The Petersens (USA): Finland-Ireland tour, Aug. 2019

Following the BIB post of 17 July, thanks to John Nyhan for the full schedule of the coming tour by the Petersens from Branson, Missouri - their fourth tour of Ireland, and their second this year.

The Petersens (also on Facebook) are coming back to Ireland, as they are to perform at a festival ('American Bluegrass Gospel Night') on 17 August in Klippan, Monäs, Nykarleby, Finland. John explains: 'As they are performing in Finland, they wanted to extend their trip to Europe with a short tour of Ireland. They have proved very popular in Ireland on their last visits. Their first show is three weeks from today at O Gliasáin's Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare.'

The full schedule in Ireland is:

• Wed. 21st: O Gliasáin's Bar, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 086 607 9864
• Thurs. 22nd: Coachman Bar, Parnell St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 085 850 2289
• Fri. 23rd: Ballinvreena Community Hall, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, 8.30 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771
• Sat. 24th: The Grain Store, Ballymaloe, Shanagarry, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771
• Sun. 25th: St Mary's Church of Ireland, Emmet St., Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 3.00 p.m.; tel. 087 064 0542
• Mon. 26th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771

For further details on the above, tel. 087 792 1771; e-mail

JigJam: busy schedule and acclaimed album

JigJam announce that after July dates in the US, Scotland, and France, their next US tour begins this coming Friday and lasts till the beginning of October. In early November they'll play an Irish tour with dates in Dublin, Dundalk, Cashel, and Mullingar.

Their latest album, Phoenix, available through their website, is on the cover of the September issue of Irish Music magazine, and last week RTÉ made it the Album of the Week.

Update 1 Aug.: Nancy Cardwell Webster's positive review of Live in Tullamore, JigJam's earlier album, appears in the August issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. Nancy also contributes the cover feature of this issue, on Jeff Parker, who played at Omagh with Dailey & Vincent some years back and now leads his own band.

Rye River Band at Howth, 16 Aug. 2019

Thanks to Pat Burgess of the Rye River Band for the news that the band will be playing the Howth Roots & Blues Festival 2019 at the Waterside bar, 15 Harbour Rd, Howth, Co. Dublin, on Friday 16 August. The show will start at 10.00 p.m. and admission is free.

The festival, which extends over the weekend 16-18 Aug., features twenty-three events at nine venues around Howth, and acts taking part include Mules & Men and the Prairie Dawgs.

Online booking for Omagh 2019

Online booking for bluegrass events at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, is now available; and this of course includes the coming 28th Bluegrass Omagh Music Festival, for which a full weekend pass (Friday morning to Sunday evening) for one person is £48.00 (access helpers free). Tickets for Friday and Sunday are £15.00 (child £6.00) each day; Saturday is £20.00 (child £6.00); and the separately ticketed Spirit of Bluegrass Gospel Concert (6.30-8.00 p.m. on Sunday evening) is £15.00. Photos of Bill & the Belles, Front Country, the Buffalo Gals, and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers adorn the booking page.

Much closer in time, the Watery Hill Boys (photo above) from Drogheda will be playing at the Park from 4.45 to 7.00 p.m. this coming Sunday (4 Aug.) in the 'BBQ & Bluegrass Sessions' series, where a ticket (£15.00 adult, £6.95 child) entitles the holder to a quality beef burger or pulled pork (vegan option available), served with a side salad and a complimentary drink. Full details and booking links are here.

Ramblers nominated for five IBMA awards

Good news of another leading US band who are on the lineup for this year's Omagh festival, just a month from now: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers. A new radio single is now available: 'Tell me true', an ancient-sounding original composition by Sarah Jarosz. You can hear the Ramblers' version on YouTube.

The single comes from the band's album For the record, which has been nominated for the 2019 IBMA's Album of the Year award. The Ramblers have also been nominated for the Gospel Recording, Collaborative Recording, Entertainer, and Song of the Year awards. The album is on the Billy Blue Records label.

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA) in Ireland, Sept. 2019

Last year Chris Jones & the Night Drivers toured Ireland with a well established personnel: Chris (guitar, lead vocals), Jon Weisberger (bass), Mark Stoffel (mandolin), and Gina Clowes (banjo). Recently, changes to this lineup have been announced; so, looking forward to their arrival a month from now, we're delighted to have the straight tip from Chris himself (photo):

We will have a somewhat different lineup for this tour (and I think a really good one), partly due to band changes and partly just due to other scheduling circumstances.

Marshall Wilborn, who is replacing Jon Weisberger on bass, will start his tenure as a Night Driver with this tour. Mark Stoffel is unable to do this tour due to circumstances with his other job (he’s the only of us with a decent day job!). He is being replaced, just for this tour, by the very talented Tristan Scroggins, who has toured Ireland in the past with his father Jeff. Gina, though she is leaving the band, will still be on this tour. In fact our last show on the tour will be her final show as a band member, so that makes this tour a really notable transition time for us: Marshall’s first show at the beginning, Gina’s last show at the end.

