Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Grits & Gravy, and more at Ballincollig

In the BIB post of 21 Dec. with Ray Barron's news of Two Time Polka gigs, we added: 'BIB readers should check the lineup of the Ballincollig Winter Music Festival (23-27 Jan.), as there are some high-powered guests. More details will follow.' And here they are.

Jerry Douglas (USA), supported by Greenshine, will be in concert on Saturday 26 Jan.; doors open at 8.30 p.m. and tickets are €30. On Sunday 27 Jan. the concert artists will be Tim O'Brien (USA) and Jan Fabricius; doors open 8.00 p.m. and tickets are €28. Online booking is available on the Festival website.

Also on the programme: the Grits & Gravy Stringband (below; Ian Knepper and Caolán Keogh, fiddles; Ben Keogh, banjo; Camilla Monroe, guitar; and Síona Knepper, double bass) will be playing old-time music at the Kinnegar trad session on Friday 25 Jan. from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m.

Deadline approaches for OTH fundraiser

The Old Time Herald is reaching the final days of its 2018 fall fundraiser, as reported on the BIB for 18 Oct. When the deadline is reached, the names of fifteen donors will be randomly drawn, to receive either

• Going down to Raleigh (a PineCone two-CD set, packed with field recordings of some of the greatest old-time musicians active in North Carolina in the late 20th and early 21st centuries), or
• Blue Ridge music trails of North Carolina by Fred Fussell and Steve Kruger, published by the University of North Carolina Press.

You can donate by PayPal through the OTH website.

BBN no. 85; some Irish resonances

The latest issue (no. 85, winter 2018) of British Bluegrass News (BBN), the quarterly magazine of the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA), is out; and as always it's a model of what the journal of a national bluegrass association should be, produced to professional standards and with plenty of content that has a far wider appeal.

Items with a special resonance for fans in Ireland include a full-page 'Meet the bands' feature on Navan's seven-piece Pilgrim St; a mention (and photo) of 'Mr Long Neck Banjo', Pat Kelleher; and a three-page article by Paul Brewer of the New Essex Bluegrass Band, who are retiring after nearly a quarter-century of playing hard-core bluegrass. Paul's account of the band's career includes their 'wonderful trip to headline the Athy Bluegrass Festival in Ireland' (2014).

Addendum 30 Dec.: Among the many other good things in this issue, two features should be widely useful - the article 'Life hacks for musicians' by Ondra Kozak (CZ), with tips on hardware, software, books, gadgets, and general good advice for playing at professional level; and Leon Hunt's book The banjo columns, reviewed in BBN by Trevor Hyett.

A great year for the Dublin Bluegrass Collective Jam

Aran Sheehan reports on a bumper year for the weekly Dublin Bluegrass Jam:

Thanks for sharing Niall Toner’s positive report of his experience with the Dublin Bluegrass Collective-hosted weekly session in Dublin [see the BIB for 21 Dec.], which was very much complimented by his attendance and also the Mules & Men, who were also there with a full lineup. This made for a fantastic finale session of 2018, which has been a really great year, with so many guest musicians of incredible talent from every corner of the world. We have all been inspired by these musicians in so many ways, whether it be technical brilliance, incredible presence, new approaches to material we thought we knew very well, or indeed just new material that we may not have come across yet.

I have kind of lost count, to be honest, but I do know that just since July 2018 to end of year we have had over six bands/ duets/ holiday pickers from the USA alone, which actually means in the region of 20-30 individuals from across the pond and of course plenty of amazing local talent like the aforementioned year finale session. I know I will think of a few the minute I press 'send' on this e-mail, but some guest musician highlights just since July: Jeff Scroggins and Greg Blake, Jimmy Marsh & the Bluegrass Journeymen (all Colorado I 🤔 think), Midnight Run Band, Ken & Deborah Orban, Rudi Ekstein (brilliant mandolinist with instrument befitting) and separately but also from Tennessee, multi-instrumentalist Randy Pasley! This is by no means the full list and I’m only going back half the year. So a massive thank you 🙏 to all the great folks who have joined us for a pick, to those mentioned, the many people I didn’t name, and an especially humongous Thank You to all you local pickers who come to nearly every session throughout the year and without whom Bluegrass Tuesdays in Sin É would not exist - you know who you are. Cheers, folks 👍🎶🙏!

For anyone learning how to play bluegrass, how the etiquette of a jam works (globally) and all the other things that are involved in this music, please feel free to come check it out; and if you already know how to back up in time, key, volume sensitivity and tuned correctly, jump in and have a pick! If you are looking for a teacher in the Dublin area or beyond, we probably have someone right there to help you out or we can recommend a great teacher nearer to you, so don’t be shy, just ask.

