The Bluegrass Ireland Blog

Welcome to the Bluegrass Ireland Blog

2008-12-30T12:00:00.000Z

For anyone visiting the BIB for the first time: details of its background and purpose can be found here; and some tips on using it are here. The easiest way to reach both is to click on the 'Welcome' label at the bottom of this post.

Longford lineup: UPDATE

2008-05-18T23:08:00.000+01:00

The lineup for the Seventh Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival (25-28 September 2008), first announced earlier this year, is now even bigger and better. The Americana side of the programme now includes:

Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
Tony Trischka's Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular (see his award-winning album of last year)
Tom Russell
Don Rigsby
Pete & Joan Wernick
Carter Brothers Band
Lluis Gomez Quartet
Ranch House Favourites
Niall Toner Band
Woodbine
Ross Nickerson
Hungry Hill
Rough Deal String Band

Irish traditional music is represented by Altan, Dolores Keane, Barney McKenna, Gerry O'Connor, At the Racket, and Thom Moore & Seamie O'Dowd; others TBC. Full details are on the Festival website.

EWOB 2008 in pictures

2008-05-16T21:55:00.007+01:00

Photos by Jan de Mooy

Information about the 11th European World of Bluegrass Festival which took place in Voorthuizen, the Netherlands, on 1-3 May, is on the festival website and the European Bluegrass Blog.

In addition, the original Bluegrass Blog carries fourteen excellent photos taken by Jan de Mooy at the festival venue in 't Trefpunt, Voorthuizen. They appear there with Jan's captions, giving full details of the performers shown. Above, the Niall Toner Band; below, perennial favourites at Irish festivals, 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/BE).

Festival photos and videos on Bluegrass Now

2008-05-16T21:44:00.004+01:00

Festival organisers, or even just camera buffs, should note the following news from Dee Hallett:

If you have photos from some of your festivals, or even video clips of festival sites, then Wayne Bledsoe, of the USA magazine Bluegrass Now, would love to hear from you. He says: 'Beginning in May we will become a E-Zine and we are very excited about all the new features we can provide to our readers. We will be adding audio and video segments to our features and regular columns. Also, unlike the print media, we will be able to add updates to the magazine daily.'

To contact Wayne, either visit the website or e-mail him.

RTE Radio 1 and Prison Love need YOU!

2008-05-16T21:21:00.004+01:00

Mark O'Mahony of Prison Love (not forgetting their MySpace site) writes:

Howdy Friends,

We invite you to a night with the stars in RTE Studios (Sunday 25 May) to mark the end of 'International Bluegrass Music Month' on Niall Toner's 'Roots Freeway' radio show. The night will feature live performances from Ireland's premier bluegrass group, the Niall Toner Band; wandering Wicklow country cousins, Bray Vista; roots groover from Vancouver, Stephen Fearing; not to mention our good selves, Prison Love.

For free tickets to this great night of music, just e-mail Roots Freeway with your name, address, phone number, and number of tickets required (max 4 per person). More details here. Take care,

Mark

Cobblestone events, May 2008

2008-05-15T22:01:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Orla Keeshan for news of forthcoming events in the Back Room of the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin. Orla says:

The Back Room at the Cobblestone is here to present Dublin's finest roots, alt.country, bluegrass, folk rock, klezmer, funk, trad and more. We have live gigs 3-4 nights a week and traditional sessions in the main bar 7 nights a week. We want to bring music back to its roots, bring on the banjos, bodhráns, double basses and let them rock out. We have some nights worthy of a good old leg slap coming up... Next month we have the North Strand Klezmer Band, the Last Tycoons, Junah, the Candidates, the Old Yellers, the Desert Aces... Prison Love are on their way too.

The show scheduled for Friday 16 May, with The Show and Stone the Crows, has unfortunately been cancelled, but the rest of the Cobblestone schedule till 29 May can be seen here. The Cobblestone also hosts small theatre productions, CD & book launch nights. Seating 60+. *Concessions/advance booking by e-mail with no. of tickets, name & band in the subject title. Also e-mail for future listings with "mailing list" in the subject title.

