Livestream from Cornwall, 11 July 2020

On 2 June the BIB (thanks to the FOAOTMAD news blog) was able to pass on the news that the Alsia Fest old-time and bluegrass campout festival in Penzance, Cornwall, would not be held this year because of the pandemic.

Instead, a virtual event will be held with livestream performances and videos 'from all our favourite musicians'. The organisers now announce that livestream will begin at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday 11 July. You need to be on Facebook to watch it.

12th Bluegrass Jamboree postponed to 2021

OUR good friend Rainer Zellner and his Music Contact agency, based in Tübingen, Germany, have been bringing artists and entertainers in a wide variety of genres to central Europe for many years. Rainer himself plays bluegrass mandolin, and since 2009 his annual 'touring bluegrass festival', the Bluegrass Jamboree, has become an institution on the bluegrass calendar, presenting a programme of three fine visiting acts in bluegrass, old-time, and related music to audiences in prestigious venues throughout Germany and adjoining countries.

This year the 12th Bluegrass Jamboree was scheduled to present the Kody Norris Show, the Buffalo Gals, and The Farmer & Adele in over twenty shows between 18 November and 13 December. Rainer now announces with regret that in consequence of the pandemic the Jamboree has been postponed to 2021. Other tours affected by the crisis include the 'Far beyond the stars tour' by Donegal's Henry Girls, who would have been playing dates in Germany in July, August, and October.

To compensate, Rainer has set up Radio Bluegrass Jamboree, the first German bluegrass radio station, streaming 24/7, with playlists by DJ mandoyogi (who could that possibly be?). In half an hour's listening one can hear - for instance - the Del McCoury Band, Don Reno, Flatt & Scruggs, Hank Williams, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Jimmy Martin, and the Hot Club of Cowtown. Strongly recommended.

Like everyone connected with live music, Rainer and Music Contact have endured a major loss of income during the crisis. Donations to support their efforts can be made through GoFundMe.

Pat Kelleher reviews Ken Perlman's latest book

THANKS to Pat Kelleher for this review of Ken Perlman's latest publication, mentioned on the BIB earlier this month:

Appalachian fiddle tunes for clawhammer banjo is a newly released 156-page clawhammer banjo instruction book by Ken Perlman, renowned pioneer of the melodic clawhammer playing style. It comes in both paper and digital formats as well as 124 online-accessible audio tracks. Ken is well known for collecting and adapting note-for-note arrangements of authentic fiddle tunes for this banjo style.

It becomes immediately evident that there were hundreds of hours dedicated to the production of this publication on the Mel Bay label. The introduction chapter and concise description of the playing techniques are very well explained along with clearly laid out tablature.

For such an advanced virtuosic player as Ken, it is consoling that he recognises the need to include tunes to suit basic to advanced levels of player skills. Most tunes contain 'tech tips' and 'syncopation guides' to help the player. Tunings are explained in detail and accompanying guitar chords are suggested. The tunes are organised by the key that they are played in, except for 'Try these tunes first' in Chapter 5. Some of the advanced techniques will certainly take a lot of dedication and practice to master.

About half of the tunes are learned from his virtuoso fiddle-playing musical partner Alan Jabbour, to whom the book is dedicated, Alan also being a collector of tunes, while the remaining tunes were collected from other old-time fiddlers both past and present through either direct contact or from recordings - including contemporary players like Brad Leftwich and Bobby Taylor.

This book of 100 Appalachian fiddle tunes for clawhammer banjo is certainly an excellently put-together publication that will stand the test of time, and the virtuosity of this master player will be preserved and respected for generations to come.

Ken has toured in Ireland a few times in the past to great acclaim, including a performance at the first Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in Longford in 2002 and a nationwide tour in 2013.

The book is available from Mel Bay, Amazon, and many more sources, including directly from Ken Perlman’s own website. At just under $25 (USD) for the paperback edition and a few dollars less for digital, this is excellent value for such a highly acclaimed player disclosing his techniques for our playing betterment. He has many more publications to his credit as well as CDs and digital format audio music. Congratulations on yet another job well done.

Pat Kelleher

'European Bluegrass Country Hour' on CMR Nashville

RONNIE Norton (left) of Dublin, ace bluegrass photographer, critic, reporter, radio presenter, and co-founder of Lonesome Highway, has taken up a major role in promoting the cause of bluegrass in Europe (see the BIB for 1 June).

Ronnie is now regularly presenting two hours of the best bluegrass music on European Radio, featuring both new, classic, and obscure bluegrass tracks from around the world, on CMR Nashville, 'Europe's #1 country music station'.

Ronnie's 'European Bluegrass Country Hour' is broadcast every Monday at 6.00 p.m. and Tuesday at 2.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. He can be contacted by e-mail at the studio. CDs and other news from European bands are welcome. More details are here.