If you wish to book the Dublin Bluegrass Collective band in 2019, just call Aran on +353-(0)85-7110826 and we can see if a plan can be hatched together.

The first Tuesday session of 2019 is 8 January, so until then we wish you all a fantastic year of musical adventures ahead.

Lots of love & G runs,
Aran & the Dublin Bluegrass Collective

Woodbine at Tuohy's, Rathdowney, 1 Jan. 2019

Thanks to Tony O'Brien of Woodbine for this news:

Just like the last number of years, Woodbine kick off the New Year with a gig in Tuohy's Bar, Rathdowney, Co. Laois, on Tues. 1 Jan. 2019 at 9.30 p.m. A great little venue to start the bluegrass year.

Deering 2018 Festival demo banjo sale

Deering Banjos announce their Festival demo banjo sale:

As with the sale we ran over Thanksgiving, these banjos have been played, shipped to festivals, played some more, before finally returning home to the Deering factory. Naturally, this is a great opportunity to find a great deal on a new banjo. A couple of them do have some superficial issues and these are documented and photographed, where appropriate.

Most banjos are priced 25% or more below MSRP. And if you are looking for something that is not listed, please give us a call. You never know what we might have in the back!

A reduction of 25% is a pretty considerable sum on some of these banjos, all of which can be looked over here. Deering are resuming shipping today after the Christmas holiday.

Christmas greetings from the BIB

The Bluegrass Ireland Blog sends good wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and a joyful and prosperous New Year to all its readers, to all lovers of bluegrass and kindred musics, and to all people of goodwill everywhere.

Barwick & Siegfried (USA): back in Ireland in May 2019

Thanks to Cathal Cusack for drawing our attention to Stones & gravel, the third and latest album from Kathy Barwick and Pete Siegfried, pillars of the bluegrass and acoustic music scene in California. First of the twelve tracks, the title track is a song written by Janet Henry, 'one of Northern Ireland's premier singer-songwriters and a good friend'; and their version of the Gary Scruggs song 'The Lowlands' is inspired by Janet's recording of it.

Barwick & Siegfried, who toured Ireland in 2014 and 2016, will be back in May 2019 for a further tour; the schedule will be announced soon. More details are on the bio section of their website, and some of their recordings can be heard on YouTube. Kathy is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, teacher, and session musician.

Second Annual Irish Old-Time Appalachian Music Gathering, 22-24 Feb. 2019

Andrew Lambert sends this welcome news:

The Second Gathering of Irish Old-Time Appalachian Musicians starts at 6.00 p.m. on Friday 22 February 2019 and ends on the evening of Sunday 24 February. Meet up and jam with other Old-Time enthusiasts from Ireland and further afield, and enjoy the hospitality of the award-winning Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare. For musicians it only costs €10 to participate (if you register and book before 31 January; €15 after that). You can do that at www.irisholdtime.com, where you will find extensive information including about low-cost accommodation, travel and tourism tips, and an account of the great time had by all at the First Gathering (2018). Also keep up to date at the related Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/irisholdtime/. If you are not a musician or singer, there will be a concert on Saturday night where you can experience the finest OT musicians from Ireland.

BIB editor's note: As emphasised on the BIB on 10 Dec. 2017, the word 'Appalachian' should not be narrowly interpreted - 'So if your fiddle tunes come from Texas, the Mid-West, or New England rather than Appalachia, or your banjo picking is up- rather than down-, don't hang back; the Gathering is meant to bring people together, not to separate them.'

PS: For examples of how good old-time two-finger banjo can sound, use the video links on the 'Thumb-lead banjer' website.

Mygrassisblue.com bring Sideline (USA) to Ireland, 9-14 July 2019

Many thanks to Dave Byrne senior and junior, the team behind the driving new agency Mygrassisblue.com (see the BIB for 22 Nov. and 28 Nov.) for this good news - Dave describes it as a Christmas cracker, but 'a whopping great present' might be a better description...

It’s Christmas, the season of good will and festive cheer, and we have a cracker just for you!

Although having recently celebrated five years as the pedigree six-piece powerhouse they are, Sideline founders Steve Dilling, Skip Cherryholmes, and Jason Moore can all claim their own historical significance to the genre as members of highly awarded groups with multiple Grand Ole Opry appearances and decades of national and international touring experience between them.

What started as a side project for seasoned players, hence the name, Sideline has since released four critically acclaimed albums combining a well-chosen mix of new material with hard-hitting neo-traditional covers of bluegrass classics. Recorded or live, their pulse-pounding drive, perfect timing, crisp instrumentals, powerful harmonies, and on-stage energy and finesse remind fans why they fell in love with bluegrass in the first place, and they can’t wait to bring their show to an Irish audience. You don’t want to miss this!