Events at the Séamus Ennis Centre, Naul

2008-05-14T23:12:00.000+01:00

The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, as well as being a good friend to bluegrass in the Dublin area, presents other forms of music, film, and drama. The Centre's programme from 16 May to 31 May can be seen here.

All performances are presented at the Centre, with doors open at 7.30 p.m. and the performance at 8.30 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Full details are on the Centre's website. For more information, contact the Centre by phone (+353 (01) 8020898) or e-mail.

Niall Toner composition on Grand theft auto 4

2008-05-14T22:18:00.006+01:00

Press release

Songwriter Niall Toner is delighted to announce that a song of his is featured on the biggest-selling video game of all time, Grand theft auto 4, with sales in excess of $7 million since its launch on 29 April.

Niall's song is called 'The Real Reel', aka 'The Dublin 2-Step', and is played during the scene in an Irish pub in NYC. Niall composed the song in 1990, and recorded it originally as a single for release on the Irish market which never happened. Then, through a publishing deal with Bardis Music in Dublin and Crucial Music in LA, the song was pitched and accepted for inclusion in GTA4.

When asked what this meant to a songwriter, Niall replied: 'This is the kind of break that every songwriter dreams about, and it's the biggest thrill of my writing career. It goes to show that you should never lose faith in a song you are proud of, and I hope it serves as an example to other writers who are waiting for a break. I would also have to say that this would never have happened without the hard work and dedication of two very determined publishers, Peter Bardon of Bardis Music in Dublin, and Tanvi Patel of Crucial Music in LA. Thanks, guys, let's get working on another one.'

Niall's new CD with his band, NTB3, which is his third all-original, all-acoustic project, is to be released on Avalon Records (AVCD006) on 25 May at Studio One in the RTE Radio Centre in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. For further information contact Niall at +353 (0)59-9157570/(0)87-2877299 or by e-mail.

Noreen Hunter

2008-05-14T21:23:00.003+01:00

Tony Curran sends the sad news that Noreen Hunter, whose husband and musical partner John died last autumn (as reported on the BIB on 21 October 2007), died on the evening of Sunday 11 May.

Noreen's remains were taken to her home in Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone. The funeral took place after mass at the Roman Catholic church in Beragh at 1.00 p.m. today, Wednesday 14 May. The family requested a bluegrass accompaniment for the service.

Further details will be made known as soon as possible.

Goin' across the sea

2008-04-29T21:46:00.000+01:00

The editor reports:

I'll be absent during the period of the EWOB Festival (1-3 May) and for ten days after, mostly in bluegrass connections; so please continue to send in news and comments, but don't expect them to appear on the BIB till I get back, when they will go in as soon as possible. Our son Tim is minding the store, but that does not include editorial functions.

Westport Festival poster now out

2008-04-29T21:15:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Uri Kohen for the above copy of the poster for the Second Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, in Westport, Co. Mayo, on the last weekend of June. See the Festival MySpace site for all details.

Blood Red Mountain Band: upcoming gigs

2008-04-28T09:23:00.004+01:00

From the Blood Red Mountain Band's bio:

Formed in 2005, the Blood Red Mountain Band draw influence everywhere from Ryan Adams to Bonnie Prince Billy and have been described as ‘Arcade Fire meets Bob Dylan’. The eclectic line-up features no less than eight members, playing a vast array of instruments; Mark Flynn (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Martina Leonard (vocals, glockenspiel, melodica), Tracy O’Grady (fiddle), Joeby Browne (bass & backing vocals), Ian Devlin (lead guitar, charango, mandolin), Dave Keegan (drums), and the recent additions of Brian Duggan (trumpet) and Lindy-Sue Dredge (accordian)

The BRMB will launch their debut EP on 24 May and are busy planning a national tour. Upcoming dates are as follows:

May 9th: The Village, Wexford St., Dublin 2, supporting Modena City Ramblers (Italy). Adm. €15

May 22nd: Alfie's Bar, the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2.

