TBA

'Burren backstep' now on YouTube: and on a future film soundtrack

Thanks to Brian McNeal of the Prescription Bluegrass Blog (USA) for the news that Niall Toner (right) has released a new music video.

'Burren backstep' is an original bluegrass instrumental composed by Niall and recorded on his Pinecastle album Onwards and upwards (PRC 1182); and the video is very nicely shot, with closeups of Niall and three other pickers giving the tune a thorough work-over. It closes with the dates of Niall's appearance schedule at MerleFest 2014.

It can be seen either on the Prescription Bluegrass Blog or on YouTube, where it is the first on Niall's new YouTube channel.

Update 10 Nov.: Thanks also to ace bluegrass journalist Richard Thompson for the information that 'Burren backstep' has been chosen as the theme for a new Irish movie called Keep it country, to be shot next summer. The director, Ciaran O'Connor, has worked in TV and film for over twenty years, and Keep it country will be his second feature film.

EBMA scholarships to bluegrass workshops in Europe

The latest issue of the EBMA's English-language magazine Bluegrass Europe is now out, revealing that an already fine magazine has had a visual makeover from musician and graphic designer Michael Zumstein of Germany.

The theme of BE #89 (Oct.-Dec. 2013) is 'Bluegrass in the Netherlands', with features on Dutch bands, picking parties, festivals, and personalities, and even on Dutch attitudes to bluegrass; but bluegrass in the rest of Europe and the USA is by no means neglected. More details are on the European Bluegrass Blog. All EBMA members receive Bluegrass Europe free of charge, but anyone can subscribe to the magazine here.

One item that may be of special value for Irish readers is the news that the EBMA is now granting two scholarships each year, each worth €200, to those who want to attend a bluegrass workshop in another European country. As there is a strong network of good workshops across Europe (including a growing number of Wernick Method banjo camps and jam camps for all bluegrass instruments) this is worth following up.

The EBMA scholarship committee is chaired by Petr Brandejs (also an EBMA board member and chairman of the Czech Bluegrass Music Association) and Susie Bowe of the USA and Italy (who was at the 2012 Westport festival with her husband Robert). Contact Petr by e-mail.

Detached notes

Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass at Omagh 2008 (photo: Norman and Heather Brown)

John Lawless reported two days ago on Bluegrass Today that Danny Paisley has recently suffered two heart attacks. After being treated in hospital, he is resting at home, and has had to suspend his performance schedule pending medical decisions on further treatment.

While more news is awaited, the BIB sends all good wishes for his complete recovery - on behalf of those in Ireland who love traditional bluegrass as delivered, with unique power, by Danny and the Southern Grass.

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A complete schedule of events for the Ireland Immersion Weekend (15-17 Nov.) in Brentwood, TN, is now available (see the BIB for 25 October for the advance release on the Weekend).

As well as a performance of 'The mockingbird sings' (a musical drama centred on the Bristol Sessions of 1927), attenders will be able to take part in traditional Irish whiskey tasting, eat bacon and cabbage, go to traditional seisiúns and workshops in flute, tin whistle, East-Galway-style fiddle, uilleann pipes, bouzouki, sean-nós dancing and singing, Gaelic speaking, and hurling demonstrations, ride on donkey carts and Conamara ponies, and much more.

The weekend offers every opportunity of being surrounded by Ireland, while still in Tennessee. The BIB wonders: is anyone offering a mirror-image experience, for the benefit of those in Ireland who'd like to feel they're in the catchment area of the Bristol Sessions?

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The schedule of coming events up to 17 Nov. at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Nual, Co. Dublin, can be seen here, including the show by Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB) this coming Saturday, 9 Nov.

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Chris Thile's tour of Europe got off to a good start in Dublin last night with an outstanding solo performance, to which the audience responded with at least three standing ovations.

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Ray O'Brien's Bluegrass in Ireland carries a message from Jan Brtník. Jan is an upright-bass player in classical, bluegrass, folk, jazz, and other music, who has recently moved from Cork to Dublin and is looking for a jam session or a band to join. Please form an orderly queue...

Events in the next ten days

Note the two shows (7 and 8 Nov.) by Pokey LaFarge (USA; photo right), which have not previously appeared on the BIB calendar.

