Gold Tone High Moon banjos now available for purchase

The Gold Tone Music Group announce that their new HM-100/HM-100A High Moon open-back banjos optimised for the clawhammer player, and developed over some ten years by Chris Pariso, Gold Tone's in-house luthier, are now available for purchase, and can be bought via a link in the e-newsletter. More details (including prices) appeared on the BIB on 29 Jan.

© Richard Hawkins

The first banjo in Antarctica

The BIB editor writes:

The BIB has already made a couple of mentions (16 Dec. 2010, 4 Mar. 2015) of the 5-string banjo that went with Dr Leonard Duncan Albert Hussey (1891-1964) on Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition. Special thanks to Alec Somerville for this link to 'Leonard Hussey's banjo: brain food', a splendid article by Dale Jacobsen, with two photos of the instrument itself, an English-made Windsor zither-banjo. Dr Hussey (also pictured in the article) donated the banjo and its leather case in 1959 to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, south of the Thames and east of central London. Other articles on the banjo are cited in Hussey's Wikipedia biography.

The Hussey banjo, like zither-banjos generally, has a slotted head with standard three-a-side guitar geared tuners (my first banjo, a Clifford Essex of about the same vintage, had friction pegs like a violin) and a fifth string that passes through a tunnel from the tuner to the fifth fret (like my second banjo, a Jedson 6006 'Symphonic' of about thirty years later). The commemorative 'Shackleton' banjo made by the Great British Banjo Company from c.2010 also had a slotted head, with four geared tuners, but in other respects was a regular open-back banjo with a fifth-string peg at the usual place.

Update 28 Feb.: Alec reports that credit is due to Wilson Salter, banjo-player of Ontario, Canada, for drawing his attention to Dale Jacobsen's article.

The zither-banjo design made for a robust instrument that could stand up to hard conditions. Such a banjo might have been in Rudyard Kipling's mind when he wrote his 1894 poem 'The song of the Banjo', which sets the instrument in many demanding environments. Don't be put off the poem by Karen Linn's comments in That half-barbaric twang (1994) - there's more in it than she suggests.

© Richard Hawkins

Dwight Diller, 17 Aug. 1946-14 Feb. 2023

The BIB editor writes:

With great regret, I learn from Banjo Hangout of the death last week, from brain haemorrhage after a fall, of Dwight Diller, one of the most influential players of old-time music of the past fifty years. His influence derived from the strength of his respect and love for the old music and the generations who had made it. His friend and biographer Lew Stern concluded his Dwight Diller: West Virginia mountain musician (2016) with the words:

The central message he sought to communicate was this: a person will only be able to play music that emerged from and resonated with their own character and life experiences, and that ought to be sufficient.

The image above right, showing Dwight aged 27, is from the cover of Lew Stern's book (the most informative biography of a musician that I have so far read). The tributes by friends and fellow musicians on Banjo Hangout and on a commemorative web page should also be read. The Banjo Hangout notice of his death gives four videos of his playing and a link to his YouTube channel.

His website announces that his body will be cremated, and the ashes received by family on 4 March from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. at Lantz Funeral Home, Marlinton, West Virginia. No extended memorial gathering is planned at this time, but friends are welcome.

© Richard Hawkins

More news of past visitors

The latest Dark Shadow Recording company press release announces that Rick Faris (singer, songwriter, luthier, and IBMA New Artist of the Year 2022) is releasing today a new single, 'The power of love', a hit song in the pop world of the 1980s. It will appear on his third Dark Shadow album, Uncommon sky, which is due for release in June 2023.

Rick was a member of Special Consensus for eleven years on mandolin and (later) guitar, and toured Ireland several times with the band. As the press release says, 'Under Greg Cahill, he learned the meaning of professionalism and giving back to the bluegrass community.' More details are in John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today, where you can see a video of the song being recorded (also on YouTube).

*

The BIB mentioned in June 2020 an important album, The John Hartford fiddle tune project, involving many outstanding musicians. Two of them - Megan Lynch Chowning (fiddle) and Tristan Scroggins (mandolin), both of whom have toured here - have joined with Adam Hurt (banjo) to form a touring trio playing the tunes live on stage. They can be seen and heard on Bluegrass Today and YouTube playing a sprightly Hartford composition, 'Tennessee politics'. Warmly recommended.

*

Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Omagh headliners in 2019, will have their new twelve-track album Let time ride released on St Patrick's day, a single 'Black and white' released a week today (3 Mar.), and a 'fun concept video' on 10 Mar. More details are on the East Public Relations press release.

