Bluegrass Sundays Birthday Bash Jam, 16 July 2023

Thanks to Patrick Simpson of the Bluestack Mountain Boys, hosts of Dublin's two weekly bluegrass open jam sessions, for this news:

The Bluestack Mountain Boys aka Dublin Bluegrass Collective will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary at Mother Reilly's Bar & Restaurant this Sunday from 7.00 to 11.00 p.m. Come join the "Bluegrass Sundays Birthday Bash Jam" for cocktails and bluegrass music! It's been a great year and we've had so many fantastic musicians join us, so I'd like to say thanks to all the musicians that keep it alive, and thanks to the bar for supporting us! Hope to see you there!

Mother Reilly's is at 32 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin 6. The Bluestack Mountain Boys' Facebook recently displayed these two attractive new images for the Sunday and Tuesday sessions:

©Richard Hawkins

Folkways at 75

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Folkways Records in NYC by Marian Distler and Moses Asch. The celebration will be observed in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on 6 July, and the Brooklyn Folk Festival in November; Smithsonian will also be reissuing many classic Folkways LPs on vinyl. Some of the details are given on the Smithsonian Folkways Facebook.

BIB editor's note: Folkways recordings (and their accompanying booklets) had an immeasurable influence on my own generation, especially those of us who were edging our way through the folk revival towards bluegrass and old-time music. I owe a particular debt to Pete Seeger's instructional albums on guitar- and banjo-playing; to the LPs recorded by Mike Seeger, American banjo: songs and tunes in Scruggs style and Mountain music bluegrass style; and to albums by the Country Gentlemen and the New Lost City Ramblers.

© Richard Hawkins

National Banjo Day

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, TN/VA, is celebrating National Banjo Day today with a brief outline of banjo history and a photo of the oldest surviving instrument that can be called a banjo, the 'Creole bania' obtained in the 1770s in Suriname, South America, by John Gabriel Stedman (1744-97). The photo is credited to Kristina R. Gaddy, who describes the instrument and Stedman's association with it in chapters of her book Well of souls: uncovering the banjo's hidden history. Another photo of the 'bania' is on the Banjo Roots Blog, at the head of Shlomo Pestcoe's 2011 article 'The Stedman "Creole bania": a look at the world’s oldest banjo'.

The venerable instrument is in the collection of the national museum of ethnology at Leiden (NL). Unfortunately, it is not currently on public display. Update: A photo can also be seen on the 'Banjo Roots: Banjo Beginnings' Facebook.

National Banjo Day is also being celebrated by the Compass Records Group with a Banjo Day Sale, offering 25% off select titles from their extensive catalogue of banjo-centric music. The Deering Banjo Company are (coincidentally?) introducing a new line of merchandise with the image of their newly designed character 'Banjohead'.

© Richard Hawkins

For St Patrick's day

The Gold Tone Music Group announce on their website and Facebook a special St Patrick's day deal (probably only applying to customers in the USA) of free shipping and a pack of strings on all their 4-string banjos (including the IT-17 and IT-19 models with 12" pots, and the CC-Plectrum). The deal also covers their other 'Irish' instruments - two bouzouki models, a mandola, and an octave mandolin. More details are on the Gold Tone e-newsletter.

As a further connection between the day and the American South, the Bitter Southerner online magazine publishes an article by Harrison Scott Key - 'the planet's least serious writer' - on how Savannah, GA, celebrates St Patrick's day.

© Richard Hawkins

Eve Morris of FOAOTMAD

We learn with regret of the death shortly before Christmas of Eve Morris, membership secretary for many years of FOAOTMAD, the UK's association for old-time music and dance, who was also the association's only life member. The FOAOTMAD news blog of today's date gives full details, received from her family, of the arrangements for her funeral and a 'wake'/ celebration of life, to be held in Somerset on 13 January 2023.