The team at Mygrassisblue.com wishes everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Oh, and of course we ho ho hope to see you all at a bluegrass gig in 2019!

Details of the schedule will follow in January. More about Sideline is on their website and on Bluegrass Today.

Frank Ray honoured by SPBGMA

The many friends and fans that Cedar Hill (USA) have made over here from their appearances at several Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festivals at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, and other venues, will be glad to hear that on Tuesday (18 Dec.) the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) announced that Frank Ray (photo), who has fronted the premier Ozark band for over fifty years, has been inducted into the SPBGMA Hall of Greats.

For much more detail, see the major feature by Richard Thompson on Bluegrass Today, which includes two videos, a discography, and a substantial biographical essay on Frank by C.J. Lewandowski (mandolinist for the Po' Ramblin' Boys, whom we hope to see and hear in Ireland in 2019).

Two Time Polka: gigs in Dec. 2018 and Jan. 2019

Ray Barron of Two Time Polka announces:

Here are the details of our next few gigs.

Sat. 29th Dec.: The Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork. Start 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209

Sat. 26th Jan.: The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork (part of Winter Music Festival). Start 10.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4871388

We're already booked to play at a number of events in 2019: Kilkenny Rhythm 'n' Roots Festival, Caherciveen Mountain Roots Festival, Zydecozity (in the Netherlands), Dunfanaghy BAND festival, Phil Murphy Festival, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, and Clonmel Busking Festival.

Wishing you all a pleasant Christmas and hope to meet up in 2019.

Regards,
Ray & TTP

BIB editor's note: BIB readers should check the lineup of the Ballincollig Winter Music Festival (23-27 Jan.), as there are some high-powered guests. More details will follow.

NTB support Dori Freeman (USA) at Tradfest, 24 Jan. 2019

The organisers of Tradfest 2019 announce a post-Christmas sale offer of two selected shows for the price of one. This will apply only from midnight on St Stephen's day to midnight on 27 December. Full details are on the latest Tradfest e-newsletter.

Included in the offer is the show at St Michan's church, Dublin, on 24 Jan., at which the Niall Toner Band will be supporting singer/ songwriter Dori Freeman (above) from Galax, Virginia. Galax has a special place in the history of old-time, country, and bluegrass music, and though Freeman often uses country instrumentation her singing has a traditional heart: listen to 'Over there', with clawhammer banjo, from her Letters never read album. Doors open at 8.00 p.m. and the show starts at 8.30. Tickets (€15.99) can be booked here.

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Last Tuesday (18 Dec.) Niall Toner dropped in to Sin É in central Dublin to sit in on the weekly Dublin Bluegrass Collective jam - the last one of 2018. He writes: 'The standard was, to my ears, very high indeed, on all instruments, and there's no fear for the future of the music here in Ireland. [...] I would have to say that the standard was just as good as that I experienced at IBMA in Raleigh, recently.'

Niall adds: 'I am keeping busy with new music, and we recorded recently in Orchard Studios in Enniscorthy. I hope to be able to release a mini-album early in 2019.'

NTB: Gerry Madden, Dick Gladney, Niall Toner, Johnny Gleeson

The OTH available in digital form

The Old Time Herald announces:

We have some big news! There is now a DIGITAL EDITION of the Old Time Herald available on iTunes! You can subscribe and read directly from the app, and over time we'll be adding back issues both for purchase and free download. (There are some up already.)

Currently we're offering digital subscriptions separately from the print edition, but we may be able to bundle in the future. Please note, so far we're only available on Apple/ iOS devices, but there is the possibility of expanding to other platforms - and we want to hear from you if you'd like to access the OTH on other digital devices. We hope you'll check it out! You can download it here.

Merry Christmas from the Folk Park

Seasonal greetings from Richard Hurst and the admirable staff at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone - location since 1992 for the annual Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festivals, for musical events at other times in the year (notably the Fourth of July weekends), and for occasional special concerts by visiting bands.

In short, the Folk Park has been a powerful, vital, and essential part of the scene in this island for over a quarter of a century. The caption in the lower right-hand corner of the picture reads:

Merry Christmas and a Bright New Year from Richard and all the team at the Folk Park

and on behalf of bluegrass and old-time enthusiasts in Ireland, the BIB warmly reciprocates.