*

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, who also played Omagh 2019 as part of their last tour here, have a new single, 'The price of falling', on Mountain Home Music. Chris says: 'We really had fun with this one in the studio.' It can be heard on Bluegrass Today and SoundCloud.

Update 11/16 Mar.: The band have now released a video of 'The price of falling', which can be seen on Bluegrass Today, on YouTube, and on this Mountain Home Music Company press release.

*

Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass have a new single on Pinecastle, the song 'What crosses your mind', written by David Stewart and Sage Palser and featuring Palser herself (lead singer and mandolin player of the Wyoming-based band Prairie Wildfire). More details are on the Pinecastle Records press release, and on John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

Tickets go on sale TOMORROW for Bluegrass Omagh 2023, 26-28 May

One of the open-air venues at Bluegrass Omagh 2022
(looks like Aaron Jonah Lewis on stage)

The Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, announces on Facebook that tickets for this year's bluegrass festival, Bluegrass Omagh 2023, will be going on sale from 9.00 a.m. tomorrow (Friday 24 February). An Early Bird ticket offer, giving up to 25% off, will extend to 31 March.

The Friday festival programme takes place entirely at the Silverbirch Hotel on the Gortin Road (B48), where an open Pickin' Party will begin at 4.00 p.m. before the main concert at 7.00 p.m, featuring the Honey Dewdrops (USA), Zoe and Cloyd (USA), the Truffle Valley Boys (I), and the Niall Toner Band (IRL). The programmes for Saturday and Sunday are not yet set out on the website, but other acts shown for the weekend include the Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL), Viper Central (CAN), and Old Baby Mackerel (ENG). A Spotify playlist comprises tracks recorded by all the acts named above; more names are to be announced. Weekend tickets also include entry to the Park's Bluegrass Family Day on Monday 29 May. Tickets can be bought here.

© Richard Hawkins

Special Consensus celebrates Canada

Compass Records announce that the Special Consensus (who left these shores just over a week ago) will release tomorrow (Fri. 24 Feb.) a new single: the Gordon Lightfoot song 'Alberta bound'.

The single is from their coming album Great blue north, due for release on 12 May and conceived as the band's tribute to Canada, with songs by Canadian writers and guest artists from Canada or based there: the Jaybird Trio (Patrick Sauber, Trisha Gagnon, and John Reischman), Pharis & Jason Romero, Ray Legere, April Verch, Claire Lynch, and many more. Greg Cahill explains:

Special Consensus has toured regularly in Canada since our earliest days and counts many great Canadian bluegrass players and singers among our musical friends. After we released Cape Breton-based J.P. Cormier's song 'Blackbird' last year, we began to think that recording an album of all Canadian songs would be a great way to tip our hats to the immense talent in the Canadian bluegrass community. Getting to collaborate with some of our northern friends on the project was the icing on the cake.

More details are on Bluegrass Today. You can hear the single there or on YouTube.

Update 1 Mar.: Compass Records now announce that Great blue north can be pre-prdered, and that all CDs pre-ordered will be signed by the members of the Special C.

© Richard Hawkins

Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Weekend, 28 Apr.-1May 2023

Thanks to Celine Kavanagh MacCarthy in Co. Kerry for this news:

Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Weekend returns this May Bank Holiday for its seventh year. It kicks off in CAMO'S, with a gathering featuring Ger Wolfe and local and visiting talents. Open sessions will be inclusive and varied throughout the weekend. Saturday a.m. features markets with music, poetry, workshops, and a showcase from Sparrow Performing Arts.

Concerts include Freddie White on Saturday 29th and Hank Wedel and Friends on Sunday 30th at the Haven. Late night gigs at the Sheebeen backroom venue will host the return of the much anticipated High Plains Tradition and Two Time Polka. Gigs feature the Dizzy Blues Band, Fiona Kennedy and Band, Strunky, Reverse the Hearse at night, along with early afternoon gigs and early evening gigs on Sunday 30th featuring a John Nyhan special and High Plains Tradition. Come and see what we have in store and keep an eye on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music Weekend, hosted by Teacht Thar Sáile Folk Club, will run from 7.00 p.m. on Fri. 28 April to 1.00 a.m. on Mon. 1 May 2023. Celine can be contacted by 'phone (087 706 9935) or e-mail.