Personnel changes are never easy, and I’ve been blessed for a number of years with having very few of them, but they can also breathe new life into the music, and Mark Stoffel and I are very excited about the new lineup, much as we appreciate Jon and Gina, both musically and personally. Jon had played with me for seventeen years, so that’s a very big change, but Marshall and I have played music together in different forms going all the way back to 1985, so getting to play with him will feel like a musical homecoming.

Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival: photos for 2019, dates for 2020

Thanks to Uri Kohen, head of the organising team of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, for this news:

We have just uploaded some great photos from most of the events that took place during the 13th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival last June.

We are looking forward to share some more crowd pictures, in which most people will be able to see themselves enjoying the fantastic weekend.

The pictures can be seen on the festival's Facebook page and credit is to Chris Sweeney.

We also added many more videos of gigs, concerts, and sessions from the weekend, and they can be seen on the festival's YouTube channel.

Last but not least, Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival 2020 will take place on June 5-7.

Old-time news

The team producing the film The Mountain Minor (see the BIB for 3 July), in which old-time music takes a central place, now has a new member, Abigail Karr, as media outreach coordinator. You can see Abigail (with a very nice T-shirt on) in the project's latest e-newsletter, where it is also mentioned that the film will be screened at this year's Clifftop Festival in West Virginia. A programme of further screenings is being developed.

The BIB learned about The Mountain Minor from Old Time Central (OTC), and the Mountain Minor e-newsletter recommends the comprehensive review article on the film that appeared on OTC. The latest OTC e-newsletter, entitled 'Let's make it work!', includes this appeal from the OTC founders, Richard Osban and Ben Smith:

Oldtime Central exists to support local oldtime communities around the world. But we can't do this without your support.

We are 100% community supported. Consider making a donation to Oldtime Central to support our efforts to connect and strengthen oldtime communities around the world.

Monthly or one-time donation options are available. All donations make a big difference.

You can make a one-time donation using PayPal, or become a monthly supporter through Patreon.

Bluegrass and Americana at Naul, Sept.-Oct. 2019

The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Main St., Naul, Fingal, Co. Dublin, announces its New Season music programme, which includes concerts by Chris Jones & the Night Drivers on Saturday 7 September, and by the folk-rock Americana band Session Americana on Friday 4 October.

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers will be at Naul a week after their appearance at this year's Omagh festival. The BIB for 17 July mentioned recent changes in the band's lineup, and yesterday we cited a recent report from Tristan Scroggins that he would be on the tour. Further info will appear on the BIB as soon as we receive it.

The Naul show by Session Americana (also on Facebook) will be the last [see below] of their coming tour in Ireland. The five shows that now appear on their website (with links for online booking) are:

Sat. 28th Sept.: Leap Castle, Co. Offaly (near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary)
Sun. 29th: Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Wed. 2nd Oct.: Campbell's Tavern, Headford, Co. Galway
Thurs. 3rd: Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford town
Fri. 4th: Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin

Their tour will then continue in the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and Belgium till the end of October.

Update 10 Sept.: The following dates have since been added to Session Americana's tour:

Sat. 5th: Cork Folk Festival, Cork city
Sun. 6th-Mon. 7th: Levis Secret Song Festival, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

NTB at St Enda's, 4 Aug. 2019

Niall Toner (centre) with Andrea Booth and Rohan Healy of the Rhythm & Roots Show. Niall writes:

Just a note to say that the NTB are travelling all the way to Dublin city for a string extravaganza of the rootsy/ Americana/ bluegrass type in St Enda's/ Padraig Pearse House, Rathfarnham, on Sunday 4 August, between 3.00 and 5.00 p.m. The stellar lineup will include the amazing Johnny Gleeson on dobro, vocals, and guitar, the magic of Richard Gladney on upright bass, the fantastic Paddy Kiernan on 5-string, 6-string, and possibly 7-string banjo, and the ubiquitous Noel Tuner on guitar, vocals, and dubious jokes, as well as the tantalising prospect of a guest appearance by the beautiful and talented Andrea Booth, and possible appearances by a few other rising stars.

This amazing opportunity is provided for your visual and listening pleasure by the generosity of the Office Of Public Works, which means that there is no cover charge, but seating is limited, and there will be a gargantuan crowd of Nellie Towbar fans, all pushing for a spot close to the stage. Don't say you weren't warned … CDs and T-shirts will also be available for sale on the day.

Yours, Niall (alias Nellie Towbar/ Noel Tuner)

Deering's new GOTR banjo

Following the announcement (see the BIB for 4 July) of the issue of 'the ultimate touring banjo', the Winston Marshall Signature Model, Deering Banjos announce a corresponding addition to their Goodtime range: the GOTR, now on sale at $649.00 list price. More details are on the Deering website. As shown in the image (above), a free gig bag and set of strings are offered with a GOTR bought from now to 9 August.

Tristan Scroggins - and Ireland

Anyone who has seen and heard Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (USA) in the course of their tours in Ireland will have admired - among other components - the mandolin playing and general high energy level of Tristan Scroggins.