Tristan Scroggins reports on Bluegrass Jamboree 2018

Bluegrass Jamboree concert finale: from far right, Tristan Scroggins, 
Rainer Zellner, Jeff Scroggins (photo: Paolo Dettwiler)

Rainer Zellner's 10th Bluegrass Jamboree (see the BIB for 3 Oct.) began its tour of central Europe on 22 Nov. and ended last Saturday (15 Dec.). Jeff Scroggins & Colorado were at the top of the bill, and Tristan Scroggins has just had published on Bluegrass Today his second and final report on the Jamboree, with plenty of detail about the acts, the tour experience, the towns visited and the shows, together with several photos and links to more information.

Coming soon from Moving On Music

Moving On Music send Christmas greetings and a reminder of their spring 2019 programme, which includes the Northern Ireland section of the tours by the Lonesome Ace Stringband (CAN) in February and Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi (USA/I) in March. Full schedules for both tours are on the BIB calendar.

'It would be hard to overstate what a good fiddler John Showman is [...] While Showman's fiddling is the centrepiece of the band's sound, it is joined by Coole's and Heineman's equal skills on banjo and bass' (Sarah Bryan, reviewing the Lonesome Aces' Old time album in Old Time Herald, xiv. no. 1)

Jamie Daly (USA) in Ireland, 7-16 Mar. 2019

The Constituents: Jamie Daly, Liza Figueroa Kravinsky,

Ingrid Morroy, Judith Morroy

Thanks to Jamie Daly of Virginia (USA) for the news that the Arlington band The Constituents will take part in the Killarney Mountain Festival in Co. Kerry, performing on 8 and 9 March 2019 in the Basecamp entertainment programme.

The Constituents consist of Jamie (mandolin, vocals), Liza Figueroa Kravinsky (bass), Ingrid Morroy (guitar, vocals), and her twin sister Judith (vocals, percussion). More details are in their bio on the festival website, showing that Jamie

has been a part of the Washington DC-area acoustic music scene since 1985. He has sung and played guitar, bass, and mandolin in countless local personnel combinations involved in bluegrass, folk, blues, acoustic rock, and all of their permutations. Band member, sideman, vocal-harmony specialist, practising Deadhead, and Ingrid’s neighbour.

Jamie and his wife Mina will be visiting Ireland for the first time. On Sunday 10 Mar. they'll leave Killarney for two nights in Galway, then one night somewhere between Galway and Dublin, before ending their trip with three nights in Dublin (13, 14, 15 Mar.). Jamie writes: 'I will have my mandolin and would love to run into a bluegrass jam [BIB emphasis] and a pint somewhere.' If you can help him find a jam during this itinerary, contact Jamie by e-mail.

Christmas greetings from Deering and Gold Tone

The Deering Banjo Company (above) wish the world a Merry Christmas with a special post on the Deering blog. It includes two videos by the Deering family: Greg Deering, founder of the company; Janet Deering, his wife; and Jamie Deering, their daughter. In the first video Greg reviews the year 2018, and in the second the family trio sing 'Christmas is coming' as a round.

In both, Greg plays a Deering long-neck banjo in the up-picking style made popular by Pete Seeger; so at the end of the post there's a link to a 2013 article, 'The extreme versatility of the long neck banjo' by Barry Hunn, headed by a striking photo of Pete Seeger playing out of doors. Can anyone identify the other long-neck player in the photo?

Among the comments that follow this article, there are two substantial contributions by Pat Kelleher of Dripsey, Co. Cork, who gives workshops in the use of the long-neck banjo at the annual Banjo Events presented by the UK's Eagle Music Shop.

Update 25 Dec.: The Gold Tone Music Group also send Christmas greetings with a video (also on YouTube) of 'Jingle bells' accompanied by Gold Tone instruments, including the F-6 mando-guitar.

Jussi Syren (FI) on the mend

John Lawless reports that Finnish singer, songwriter, mandolinist, and bandleader Jussi Syren (above, second from left, with his band the Groundbreakers) is making a determined recovery after a spell in hospital with a complex of serious medical conditions. The BIB wishes him a speedy return to full health and vigour; as we wrote in June 2017, 'if you want to hear bluegrass played with the guts that it had in the 1950s, very few bands anywhere do it as well as Jussi Syren and the Groundbreakers.'

More details are on Bluegrass Today, together with a studio video (also on YouTube) of the band playing Jussi's 'The banjo song', featuring their banjo player Tauri Oksala, who has also been the subject of a cover story in Banjo NewsLetter.

Alecia Nugent featured in Dec. 2018 BU

The December 2018 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited is full of good things, including an article by Derek Halsey on Alecia Nugent (USA), who with her band will top the bill at the 4th Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree (12-13 July 2019) and the 2019 Ardara Bluegrass Festival in Co. Donegal a week later, as well as other select concerts in Ireland (see the BIB for 3 Dec.). Details of the tour will be on the BIB as soon as we receive them.