© Richard Hawkins

'One glass of whiskey' from Robbie Fulks

Robbie Fulks - Grammy-nominated Americana singer, recording artist, instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter - was a member of the Special Consensus in the 1980s; his name came up in Eilis Boland's January interview with Greg Cahill for Lonesome Highway; and Greg in turn mentioned him from the stage during the recent Special C. tour. By coincidence (if that's what it is) Robbie Fulks has just had released on Compass Records a distinctly bluegrassy single, 'One glass of whiskey', from his album Bluegrass vacation which is due for release in April. More details, and a chance to hear the new single, are on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

Two centenaries

Ten days from now (Fri. 3 Mar. 2023) will be the centenary of the birth of Arthel 'Doc' Watson, the most influential steel-string acoustic guitarist of the past sixty years. Forming part of the celebrations will be the release of the fifteen-track album I am a pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100. Stacy Chandler's No Depression article 'Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, and more featured on 100th birthday tribute to Doc Watson' lists all the tracks and the artists taking part, and includes a video (also on YouTube) of Dolly Parton singing the Tom Paxton song 'The last thing on my mind'.

*

British Bluegrass News, the magazine of the British Bluegrass Music Association, has just brought out its 100th issue.* Trevor Hyett marks the occasion with a well illustrated four-page feature on its development since the 1970s, and Chris Lord, the present editor, describes the work that goes into producing an issue. The cover story is on the five-piece all-woman band Blue Lass from northern England. Among other features, 'Tab corner' has tabs for 'Denver Belle' on banjo and mandolin, with notation for fiddle, plus a detailed survey by Jack Baker of the life of Kenny Baker; and Trevor Hyett's article on going to Sore Fingers week in England mentions seeing Noam Pikelny giving a private lesson to Paddy Kiernan. And for instrument nerds - Malcolm Harrison, a mainstay of the Cambridge bluegrass scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, writes (with photos) about his extremely rare Vega electric 5-string banjo.

*BIB editor's note, 26 Feb.: According to a well informed source, the landmark of 100 issues of BBN must have been reached over ten years ago. This is supported by the volume numbering of my own (very incomplete) BBN collection, which shows that volume 23 had been reached in 2001. At some date after this, a new system of consecutive numbering was adopted, in which the Feb. 2004 issue carried the number '28'.

© Richard Hawkins

April Verch and Cody Walters to release Passages and partings

Thanks to April Verch and Cody Walters (above) for the special announcement in their latest e-newsletter:

Renowned Ottawa Valley fiddler, singer, songwriter, and step dancer April Verch and her Kansas-born husband — roots multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Cody Walters — create new musical tributaries within Verch’s award-winning and critically acclaimed body of work with their debut duo album, Passages and partings. Working on a foundation of old-time tunes culled from a variety of sources, a number of new Verch originals are found on Passages and partings, along with classic country songs and century-old gems.

The combination of musical ingredients heard on this 16-track collection showcase the duo’s instrumental agility and talents as vocalists. But Verch and Walters aren’t the only duo stirring the pot on Passages and partings; award-winning Canadian duo Pharis and Jason Romero and American old-time adventurists Betse & Clarke also lent their considerable skills and empathetic playing to two tracks each.

Passages and partings is a new tributary for April Verch and Cody Walters, created during a window of time when collaboration and interaction were altered and supposedly stifled. But perseverance, patience, and inspiration win out, as these two musicians continue to blaze their own path, creating a remarkable musical adventure.

The new album is due for release on 24 Mar., and can be pre-ordered up to 10 March, with an added bonus and shipping before the release date. April and Cody have visited Ireland several times with the April Verch Band; if their duo is news to you, this video is a good introduction.

© Richard Hawkins

More detached notes

Bluegrass Today reports a major bluegrass event in Prague, CZ, in mid May, when Rosťa Čapek, one of the leasing Czech luthiers, is celebrating his 55th birthday and the fifth anniversary of his wedding with a constellation of US bluegrass artists. Tickets have been on sale since 8 February; more details are available on Bluegrass Today and on the Čapek website.

*

The Deering Banjo Company has published online a list of bluegrass festivals throughout the USA and abroad. NB: in some cases - especially affecting events outside the USA - Deering had not been able to get this year's dates, but have given details for last year so that anyone who might be in that area can look out for the 2023 dates.

*

Pinecastle Records announce a new single from Dale Ann Bradley, 'Love train', and the prospect of a new eleven-track album, Kentucky for me, for release later this year. More details are on the Pinecastle press release.

*

On No Depression, Grant Britt reviews Living in a song, the latest album by Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley. The review includes two videos of numbers from the album.