Tristan (also on Facebook) is now pursuing several personal projects independent of the band, as revealed in an interview with John Lawless on Bluegrass Today, and some of them have an Irish connection: for instance, a collaboration with David Benedict, mandolinist with Mile Twelve and (since 31 May) husband of Tabitha Agnew of Cup O' Joe and Midnight Skyracer. Tristan adds: 'I’m also going on a tour to Ireland with Chris Jones in September.' The BIB hopes to publish details of this tour shortly.

One of the classier venues

Thanks to Ray Barron of Two Time Polka, who writes:

Here's a photo of one of our recent gigs in Italy at Folkest International Folk Festival. The venue itself was in Aquileia which is an ancient Roman city.

Our next gigs will be at the Spraoi Festival in Waterford, and looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Buck Forty Nine (USA) in Ireland, Aug. 2019

Thanks to Fiona Max for the news that two brothers from Washington DC - one still based in Washington, the other in Denmark - have joined up to create a country / honky-tonk band, Buck Forty Nine, who will be playing in Finns Ale House, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, on two nights - Tuesday 6 Aug. (on stage) and Friday 9 Aug. (at the bar).

As the poster image above shows, they will also be playing on Sunday 4 Aug. at the Dublin Blues, Roots & Brass Festival; on Wed. 7 Aug. at Joe Watty's Bar, Inishmore, Aran Islands; and on Saturday 10 Aug. at McCarthy's of Fethard, Co. Tipperary.

The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars (USA) - for Ireland in summer 2020?

The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars: (l-r) Jeff Roberts, John Cole,
Artie Werner, Ed Cunningham, Missy Werner, Chris Goins

Thanks to Marcia Falk, who writes, asking about bluegrass festivals in Ireland during summer 2020....

... from Cincinnati, Ohio, where we are fortunate to be able to enjoy the superb music of the Comet Bluegrass All Stars. They are very popular here and have played with the Cincinnati Symphony as well as many venues in the area. [...] My son says he believes Ed Cunningham, leader of the band, has the best bluegrass voice he's ever heard. I think their harmonising is magical. So, if there is a festival, I would like to work on a way to have them be part of it. Last summer we visited Ireland and my family fell in love with your beautiful, friendly, and welcoming country. It would be spectacular if we could hear the Comet Bluegrass All Stars play in Ireland!

The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars (also on Facebook) are the house band at 'The Comet' northside neighborhood bar in Cincinnati, OH. The title 'house band' may sell them a little short; they're a tight, hard-driving, tradition-oriented band with fine lead vocals, well blended harmonies, an imaginative choice of material, and no wasted time between numbers. See this 110-minute video of an outdoor show they played three years ago. The BIB recommends them to event organisers. Marcia can be contacted by e-mail.

Ardara 2019

 (L-r) James Henry, Janet Holmes Henry, Colin Henry

Thanks again to Des Butler, this time for his report and photos from the 2019 bluegrass festival in Ardara, Co. Donegal:

The 12th Annual Ardara Bluegrass Festival took place last weekend (19-21 July) with the opening night being held in the public bar of the Beehive pub. This amounted to a jamming session, albeit with some fine musicians - Mel Corry, Sean McKerr, et al. - seated in a corner of the bar. The bar was full to capacity with a small group of attendees standing up close to the musicians totally blocking the view of the majority of the bar patrons. The conversational noise level developed to such a pitch that the music became inaudible. The crush became quite intense, so I decided to leave after an hour or so. I met several people during the festival who were also in attendance at the opening and in conversation with them they appeared to have done the same.

However, I thought things can only get better, and indeed they did. From Saturday around noon till well into late afternoon/ early evening a jam took place in the Beehive bar. This was a more orderly session with many fine musicians taking part in what developed into a very enjoyable afternoon.

King Blue: (l-r) Colin Henry, Sean McKerr, Mel Corry, 

Charlie Cooper, The Chief

The main event, 'The Gala Concert', took place in the function room of the Nesbitt Arms Hotel, starting at 20.00 hrs on Saturday night with the Henry Family [photo at top] opening the show with some fine soft ballads of her own composition being sung by Janet Henry, accompanied by her own excellent guitar playing. They finished their set with two bluegrass breakdowns with first-class performances by Colin and James Henry. They were quickly followed by King Blue, fronted of course by Mel Corry. We were treated to some fine bluegrass music from this band doing some excellent covers of some Bill Monroe and Osborne Brothers classics. This band is always a pleasure and an enjoyment to listen to.

L-r: James Kee, Beth Lawrence, Alecia Nugent, Gena Britt, Jed Clark

They were followed by Alecia Nugent and her band who seemed to play mostly country ballads and not so much bluegrass - but what more can I say about this band’s harmonies and musicianship that I have not already said after their performance in Athy, always a pleasure to listen to.

Foreground: Alecia Nugent, Gena Britt, Beth Lawrence

Sunday saw another great jam taking place in the Beehive bar starting about noon again and going on well into the afternoon. Alecia Nugent and the two female members of her band arrived and joined in to the great enjoyment of all present.

The final formal event on Sunday night was a Bluegrass Jamboree hosted by Tony O’Brien and what a great show he put together. The first half was taken up with Tony, Liam Wright, Dessie from Donegal on fiddle, an excellent mandolin player whom Tony explained that in another life had played with Joe Dolan & the Drifters, whose name escapes me,* and the bass player from the Alecia Nugent Band. They performed a very lively set that left the crowd wanting more.