May 24th: Whelan's, Wexford St. - EP Launch. Guests include the Prairie Dawgs & David Hope. Adm. €12. Doors 7.30 p.m.

June 14th: Tumbleweed Love Sessions, the Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin

June 20th: Dolan's (upstairs), Limerick. With David Hope. Adm. €15

July 11th: Whelan's (upstairs), with Desert Aces. Adm. tbc

Visit the BRMB's MySpace site for more info.

Hear MerleFest - past and present

2008-04-25T19:20:00.004+01:00

Colin Henry reports from Belfast:

I am not sure if everyone is aware that you can listen live this weekend to the MerleFest. Go to mvyradio.com and follow the link to the MerleFest. They also archive performances from this year and past years.

BIB editor's note: A link to mvyradio is on the MerleFest website. We also look forward to hearing some personal recollections of this year's MerleFest from Louis O'Dwyer on his return to Tullamore.

Kudos for Coastline Bluegrass Music Event

2008-04-24T21:55:00.002+01:00

The Coastline Bluegrass Music Event in North Wales has not only been nominated as 'Favourite Bluegrass Festival 2007' by UKBluegrass.com - it is now listed in The Guardian newspaper as being among their 'Top Ten Folk Festivals for 2008'! The Guardian article can be seen here.

The third Coastline Bluegrass Music Event takes place on 6-7-8 June 2008 at Plas Uchaf Farm, near Llandudno Junction, North Wales LL28 5PD, UK. This year's lineup has a strong international element with G2 (current #1 European Bluegrass Band) from Sweden, and the Sons of Navarone from Belgium. For further details, see the Event's MySpace site. The Kevin & Geraldine Gill Band were among the headliners at the very first Event.

Skillet Lickers Revival at Drogheda, 30 April

2008-04-24T20:52:00.006+01:00

Jim McArdle reports that the Skillet Lickers Revival (Jim, guitar; Mick Dunne, mandolin; Dick McGarry, banjo), who hold their 'Strictly bluegrass' sessions every Wednesday at Sarsfield's, Chord Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth, are playing a gig in Sarsfield's at 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday 30 April as a Fringe event to the Drogheda Arts Festival.

Jim adds that the SLR have been playing plenty of gigs recently with pickups on all instruments (including autoharp) due to the lack of 'listening' pubs. They would welcome the chance to play all-acoustic for a listening and knowledgeable audience. Event organisers: contact Jim by e-mail.

NTB album launch in new 'Roots Freeway' series: UPDATE

2008-04-23T00:34:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Niall Toner for the news that the launch date for NTB 3, the new CD by the Niall Toner Band, is now Sunday 25 May, at Studio One, RTE Radio Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, starting at 7.30 p.m. Niall adds:

NTB3 is another collection of original material from Niall, Clem, and Dick, and includes songs co-written with Barry and Holly Tashian and Peter Rowan. Ten songs and two instrumentals, as well as a video interview/documentary shot by Kate Bradbury at Athy 2007, with comprehensive sleeve notes explaining the background to all the tracks, and a beautiful sleeve design by bass-totin' graphic artist Kelvin Busher. You can have an advance listen by checking out our MySpace page, where you can hear Clem sing 'Jimmie Rodgers's dream', and Niall sing 'Walk on water'.

On that evening [25 May] we are recording two programmes in the 'Roots Freeway' series in front of a live audience, with NTB as the house band, and special guests Prison Love, Bray Vista, and Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens. Admission on the night will be by ticket only, and seats can be booked by e-mailing Roots Freeway or the show's producer, Aidan Butler.

RTE are also celebrating May as International Bluegrass Music Month by broadcasting a series of radio shows on Thursday nights during May called 'The Bluegrass Sessions'. Among the artists featured will be Bela Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, the Punch Brothers, the Paperboys, Steve Kaufman, and Greg Cahill. These shows are hosted by Niall Toner and Sandy Harsch.