Two projects commemorating John Hartford

JUST a year ago the BIB mentioned the publication of a collection of 176 original fiddle tunes composed by John Hartford (1937-2001) - a testimony both to Hartford's unbounded creativity and his extensive and intimate knowledge of American fiddle music.

No Depression reported recently on two albums, the first being a significant development arising from this collection. The John Hartford fiddle tune project, volume 1 is a seventeen-track album featuring twenty-four eminent musicians. YouTube audios of two of the tracks are included in the No Depression feature.

Secondly, the innovative, groundbreaking side of Hartford comes out in On the road: a tribute to John Hartford - fourteen of his songs with complete lyrics, performed by another impressive set of eminent musicians. Again, YouTube audios of two of the tracks are on No Depression, together with much more detail. All proceeds from this project go to MusiCares, an organisation set up by the Grammy Foundation to help musicians in need.

Nominations for IBMA awards; inductees for Hall of Fame

THE complete list of nominations for the 31st IBMA Awards has just been issued, together with the names of this year's inductees to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Full details are on the IBMA press release. The presentation of the awards will form part of this year's World Of Bluegrass.

No summer from Cinder Well

THANKS to Devon Leger of Hearth Music for the news that Cinder Well (Amelia Baker) will release her album of 'doom folk' No summer on 24 July. From California, she is now based in Ennis, Co. Clare, and studying Irish music at the University of Limerick, in consequence of meeting the Dublin folk band Lankum.

There are some powerful echoes of Appalachia among the nine tracks on the album - especially the first, the unaccompanied 'Wandering boy'. 'The cuckoo' is essentially the same song as Clarence Ashley's, but the setting here makes it a different experience. And 'Queen of the earth, child of the skies' is Edden Hammons's West Virginia version of the tune known in Ireland as 'The blackbird'. Much more about her music is on the Hearth Music website.

Deering Tech Live, episode #12 TONIGHT

FOLLOWING on from previous BIB posts, Deering Banjos will bring out tonight (Thurs. 25 June) a further episode of 'Deering Tech Live'. The e-mail announcing it is headed 'Banjo relatives' (title of the episode in which Jamie Deering, the company's CEO, talked about several international relatives of the banjo), but as shown on Facebook, David Vega of Deering Customer Service will be answering viewers' questions.

As usual, the episode will air at 3.00 p.m. PST (California time), which should be 11.00 p.m. BST. Viewers can tune in via Facebook or Instagram and leave questions in the form of comments on Facebook. The episode in which Sam Miller, head of repairs at Deering, talked about the 6-string banjo (banjo-guitar), and about learning the 5-string as a guitar player, can be seen here.

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The Gold Tone Music Group announces major discounts on B-stock (with minor blemishes) and a draw for a PBR Paul Beard Signature Series round-neck resonator guitar. The BIB suspects, with regret, that Gold Tone's offer of free shipping on all instruments applies only to the USA. More details and links are in this e-newsletter.

The mountain minor: latest news

WRITER/ director Dale Farmer, heading the team responsible for The mountain minor, the film drama of Appalachian migration and old-time music, sends the project's latest newsletter. Dale reflects on having completed the film only to have the whole programme of screenings cancelled, leaving no prospect of recouping the investment. Releasing the film free on Amazon Prime came about this way:

In our first meeting with our publicist, Fred Anderson, he asked Susan and me what we wanted most: to make the most money or to have the most people see the film. We pretty much answered in unison that we wanted the most people to see it. That became our mission for the film and has informed our decisions going forward.

The decision has its own rewards, as explained in the newsletter. Meanwhile a soundtrack album is being prepared with thirty-seven songs and tunes from the film, five bonus tracks including a 1980 field recording, plus a twelve-page booklet.

The mountain minor had its broadcast premiere on the Heartland TV network on Sat. 6 June and subsequent showings with the last still to come this Saturday (27 June). It will also be shown on educational stations, beginning with Kentucky Educational Television. Much more information is on the newsletter, together with a reminder that the full-time musicians who took part have lost their income during the lockdown.

Oldtime Central presents The Hoot, 24-26 July 2020

THE editors of Oldtime Central (OTC) announce in their latest e-newsletter that their first festival, The Hoot, will be presented online a month from now - from 8.00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Friday 24 July to 10.00 p.m. on Sunday 26 July, offering

a weekend of top-notch concerts, workshops, and a chance to share a little bit of much missed and much needed community.

For Facebook users, news and updates will be posted here; the complete schedule of workshops and concerts can be seen here. Workshops in fiddle, banjo, guitar, and harmonica will be hosted by some of the leading musicians on the US old-time scene today. The charge for each workshop is $25; an all-in-one weekend registration is $150. You can register here.

Sacred Harp Singers of Dublin and new pandemic guidance

Sacred Harp Singers of Dublin have just added the following announcement to their website:

From 29 July Ireland will enter Phase 3 of easing COVID-19 restrictions. Singing is permitted subject to specific guidance published by the government. We are keen to ensure the health and safety of our members and the general public and will follow these guidelines.