© Richard Hawkins

'Del in December' on the BGS

The staff of the Bluegrass Situation (BGS) online magazine announce 'Del in December', a week-long programme of items celebrating the great Del McCoury (above; photo by Daniel Jackson) which will include a decade-by-decade recap of his career, an interview about his latest Grammy-nominated album, a photographic report on his 80th-birthday party, and several videos - among which is the four-and-a-half-minute 'Soundcheck' video about his duo act with Sam Bush, including a snatch of Del's banjo-playing (see also the BIB for 2 Feb. 2022).

© Richard Hawkins

Christmas Pickin' 2022 in Mother Reilly's!

Thanks to Patrick Simpson of the Bluestack Mountain Boys / Dublin Bluegrass Collective , who host the weekly Dublin bluegrass jam at Mother Reilly's, 32 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin 6. Patrick sends the fine photo above by Gerry Geoghegan, and reports:

We have really been enjoying the music and vibe at "Ma's" on Sundays and wanted to let you and your readers know that we will have Christmas Day off this year, so we plan to celebrate our 'Dublin Bluestacks Christmas Pickin' Party' this Sunday, December 18th, from 7.00 to 11.00 p.m. with a Festive Open Bluegrass Jam Session. We Ho Ho Hope y'all can make it! Thank you and all the pickers who have supported the jam in 2022, we look forward to being back on again on New Year's Day 2023! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

© Richard Hawkins

Halloween Special jam in Rathmines, 30 Oct. 2022

Thanks again to Patrick Simpson of the Bluestack Mountain Boys / Dublin Bluegrass Collective , who reports on last weekend's Halloween Special edition of the weekly Dublin bluegrass jam at Mother Reilly's, 32 Rathmines Rd Upper, Dublin 6:

It was another great night for Dublin bluegrass, and I'd like to thank all who came out in support. The music was fantastic and the craic was mighty! Mother Reilly's was very nice to have contributed a cake, which was enjoyed, Very thoughtful of them. We didn't raise any money, but I appreciated the cards and gifts I got for my birthday, and I thank those who came out to the session. It really is a great jam and indeed a great spot for bluegrass music in Dublin. You're welcome to join us there anytime. We pick every Sunday from 7.00 p.m.-11.00 and are open to new musicians who would like to join us.

Top, the jam in full swing; above right, the entry of the Cake; below, scanty remains of a feast

© Richard Hawkins

'The Earth is getting ready' from the McKernans

The BIB editor writes:

Many thanks to our friends in Australia, the McKernan family, whose 'browngrass' music has often been featured on the BIB in the past. Nine days ago Joe and Nancy McKernan sent us this link to the Christmas Spectacular of the Bruderhof religious community to which they belong - a ninety-minute concert of music from many countries celebrating Christmas. Nancy's own composition 'The Earth is getting ready' is the first song, performed by the whole family in the midst of Australian countryside.

Joe and Nancy write that the song is 'not exactly bluegrass', but it's not hard to imagine it being sung by an old-time band, or a bluegrass band that leans towards the old-time. Apologies for not sharing this before Christmas, but it is no less topical for the BIB's delay.

© Richard Hawkins

We Banjo 3's 'Light of Summer', 24 June 2021

Galway's We Banjo 3, originators of 'Celtgrass', announce that they will be hosting their 'Light of Summer' event on 24 June 2021 to celebrate the reopening of the world after lockdown. Loyalty Early Bird tickets will be available till 11.59 p.m. EST on 21 June, and exclusive merchandise bundles including limited-edition goodies can be bought at prices from $22.50 to $69.00. Full details are on the band's website.

We Banjo 3 were interviewed on Deering Live last Thursday (13 May). Among the events they will be playing in the USA later this year is the ROMP (River Of Music Party), presented by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on 15-18 September.