Other features in this issue of BU include articles on Allen Mills by Penny Parsons, on Danny Paisley by Bill Conger, on the Travelin’ McCourys by Derek Halsey. on Rebekah Long by Ivan Tribe, and on Mile Twelve by Dale and Darcy Cahill.

In the review section, Galway's We Banjo 3 consolidate their grip on the attention of bluegrass media with a review by Bill Foster of their Haven album, beginning 'This is a really nice project of contemporary acoustic music', and noting that the quartet is supplemented by bass, piano, organ, cello, and horns. The Slocan Ramblers (CAN), who toured Ireland a year ago, get a Highlight review from Henry Koretzky for their Queen city jubilee album; and two albums by their fellow Canadians the Andrew Collins Trio are reviewed by David J. McCarty. Andrew has been a bandmate with members of the Lonesome Ace Stringband, who will be touring here from late January 2019.

Update 16 Dec.: Murphy Henry's 'General Store' pages in BU include a note on Tullamore's JigJam, leaders of 'I-grass', and their CD Live in Tullamore - which according to their website is now sold out. Their latest release is the single Tullamore to Boston.

Christmas Special Cabin Session, Dundrum, 27 Dec. 2018

Gerry Fitzpatrick, organiser of the Cabin Sessions series, 'Acoustic Music at its Finest', announces the final Session this year:

Hope you're all geared up for a happy and peaceful Christmas. If you're suffering from Cabin Fever on Thursday 27th why not join us for our Christmas Special. Guests will include Emma Butler (contemporary) and Pat Killalea & the Shadow. Season's Greetings!

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The Sessions are held on the last Thursday of every month at Uncle Tom's Cabin in Dundrum, south Dublin (not far from Dundrum Luas station, in the city direction). Shows run 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.

Update 17 Dec.: poster image (above) by Shane Butler.

Christmas greetings from Woodbine

From Tony O'Brien:

Woodbine would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas & Bright New Year. Thanks to our many friends for the continued support during 2018, and special thanks to Mel Corry and Dessie Crerand for filling in with us at the Omagh festival; to P.J. Power and Gerry Madden for guesting with us in Balla and Dunmore East festivals; and not forgetting Sean McKerr and Joe Meehan for joining with Tony and Liam to play the Ardara festival. It was all very much appreciated.

To all the promoters who had us play, we had a great year and look forward to 2019 and whatever it holds for us.

Best wishes from Nicola, Liam, Martin, and Tony... WOODBINE 🎄🎶🎄🎤🎻

Full twenty-year archive of Flatpicking Guitar now available

A unique opportunity for bluegrass guitar players is announced by Flatpicking Guitar Magazine:

20 Year Archives: Flatpicking Guitar Magazine was published for 20 years. All of our back issues are now available in digital PDF format on an attractive 16 GB flash drive. In addition to the magazine, we also produced a companion audio CD for 17 of our 20 years. All of the companion audio tracks are also available in the mp3 format. Below you can select to get a drive that contains only the PDF magazines, a drive that only the mp3 audio files, or a drive that contains both the PDF files and mp3 audio files. The drives that include the PDF files also include a massive 159-page clickable Master Index of every article, song, review, particular columnist's articles, and other feature articles so that you can find any piece of content that you may be looking for with just a couple of clicks of your mouse.

Archive updates: If you already own the 12-year or 17-year archives that we previously offered, or if you already own all or most the back issues in the digital format, and you want to complete your collection and take advantage of the 20-year clickable index, send an e-mail to dan@flatpick.com with the subject line 'FGM Archives' and let editor Dan Miller know what you currently own, and he will let you know how you can complete your collection and use the clickable Master Index without having to purchase digital back issues that you already own.

Prices and online ordering facilities are here.

Red Hat Acoustic Music Club at Naas, 14 Dec. 2018

Thanks to Paul and Anne McEvoy, organisers of the Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, for a reminder that the Club's last meeting of 2018 will be held this coming Friday (14 Dec.). Last month's meeting marked its sixth birthday.

The Red Hat meets on the second Friday of every month at the Harbour Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare. Music starts around 8.30 p.m.; a donation of €3.00 covers coffee/ tea and sandwiches at the interval.

Pete Seeger celebrated

The BIB editor writes:

The centenary of Pete Seeger's birth will come just under five months from now (the fifth anniversary of his death comes earlier: 27 Jan. 2019). His disciple and friend John McCutcheon is marking the centenary by releasing To everyone in all the world, a celebratory album of fifteen of Pete Seeger's songs, together with guest artists including Hot Rize, Tim O'Brien, and Stuart Duncan.

