09 July 2015

Claire Lynch to top the Dunmore East bill!

The Claire Lynch Band: (l-r) Bryan McDowell, Claire Lynch, Mark Schatz, Jarrod Walker

Thanks to Karen Cheever of B2B Communications for this release:

Bluegrass in Dunmore East – 21 years and going strong!
Guinness International Bluegrass Festival returns to its roots for 2015!

Fans of bluegrass, honky-tonk, blues, country, rhythm ‘n’ roots are in for a musical treat as the Guinness International Bluegrass Festival returns for the twenty-first year to the South-East this summer. Taking place in Dunmore East, the picturesque Co. Waterford seaside village, from Thursday 27 August to Sunday 30 August, the 2015 lineup is as impressive as ever.

Making a much anticipated debut is Claire Lynch, a bluegrass artist credited by Dolly Parton as being 'one of the sweetest, purest, and best lead voices in the music business today'. Having won a host of music awards, along with two Grammy nominations, Claire developed her love of country music and bluegrass, when she moved from New York to Alabama at the age of 12.

In the 1970s Claire fronted the Front Porch String Band until forming her own Claire Lynch Band in 2005. Since then Claire and her band have consistently been in demand with festival audiences across the US.

Festival founder and organiser Mick Daly is looking forward to Claire’s appearance. 'Claire is a pioneer of bluegrass and country music and we are delighted that she will be playing at the International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East. Not only has she a couple of Grammy nominations, Digital Journal placed her in the Top Ten of "Most angelic voices of our time", putting her on an equal footing with music legends such as Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan, Emmylou Harris, and Alison Krauss.'

Mick added: 'This year is particularly special for the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival. Now in its twenty-first year, the line-up features a fantastic mix of pure bluegrass, country, Cajun, newgrass, and blues. Not only have we some of the hottest names on the international bluegrass scene coming to the village in August, we have some great home-grown talent which is making big impressions on the bluegrass music landscape.

'Whilst the Claire Lynch Band will play a ticketed intimate gig on Sunday 30 August, all the other events throughout the village are free.'

Big-name Irish, European, and American bluegrass acts playing free gigs include the Demolition String Band (USA), New Section (CZ), Cup O' Joe (Northern Ireland), the Mons Wheeler Band (NI), the Down and Out Bluegrass Band (NI), Land’s End (UK/Ire), and Irish bands JigJam and Barefoot.

Another American band making their debut at Dunmore East is Whiskey Deaf, made up by Annie Staninec and John Kael. Born and bred on bluegrass music, Staninec has toured the world, featured on countless albums with renowned country, Cajun, and blues artists. Kael, an established songwriter, has been playing bluegrass guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass for over twenty years. His award winning song 'Handmade cross' features on the Grammy-nominated album Hard love by Doyle Lawson.

The 21st Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off on Thursday 27 August and heralds the start of three days of dozens of bands, playing over fifty gigs in the village's pubs, restaurants, and hotels.

For more information about the 21st Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival lineup in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com; for ticket information and bookings for the Claire Lynch band, e-mail or Discover Dunmore on Facebook and Twitter.

Quotes about Claire Lynch:

'She is a rare talent indeed. She has a beautiful, effervescent voice which can handle both contemporary and traditional music with complete authenticity. I love to listen to her and I love to sing with her.' (Linda Ronstadt)

'Claire has complemented many of my records with her beautiful harmonies, but she has one of the sweetest, purest, and best lead voices in the music business today. I'm so happy to see and hear her shine on her own. I love this CD and I love Claire. She's a great gal.' (Dolly Parton)

'I've always thought Claire Lynch has the voice of an angel. I'm a fan!' (Emmylou Harris)

'… one of my very favorite singers in all of acoustic, country, and bluegrass music. She is a jewel.' (Mary Chapin Carpenter)

BIB editor's note: the Festival web page includes photos with some familiar faces, and adds the news that Annie Staninec and John Kael will be giving workshops in fiddle, mandolin, and banjo.

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