Bob Denton (USA) in Ireland some time in 2023

Bob on the Cliffs of Moher, armed for Irish music with his English-made Clifford Essex Paragon, re-necked by Tom Cussen of Clareen Banjos

Thanks to the multi-talented Bob Denton for the news that he means to be in Ireland later this year. The original plan was to come for the first ten days of May, but this has had to be shelved as the clawhammer banjo player with whom he plays in the States 'had some gigs come up that couldn’t be avoided'. Bob has been active for over fifty years in bluegrass, old-time, Irish traditional, and other music in many countries. He writes (links inserted by the BIB):

The main reason for the trip was to spend time at Emerald [Guitars] in Donegal checking out their X20 and X30 guitars to see if they might be a good replacement for my two Composite Acoustics Dreadnaught Legacies. They are both cannons but big and bulky and heavy and I was very impressed with the X7 which I borrowed for an OT jam a couple of weeks ago. Perfect for a small OT jam or gig.

I used to tour with Roger Sprung in the '60s [see photo below] and other bluegrass bands for many years including Ireland in the '70s and China, but these days I am more into old-time as well as ITM. I’ll probably have my custom convertible that has a 12” pot with a Whyte Laydie tone ring (made in Canada) with both Irish tenor and clawhammer necks. Would be fun to give the new guitar(s) a run as well...

Bob still has his original D-28 and strap shown in the photo below of the Roger Sprung Band; the fiddler is Franklin George. In recent years Bob has been joint organiser (with Andrew Lambert) of www.irisholdtime.com and its 2018, 2019, and 2020 Appalachian Old-Time Gatherings in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare. The BIB is glad to hear that there are hopes of another Gathering next year.

© Richard Hawkins