Tony then invited Alicia Nugent and her band to take to the stage which they did and performed some excellent numbers leaning more towards the bluegrass genre. The finale saw all the performing musicians take to the stage to give a heart rendering version of 'Will the circle be unbroken'. This finished the formal part of the Festival, but a large number of musicians continued to jam out in the smoking area at the back of the pub to a large appreciative audience.

* BIB editor's note: Thanks to Tony O'Brien, who sends these additional details of the 'Jamboree':

For the first half of the show there was myself, Liam, Dessie Crerand on fiddle, Joe Meehan on mandolin, and Beth Lawrence on bass. Guest appearances from Sean McMonagle and Paddy McMenamin. Second half of show was Alecia Nugent & Band and finale 'Will the circle' with everyone (photo). It was an all-acoustic show with a full house upstairs in the Beehive.

Niall Toner, Lee Valley String Band on Cork Folk Festival 2019 lineup

The 40th Cork Folk Festival is announced to take place during the first week in October 2019. The first poster (above) shows the opening date as 3 Oct.; 2 Oct. appears elsewhere on the website. Among the many artists listed on the poster, bluegrass and old-time music in this island are fittingly represented by Niall Toner and by the Lee Valley String Band, of which Niall was a founder member in the late 1960s.

Whelan's Blues, Roots & Brass Festival, 2-5 Aug. 2019

Whelan's of Wexford St., Dublin 2, announce their annual Blues, Roots & Brass Festival, which this year will be held from Friday 2 August to Monday 5 August. Over twenty acts will appear on two stages over the four days, and entry is free to all events. The most bluegrass-related acts among the twenty at present on the lineup are the Tan and Sober Gentlemen from North Carolina, playing 'Celtic punk-grass', and Dublin's 'alt-country, roots 'n' bluegrass' Desert Aces, but more bands are to be announced.

The Tan and Sober Gentlemen (see the BIB for 2 Dec. 2018) are playing the following dates in Ireland this summer:

Thurs. 25th July: O'Regan's, Schull, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Fri. 26th: Hackett's, Cork city
Sat. 27th: Waterford city (part of 'Summer in the City 2019')
Sun. 28th: The Sky and the Ground, Wexford town
Wed. 31st: The Underground Venue, Dublin

Fri. 2nd Aug.: Tully's, Waterford city
Sat. 3rd—Sun. 4th: Whelan's Blues Roots and Brass Festival, Wexford St., Dublin 2
Sun. 4th: Gorey Market House Festival 2019, Gorey, Co. Wexford
Mon. 5th: Róisín Dubh, Galway city

The Tan & Sober Gentlemen (USA)

Bluegrass bands wanted in Miltown Malbay (UPDATE)

Good to hear from Brian and Susan Flynn in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, who write:

We are very keen to host bluegrass here in West Clare but finding it quite difficult to source bands. You might think of us if you hear of anyone looking to come this direction. We are Tom Malone's Pub and Markethouse based in Miltown Malbay. We were lucky to have High Plains Tradition play here. It was a huge success. Would appreciate any help you could give.

Brian can be contacted by e-mail. The BIB hopes this comes to the attention of tour organisers, visiting bands, and any others who have what it takes to follow High Plains Tradition (USA). HPT played at Tom Malone's on 29 March this year as part of their latest tour, organised by John Nyhan.

Update 21 July: Apologies for giving an incomplete (and therefore inactive) Facebook link to Tom Malone's when this post was first published. Thanks to Dave Byrne jr of mygrassisblue.com for pointing this out and supplying the correct link.

You gave me a song: the life and music of Alice Gerrard (update)

Alice Gerrard and her musical partner Hazel Dickens (d. 2011) were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Having missed the opportunity to wish Alice (on right in the photo) a happy 85th birthday on 8 July, the BIB unreservedly wishes her many happy returns.

The organising team of the documentary film You gave me a song: the life and music of Alice Gerrard now announce that it will be presented at the 28th Annual Woods Hole Film Festival in Massachussetts at the end of this month, and at the 10th Annual Docutah International Film Festival in Utah in September. Acceptances and invitations from other festivals are starting to roll in. The project will also be part of Southern Circuit 2019-2020, a programme that brings together film-makers and 'screening partners' across the southern USA; and next year it will be part of the 'She changed the world: North Carolina women breaking barriers' campaign.

If you know of a festival that would be interested in showing You gave me a song, contact the team via the website. Meanwhile, the fundraising target of $75,000 has still to be reached.

Night Drivers past and future

L-r: Drew Matulich, Max Johnson, Gina Furtado, Malia Furtado (photo: Sandlin Gaither)

The Mountain Home Music Company announces that Gina Furtado, who was here in March 2018 as banjo player for Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), now leads her own band, the Gina Furtado Project. Full details are on the Mountain Home e-newsletter.