© Richard Hawkins

Two Time Polka gigs, Feb.-Mar. 2023

Ray Barron of Two Time Polka sends news of the band's forthcoming gigs:

• Sun. 26th Feb.: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city. Starts midnight, adm. free
• Thurs. 16th Mar.: Left Bank Bar, Kilkenny city, 10.00 p.m.-midnight, adm. free (part of Kilkenny Tradfest)
• Fri. 17th: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork city, 2.00–3.30 p.m., adm. free
• Sat. 18th: Blarney, Co. Cork; open air outside Castle Hotel, 2.00–3.45 p.m.
• Sun. 19th: St Columba's Hall (Tinny Shed), Douglas, Cork, 5.00–7.00 p.m.

Our next mail will give details of our gigs at the Kilkenny Roots festival, Caherciveen Mountain Roots festival, and our first gig in France.

Regards & thanks,

Ray & TTP

© Richard Hawkins

Remembering Jimmy Arnold

Weekly newsletter no. 119 issued by Bluegrass Unlimited magazine (BU) includes - among other good things - a 1983 article by Alan Steiner from its archives, 'Jimmy Arnold: back again and ridin' high'. Jimmy Arnold (1952-92) was a multi-instrumentalist best known for his powerful and individual banjo-playing and the breadth of his musical tastes and influences. Alan Steiner's article includes much of Arnold's own words about his approaches to playing, to music in general, tattooing, and more.

The image above is from the cover of a 2006 compilation album of his Rebel recordings - see John Lawless's report at that time. A brief bio of Jimmy Arnold, together with fourteen photos taken by Akira Otsuka during the recording of Arnold's 1977 guitar album for Rebel, is on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

19th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, 5-6 May 2023 (update)

The BIB has always liked the International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, held in springtime at Bühl (Baden), a pleasant town between the Black Forest and the Rhine in south-west Germany. From the beginning (2003) the festival, financed by the city council, has put on top-ranking acts from the USA and Europe (e.g. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Red Wine).

This year's festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, 5-6 May. The Friday concert will be by Bavaria's Johnny and the Yooahoos (above left, who played Westport last year) and our old Dutch friends the Blue Grass Boogiemen. On Saturday bands will be playing between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. at a free-admission, open-air stage in the city centre. The evening concert (5.00-11.30 p.m.) in the Bürgerhaus Neuer Markt, a first-class auditorium, will feature Boom-Ditty (F), Cousin Hatfield (NL), Fog Holler (USA; on this year's Westport lineup, and shown below) and Level Best (USA), who toured Ireland in October 2019.

Thomm Jutz, originally from around Bühl, is now highly respected in Nashville as a songwriter and as a performing and recording artist: he was the first immigrant to be nominated for a Grammy award in the Best Bluegrass Album category. He and Tammy Rogers brought out a Christmas album, Welcome the babe, last year; and Lost voices, his latest album with Tim Stafford, includes a song entitled 'Wild Atlantic Way', worth looking up for pickers in the western parts of this island. A sample can be heard on Lee Zimmerman's feature on Bluegrass Today.

Update 20 Feb.: For more details on Lost voices, see the Mountain Fever Records press release.

© Richard Hawkins

High Plains Tradition top the bill at Durrow Mini Bluegrass Festival, 5-6 May 2023 (update)

When Tony O'Brien announced (see the BIB for 3 Feb.) that the Mini Bluegrass Festival on 5-6 May at Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, would have a top headline act, he was not kidding. Tony has now given out the main details of the event: the headline act will be the magnificent High Plains Tradition (above) from Colorado, making their sixth tour of Ireland. They will play both evening concerts, supported on Friday 5 May by the Gill Family Band (Cork) and on Saturday 6 May by Woodbine (Athy). Concert tickets are €20.00 per night per person, or €30.00 per person for both days; booking (085 165 6685) is essential as the concert venue holds only fifty people. Pickin' sessions will continue throughout Saturday.

High Plains Tradition are on the bill at the Cahersiveen Mountain Roots Music event for Sat. 29 April. Their online schedule shows their tour as lasting from 28 April to 8 May; no further details are available at present, but the BIB will publish any further dates as soon as they are received.

Update 7 Mar.: The complete schedule for the High Plains Tradition tour is on the BIB calendar, having been posted on 3 Mar..

© Richard Hawkins

Evie Ladin on Deering Live TONIGHT (Wed. 15 Feb.)

The Deering Banjo Company announce that clawhammer player, singer, and dancer Evie Ladin will be the featured guest on Deering Live tonight at 11.00 p.m. Irish time. The interview-plus-music can be watched on Deering Live and on YouTube; on both pages there is a concise account of Ladin's accomplishments for those who aren't already familiar with them. The Deering Live page also includes this video of her lively performance of 'Glory' at the Ear Trumpet Labs.