Also during May, each edition of 'Roots Freeway', which is broadcast on Tuesdays at 9.00 p.m., will contain a twenty-minute segment telling the story of bluegrass music, from its beginnings with Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, right up to today's modern masters like Chris Thile, Tony Trischa, Pete Wernick, and Peter Rowan. These mini-documentaries are intended as an introduction to bluegrass music.

Niall is also one of the many artists taking part in the tribute show for Larry Roddy, to be held at Poulaphouca House, Co. Wicklow, on Sunday 27 April. Larry has been one of the most active, discerning, and indomitable promoters of live acoustic music in this country for many years, and the bluegrass and old-time communities in Ireland have good reason to be grateful to him.

Small world

2008-04-21T20:41:00.006+01:00

Brett Ratliff

As you can see from the panel down on the right-hand of the BIB, yesterday the original Bluegrass Blog carried a post on a series of films that retell parables of Jesus in a modern setting - in particular, one (The shrewd manager) shot in Adairville, Kentucky, with local people playing the parts, and background music provided by the Clack Mountain String Band, playing three numbers from their 2006 live album.

Two of the band - Brett Ratliff (banjo) and Jesse Wells (fiddle) - were in Dublin and Cork at the end of January, picking with Dirk Powell (see the BIB post of 23 January). Brett went on to teach old-time banjo at Sore Fingers Week in England last month. AND one of the musicians shown in the bountiful slideshows on the band's website is Brian, from the Patuxent Partners entourage, who has been to the Athy Festival several times. Small world, right?

Jesse Wells

Next time they caught 'em was away out West...

2008-04-21T20:33:00.002+01:00

Hurricane Barry of Prison Love reports:

Howdy folks, catch us this weekend;

Friday April 25th: 10.00 p.m. Clarence Hotel, Wine Street, Sligo, +353 71 9142211

Saturday April 26th: 9.00 p.m. Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway, €10/12.50

Be good!
Hurricane

Songwriters at IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2008

2008-04-19T19:19:00.006+01:00

Louisa Branscomb, chair of the IBMA's Bluegrass Songwriter Association (see the BIB post of 15 Jan. 2007), gives a preview of the BSA part of this year's IBMA World of Bluegrass:

We are planning a Songwriter Crash Course, an open 'Song Circle' (all welcome), a business meeting, and a 'Virtual Mentor' project this year. In addition our rooms in the hotel will be open for spontaneous meetings between songwriters and as a place for folks to co-write or network.

For the 'Virtual Mentor' project: if you are an established and recorded songwriter and would like to volunteer, we will pair you up with a younger or newer writer in IBMA, so that person can ask basic questions about songwriting. You would volunteer an hour of your time via internet or phone to answer questions or help with their songs (and hopefully meet at IBMA). After that, if you wish to keep up the relationship or charge for your consultation, that is up to you.

Attention all songwriters: Please email me if you would like to help with any of these, or if you would like to be on our songwriter email list!

Bobby Hicks: past and present

2008-04-17T22:29:00.004+01:00

The latest issue of Jim Moss's free e-mail newsletter is headed with a splendid b/w photo of Bobby Hicks and Charlie Cline, taken when they were with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1955. This introduces an interview with Bobby about the early years of his career. The rest of the newsletter gives (among many other goodies) access to Jim Moss's stock of interviews with major figures in bluegrass history ranging from Frank Wakefield to Jimmy Martin (don't miss the photos of Jimmy Martin on stage with Marty Stuart).

Fiddlers this side of the Atlantic have an unrivalled opportunity to learn from Bobby Hicks when he teaches the fiddle course at the Transatlantic Bluegrass School in Wales on 7-11 May this year.

Punch Brothers start tour in Dublin, 11 July

2008-04-17T21:35:00.003+01:00

For those who missed their appearance in Dublin in January, or didn't get enough then, the Punch Brothers, Chris Thile's no-hold-barred band, will play at the Sugar Club, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, on 11 July, starting at 8.00 p.m.

This is the start of an eight-day tour this side of the Atlantic, and will be followed by six shows in England and Scotland: Bristol, Birmingham, London, Gateshead, Glasgow, Manchester. Full details are on the Punch Brothers tour schedule.