We will not be resuming our regular Friday night singings during Phase 3 as our venue has been used for other, very worthy, causes and it is not currently available to us. During Phase 2, some of our regular members have been trialing outdoor gatherings of fewer than 15 people, maintaining distance and wearing face masks. Our experience with this is that we can sing successfully and safely but due to weather and other people in the area we are not able to guarantee that singings will go ahead. For that reason, we will not publish times and dates of planned singings. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with me or one of the other singers and we can discuss when and how we can sing together. As always, we are delighted to welcome beginners and newcomers (and old friends!).

Augusta 2020: online summer schools from West Virginia

Good to hear from Ed and Trish Bowes of Virginia, who visited Ireland with their daughter Beth three years ago (see the BIB for 28 Aug., 11 Sept., and 16 Sept. 2017) and took part in some memorable sessions. Ed and Trish, both multi-instrumentalists, are regular attenders at the music summer schools of the Augusta Heritage Center at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV; so thanks especially to Ed for the following news.

Although all the normal in-person programmes have been cancelled this summer due to the global pandemic, you can register for the Augusta 2020 digital project for access to over 150 video lessons, concerts, cultural sessions, music-making events, and more.

• June 21: Cajun, Country, & Swing video lessons available to registrants
• June 28: Blues, Vocal, and American String Band video lessons available to registrants
• July 5: Bluegrass and Old-Time video lessons available to registrants
• July 6-10: Cajun, Country, & Swing live online events
• July 13-17: Blues, Vocal, and American String Band live online events
• July 20-24: Bluegrass and Old-Time live online events

Detailed schedules of what's on offer for all instruments can be seen on the Augusta home page and downloaded as pdf documents. Keep in touch with developments through the Facebook group 'Augusta 2020: Learn – Create – Connect'. There is a suggested contribution of $100 for registration, but a sliding scale applies and everyone is encouraged to take part.

Looking further ahead, Augusta's October Old-Time Week (11-16 Oct.) is still scheduled to go ahead as planned, to be followed (17 Oct.) by the West Virginia Fiddlers’ Reunion.

A change in conditions of service

The BIB editor writes:

Please note that as from today the BIB will follow the example of its distinguished precursor and exemplar Bluegrass Today, and will not be posting news or other items on Saturdays and Sundays.

IBMA Foundation launches Arnold Shultz Fund

THE IBMA Foundation announced yesterday (19 June) the launch of the Arnold Shultz Fund to support activities increasing participation of people of colour in bluegrass music. The fund also commemorates the black Kentucky musician Arnold Shultz (1886-1931) and his influence on the musical development of the teenage Bill Monroe. He also has an important place in the history of country guitar-picking through his influence on a lineage of players from Mose Rager and Ike Everly to Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.

A fundraising concert is to be held in Denver, CO, next Friday (26 June), featuring top-level players from the Colorado scene. More details are at the link above and on Bluegrass Today, where there is an introductory video by Dr Richard Brown. Donations to the Arnold Shultz Fund can be made by PayPal here.

Midnight Skyracer on Bluegrass Today

L-r: Tabitha Benedict, Leanne Thorose, Laura Carrivick, Eleanor Wilkie, Charlotte Carrivick

MIDNIGHT Skyracer, the UK's powerful all-woman band with Tabitha Benedict - also of Co. Armagh's Cup O' Joe - on banjo, are now featured on Bluegrass Today by Lee Zimmerman in his 'Bluegrass beyond borders' series. The feature includes a video (also on YouTube) of their in-your-face number 'Break the rules'. Don't miss the last few seconds of the video, where the 'outlaw' nicknames of band members are listed, reminiscent of Dublin's Prison Love earlier this century.

The band, who took part in the 2018 Omagh festival, released two weeks ago their second album, Shadows on the moon (see the BIB for 7 June).

A night at the Opry

THANKS again to Des Butler for this striking image of Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, taken when Des and his wife Pat were there in 2014. Four guitars in shot, and somewhere on that stage is Russ Carson on banjo, who learned that he has definitely got the job just in the last few days...

Henhouse Prowler interviewed

ON the Deering Banjos Blog the 'Picky Fingers Podcast series, hosted by Keith Billik, featured yesterday an interview with Ben Wright (left), banjo player of the Henhouse Prowlers, based in Chicago.

The band have travelled to many countries, on behalf of the US State Department and as part of their own 'Bluegrass Ambassadors' project; and many people here in Ireland will have heard Ben and the rest of the band on one of their tours here.

Nearly a month ago, Ben Wright interviewed Greg Cahill of the Special Consensus; the seventy-minute video, in which Greg talks about his long career, the development of bluegrass in Chicago, and the latest Special C. album, can be seen on YouTube.

A virtual Italian Bluegrass Meeting 2020

DANILO Cartia - moving spirit of bluegrass music in Rome and organiser of the Italian Bluegrass Meeting, held every autumn in Cremona, Italy, as part of the Acoustic Guitar Meeting - sends this message to the European Bluegrass Music Association:

It’s been eight years since the first edition of the Italian Bluegrass Meeting.