© Richard Hawkins

The Original Five (SE) celebrate ten years together

Thanks to John Lawless on Bluegrass Today for the news that Sweden's Original Five were able to celebrate ten years together as a band with a concert on 31 October 2020, thanks to the more relaxed approach to COVID restrictions that prevailed at that time in Sweden. A 43-minute video of the show can be seen on Bluegrass Today and also on YouTube, and the band are in appropriately lively form. Well worth a listen.

It's not quite the same lineup that made a tour of Ireland four years ago, including the 2017 Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival - mandolinist Ola Persson is no longer a regular member, though he was among the guest musicians at the concert. More details on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

Deering celebrates Pete Wernick's 75th birthday TONIGHT

The Deering Banjo Company invites everyone to take part in celebrating the 75th birthday of Pete 'Dr Banjo' Wernick on Deering Live tonight (25 Feb. 2021). Viewers can also ask Pete questions in the live chatroom or reply to this e-mail with their questions. The show starts at the usual Deering Live time of 6.00 p.m. ET/ 3.00 p.m. PT/ 11.00 p.m. GMT.

Pete Wernick has been one of the prime movers of the worldwide bluegrass scene since the 1960s as performing and recording artist, radio presenter, bandleader, interviewer, educator, communicator, administrator, historian, innovator, and guardian of tradition. He was a frequent attender, as performer and teacher, at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festivals of the Noughties, and before that had played in Ireland as a member of Hot Rize and performed with his wife Joan at the Athy Bluegrass Festival, which he described as 'small but mighty'.

In the BIB editor's view, it is one of the most-to-be-regretted what-ifs of bluegrass history that Pete Wernick and Tony Trischka have not got together to write the biography of Earl Scruggs.

XII Red Wine Bluegrass Party now on YouTube

Following on from the BIB post of 15 December, thanks to the EBMA Facebook for the news that our friends in Italy's premier bluegrass band Red Wine have now put their 'XII Red Wine Bluegrass Party' online in a 32-minute video on YouTube. The Party consists of live numbers by the band, interspersed with Stefano Goldberg's outstanding photos from previous Bluegrass Parties. It ends with a moving musical tribute to Stefano - the Hazel Dickens song 'Won't you come and sing for me'.

Near the beginning, the Party also includes an affectionate tribute to Ireland and the good times the band have had here.

Wookalily sign with MIG music (D)

Belfast's Wookalily ('Morricone meets early B52s') announce with pride on Facebook:

WE JUST SIGNED A RECORD DEAL!!! Yes, all it took was a worldwide pandemic...

We're ecstatic to announce we've just signed a record deal with MIG music and we're now label buddies with Matthews Southern Comfort, Blackbird & Crow, and many more. MIG have also worked with Clannad, Planxty, and Muddy Waters on some great live releases so we're feeling rather privileged to now be part of their prestigious list of artists.

Here's a wee video of us getting together for the first time since lockdown to sign on the dotted line and celebrate with some bubbly (socially distanced of course). Thanks to all our fans who have supported us for the last 10 years. We can't wait for the next 10 still to come.

The band have also been invited by Hot Press magazine to contribute to Van Morrison's 75th birthday celebrations as part of the 'Rave on Van Morrison' series, and will be featured live on the Hot Press YouTube channel tonight at 7.00 p.m. Those also taking part in the series include Hozier, Imelda May, Bob Geldof, Liam Neeson, Sinead O'Connor, and Irish president Michael D. Higgins.

Online concert celebrates Gerry Grennan, 28-9 Mar. 2020

The BIB regrets being late in announcing the two-part Gerry Grennan Celebration Night online concert, organised by the Hawk's Well Theatre in his hometown of Sligo. The Hawk's Well says:

In Feb 2020 we produced and presented a long overdue celebration night for the inimitable Gerry Grennan, one of the most loved and respected musicians and music teachers in Sligo. Musicians from near and far gathered to join him for one of the most epic and joyous concerts we have ever had the privilege of hosting. Proceeds from the night went to Parkinson’s Ireland North West Branch, a charity that is very close to Gerry’s heart, and we were delighted to present them with a fund of €4K raised by this celebration night just last week.