Tues. 5th: Belfast Bluegrass Session, the Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 2GE; begins 8.30 p.m.; 028 9064 1410; e-mail
Chris Thile of the Punch Brothers, in concert, Pepper Canister Church, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2, 7.30 p.m.; tickets can be booked online

Thurs. 7th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Town Hall, Bangor, Co. Down, 7.30 p.m., 028 9127 0371
Pokey LaFarge (USA), the Limelight, 17 Ormeau Ave., Belfast BT2 8HD; doors 8.00 p.m., show 9.00 p.m.; £14.50

Fri. 8th: The Tillers (USA), the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Christchurch cathedral, Waterford city, 7.30 p.m.
Pokey LaFarge (USA), the Village, 26 Wexford St., Dublin 2, with Minnie & the Illywhackers; 8.00 p.m.; €20

Sat. 9th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, €16, 7.30 p.m., +353 (0)1 802 0898
The Tillers (USA), Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.

Sun. 10th: The Tillers (USA), Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city
Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Murphy’s Bar, Low St., Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, adm. free; 7.00 p.m., +353 56 772 4160

Mon. 11th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Crane Lane Theatre, Phoenix St., Cork city, adm. free, 11.00 p.m.; 021 427 8487

Tues. 12th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), St John’s Theatre, the Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 7.30 p.m., 068 22566

Wed. 13th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Allihies Mining Museum, Allihies, Beara, Co. Cork, 7.30 p.m.

Thurs. 14th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), De Barra's,55 Pearse St., Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 7.30 p.m.; +353 (0)23 883 3381

Fri. 15th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Carnegie Arts Centre, Shelbourne St., Kenmare, Co. Kerry, 7.30 p.m.; 064 66 48701

Sat. 16th: Southern Tenant Folk Union (GB), Upstairs at Dolan’s, Dock Rd, Limerick city, 7.30 p.m., €12 (students €8); box office (061) 314 483 EXT1, venue (061) 314 483
Athy Bluegrass Music Association benefit night at GAA Centre, Dublin Rd, Athy, Co. Kildare, in aid of St Vincent's Hospital (Athy) new Alzheimer's unit; 9.00 p.m., €5; music by Woodbine & Friends

Woodbine AND a good cause - what more do you want?

Thanks to Tony O'Brien for the news that the Athy Bluegrass Music Association are holding a benefit night in aid of the new Alzheimer's unit at St Vincent's Hospital, Athy, Co. Kildare.

The benefit will be held at the Athy GAA Centre (the venue for the Athy Bluegrass Festival this past July, and for the Tumbling Bones (USA) concert a month earlier), Dublin Road, Athy, on Saturday 16 November at 9.00 p.m. Admission €5. Music will be provided by Woodbine & Friends.

Old Hannah at the Harbour Bar, Bray, 3 Nov. 2013

Thanks to news from Anthony Mannion, the BIB reported on 8 February this year the emergence of Old Hannah, a vigorous young band based in Dublin and Sligo. Anthony also sent a link to a Glen Sessions YouTube video of the band (Luke Mercer, Lucie Crichlow, Anthony Mannion, Leo Morris, with guitar, dobro, and 5-string) in action.

Thanks now to Ray O'Brien, who forwards from Bluegrass in Ireland more news from Anthony: Old Hannah (also on Facebook and Breaking Tunes) will play a mix of country, bluegrass, and western swing at the Harbour Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow, this Sunday (3 November) from 9.00 p.m. Admission is free. You can read the band bio and watch the video on Ray's Facebook page, as well as on their own sites.

Chris Thile opens European tour in Dublin, 5 Nov. 2013

Thanks to the European Bluegrass Blog for the news that the outstanding mandolinist Chris Thile (left) of the Punch Brothers will be touring in Europe from early next week.

As the first show of the tour, he will be playing in concert at the Pepper Canister Church, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2, on this coming Tuesday (5 Nov. 2013), scheduled to start at 7.30 p.m. Tickets can be booked online. NB: the Ticketmaster page shows Chris with Michael Daves, but his online calendar makes it clear that the concert is solo.

The remaining five shows on the tour will be in Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. He will make a brief Australian tour in January 2014.