In addition, Jon Weisberger, the Night Drivers' bass player for seventeen years, is leaving to concentrate on songwriting.* So the configuration of the Night Drivers that we shall see and hear at this year's Omagh festival (see the BIB for 12 June 2019) is likely to feature Marshall Wilborn on bass and Grace Van 't Hof on banjo. More details are in John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today of last Friday.

* Update 18 July: See this e-newsletter from the Crossroads Music team, which clarifies and corrects our earlier statement.

Update 29 July: The authoritative account of the Night Drivers' lineup for their coming tour is here.

Two Time Polka: rain will stop play, 21 July

Ray Barron of Two Time Polka sends this announcement:

Much apologies for this mail but our open-air gig on Sunday 21 July in Centenary Stores, Wexford, is cancelled. The venue contacted us today and cancelled as the weather forecast for Sunday is predicting rain.

As you can see, this is out of our control, and apologies to anyone planning on going to the gig.

The Petersens (USA) - fourth tour in Ireland, 21-26 Aug. 2019

Thanks to John Nyhan for the news that the Petersens from Branson, Missouri, who completed their third tour here early this year, will be back in the latter part of next month for shows in the south of Ireland. All dates are shown on the BIB calendar. The Petersens (also on Facebook) will be coming from performing at a festival in Finland. John (who will be supplying details of the tour including contact numbers for venues) writes: 'Of course the Petersens wanted to come back to Ireland for a short tour as they were in Europe.'

John adds: 'Great show last night in Kilworth with Alecia Nugent and band. Alecia was in top form and the band pulled out all the stops. Incredible playing all through, especially on the instrumentals, where they did some fantastic extended solos. Also there was practically a full house, with only a couple of empty seats. I am looking forward to seeing her again, tomorrow night in Listowel and in Ardara on weekend at the festival.'

Two Time Polka: upcoming gigs

Ray Barron of Two Time Polka announces:

Here are our gigs for the next few weeks:

Sat. 20th July: The Blue Haven, Pearse St., Kinsale, Co. Cork. Start 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 021 4772209
Sun. 21st: Centenary Stores, Charlotte St., Wexford town. Open air. Start 3.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 053 9122303 [cancelled 17 July as rain is forecast for this date]

Spraoi Festival, Waterford city
Sat. 3rd Aug.: Revolution Bar, the Apple Market, Start 6.00 p.m. Adm. free.
Sat. 3rd: Tully's Bar, O'Connell St. Start 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 301639
Sun. 4th: The Munster Bailey's, New St. Start 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. 051 843178

Our next mail will have details of our gigs at the Clonmel Busking Festival; Armagh 7 Hills Festival; Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim; Dunmore East, Co. Waterford; Enniscorthy and Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford. More details on these gigs are available on our website.

Regards & thanks,
Ray & TTP

Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree 2019

Woodbine+1: (l-r) Liam Wright, Nicola Kennedy, Martin Cooney, 

Gerry Madden, Tony O'Brien

Thanks, as always, to Des Butler for this report and photos:

Well, bluegrass and old-time music is alive and well in Athy as it has been now for twenty-nine years, going by the attendance and the performing artists at the 4th Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree.

The Jamboree opened with the host band, Woodbine, together with Gerry Madden, giving fine renditions of some bluegrass favourites as well as the many songs that they have made their own. Tony and Nicola then left the stage to be replaced by Colin and James Henry who together with the remaining Woodbine members entertained with some fantastic playing.

The Watery Hill Boys with (right) Colin and James Henry

After a brief interval the Watery Hill Boys from Drogheda took to the stage. The music of the Watery Hill Boys is based on the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, the Skillet Lickers, and other old-time country and early bluegrass bands. Their performance is always a delight to listen to, with some sweet harmonies and great instrumental virtuosity. The evening ended with a jamming session which went on for an hour or so.

Session in Pat Dunne's: a quiet interlude

Saturday saw a four-hour jam taking place in Pat Dunne’s Lounge with Tony O’Brien, Liam Wright, Nicola Kennedy, Richard Hawkins, Colin and James Henry, Niall O’Rahily, Gerry Madden, and Freda and Gerry from Dundalk all taking part. Other musicians also took part that I personally didn’t know and whose names I didn’t get, but who equally played a part in what was a most enjoyable afternoon.

Clem O'Brien (centre)

Saturday night’s concert was opened with Clem O’Brien being accompanied by Colin and James Henry, Gerry Madden, Liam Wright, and Martin Cooney, with Clem giving us some strong interpretations, both vocally and instrumentally,  of Bill Monroe and Doc Watson classics.

The formalities came to a head with the coming on stage of Alecia Nugent and her band (above). The musicianship and close harmonies of this band were exceptional, with some very lively material taken from Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Patty Loveless, and Tom T. Hall - this together with some heart-rending ballads, all delivered with smooth precision, gorgeous tone, and unbridled exuberance. The band completed at least two encores (of two and three songs each encore) as their superb performance came to an end.

A jam took place after the show which brought the Jamboree of a great two days of bluegrass and old-time - all thanks to Tony O’Brien and family - to a close. Keep up the great work Tony, roll on next year.

Sideline - till next time...