First of all, I would like to thank Alessio Ambrosi and his Acoustic Guitar Village for embracing my idea and for giving us the opportunity to achieve all of this. We hosted musicians from all over Italy, Europe, and illustrious guests from the United States. Non-stop live concerts, jam sessions, and workshops.

Also, thanks to Cremona Mondomusica for having us in the splendid venue of one of the best European music fairs.

Last but not least, a big thank you to all these amazing musicians, always devoted to the world of bluegrass music, who over the years cooperated with us for making this happen.

To take the place of this year's Meeting, Danilo accompanies this message with a YouTube video in which he and sixteen other musicians - all from Italy, except for one from Poland and two from France - play 'Blackberry blossom' on banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, all from their various lockdown locations.

2020 World Of Bluegrass to be a virtual event

THE International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and its active partners in the city of Raleigh, NC, announce that owing to continued danger from COVID-19, this year's World Of Bluegrass will be held as a virtual online event. To counterbalance the loss of in-person meeting, the official showcases, the Bluegrass Music Awards, and the weekend festival will be accessible free of charge through online streaming. More information on the events, the IBMA, and the other organisations involved are on this IBMA press release.

A tonic on YouTube from the Special C.

THE BIB editor writes:

The May 2020 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited announced that BU might have to skip one or more issues because of the unique conditions of this year; but it hasn't happened yet! In the June 2020 issue the lead story is Bill Conger's article 'The Special Consensus and Compass Records celebrate milestones' - and on the cover (left) are the band that has toured Ireland more times than any other in the history of bluegrass music: the Special Consensus.

On the first of this month the Special C. released a video of the title track from their new album Chicago Barn Dance, celebrating the long-running country music show that was broadcast on the WLS radio station before there was a Grand Ole Opry on WSM. This song is a real tonic in audio and even more in video, which can be seen on YouTube or in this feature by John Lawless on Bluegrass Today.

Among other features in this issue of BU: Penny Parsons writes on Les Leverett, doyen of country music photographers; Derek Halsey writes on Kristy Cox, who should have been on tour here in May; and the record review section includes albums by leading old-time and bluegrass artists who have played in Ireland, plus the new release by banjoist Nick Hornbuckle.

Update 17 June: When this post was first published, the June issue had not yet reached me. It came this morning, and the post has been amended accordingly.

New clawhammer book from Ken Perlman

Ken Perlman (USA), father of 'melodic clawhammer', announces that his new book, Appalachian fiddle tunes for clawhammer banjo, has been released by Mel Bay Publications. It is dedicated to the memory of the late, great Appalachian-style fiddler and folklorist Alan Jabbour (1942-2017), with whom Ken performed and recorded for years (many will recall their music at the very first Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival at Longford in 2002). About half the tunes in the collection come from their joint repertoire, together with over fifty classic tunes from many major old-time fiddlers.

The book also gives instruction on basic and advanced techniques; tips on improving musicianship; the playing of syncopated rhythms, crooked tunes, and modal tunes; historical notes and back-stories; and access to 124 online audio tracks, featuring all the tunes and most musical illustrations. The published price is $24.99; it can be ordered through Ken's handsome new website, which has much more information, together with other news of his performing and teaching activities.

Two iconic instruments

THE BIB editor writes:

While preparing the 13 June post, I was sorry to have no ready-to-hand photo of the instruments mentioned; so thanks to Des Butler for the pictures above and below of Earl Scruggs's banjo, Gibson RB-Granada #9584-3, which he took during a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.

The museum description of the banjo (shown above) mentions the trade of 1948/9 in which it came to Earl. This can be read if the photo is enlarged. It also mentions some of the many changes away from 'original condition', made during this instrument's hard-working life.

As a bonus, Des includes his photo of Bill Monroe's 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin, #73987 - made when its future owner was not yet twelve years old. Des also quotes from Fred Bartenstein's essay on Lester Flatt, published in The Bluegrass Hall of Fame: inductee biographies 1991-2014 (2014) and readable here, on how relations between Flatt & Scruggs and their former boss deteriorated.

A persistent myth

There's a persistent myth that when Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt left the Blue Grass Boys early in 1948, Bill Monroe was so angry that he did not speak to them for a long while - sometimes imagined as years or even decades, depending on who tells the story.

Monroe was certainly upset, with good reason; but an impassable chasm did not immediately open up between them, and the evidence for that comes from the most famous instrument exchange in bluegrass history - when Earl Scruggs traded the 1938 Gibson RB-75 #518-1 he was then playing to Don Reno in exchange for the 1934 Gibson RB-Granada #9584-3, plus a Martin guitar to compensate for the poor condition the Granada was in. The two banjos became the main instruments of their new owners for the rest of their careers.*

The exchange has been dated to either the summer of 1948 or early 1949; the important point is that it took place when Reno was a Blue Grass Boy (Mar. 1948-July 1949), and when Monroe and his band were playing as guests on the radio show Flatt & Scruggs had in Bristol, TN/VA. The occasion is described by Earl on p. 163 of Earl Scruggs and the 5-string banjo (revised ed., 2005).