We know times are really tough for everyone right now but if you enjoy this online concert and want to support this very worthy cause... please click here and choose the Sligo-Donegal branch in your donation.

Part 1 will be shown tonight (Sat. 28 Mar.) at 8.00 p.m. on the Hawk's Well Facebook, and Part 2 on Sunday night at the same time. The list of musicians who took part in the February concert can be seen here.

Instead of a parade

The BIB editor writes:

St Patrick's day here in Dublin was not marked by the customary spectacular parade this year; so to make up for that, here's a video of the late, great Alan Jabbour (left; photo by Bill Petros) playing 'Rocky road to Dublin', which he learned from the fiddling of Burl Hammons of the legendary Hammons Family of West Virginia.

The Cabin Sessions, Dundrum: special edition, 3 Oct. 2019

BIB editor's note: This post, with Gerry's special announcement, supersedes the one that appeared on the BIB on 18 Sept.

On 9 September the BIB reported that the next in the Cabin Sessions series will be held on Thursday 26 September. It is now known that Uncle Tom's Cabin will close after 3 October, with no assurance about its future [see below]. In these circumstances Gerry Fitzpatrick, founder and organiser of the Cabin Sessions, announces:

Hey Y' All,

I am sorry to announce that Uncle Tom's Cabin has been sold and will close its doors on October 3rd - The end of an era! To mark the occasion and to celebrate nine years of the Cabin we are hosting a Cabin Sessions Special on October 3rd. Guests who have played over the years are invited to join us for the evening. We haven't finalised the format but essentially we will call up people randomly and ensure that everyone who wants to sing gets a chance to do so. We'll kick off at 9.30 and I hope you can join us to celebrate what has been I think a unique feature on the Dublin music scene!

To all our guests over the years we thank you for your contribution and participation. To all our supporters who come along regularly - you have been such a brilliant audience and without you the Cabin Sessions would not have been possible.

Best wishes and hope we see you on October 3rd!

Gerry

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The Sessions have been held for nine years on the last Thursday of every month at Uncle Tom's Cabin in Dundrum, south Dublin (not far from Dundrum Luas station, in the city direction). Shows run from 9.30 to 11.30 p.m. and admission is FREE. Don't miss these last two historic evenings!

Update 25 June 2020: Thanks to Colm O Syllivan for the news that Uncle Tom's Cabin, 'bar and restaurant trading since 1890', is now entering a new phase as the home of Community Coffee (also on Facebook), 'an exciting new outlet serving an array of gorgeous coffees'.

Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa (USA) in Ireland, 30 Sept.-2 Oct. 2019

Thanks to the indispensable John Nyhan, the highly regarded Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa from North Carolina (see the BIB for 20 June and 25 June) will be playing three dates in Ireland, starting at the end of this month, on their way back from performing as headliners at the 11th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival (27-29 Sept.) in Scotland. A video is on the Moniaive festival website and YouTube. The dates of the tour are:

• Mon. 30th Sept.: Tuohy's Bar, Pound St., Rathdowney, Co. Laois, 9.00 p.m.; tel. 087 967 5752
• Tues. 1st Oct.: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 792 1771
• Wed. 2nd: Merry's Bar and Restaurant (upstairs), Main St., Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087 064 0542

The band comprises Wayne on guitar and lead vocals, Emory Lester on mandolin, Kene Hyatt on bass, and Donnie Little of North Carolina on banjo. A brief bio of Donnie appeared in the BIB post of 25 June; a longer bio, supplied by Wayne, is at the end of this post.

John points out that the Kilworth show will be a very special occasion, as it will take place on World Bluegrass Day. This is held every year on 1 October, with the aim of celebrating bluegrass throughout the year by increasing exposure, raising international awareness, promoting consciousness of roots and heritage, and fostering community involvement.