The mygrassisblue team with Sideline and friends

(photo from Sideline Facebook)

The BIB editor writes:

After two splendid consecutive nights of bluegrass-music-and-company at the 4th Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree, Carol and I felt worn out. We felt we might not need any more bluegrass for a while. We even felt we might not go to the final Sideline show at the Unitarian Church in Dublin. What a mistake that would have been.

In attempting to describe a live Sideline set, the words 'high-energy' and 'powerhouse' are feeble. 'Impact of a freight train' comes closer, except that a freight train lacks the pinpoint control of dynamics that this band has. Every member makes a unique contribution to the tight-knit whole, and everything is worth watching as well as hearing. Afterwards - exactly as when the Special Consensus played their first ever show here in 1995 - we felt sorry for anyone who loves bluegrass and hadn't been there.

Many thanks to the mygrassisblue.com team for bringing Sideline over for this tour. The band are now heading home. The BIB hopes to be able to announce good news for anyone who did not see them this time, and for everyone who did. Meanwhile, don't miss a chance of seeing and hearing Alecia Nugent and her own splendid band in their current tour, culminating in the 12th Ardara Bluegrass Festival in Co. Donegal this coming weekend.

James Kee, Beth Lawrence, Alecia Nugent, Jed Clark, Gena Britt

(photo from Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree Facebook)

New start, new look, new facilities from the EBMA (UPDATE)

The website of the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA) has been completely reorganised and redesigned, following a basic restructuring of the organisation. (Cup O' Joe from Co. Armagh are among the bands shown on the website's front page, listed under the heading 'EBMA bands and artists'). The EBMA board announce on the EBMA Facebook:

Dear Follower or Member of the EBMA,

We are fully aware that there has recently been some silence about EBMA's activities. Due to personnel changes, we were in a restructuring process and took time to reflect on how we want to handle our support for European Bluegrass in the upcoming future.

What's new?
As a first step of improvement we are excited to announce our new website www.ebma.org with the first European Directory of Bluegrass Musicians, Bands, Events and Commercial Partners.

Create your own musicians-listing to let the world know you are there! Help other people connect with you and find out where other musicians live. As a 'Band Member' you can now easily list and promote yourself.

EBMA is dedicated to the development of European Bluegrass and the promotion of Bluegrass around Europe. Therefore we are seeking partnerships with all the big bluegrass festivals and events, the luthiers, the bluegrass camps, the radio stations and many more. As a member you may benefit from discounts and special offers.

Are you already an EBMA member?
Due to our new membership administration it is necessary to register to our new website once. It helps us to minimize administrative work. Best of all: Standard Membership - it’s free until March 2020!

Help us to build-up this online community!
Join in and help the European Bluegrass community to grow. It’s all there in our database.
Thanks a lot for your continued support!

BIB editor's note: The BIB is now subscribed to receive the EBMA's e-newsletter. The first of these gives essentially the same text as above, and also includes a screen shot of the new online interactive directory - on which the image of Cup O' Joe is clearly visible. The news blog on the EBMA website also includes a feed from Bluegrass Today.

Sideline at full throttle!

Skip Cherryholmes on stage with Sideline at Sligo on Wednesday

Alecia Nugent begins her tour of Ireland tonight, which will end at the Ardara bluegrass festival in Co. Donegal nine days from now; while Sideline are now halfway through their tour, with just three shows to go. Photos and videos from the tour, conveying a taste of the power and vitality of Sideline, are being posted on the mygrassisblue.com Facebook, which has just given a salutary reminder:

Only 3 shows left, be sure to get a seat! Tomorrow [i.e. tonight, Friday] you can catch them at the INEC Killarney, Saturday night they will be live in Waterford at the Theatre Royal, and their final show will be at Dublin Unitarian Church on Sunday night!

As this post goes to publication, the members of Sideline are out on the streets of Killarney, prior to going on stage there at the INEC this evening. See more on the mygrassisblue.com Facebook.

Ardara Bluegrass Festival (19-21 July 2019): programme

The programme has been announced for the Ardara Bluegrass Festival, to be held a week from now in Ardara, Co. Donegal. It begins on Friday with a bluegrass session in the Beehive Bar, Main St., Ardara, hosted by Mel Corry (left).

On Saturday (20 July) picking in the Beehive resumes in an afternoon session 'with the best of bluegrass'. The gala concert will be held in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel from 8.00 p.m., with King Blue, the Henry Family, and Alecia Nugent (USA) and her band.

The Sunday programme (21 July) begins and ends in the Beehive, with a further afternoon session followed in the evening by a Bluegrass Jamboree - 'a superb lineup in the Beehive Bar hosted by Tony O’Brien with special guests!'

Red Hat Acoustic Music Club at Naas TONIGHT

Apologies to Paul and Anne McEvoy, organisers of the Red Hat Acoustic Music Club, for not posting earlier the news that the Club's seventh meeting of 2019 will be held tonight (12 July).

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.

Eileen Carson Schatz (update)

Over the past year the BIB has reported (24 May 2018, 31 Aug. 2018, 20 May 2019) on the battle of Eileen Carson, wife of Mark Schatz, against the onset of pancreatic cancer. Two months ago it was announced that treatment had been unable to halt its progress. John Lawless has now published on Bluegrass Today the sad news that Eileen Carson died on Wednesday 10 July, after a benefit concert in her honour.