Prison Love at Oxfam, Parliament Street, Dublin

2008-04-16T21:10:00.005+01:00

Howdy folks,

To celebrate ClearURMusic Month, the Oxfam Ireland shop in Parliament Street, Dublin, is hosting free gigs on four successive Saturdays throughout April – including famous Dublin bluegrass band Prison Love and a fantastic Indian classical music recital.

Prison Love play a free acoustic set this Saturday 2.00-3.00 p.m., Oxfam bookshop, 23 Parliament Street, Dublin 2. Come for the tunes, stay for the wide range of books & music! Be good,

Hurricane

BIB editor's note: For a similar event last year, see here.

Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots: bluegrass-related artists

2008-04-16T19:45:00.005+01:00

Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival sends word on the bluegrass/old-time/country-related acts on this year's lineup (2-5 May):

Chatham County Line are four men with an acoustic guitar, a fiddle, a mandolin, and a stand-up bass; but don't be fooled by the traditional instruments, because they're a mega-sonic force. On their appearance, Dave Wilson of the group says: 'You think we're gonna sound like the Kingston Trio, but listen up 'cause you're gonna get rocked.'

Of Eilen Jewell, the Philadelphia Enquirer had this to say: 'The young singer and songwriter brings a Billie Holiday sultriness and a Lucinda Williams plaintiveness to classic country, jazz and blues styles, forging a low-key but alluring brand of Americana that's all her own.'

Tim O'Brien is no stranger to the festival, having appeared here before with his band, The Crossing.

Baskery, the three sisters from Stockholm, Sweden - Greta, Stella and Sunniva - make a beautiful noise, described as somewhere between Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Johnny Cash and the Be Good Tanyas...

The haunting quality of Martha Scanlon's voice, her unique perspective, and the poetic imagery of her songs helped to gain national acclaim in the States for the innovative old-time string band, Reeltime Travellers.

As well as the visiting American acts, the Irish bluegrass scene is well represented with free gigs for bands such as Woodbine, the Desert Aces, and the Hussars. For more info see the Festival website, tel. 056-7794664, or e-mail.

Two Time Polka: May gigs - update

2008-04-13T19:44:00.002+01:00

Ray Barron of Two Time Polka reports:

Here are the details of our gigs in May. Our new CD, as of yet untitled (open to suggestions) is finished and will be available for sale by the end of May.

Thurs. 1st: The Bulman Bar, Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Kickoff 9.30 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. no. 021 4772131

Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival:

Fri. 2nd: Langtons Hotel, John St., kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. no. 056 7765133
Sat. 3rd: Biddy Early's, John St., 3.00-5.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. no. 056 7722689
Sun. 4th: Syd Harkin's, Rose Inn St., 5.00-7.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. no. 056 7722134
Sun. 4th: Rafter Dempsey's, Friary St., kickoff 10.00 p.m. Adm. free. Tel. no. 056 7722970

Sun. 25th: Baltimore Seafood Festival. The Square, Baltimore, Co. Cork. Open air. Kickoff 3.00 p.m.

Regards and thanks,
Ray and TTP

International lineup at Orwell Bluegrass Festival, 25-7 April

2008-04-12T20:51:00.002+01:00

Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain

Will Burchnall reports from eastern England:

The Orwell Bluegrass Festival at Hallow Trees, Ipswich, Suffolk, opens on Friday 25 April and runs until Sunday 27 April. This year's festival has a truly international lineup with G2 Bluegrass Band (Sweden; current #1 European Bluegrass Band), the Dick Smith and Mike O'Reilly Band (USA/Canada), and Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain (USA) headlining over the weekend, with a further 10 British bands on the Main Stage, plus special guests and impromptu performances on the Open Mic Stage.

For more information go to the Festival website. A copy of the Festival flyer is here. Chris Hockley adds:

We are only 45 mins from Stansted Airport... Please take a look at the website, and we hope to see some of you there.