*Update 15 June: This sentence needs to be qualified in the case of Don Reno, who for the last ten years of his life performed and recorded with a Stelling Golden Cross banjo, while keeping the Gibson (known as 'Nellie') at home.

New IBMA International board member

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announces the retirement of members of its board of directors at the end of their three-year term of office, and the election or appointment of new members in their place.

The outgoing board member for the international side of IBMA affairs is Silvio Ferretti (above right), well known to audiences in Ireland from successive visits by Red Wine (I). The new international member is Christopher Howard-Williams (above left), chief organiser of the great La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France, and well known to the Irish musicians and bands who have performed there. More details are on the IBMA press release.

BanjoTuneWeekly - pickers are invited

The BIB editor writes:

THANKS to Bluegrass Today for news of BanjoTune Weekly, a new online project launched last week (2 June) by award-winning Tennessee-based banjo-player Tray Wellington, with a 3-minute video of two of his original compositions on the project's YouTube channel.

The series is dedicated to showcasing great banjo talents in all styles of music, and Tray invites contributions from banjo-players all over the world. This week's guest video (also on the Bluegrass Today feature) shows Gina Furtado, playing the old fiddle standard 'Back up and push'. (Gina toured Ireland twice with Chris Jones & the Night Drivers before leaving to lead her own band.)

There are several 5-string players in Ireland who would be well qualified to light up the screen, and we hope to see them as Tray's guests before long. If you would like to take part in BanjoTuneWeekly, contact him at trajanbanjo@gmail.com.

Deering Tech Live: the banjo's international family

FOLLOWING on from previous BIB posts, Deering Banjos will bring out tonight (Thurs. 11 June) an episode of 'Deering Tech Live' in which Jamie Deering, the company's CEO, will be talking about several international relatives of the banjo, including the sarode from India.

As usual, the episode will air at 3.00 p.m. PST (California time), which should be 11.00 p.m. BST. Viewers can tune in via Facebook or Instagram and leave questions in the form of comments on Facebook. Last week's 43-minute episode, in which Sam Miller, head of repairs at Deering, talked about the 6-string banjo (banjo-guitar), and about learning the 5-string as a guitar player, can be seen here.

Two more major festivals postponed to 2021

The Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC, announces with regret that the first Earl Scruggs Music Festival, scheduled for 4-5 Sept. 2020 with a very high-powered lineup (see the BIB for 28 Sept. 2019), will now be postponed to 3-4 Sept. 2021. More information is here.

On this side of the Atlantic and on the same weekend, the Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, one of the pivotal events in the calendar for bluegrass in Britain, has also been postponed to 2021.

'At the Crossroads' with Paddy Cummins

THANKS to Paddy Cummins, mandolin player with Mules & Men, for this news of a new online service to the cause of roots music in all its genres and their followers. Paddy explains:

At the Crossroads is a weekly podcast, released on Tuesdays, that focuses on musical analysis of, broadly speaking, the genres of traditional, folk and ancient music across the world. As a professional musician in the area of Irish traditional music and bluegrass, my focus may tend to gravitate towards these styles. However, my musical interest is broad and, even if my own expertise on a different musical sphere is limited, I am still inclined to host shows based on something interesting from an inquisitive perspective. Add to this the fact that I will be bringing on a host of different guests to talk about their own music and/or various styles on which they are knowledgeable. At the Crossroads is exploratory in nature as much as it is analytical and presentative. Although many themes will be musicological or ethomusicological in context and appreciated by those with an understanding or interest in research of this kind, it's also a way for those with limited musical knowledge to broaden their own horizons and palette.

On this final point, worthy of note is that interviewees, while for the most will be connected with the world of music and song, will not be exclusively tied to this cultural area. If somebody has an interesting story to tell about their life or passions that can relate to and/or inform the larger, musical side to this podcast then I'm satisfied to give them air time.

Tune in and spread the word!

Thanks to Debbie Cummins for the artwork, Luke Coffey for the technical help and, for comments, suggestions and queries the e-mail is: patrickcumminsmusic@gmail.com.

Acast: https://shows.acast.com/at-the-crossroads

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rdXfKeKIH23tEV9hXwXEf?si=2WX8PSHZRTGMNDkenQHgOQ

Kristen Grainger & True North (USA) to release Ghost tattoo, 19 June

Thanks to Devon Leger of Hearth Music for the news that Kristen Grainger & True North (above) of Oregon, USA, will release their new album Ghost tattoo on 19 June. The album showcases Kristen Grainger's songwriting, which aims 'to craft song stories that illuminate extraordinary aspects of ordinary life'.