Update 14 July: Laura Ruth Lewis, who set up the GoFundMe campaign that raised over $100,000 in aid of the Schatzes, writes (with this link):

All are invited to Eileen's Celebration of Life on Monday July 15th at Lasting Tributes, 814 Bestgate Rd. in Annapolis, MD 21401. Gathering at 10am, Service at 11am. At Eileen's request, black with classy sparkles are encouraged, and rhinestones would be wonderful. Please carpool if possible. Reception to follow with music, dance, laughter, and love at Unity By The Bay, 4 Pointless Forest Trail, Annapolis, MD 21409.

Home-grown talent to make waves at Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival

Thanks to Karen Cheevers of B2B Communications for this new release on this year's Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival (22-25 Aug.) in Co. Waterford:

The 25th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival will feature some exciting home-grown musical talent throughout the free four-day festival.

Pilgrim St is back, having made an electric Dunmore East debut in 2018. The seven-piece outfit bring a broad range of Americana, country, folk, and bluegrass to their concerts across the country, and festival-goers have come to expect a lively and energetic performance from Navan’s finest.

Alfi [left] is a fresh new trio combining Appalachian old-time and traditional Irish music to produce a unique sound. Their music features an unusual blend of harp, five-string banjo, low whistle, uilleann pipes, and vocals. Winners of the Molly Award at the Trip to Birmingham Tradfest 2018, band members Fiachra Meek, Alannah Thornburgh, and Ryan McAuley have built up a strong following as they play at festivals and venues nationwide.

Lands End members [above] hail from Cork, Galway, Dublin, Munich, Liverpool, and Gloucestershire. Whilst their music is strongly embedded in the bluegrass tradition, each member brings a distinctive sound of their own to the musical arrangements of the band. Playing a mix of original material alongside bluegrass standards and the odd hint of Celtic and Baltic tastes, Lands End proved hugely popular at the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival when they played in 2012 and 2016.

Dublin’s Raglan Rodeo is a blues and alternative country band playing a mixture of originals and covers, drawing on a wide range of influences ranging from Hank Williams and Carter Family classics to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Americana artists.

The Blue Light Smugglers, an acoustic harmony band, are Luke Coffey, Terence Cosgrave, and Niall Hughes playing bluegrass, country, and swing. This talented and skilled trio can usually be found playing a residency at the Blue Light Pub, nestled at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.

Hailing from Co. Wexford, Kiss My Grass brings an energetic and vibrant bluegrass and rockabilly sound to the festival, while Whistle, a 6-piece Dublin-based outfit play Americana-style folk, roots, bluegrass, country, and rock ’n’ roll and specialise in multi-part vocal harmonies, guitar, banjo, violin, bass, harmonica, and mandolin with accordion and more.

Lurgan’s Mons Wheeler Big Band makes a welcome return to the festival and is guaranteed to get the crowds on their feet with their trademark big rockabilly sound.

Mick Daly, Festival organiser, is delighted to welcome the return of homegrown talent to the festival this year. 'Whistle, Kiss My Grass, Mons Wheeler, Lands End, and Pilgrim St are returning to the festival this year after some amazing performances in previous years. We’re delighted they’re coming back, and they create a lively energetic vibe that the audiences love.'

The 25th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, Co. Waterford, kicks off on Thursday 22 August at the Strand Inn and heralds the start of four days of free gigs at the Strand Inn, the Spinnaker Bar, Azzurro Restaurant, Power’s Bar, and the Ocean Hotel.

For more information visit www.discoverdunmore.com or keep up to date on the Discover Dunmore East Facebook page.

BIB editor's note: We note with regret that the festival's headliner, Sarah Savoy (USA), has unfortunately had to cancel her appearance at the festival. She has broken her arm in a fall, and has had to cancel all her upcoming shows. The festival organising team are wishing her a speedy recovery.

Bill Grant, 9 May 1929-9 July 2019

Just over a year ago the BIB carried news of the death of the powerful singer Delia Bell. Today Richard Thompson, on Bluegrass Today, reports the sad news of the death at age 90 of Bill Grant, Delia Bell's musical partner for forty years. They recorded thirty-two albums together and toured abroad, including giving a concert in Belfast in the late 1970s. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum recognises them as bluegrass pioneers. More details of Bill Grant's life are on Bluegrass Today.

Alecia Nugent (USA): tour begins Fri. 12 July 2019

Thanks to John Nyhan for a reminder that in addition to Sideline, who began their tour last night, this week sees further distinguished visitors to Ireland - the forthcoming tour of Ireland by Alecia Nugent and her band, beginning this coming Friday.

Alecia has won the SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) award several times; has three highly regarded albums on Rounder plus a new album, The old side of town; and was nominated in 2009 for IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. John Lawless on Bluegrass Today wrote about her: 'Pure and powerful, Alecia has a wide range and a lovely voice. She brings passion and sincerity to every song she sings.'