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Donnie Little, master musician

Donnie Little was born into a musical family, Christmas Day, 1959. His grandparents on both sides of the family played music. His dad Clyde Little and both of his brothers played guitar and mandolin. Donnie was fascinated by the sound of the banjo. At the age of three he begged his dad for a banjo until he finally got his first one Christmas day 1964 when he was five years old. His dad made a small-scale banjo and taught Donnie the fundamentals. Donnie also learned to play from listening to Earl Scruggs and Don Reno records.

Donnie started playing in public with his family band, 'The Little Family', at age 5 with his new little banjo. He played on their first record, which was recorded at Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte, NC, in 1965. Don Reno played background banjo for them on this recording.

The Little Family traveled and performed bluegrass and gospel music extensively across the Carolinas. The group was the opening act for many notable bluegrass and country artists; to mention a few, Mother Maybelle Carter, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, the Stoneman Family, the Lewis Family, the Osborne Brothers, Don Reno, Jim and Jesse, George Jones, and Hank Williams Jr. They also opened for the Earl Scruggs Revue in the early 1970s.

In the 1990s Donnie played for five years with the Crowe Brothers from Maggie Valley, NC. They played many bluegrass festivals on the east coast. He met a lot of people throughout his musical career, and also had the opportunity to play music with many musicians in Nashville. He became friends with Brother Oswald and played and jammed with many great musicians at the Oswalds' Christmas Parties. Donnie played impromptu jam sessions with Roy Acuff, Brother Oswald, Mac Wiseman, John Hartford, Chet Atkins, Bobby Bare, Johnny Russell, and Lightening Jack (who played the bass fiddle on all of Patsy Cline’s records), Marty Stuart, Eddie Stubbs, Earl Scruggs, Grandpa Jones, Bob Osborne, and many others. For the last twenty years Donnie has played banjo and guitar with many local Carolina bands and has worked as a freelance musician.

Today, Donnie teaches students on four different instruments - banjo, guitar, mandolin and dobro - four days a week full-time and plays music on the weekends. He presently plays with five different bands. In his shop in North Carolina, Donnie is the 'go-to' guy for setting up banjos and also works with Warren Yates building new banjos for the Yates Banjo Company in Hickory, NC. Donnie has been playing banjo with Wayne Taylor for the last five years. Donnie Little has been and still is a very big influence on many bluegrass musicians in the Carolinas. Folks come from miles around to take lessons and learn from Donnie, one of North Carolina’s Master Musicians.

Rawhide (BE) celebrate in Antwerp, 19 Oct. 2019

Thanks to our good friend Thierry Schoysman for news of Rawhide, the premier bluegrass band in Belgium, who played at the Omagh festival in 2013. Rawhide consists of Thierry (banjo), Jeff Cardey (mandolin), Dimi Laverno (bass), Dirk Fonteyn (fiddle), Dirk Peeraer (dobro), and Bert Van Bortel (guitar).

Dimi and Jeff joined Rawhide exactly ten years ago, so the band are celebrating by providing a concert and a free drink. If you're in Antwerp five weeks from now, both will be available at the Pius-X Instituut, Cyriel Buyssestraat 44, in the south-west of the city, on Saturday 19 October; doors open at 7.00 p.m. and the show starts at 8.00. Tickets (€10; €5 for under-18s) must be booked by e-mail.

Bands wanted for Durty Nelly's, Bunratty, 4-5 July 2019

The BIB has just received a message to say that bluegrass bands are wanted to play at the world-famous Durty Nelly's at Bunratty, Co. Clare, on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 July, marking American Independence Day.

Durty Nelly's has been an important and welcoming venue in the many splendid musical events organised in previous years in that area by the Sixmilebridge Folk Club. Bands who are interested in performing there on 4-5 July should contact Durty Nelly's through its website contact page or Facebook.