Deering additionally draw attention to their range of banjos under the Vega brand.

*

The Recording King instrument company announce their new Carl Jackson Signature Model banjo, designed by Greg Rich. Carl Jackson, now a highly respected songwriter and record producer, first became known as a fiercely talented banjo-player, one of a succession who played with the late Glen Campbell. At the time of writing this post, the new model is not yet on the Recording King website, but several photos and more details can be seen on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

The hot Dublin scene gets hotter!

Dublin now has a thriving bluegrass scene with two weekly open jam sessions, sustained by the inexhaustible energy and enthusiasm of the pickers. Thanks once again to Patrick Simpson of the Dublin Bluegrass Collective/ Bluestack Mountain Boys for news of last night's jam at The Oarsman, 8-10 Bridge St., Ringsend, Dublin 4 (D04 N294). Patrick writes:

Tonight we had a special friend from Canada join us. Fintan McEnroe of Cavan showed up with his fiddle. And by God it was gorgeous! Apart from being St Valentine's day in Irishtown, the crowd were very appreciative of the music and we thoroughly loved the vibe. Please let people know they are welcome to come join us. Thanks for your posts and thanks to the musicians and publicans who support us!

The next Dublin session will be this coming Sunday's regular open jam at Mother Reilly's, 32 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin 6.

© Richard Hawkins

Peter Rowan - where Buddhism and bluegrass mix

Thanks to Gavin Davies of the O Books (spirituality) section of John Hunt Publishing for news of Mike Fiorito's forthcoming book Mescalito riding his white horse: inspired by the musical adventures of Peter Rowan.

Peter Rowan's sense of the depth and spirit of music has been felt ever since he helped the Father of Bluegrass to write 'Walls of time'. Mike Fiorito - who wrote a major feature on Rowan for Bluegrass Today in April 2022 - describes the book as follows:

Mescalito riding his white horse was inspired by several interviews conducted with Peter Rowan, a legendary bluegrass musician, over a period of a few months in 2021. Peter never really followed the path of rock superstar - he was more interested in the alchemical process of music. In discovering this magic, I have felt myself projected across time, place, and identity and tried to put that experience into words. Except for the quoted interviews, which were transcribed as spoken, what follows is a combination of autobiography mixed with my visions and dreams. Some were imagined. All were real.

Chris Henry, formerly mandolinist in the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, has written to Fiorito: 'You did a great job with the book! Really got to the heart of Peter's vibe.' Mescalito riding his white horse is scheduled for publication at the end of next month at a price (paperback) of £12.99/ $14.95, or as an e-book for £5.99/ $7.99.

© Richard Hawkins

Tim O'Brien on Danny Burns's new single 'Fields of gold' (update)

The Bonfire Music Group announces the release today of a new single by Danny Burns, born and raised in the north-west of this island.

The song is 'Fields of gold', written and released thirty years ago by Sting (Gordon Sumner). On the new recording Danny Burns is joined by Tim O'Brien, whose most recent visit to Ireland was last month, touring with his wife Jan Fabricius. The single is available now for download and streaming. Danny Burns's next full-length bluegrass project, Promised land, is scheduled for release later this year by Bonfire Music Group.

Update 15 Feb.: See also John Lawless's news on Bluegrass Today (where the new single can be heard, as well as on YouTube): on Monday night Danny's wife Aine gave birth to their first son, and brother to their three daughters.

© Richard Hawkins

I Draw Slow at the Workman's Club, Dublin, 17 Feb. 2023

Thanks to Dave Holden for the news that on this coming Friday (17 Feb.) Dublin's new-time string band I Draw Slow will be in concert at the Workman's Club, 10 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. from 7.45 to 11.45 p.m. Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite, where there is a location map and a video (also on YouTube) of their 'About a bird in an airport terminal'. The band will be playing songs from their brand new self-titled album on Compass Records (right), released before Christmas.

© Richard Hawkins

TWO great bluegrass nights in Dublin on 12 Feb. 2023

Thanks again to Patrick Simpson (above, right) of the Dublin Bluegrass Collective/ Bluestack Mountain Boys for news of last night's open bluegrass jam session at Mother Reilly's, 32 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin 6. Patrick writes:

We had a very special visitor to the 'Bluegrass Sundays' jam session in Mother Reilly's in Rathmines tonight. All the way from East Nashville USA, Seth Mulder [above, left] of Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, who has been on vacation in Ireland with his brand new Nugget mandolin. It was a complete delight to pick with one of America's finest pickers, if not the best, and catch up ('so little time'). Very kind of him to think of us and come join our unit. Dublin Bluegrass Collective are so happy he made it to our humble jam. Big thank you to him and his family for popping in. Probably the best night yet. A very kind and generous man. We're back in The Oarsman for 'Bluegrass Tuesdays' at 8.00 p.m. in Ringsend.