She leads four fine bluegrass musicians: Beth Lawrence (Sister Sadie), harmony vocals, bass; Gena Britt (Petticoat Junction, New Vintage, Lou Reid & Carolina), vocals, banjo; Jed Clark, guitar; and James Kee, mandolin, who was here three years ago with the Hamilton County Ramblers, having played previously with Kati Penn & NewTown and subsequently with Dailey & Vincent. The complete schedule for Alecia and the band is:

Fri. 12th July: Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary
Sat. 13th: Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree, GAA Club, Dublin Rd, Athy, Co. Kildare
Sun. 14th: Old School House, Clashmore, Co. Waterford
Mon. 15th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Tues. 16th: Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Wed. 17th: St John's Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Thurs. 18th: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Fri. 19th: Seisiún Fhánada, Fanavolty, Fanad, Co. Donegal
Sat. 20th: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal

New releases by past visitors (UPDATE)

Mountain Fever Records announce the release of a new single, 'Yesterday's heartache', written by the Nashville-based songwriters Jerry Salley, Kelli Kingrey, and Bruce Carpenter, and sung by Kristy Cox (AUS), who toured Ireland with her band in May this year, thanks to mygrassisblue.com. The release is also featured on Bluegrass Today, where an audio clip can be heard.

Compass Records announce that Tall fiddler, the new album by Michael Cleveland, due for release on 23 August, will be featured this week on Kyle Cantrell's 'Bluegrass junction' show on Sirius XM radio. A brief video trailer about the album shows some of the stellar cast of accompanying musicians and also serves to revise our ideas of the number of notes that can be played in one minute and ten seconds.

The Band of Ruhks (Ronnie Bowman, bass; Kenny Smith, guitar; Don Rigsby, mandolin; Brian Fesler, banjo), headliners at Omagh a few years ago, have just signed with Rebel Records, who will release their second album, Authentic, this coming autumn, preceded by a single in August. More details are on the Rebel e-newsletter.

Ronnie Bowman has just released 'Looking for a reason', the second single from his album coming later this year, on the Engelhart Music Group (EMG) label. He's supported by Rob McCoury, banjo; Dennis Crouch, bass; Wyatt Rice and Shawn Camp, guitars; Aubrey Haynie, mandolin; and Stuart Duncan, fiddle. More details are on the EMG e-newsletter, together with a link to a full-length audio preview of 'Looking for a reason'.

Happy 90th birthday, Jesse McReynolds

Jesse Lester McReynolds, one of the first generation of bluegrass musicians, was born 90 years ago today in Carfax, VA. His mandolin style was the first to differ conspicuously from that of Bill Monroe. He and his elder brother Jim began playing professionally in 1947, and their vocal duet was one of the smoothest and most distinctive in bluegrass. The cover art (left) is from a reissue of some of their classic 1950s recordings. They were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor (now 'Hall of Fame') in 1993.

Since Jim's death in 2002, Jesse has remained active as singer, instrumentalist, and bandleader. The BIB wishes him many happy returns of the day.

Update 10 July: Bluegrass Today has marked the occasion with two major features: Richard Thompson's 'Jesse McReynolds 90 today', which gives biographical details, a wide range of tributes, and ten videos; and 'Sparks fly for Jesse McReynold's [sic] 90th birthday' by mandolinist Scott Napier, describing the birthday celebration held on 4 July, plus comments on Jesse's mandolin style.

Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards (USA) available for Aug. 2020

Loudon Temple of the UK's Brookfield Knights agency writes:

We are delighted to announce that Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards [above; photo by Patrik Bonnet] will be returning to the UK and Ireland for a month-long run of dates in August next year.

It had not been possible, due to commitments the band had elsewhere, to bring them in during 2019, apart from a short run in Ireland at the start of the year when they were flown over as one of the main attractions for Dublin’s TradFest (the event was televised from Dublin Castle), and to participate in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

In 2018, of course, they enjoyed their busiest ever year, with BBC TV and radio sessions associated with shows at Celtic Connections Festival, followed by midsummer touring that included stunning sets at Underneath The Stars Festival and Llangollen Fringe festival.

We have four UK summer festivals (including Cambridge) all keen to include the band in their 2020 programmes. Laura and the girls are hoping there will be enough interest in Ireland to be able to include a run of dates when they are over.

Do let us know if that might be of interest.

Contact Loudon via the Brookfield Knights website or by e-mail.

Sideline tour begins TOMORROW (9 July)

Sideline, 'the embodiment of the North Carolina bluegrass sound' and one of the most respected bluegrass bands in the USA, begin tomorrow the six-days-six-shows of their first tour of Ireland. All dates, with links to venue websites, are on the BIB calendar.

Two radio presentations can be heard tomorrow before their first live performance. At 1.30 p.m. the full band will be in the studio for 'The John Breslin Show' on Highland Radio in Donegal. And at 7.15 p.m., a chat recorded earlier with Steve Dilling by Dermot Moriarty for his 'Sounds Country' show on Radio Kerry will go out on air - less than an hour before the band take to the stage for the first gig of the tour, at the An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny.

All credit is due to the mygrassisblue.com team for their enterprise and dedication in setting out to bring bands of this calibre to Ireland. They deserve our support - and without this support, we can't expect the supply to continue.