John McCutcheon's qualifications for this undertaking are incontestable, and they're worth reading in the feature by Lee Zimmerman on Bluegrass Today. I think, however, that Pete Seeger himself would gently correct what is said about his place in banjo history.

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The Bitter Southerner online magazine publishes today Chuck Reece's 'The 30 best Southern albums 2018', 'looking across every genre at music made by Southerners'. No bluegrass - the closest the list comes to bluegrass is John Prine, Rosanne Cash, and the Pistol Annies - but an illuminating guide to the music being made around bluegrass in a year that 'was, without question, the year of powerful Southern women'.

Special C. in the running for a Grammy award

Nominations for the 61st Grammy awards were published early yesterday (7 Dec.), and there's a good chance that a Grammy-award-winning band will be in Ireland on tour less than six weeks from now. What is certain is that our old friends the Special Consensus (USA) are among the five nominees for Best Bluegrass Album in the 2019 awards, with their latest Compass Records album Rivers and roads.

Rivers and roads already won the IBMA Album of the Year award for 2018, and the track 'Squirrel Hunters' from the album won the IBMA Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year award. Other nominees for the Grammy bluegrass album award are Portraits in fiddles by Mike Barnett (also on Compass), Sister Sadie II by Sister Sadie, The Travelin' McCourys by The Travelin' McCourys, and North of despair by Wood & Wire.

BIB editor's note: Playing mandolin for Wood & Wire is the highly regarded Billy Bright, who played in Ireland with the Two High String Band some years back.

The Original Five (SE) to release fourth album (Update)

The Original Five from Malmö, Sweden, toured Ireland in June 2017, including the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival. Thanks to Johan Malmberg, their banjo-player and fiddler, for the news that their fourth album, Wipe away those years, will be released on 1 February 2019 on their own label, Rootsy Records. It will be available as download or streaming on all major services, and also as physical CD and LP. A video and single will be released on 1 January. The Original Five write in their press release:

... We’re very proud of the faceted little diamond that will see the light of day in the beginning of 2019. Apart from the expected foundation of hard-driving bluegrass we offer exciting ventures into Nordic folk tradition, tejano music, a cappella, and we couldn’t help throwing in a country ballad for good measure.

Wipe away those years is our most uncompromising album to date. Every step in the process, from song writing and arranging to recording and mixing, has been allowed to take its time and has been made completely on our own premises. It is a bluegrass album no doubt, but the deeper we delve into the genre, the more confidence we get to let our own heritage and influences shine through. Our hope is that we’ve come up with something new, something we think could please both hard-core bluegrass fans and a wider audience.

The Original Five have been active, with some changes to the lineup, for eight years. During these years we’ve toured over most of Sweden and also played in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, and USA. We offer genuine and well played bluegrass with some of Europe’s finest musicians in the genre. [...] The Original Five have one leg firmly rooted in traditional bluegrass and the other in modern European bluegrass. In the band's own songwriting you’ll find influences from country and pop, old and new, as well as folk music from both sides of the Atlantic.

If you would like to get in touch with us, or if you would like a copy of the album for review or airplay (CD or download) please let us know!

The Original Five (also on Facebook) consist of Dan Englund (bass, vocals), Johan Malmberg (banjo, fiddle, vocals), Daniel Olsson dobro), and Jonas Svahn (guitar/vocals). Live videos are on YouTube of them playing 'Big old machine' and 'The old mountaineer'.

The Original Five's three previous albums are on Spotify. The band can be contacted by 'phone (+46 739088895), e-mail, or post:

The Original Five Ekonomiska Förening
C/O Johan Malmberg
Södra Parkgatan 33
214 22 Malmö
Sweden

Update 5 Jan. 2019: The promised New Year video and single release are featured by John Lawless on Bluegrass Today; the video of the title track can be seen there and on YouTube. John Lawless remarks: 'We certainly look forward to hearing the full album next month.'

For dobroists, and jammers in general

The Dec. 2018 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine (no. 312) includes a feature shown on the website as 'Dobro ace Jerry Douglas on building musical conversations'. There's an interview, about half of which concerns Jerry Douglas's background in music, his start in dobro playing, and his meetings with Josh Graves; the rest is concentrated advice on how to play in jams, which is salutary for all instrumentalists.

This issue, like all earlier issues still in stock, is available at $2.45 from the magazine. The available back issues are shown here.