The songs on the album range from the perspective of a small-town carpenter ('Jeremiah’s tree') to 'Ghost of Abuelito', about the forcible separation of families by US authorities on the Mexican border; and 'Light by light' and 'She flies with her own wings' about the abuse and disenfranchisement of women in American culture. One track, 'Wishes and dreams', was featured on Bluegrass Today a week ago.

The band (also on Facebook) consist of Kristen Grainger (lead vocals, ukulele), Dan Wetzel (guitar, octave mandolin, banjo, vocals), Martin Stevens (mandolin, fiddle, octave mandolin, vocals), and Josh Adkins (upright bass, vocals). Audiences over here will already be familiar with them, as they've toured twice in Ireland (most recently in April last year) and were due to return in March this year till the pandemic crisis forced a cancellation.

Kristen reports that they have good friends in Galway's We Banjo 3 - Enda Scahill in particular - and Lonesome Highway has published very positive reviews of the band's last two albums.

Benefits of online instrument workshops

Dutchland Dulcimers logo (see below)

The following news comes by courtesy of William Duddy, who is making the most of the ample opportunities at present for online instrument instruction:

Last weekend was the Quarantune Dulcimer Festival, a great weekend of top-flight tuition from such as Stephen Seifert, Bing Futch, Sarah Kate Morgan - the list goes on. However, the 'discovery' for me was Aubrey Atwater (she from Warren, Rhode Island). I had signed up for her 'Sea songs' workshop, and what a treat that was! She shared some fine songs for dulcimer accompaniment [e.g. here] which I will be working on. Next up will be the Online Old Time Banjo Festival, weekend after next, and then I've just signed up for the Dutchland Dulcimer Gathering (out of Pennsylvania) on 10/11 July.

Leaving aside the potential late nights due to time differences, I'm finding the workshops in these events far more productive than some I've endured at 'real' festivals in the past. No vexatious travel, the privacy of one's own screen, a clear view of the tutor, and nobody else noodling in the background (or foreground, worse still!).

Be part of a national tribute

Music Network announces:

As a tribute to Ireland’s frontline heroes, every adult and child in Ireland is invited to perform 'Ode to Joy (Óid don Lúcháire)', the European Anthem, on their doorstep on Sunday 21 June 2020, European Music Day.

To launch the tribute, some of Ireland’s finest musicians and singers will perform 'Ode to Joy' streamed live from the steps of the National Concert Hall, Dublin, at 6.00 p.m. Once this is finished, the nation’s musicians and music lovers will then be called on to perform their own tribute to all our frontline workers within their local communities, while maintaining physical distancing.

Music Network says: 'All genres and styles are welcome, from jazz to classical, traditional to pop, rock and rap.' It does not say that bluegrass and old-time are excluded. More details are on the Music Network e-newsletter and here.

Update: The Ode is to be played in D, at a metronome setting of 100.

Roots music and the present ongoing discontents

Illustration from No Depression, 30 May 2020

IN her article 'A note on equality and the role of a roots music magazine', Hilary Saunders, managing editor of No Depression magazine, writes: 'I’ve always believed in the power of music as a tool for social change, so telling stories that address equality and positive change through art is literally why I do what I do.'

Her examples of articles from No Depression embodying this aim include Allison Russell's 'Artist of the decade' essay 'Renaissance woman Rhiannon Giddens transcends borders and time', which mentions the influence on Giddens's songwriting of her minstrel-style banjo, and also provides this link to her 2019 keynote speech to the Americana Music Association UK (see also her 2017 IBMA keynote speech).

Another No Depression article singled out is Jake Blount's 'Across generations, the healing power of the banjo', with its emphasis on diversity in collaboration (exemplified by the admirable old-time album Pretty little mister by himself and Libby Weitnauer) and a link to the Black Banjo Reclamation Project.

The Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble have also issued a forthright statement associating themselves with the Black Lives Matter movement.

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On 4 June, No Depression also published Henry Carrigan's review of Ravine palace, the latest album by fiddler Christian Sedelmyer, who should have been touring here last month as a member of 10 String Symphony. Guest musicians include Sedelmyer's old boss Jerry Douglas.

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum to reopen 17 June

FOLLOWING the BIB post of 23 May (retailing the news that the American Banjo Museum would reopen a week ago today), we're glad to repeat Bluegrass Today's announcement that the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, KY, will reopen on 17 June, with appropriate safety procedures for staff and visitors. The Museum (also on Facebook) will be open from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday each week.

Update 10 June: The Birthplace of Country Music Museum announces that it will reopen tomorrow (Thurs. 11 June), with free passes for healthcare workers and their guests up to 30 Aug. This video shows the safety procedures that will be followed.

'It was great at the time' - from Brookfield Knights

LOUDON Temple of the UK's Brookfield Knights agency team has issued a deeply felt statement, announcing with great regret that in consequence of the lack of response to his efforts to arrange tours for visiting roots artists in the future, he has felt obliged to withdraw from the field. Every effort will be made to ensure that tours already in preparation will be able to take place.