Above: the jam pauses for a photo of (standing, l-r) Seth, Patrick, and T.J. Screene. Patrick's message ends: 'Hope you enjoyed the show', referring to the Special Consensus concert at Dún Laoghaire on the same night. This was the Special C.'s third time at the Pavilion Theatre, and they ended with a double standing ovation from a very enthusiastic house.

© Richard Hawkins

For instrument enthusiasts

John Monteleone at work (photo: Vincent Ricardel)

The US magazine Fretboard Journal, a boon to all lovers of stringed-instrument artistry, features the legendary luthier Johm Monteleone with a link to The chisels are calling, a documentary film on his work. He is best known for his striking archtop guitars (see here, for instance), but bluegrass mandolinists such as David Grisman and Mike Marshall have also been his customers.

*

Nechville Musical Products, producers of very-high-quality and innovatively-engineered banjos, announce a three-step instalment plan for buying instruments through the Shop Pay system, offering a choice between four interest-free payments and monthly instalments. In either case, the purchaser receives reminders when payments are due.

*

A week ago the Deering Banjo Company announced sale prices for their Goodtime ($499) and Goodtime Two ($729) banjos - the Two comes with a resonator. Since then, the prices for these models have appeared as $579 and $839. At present, the BIB doesn't know whether these prices apply to overseas dealers; in any case, the company's location map of dealers throughout the world shows no Deering agent in Ireland.

*

The Bluegrass Situation online magazine launches its Fiddles in February series with an excerpt from Mark O'Connor's memoir Crossing bridges, a mixtape of fiddlers admired by Kyle Nix, five videos, and much more.

© Richard Hawkins

Foghorn Stringband in Ireland, 4-13 May 2023

The BIB learned shortly before Christmas that the Baltimore Fiddle Fair at Baltimore, Co. Cork, will be presenting this year (4-7 May 2023), among many other artists, two leading acts from the old-time scene in the USA: the Foghorn Stringband (above) from Portland, Oregon - 'quite possibly the most popular band we've ever had at the festival' - and the fiddle-and-banjo duo of Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves.

We're delighted to be able to announce now that the Foghorns are scheduled to play five further dates in Ireland after the Fiddle Fair, as follows:

• Tues. 9th May: Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
• Wed. 10th: Colfers Pub, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
• Thurs. 11th: Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
• Fri. 12th: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
• Sat. 13th: The Beehive, Ardara, Co. Donegal

Links for online booking are on the Foghorns' website. At present no dates in Ireland around the time of the Fiddle Fair have been announced for Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves. However, according to the FOAOTMAD news blog, their UK tour doesn't start till 16 May.

© Richard Hawkins

Mo Pitney releases single and video of 'Old home place'

Thanks to East Public Relations and Bluegrass Today for the news that rising young country star Mo Pitney has recorded 'Old home place' (written by Mitch Jayne and Dean Webb of the original Dillards) as a tribute to the late J.D. Crowe, who recorded it with his New South band on Rounder 0044, one of the most influential albums in bluegrass history. The photo (right) shows Mo and J.D. together.

The official video, shot in the recording studio, is well worth seeing and hearing, as the musicians include Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Ricky Skaggs (mandolin), Barry Bales (bass), Jerry Douglas (dobro), and Marty Stuart (guitar), all of whom are enjoying the occasion. 'Old home place' is available as a single and is also on the latest Pitney album, Ain't looking back.

© Richard Hawkins

Ken Perlman online clawhammer clinics, Feb.-Mar. 2023

Ken Perlman (right), master of 'melodic clawhammer' banjo, announces the next two online live instructional workshops in the current season of his 'Clawhammer Clinics for old-time banjo' series: 'Those happy-go-lucky Canadian jigs, clawhammer style' (Mon. 27 Feb.) and 'Adapting syncopated rhythms to clawhammer' (Mon. 27 Mar.). Each clinic lasts an hour and a half. All Ken's previous Clinics are available as videos from his website at $25 each, and he can also be contacted for private lessons by Zoom.

© Richard Hawkins

Special C. at the Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, THIS SUNDAY

After tonight there are five shows left in the current tour by the multi-award-winning Special Consensus, and right in the middle of the five comes Sunday night's show at the Pavilion Theatre in the centre of Dún Laoghaire.