Tutors for 2019 Sore Fingers Week announced

John Wirtz, of the Sore Fingers Summer Schools (SFSS) in England, announces the list of tutors for next Easter's instruction courses in bluegrass and old-time music (22-26 Apr. 2019), as follows:

Autoharp: Karen Mueller
Bass: Greg Garrison
Banjo: Greg Cahill
Banjo: Jeff Scroggins
Dobro: Greg Booth
Fiddle: Alex Hargreaves
Guitar: John Lowell
Guitar: Grant Gordy
Mandolin: Joe Walsh
Mandolin: Andrew Collins
Old-time banjo: Travis Stuart
Old-time fiddle: Stephanie Coleman
Singing: Keith Little

Beginner/lower intermediate classes
Beginner/lower intermediate mandolin/guitar: Charlotte Carrivick
Beginner/lower intermediate fiddle/dobro: Laura Carrivick
Beginner/lower intermediate banjo/bass: John Breese

Twenty places are available for each class. The names of several tutors will be familiar to fans in Ireland from their visits as performers. Bios of all tutors can be seen here.

Banjo Babes calendar + CD for 2019 now out

Thanks to John Lawless and Bluegrass Today for the news that the 6th annual international Banjo Babes calendar and its accompanying CD (not to mention downloads of the individual tracks, T-shirts, and logo stickers) are now available and can be bought online. Brief bios and photos of the artists taking part (they include Cera Impala from Scotland) are also on the website.

Opportunities: for bands - and for banjo teachers

Whelan's of Wexford St., Dublin 2, announce:

Now in its 9th year, Whelan’s Ones to Watch festival is back. We’re picking 60+ new & highly rated acts which showcase the wealth of talent that Ireland has to offer. The festival takes place over five days and three stages in Whelan’s from 16th to 20th Jan. 2019.

With a wide range of music covered - folk, indie, hiphop, electronic, experimental, rock, and more - we’re looking to showcase the best emerging talent in the country, whilst also showcasing artists that have taken the next step and are planning releases in 2019.

There’ll be a free pint of Hop House 13 with every ticket purchased. (#TopTip – Day tickets actually represent better value for money.)

More details are on the Whelan's website. Bands wishing to take part should apply here.

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The Deering Banjos website now offers a Banjo Teacher Locator service. Players looking for a teacher within reach can check on the levels of lessons offered, what kind of music is taught, means of teaching (i.e., whether online and/or skype lessons are available), and more. Moreover, teachers can add themselves to the list or be recommended by pupils. There's a location map of teachers in these islands, which at present shows no one in Ireland.

Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi tour in Ireland, 5-16 Mar. 2019

Rhiannon Giddens was last performing here at a single concert in Sligo at the end of October. Now, good news of more chances to see and hear her comes from Music Network. There will be an eleven-show tour in March - taking in the east, west, north, and south of the island - by Rhiannon (vocals, fiddle, banjo) and the Italian early music and jazz maestro Francesco Turrisi (percussion, accordion). The schedule is:

Tues. 5th Mar.: Sugar Club, Leeson St., Dublin 2, 8.00 p.m.
Wed. 6th: Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, 8.00 p.m.
Thurs. 7th: National Opera House, Wexford town, 8.00 p.m.
Fri. 8th: Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, 8.30 p.m.
Sat. 9th: Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick city, 8.00 p.m.
Sun. 10th: Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Co. Kerry, 3.00 p.m.
Tues. 12th: Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway, 8.00 p.m.
Wed. 13th: glór, Ennis, Co. Clare, 8.00 p.m.
Thurs. 14th: Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 8.00 p.m.
Fri. 15th: The Black Box, Belfast, 8.00 p.m.
Sat. 16th: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 8.00 p.m.

Full details, including reviews, venue phone numbers, ticket prices, and online booking facilities, are given on the Music Network website. More details of Music Network's season-ticket spring 2019 programme are here.

News of past visitors (UPDATE)

Darin and Brooke Aldridge (USA), after headlining at the 2018 Omagh bluegrass festival three months ago, went home to IBMA's World of Bluegrass, where Brooke won the Female Vocalist of the Year award. Three weeks ago they joined the roster of Rounder Records recording artists; and they are now scheduled to appear on 14 and 21 December on RFD-TV as part of a new 'Country's family reunion' DVD/TV series. More details on this e-newsletter from Laughing Penguin Publicity.

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Chatham County Line from North Carolina, who've been welcome visitors here more than once in the past, have made a four-minute video of a seasonal song, 'O! Santa', which can be seen on YouTube or (with more details) in John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today.