As the joy of music and the satisfaction of bringing it to others has been a major positive force in life for Loudon, he will concentrate in future on publicity and PR. It's an impassioned and forceful statement, entitled 'It was great at the time', and can be read in full here.

Shadows on the moon album and video from Midnight Skyracer

CONGRATULATIONS to Midnight Skyracer, the UK's powerful all-woman band with Tabitha Benedict - also of Co. Armagh's Cup O' Joe - on banjo, who released on Thursday (4 June) Shadows on the moon, their second album and first on Island Records.

To mark the occasion, a video (filmed by John Breese) was made of the title track, written by the band's bassist Eleanor Wilkie, with Tabitha singing the lead. It can be seen on YouTube and also on Friday's feature by John Lawless (who considers it 'a crackerjack') on Bluegrass Today. Midnight Skyracer (also on Facebook) took part in the 2018 bluegrass festival in the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

26th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, 29-30 Aug. 2020

THANKS to Mick Daly, chief organiser of the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford, who writes:

Just to confirm that the 26th Dunmore Bluegrass Festival will take place on the 29th and 30th of August. All subject to government guidelines (due to be announced next week).

Ten acts will play over the two days, with full details to be confirmed before the end of June. It may be a ticketed event to make sure all acts get a good fee - many have not played to a live audience this year.

Aran remembered at Westport - and much more

IT'S June, lockdown is relaxing, and the weather in Dublin suggests a rather chilly and blustery early spring - so if you're deciding to stay in after all, don't forget the ample programme on the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival Facebook of videos by artists who you would be hearing in Westport this weekend if the Festival hadn't had to be postponed to next year. As a special tribute, the Festival's organising team announce:

In 2011 (our fifth festival) the Bluestack Mountain Boys (Dublin) have hosted the 'Welcome home session'. this year we fondly remember Aran Sheehan who lost his life in tragic circumstances. Aran was a leading figure in the Irish bluegrass scene. May he rest in peace.

They append this seven-minute video of the Bluestack Mountain Boys, in fine form on 'Freeborn man' and 'Shady Grove', showing Aran's lead singing and dynamic mandolin work.

New single from April Verch - ONLY TODAY

FANS of April Verch (CAN) should note that only today (5 June) will it be possible to download her new single 'Maple sugar sweetheart' on Bandcamp for $2, as this single will not be available for sale or download again after today. Bandcamp is waiving all of their fees today, so April and her band will get 100% of each download.

April adds that the tune 'Maple sugar', composed by the legendary Canadian fiddler Ward Allen, is considered by many to be the 'Canadian Fiddle Anthem'. Ward's friend Hank LaRiviere wrote the lyrics that turned it into the song 'Maple sugar sweetheart', later recorded by artists including Mac Wiseman.

More news items, plus a photo of April's father making maple syrup, as her family has done for generations in the Ottawa Valley, are in her latest e-newsletter.

49th Winfield Festival postponed to 2021

THE organisers of the Walnut Valley Festival (USA) have announced that after communicating with local public health and city officials, they have decided with regret to postpone the 49th Festival to September 2021. Tickets already bought for this year will be valid for next year. A series of virtual concerts and events, with an online songwriter's showcase, are being arranged for September 2020 under the tentative title 'WVF 48.5'.

The Festival is traditionally held on the third weekend of September in Winfield, Kansas. It centres on the championship contests: International Autoharp, International Fingerstyle Guitar, National Mountain Dulcimer, National Flat Pick Guitar, National Hammered Dulcimer, National Bluegrass Banjo, National Mandolin, and Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championships.

In addition, 'Winfield' draws a crowd of 10,000-15,000 people to celebrate a blend of all kinds of acoustic music, including bluegrass, folk, Americana, cowboy, Celtic, blues, jazz, swing, and more.

Deering Tech Live #9 TONIGHT

FOLLOWING on from previous BIB posts, Deering Banjos will bring out tonight (Thurs. 4 June) the ninth episode of 'Deering Tech Live', in which Sam Miller, head of repairs at Deering, will talk about what used to be called a banjo-guitar, and in the Deering catalogue is a 6-string banjo. Sam plays both 5- and 6-string himself, and will also share insight into learning the 5-string as a guitar player.

As usual, the episode will air at 3.00 p.m. PST (California time), which should be 11.00 p.m. BST. Viewers can tune in via Facebook or Instagram, and leave questions in the form of comments on Facebook. Last week's episode, in which Greg Deering talked about (and played) his love, the long-neck banjo, can be seen here.

What's new (and coming) on Oldtime Central

IN their latest e-newsletter the editors of Oldtime Central (OTC) announce the features added in the last two weeks:

Stony Run: An Interview with Ken and Brad Kolodner
Virtual Banjo-Fiddle Frolic: An Interview with Allie Lee
Spider Tales Listening Party

and they add that:

... we're happy to announce that we're going to be hosting our very first (online) gathering in July! We're hard at work laying the groundwork for an event that everyone in our community will love. More information will be coming in the mid June newsletter, so stay tuned!

