Betse & Clarke in Ireland, late Aug.-Sept. 2016: UPDATE

The Missouri-based Wilders made a big impression in Ireland a few years back with their high-powered blend of old-time, early bluegrass, and honky-tonk country music. The energy that went into that combination is now pushing out in new directions, and we can look forward to hearing the exuberant music of Betse Ellis in Ireland later this year.

The new group Betse & Clarke combines Betse's spirited and ebullient old-time fiddling and singing with Clarke Wyatt's precise, thoughtful three-finger-style banjo playing, and the duo (Betse writes) 'is picking up a lot of steam after playing for about a year'. A six-track digital EP sold to fans at live shows since last summer, with no other publicity, was chosen by the Kansas City Star’s music critic as a favorite local album of 2015.

A full-length album is coming out this spring. Meanwhile, sixteen videos of their music can be seen and heard on YouTube and Facebook, and some are also on the website. As their bio says:

Together, Betse & Clarke give every listener something to appreciate. They perform traditional tunes learned from cherished sources, creative arrangements of familiar and forgotten songs, and original compositions. You can expect to hear something new that preserves the spirit of tradition.

Betse & Clarke are planning to tour Ireland in late August and up till 9 September. Event organisers and promoters who are interested (and so they should be) can contact them through the website or by e-mail.

Update 16 Mar.: Betse & Clarke will be part of this year's Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone (2-4 Sept. 2016).