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Update: Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (whose last Omagh appearance was far too long ago) have released That's why I'm lonesome, their third album for Tom Mindte's Patuxent Music label, with some special guests. Tom wrote the title track, which can be heard on Richard Thompson's feature on Bluegrass Today. Of interest to all our midland readers: one of the thirteen tracks is a Ryan Paisley composition, 'Mullingar quickstep'. Danny's mother was Vivian O'Connor, whose family came from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

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AND Tristan Scroggins, of Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, has an extensive guest feature on Bluegrass Today describing the experiences of playing all over Germany as part of Rainer Zellner's Bluegrass Jamboree 'travelling festival' (see the BIB for 3 Oct.).

Ron Block, Tony Furtado, and Midnight Skyracer on Crossover (GB) lineup

Thanks to the organisers of the Crossover Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival in Congleton, Cheshire, England, for news of the four-day 2019 event, which will be held on 3-6 May at the Clonter Opera Theatre. The ample lineup includes Ron Block (USA), Tony Furtado (USA), and Midnight Skyracer (UK; performers at the 2018 Omagh festival) with Tabitha Agnew of Co. Armagh on banjo.

Congleton is not inaccessible for Irish visitors; a location map and travel instructions are on the festival website.

Alecia Nugent (USA) to headline 4th Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree

Thanks to Tony O'Brien for the news (also on the Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree Facebook) that the headline act at the 4th Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree (12-13 July 2019) will be Alecia Nugent (above) and band. This is a coup for the Jamboree: Alecia Nugent has won the Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) award several times from the Society for the Preservation of Blue Grass Music in America (SPBGMA), and John Lawless on Bluegrass Today has written about her:

Pure and powerful, Alecia has a wide range and a lovely voice. She brings passion and sincerity to every song she sings.

Tony's Facebook post includes a video (also on YouTube) of Alecia on stage in 2010, belting out 'Hillbilly goddess', the title track of her third Rounder album. Also prominent in the video: Ashby Frank, over here some years ago as mandolin player in Special Consensus.

Tony adds that Alecia and her band will also be topping the bill at next year's Ardara Bluegrass Festival in Co. Donegal, and that the full lineup for the 4th Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree will be released shortly. The Ardara festival will most likely be held a week after the Jamboree.

Update 4 Dec.: Thanks to Tony for the further news that a tour by Alecia Nugent and her band is being organised by Pat McGill of the Ardara festival. Details will appear on the BIB directly after we receive them.

Omagh 2019 dates; headline act announcement SOON (UPDATE)

The calendar for the 2019 festival season is filling up. Many thanks to Richard Hurst of the Ulster American Folk Park, Castletown, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, for the news that the 28th Annual Bluegrass Festival at the Folk Park will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 30-31 August and 1 September 2019. Richard also expects to announce the 2019 headline act this side of Christmas.

UPDATE 14 July 2019: For details of the lineup, see the BIB for 12 June 2019.

Tan & Sober Gentlemen (USA) release Veracity

Thanks to Ben Noblit of the 'Celtic punk-grass' band Tan & Sober Gentlemen (above), based in Chapel Hill, NC, for the news that the band - who had a successful tour in Ireland last summer and will be back in 2019 - released yesterday (1 Dec.) their new nine-track album Veracity. All tracks can be heard and bought on BandCamp; as a sample, their version of 'Follow me up to Carlow' can be heard here.


The Gentlemen (also on Facebook and Instagram) call what they play 'Scotch-Irish hillbilly insanity' and 'regressive folk music'. Ireland Calling calls it 'fast-paced, toe-tapping, fiddle-playing musical mayhem, certainly worth a look to any fans of Irish music', and The Irish Examiner considers their live show 'the best craic ever. Safe to say, next time they're around, we're bringing our dancing shoes.' Ben sends the following press release:

Building on their rapidly growing reputation as one of the Old North State's best live shows, the Tan and Sober Gentlemen have released their debut album, Veracity. Recorded in the woods of Chatham County, North Carolina, the album is a riotous, scorching take on what the band calls 'Scotch-Irish hillbilly music.'

Born and raised in the North Carolina back country, the seven-piece band explores the Celtic roots of their state's musical heritage. Though deeply rooted in traditional music, the band plays with a wide-open-throttle, no-holds-barred mentality that reflects their commitment to bring back the passion, energy, and ruggedness of the old-school hillbilly pickers. They like their folk music with the bark left on, and it shows.

Since their formation in the summer of 2016, Tan and Sober's raucous live show has quickly earned them a loyal following in the Appalachians, the East Coast, and Ireland. With sold-out shows across the South, and with international tours on the horizon, Veracity promises to be the next rung on the ladder to success. Stream or buy the record on Spotify, Bandcamp, or wherever you get your music.

For more information, promo requests, or to arrange an interview, contact Ben Noblit by e-mail.