Barcelona finds a way to jam

LLUÍS GÓMEZ and his powerful Barcelona Bluegrass Band were deservedly a regular feature of the much-missed Johnny Keenan Banjo Festivals, and the vigorous Barcelona scene supports many musicians, several groups, the annual Al Ras Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, and the Barcelona Bluegrass Jam.

On Bluegrass Today, Lluís shows both how important jamming is to bluegrass players, and how the Barcelona Bluegrass Jam has adapted to lockdown regulations. In Spain, these now allow gatherings of up to ten people, with masks if social distancing can't be kept. Lluís writes:

Playing our well-known songs [...] together again for about two hours made us happy and recharged our batteries. It is not just about being able to enjoy playing music together, it is also about seeing the unspoken bonds of community in the eyes of friends. [...] The jam yesterday was so much more than just playing music together.

There was the added bonus of bringing the sound of bluegrass to others in the public park where the Jam was playing. Read the whole feature, with more photos, here.

Virtual Westport - this weekend

THANKS to Uri Kohen (left), producer of the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, for this news:

This coming weekend, 5-7 June 2020, we were looking forward to welcome musicians and music fans from all over the world to Westport, Co. Mayo, for the 14th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival. Unfortunately we had to change our plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have created an online version of our original programme, combining originally recorded songs and messages from some of this year's artists, alongside archive photos and videos, some of which are previously unseen.

Please join us on our Facebook page all this weekend, and we are looking forward to seeing you all in person on 11 June 2021.

A spoken mssage from Uri can be seen and heard on the Festival Facebook.

Bluegrass Country Soul de luxe box set issued

AMOS Perine, in an article posted on the No Depression website on 19 May, asks: 'Was 1973 the greatest year for roots music?' and answers 'yes'; artists mentioned in the article include many from the bluegrass field, and there are many vintage and recent photos of them, together with lists of influential 1973 albums.

Thanks to Albert Ihde (producer/ director) and Ellen Pasternack (executive director) for this special-edition reissue of the film Bluegrass country soul, which makes a strong case for 1971 as the crucial year for bluegrass music. The original film was shot at Carlton Haney’s 1971 Labor Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival in Camp Springs, NC.

Haney, who had produced the first multi-day bluegrass music event in 1965, put together in 1971 a lineup that featured many pioneers of the music in their prime (Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Chubby Wise, Jimmy Martin, the Osborne Brothers, J.D. Crowe, Mac Wiseman, the Country Gentlemen), along with many younger artists who were to become stars (Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, and Keith Whitley).

The film was first released in 1972 and issued on DVD in 2006. This new, comprehensive, multi-media 'Golden Anniversary Legacy Edition' box set contains DVDs and CDs with fifty musical performances and many supplementary features - music from the festival that didn't get into the film, expert commentary plus a 168-page book, a documentary on the making of the film, and much more - the scope of what's provided is indicated in this feature by Richard Thompson on Bluegrass Today.

A share of the profits from this project will go to the IBMA Foundation’s Trust Fund.

Two more UK festivals go on hold

JUST as the lockdown begins to relax and the long hot spring weather seems like ending, two old-time and/ or bluegrass festivals in Britain announce that their events for this year are cancelled or postponed.

The Alsia Fest in Cornwall was scheduled for 9-13 July 2020. The organisers announce with regret that it is cancelled this year; instead, their Facebook page is being used to promote and support lockdown livestream performances and videos from all their favourite musicians, far and wide. Viewers should make allowances for varying video quality, and use the tip jar when they enjoy what they hear.

The organisers of the Sweet Sunny South old-time music festival in Sussex announced on 23 May:

... that even if large gatherings were permitted, there’s no way, given current advice, that we could ever make it safe enough for everyone involved. We also don’t think that a socially distanced festival would be much fun!

Nonetheless, there is every intention of holding the next Sweet Sunny South festival on 10-12 Sept. 2021.

IBMA observes #TheShowMustBePaused

THE International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announces:

In solidarity with music organizations across the world, IBMA will be observing #TheShowMustBePaused on Tuesday, June 2nd. This pause in every corner of the music industry is intended to be a 'day to take a beat for an honest, reflective, and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community'.

As a commitment to our long held value statement to encourage diversity and inclusion in bluegrass music, the IBMA will add its support of #TheShowMustBePaused by:

• Closing its offices for all official business and communications. This is not a day off. In fact, it is a day of harder work to listen to and support those who are marginalized in our community.
• Sharing Rhiannon Giddens’ powerful keynote speech from 2017. She provides a brilliantly researched and delivered reflection on the history of Black people’s strong influence on bluegrass music and how it was subsequently hidden from public view.
• Postponing sending second round IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards ballots to Wednesday, June 3rd.