Of all the venues on the tour, the Pavilion is the most accessible for bluegrass enthusiasts in the Dublin metropolitan area; it's an excellent environment for a musical event; and the Special C., who have toured Ireland since 1995 more often than any other visiting band, come with an exceptionally strong lineup and repertoire - as anyone who's been to one of the earlier shows in the tour can confirm.

© Richard Hawkins

Off and pulling strongly!

Thanks again to Patrick Simpson of the Dublin Bluegrass Collective/ Bluestack Mountain Boys for this report on the first night of the new every-Tuesday open bluegrass jam session at The Oarsman, 8-10 Bridge St., Ringsend, Dublin 4 (D04 N294). On the right, a closer view of the sign on the pavement outside the pub. Patrick writes:

We really enjoyed playing for the crowd in the Oarsman last night. They were very appreciative with great applause for our songs and tunes. We hope to be back every Tuesday going forward as it is a really nice spot and the acoustics are excellent. We hope to grow this session and encourage bluegrass musicians to come along and join the jam. It's a lot of fun and we enjoy it. And there's a discounted rate for musicians at the bar! I hope to see you there!

The original Dublin Bluegrass Collective open jam session continues at Mother Reilly's, 32 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin 6, 7.00-11.00 p.m. every Sunday.

Three stalwarts of Dublin bluegrass (l-r): John Denby, T.J. Screene, Simon Humphries

© Richard Hawkins

How to kick off an outstanding track

The BIB editor writes:

From the first notes of 'Deeper in love', a single from North Carolina's Carley Arrowood, the banjo playing got my attention. Throughout the song, which is non-stop beautiful singing and playing on all instruments, the banjo is an essential part of the vitality with which the whole track is bursting. This should not be surprising, as it is being played by Tabitha Benedict (photo) of Cup O' Joe, Midnight Skyracer, and The Foreign Landers. The track can be heard on John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today and is available from download and streaming services. It is strongly recommended as a pick-me-up.

© Richard Hawkins

Upcoming shows by Pilgrim St - and The Dead South in November

Thanks to Owen Brady for the news that Navan's Pilgrim St (above) have several concert dates on their schedule for the coming months:

• Sat. 4th Mar.: Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina, Co. Mayo, 8.00 p.m.
• Thurs. 16th Mar.: Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell St., Drogheda, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.
• Sat. 15th Apr.: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.
• Fri. 19th May: The Venue Theatre, Ratoath, Co. Meath, 8.00 p.m.
• Sat. 27th May: The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth, 8.00 p.m.
• Sat. 17th June: The Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co. Cavan, 8.00 p.m.

Links for online bookings for all these shows are on the band's website.

Thanks again to Owen for the longer-term news that the multi-faceted Canadian Americana band The Dead South (image below; see also the BIB for 9 Feb. 2020) will be playing the following two dates in Ireland in early November, in the middle of ten dates in Britain:

• Wed. 1st Nov.: Ulster Hall, Belfast, 7.00 p.m.
• Thurs. 2nd: Vicar Street, Dublin, 7.00 p.m.

© Richard Hawkins

Mighty Poplar - new bluegrass supergroup

Hearth Music announce the formation of Mighty Poplar, a new bluegrass supergroup comprising five outstanding musicians from some of the leading acoustic music acts, who have come together to play solid bluegrass. Hearth Music writes: 'With their debut album, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music.' Three of the band's members have previously played in Ireland, and the first video they have released is of a song written by another visiting artist.

Mighty Poplar is Andrew Marlin (mandolin) of Watchhouse, Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Chris Eldridge (guitar) of Punch Brothers, Greg Garrison (bass) of Leftover Salmon, and Alex Hargreaves (fiddle) of the Billy Strings Band. See John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today. The first album from Mighty Poplar (also on Facebook) is due for release on 31 Mar. 2023; and the video they have released is of 'Up on the Divide', written by cowboy poet Martha Scanlan, who played here in 2008 and 2009. It can be seen on Bluegrass Today or YouTube.

Update: The video also appears in Stacy Chandler's report on No Depression.

© Richard Hawkins

More detached notes

Little Roy Lewis (see the BIB for 24 Feb. 2022) will be 81 later this month, and he appears on the cover of the current issue of Bluegrass Unlimited (BU) magazine with a major article inside. BU editor Dan Miller writes (with links inserted by the BIB):

Additionally, this issue includes articles about fiddler John Hall [1933-2007], the New York City Unemployed Musicians Baseball League, Jaelee Roberts, The Onlies, Aleyas Mandolins, the story behind the song 'Oh, me of little faith', Lissa Schneckenburger's Ear Training Course, and Danny Stewart Productions, RBR Entertainment, a remembrance of Dudley Murphy. Also, our regular features, General Store, Notes and Queries, Record and Book Reviews, and the National Bluegrass Survey are included.

A 1980 BU article by Don Rhodes on the Lewis Family, with whom Little Roy played for many years, can be read here.

*

The IBMA announces an update on Curly Strings, the exciting band from Estonia who in 2022 were the first ever winners of an IBMA International Band Performance Grant. For more on Curly Strings, see the BIB for 27 July 2022. The 2023 winners of the grant will be announced soon.

*

Molly Tuttle's latest album Crooked tree was chosen Album of the Year at the 2023 International Folk Music Awards; see John Lawless's feature on Bluegrass Today and this article on the Bluegrass Situation. Yesterday (5 Feb.) Crooked tree also became Best Bluegrass Album in the 2023 Grammy Awards.

*

Bluegrass Today reports that Ashby Frank's Leaving is believing album is to be released this coming Friday (10 Feb.), and that 'Paintball gun', a final single from the album, can be heard on Bluegrass Today or SoundCloud.

*

Our Swiss friend Mala Oreen, who has toured Ireland several times leading her full band or a duo or trio, sends her latest e-newsletter announcing her new album, Awake, and including two live videos with a strong Swiss flavour.

*

Missy Raines, seven times IBMA Bass Player of the Year, is the Spotlight interviewee on this week's Bluegrass Ridge TV episode; more details are here.

*

The IBMA Foundation announces that Pisgah Banjos are once more donating a custom-made banjo valued at $2,500 (see image below) to be raffled at $20 a ticket in aid of the IBMA's Arnold Shulz Fund.

Update 10 Feb.: See John Lawless's feature on the banjo raffle on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

Mini Bluegrass Festival at Durrow, Co. Laois, 5-6 May 2023

While the live music scene here was still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, Tony O'Brien, his family, and friends presented a one-day Bluegrass Family Reunion at Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, on 4 Sept. 2021, and a two-day Mini Bluegrass Festival at Bob's on 1-2 July 2022. Both of these were successful and enjoyable events with lively picking sessions, and the latter featured two evening concerts in the new indoor music venue, Bob's Hideout (photo above). Tony now sends this good news:

Just letting you know the 2023 Mini Bluegrass Festival in Bob's, Durrow, will take place on Fri. 5 May and Sat. 6 May. Full details shortly, but we will have a top headline band. Promises to be two great nights with jam session all day on the Saturday.

Bob's Bar (above), beside the River Erkina at the north end of Durrow, has for a long time been one of Woodbine's favourite places to play. It is also the focal point for rallies of the traditional 'High Nelly' upright bicycles, and anyone interested in local history should visit its unique museum.

© Richard Hawkins

John Nyhan presents the Special C. at Banteer, 6 Feb. 2023

Many thanks to the irreplaceable John Nyhan for the poster image above and this news:

50 Years of Folk and Roots

1973-2023

In 1973 I was co-founder of the Shandon Folk Club, within an earshot of the famed Shandon Bells.

The Club was initially held in the Easons Hill Youth Club. Later on it moved to the C.I.E. Social Club in Emmet Place, Cork. Acts booked included Mick Hanley, Sonny Condell, and Al O'Donnell. There were also singers and open mic nights, where local talent performed.

Now, fifty years on, I am so proud to be presenting the Special Consensus on Monday night next, in the Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork (P51 NX28). It will be a very special night for me, as I enter my second half-century promoting music.

Bookings are going very well, but there are still tickets available; telephone 087 792 1771.

Keeping Music Live,

John Nyhan

John is shown above in a 2015 photo from the Cork City Libraries Blog (see the BIB for 2 June 2015). To mark his second half-century, here's a link to a video of John Reischman (mandolin) and Eli West (guitar) playing the Reischman composition 'Uncle John Nyhan'.

© Richard Hawkins

Valerie June and Marcela Avelar on Deering Live

Black History Month began yesterday, and singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Valerie June was featured on Deering Live on Tuesday this week, together with artist Marcela Avelar, who created the artwork for the children's book Somebody to love: the story of Valerie June's sweet little baby banjolele. The hour-long feature can also be seen on YouTube. The 5-string banjo is among the instruments Valerie June plays, and 'Drink up and go home'* is among the songs she performs.

*A recording by Jimmy Martin can be heard here.

© Richard Hawkins