Jan Jerrold, pioneer of bluegrass in Britain: the Dublin connection

On Friday 18 Aug. a major feature by Richard Thompson marked the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Jan Jerrold (1941-93), of whom Richard says: 'His importance in the popularity of bluegrass music in the UK could scarcely be overstated.' The British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA) commemorates him in its Jan Jerrold Award to distinguished members of the bluegrass community in Britain. Of special interest to BIB readers are these words in the article, quoted from Jan's brother Alan:

'The family moved [from the USA] to Dublin in 1950 after my father’s death. We spent a while in France on the way. Jan moved to London after he got married in 1963.'

Niall Toner has commented to the BIB: 'I had many great discussions with Jan. He was a " one-off"!''

As well as the article's great historical value, readers should also enjoy the ten videos and two audio tracks of bands with which Jan Jerrold was associated, and half-a dozen photos of him with US and British musicians.

© Richard Hawkins

For the soul

Two recent additions to Bluegrass Today by John Lawless: one on 'Remember us', the latest single released by Alice Gerrard (also on YouTube); and the second on 'Twin sisters', recorded recently by Nora Brown (banjo) and Stephanie Coleman (fiddle), from the playing of Sidna and Fulton Myers. The Brown/ Coleman version can also be heard on YouTube.

© Richard Hawkins

In memory of Ron Spears

John Lawless reprts on Bluegrass Today that a celebration of the life of the late Ron Spears (see the BIB for 23 Mar.) will take place from 2.30 to 5.00 p.m. on Sunday 27 Aug. at the Station Inn, Nashville, TN. Music and memories will come from many who knew Ron during his extensive career, including his friends and colleagues in Fast Track, the last band of which he was a member. Donations in aid of Ron's family will be gladly accepted. More information is available from Fast Track.

© Richard Hawkins

Brian Crawford remembered in classic night at The Oarsman

Following yesterday's post on the Dublin bluegrass jam sessions, thanks again to Patrick Simpson, who writes:

Last night [Tues. 27 June] we must have had the best turnout we've ever had in The Oarsman for Bluegrass Tuesdays. Luke Coffey (Mules & Men) on fiddle and banjo, John Denby (Dangerfield) on mandolin, Camille Champarnaud on fiddle, Carl Lombard (Whistle) on banjo, TJ Screene on double bass, and Simon Humphries on banjo.

It was great to have so many great musicians show their support of the session, and of course it was in memory of Brian Crawford, who was there in spirit. I dedicated the Jimmy Martin song 'Truck driver's queen' to Brian as a small gesture to his support and interest in the Bluestack Mountain Boys all these years. I think I first met Brian Crawford in Athy 2010 and he was such a very nice knowledgeable man and very kind to us. We all will miss him.

Other highlights of the night included 'Think of what you've done', sung by John Denby and Luke Coffey featuring twin fiddles with Camille Champarnaud, and of course the blistering banjos of Carl Lombard and Simon Humphries on 'Old Slew Foot' (sung by Luke Coffey, in memory of Jesse McReynolds), 'I remember you love in my prayers', 'Little cabin home on the hill', 'Home run man', and 'Freeborn man' among others.

We really enjoy the acoustics in The Oarsman, the music sounds great in the old pub, and it's a lovely quaint audience that are very receptive to our songs that we really appreciate. We hope to see any visiting musicians in Dublin join us for our brand of 'stonkin' bluegrass'. They are always welcome. We look forward to more jams like it in the future. Thanks to all who support us.

© Richard Hawkins

Commemorating Jimmie Rodgers

The BIB last posted a commemoration of Jimmie Rodgers (right) back in 2012, on the 79th anniversary of his death. Today will be the ninetieth anniversary. He has had an immeasurable influence on popular music, and in particular many of his songs have passed into the repertoire of bluegrass musicians. Bluegrass Today is currently issuing a succession of posts from ten years ago, under the series title 'Bluegrass yesterday'; earlier this week Daniel Mullins's 2013 post commemorating Jimmie appeared in this series. The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, founded in 1953, held its annual festival in Meridian, Mississippi, in the second week of this month.

© Richard Hawkins

Bluegrass Omagh 2023: enjoy a weekend of world-class bluegrass at the Ulster American Folk Park

Thanks to Eiméar Cassidy of National Museums NI for this press release:

Bluegrass Omagh makes a welcome return to the Ulster American Folk Park this year, from Saturday 27th until Monday 29th May. The annual festival will bring together the finest bluegrass bands from around the corner and across the seas, as well as wholesome food and fun activities for the whole family.

Over the last three decades, Bluegrass Omagh has become one of the largest bluegrass events outside of North America and has left an indelible mark on the Ulster American Folk Park, a museum which tells the story of Irish emigration to America. The festival is one of the major highlights of their annual events calendar, attracting musicians, enthusiasts, and visitors from all over the world.

This year’s lineup includes North American headliners Zoe & Cloyd, The Honeydew Drops, and Viper Central – groups that highlight the next generation of women in bluegrass. They will be joined by local, homegrown talent including Eilidh Patterson, Woodbine, and Knotty Pine String Band. Throughout the weekend, audiences can also watch talent from near and far pick ‘n bow ‘n strum ‘n sing at the Geordie McAdam Open Mic Sessions - in memory of one of the finest old-time fiddlers ever produced here at home. On Saturday 27th May bluegrass enthusiasts will have the opportunity to hear from the best in the industry at The McConversations - an informal Q&A with one of the genre’s finest exponents, Niall Toner. Niall is widely regarded as one of Ireland's leading experts on bluegrass and American country music and will delve into his years of experience on the musical road, with a song or two thrown in for good measure.

Tickets for the festival are available to book at ulsteramericanfolkpark.org, with a range of options from day tickets and family tickets to weekend passes. Weekend tickets also include entry to the Bluegrass Family Day on Monday 29th May.

So, whether it’s a day out with the family or an easy-going long weekend, start your Summer off with Bluegrass Omagh 2023 and enjoy a toe-tappin’, knee-clappin’, finger-pickin’ bluegrass weekend to remember! Visit ulsteramericanfolkpark.org to get your tickets.

BIB editor's note: The photo at the head of this post, showing Geordie playing with Annie Staninec, is taken from the Folk Park's Facebook.

© Richard Hawkins

I am a pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100 out today

Two months ago the BIB reported on Stacy Chandler's No Depression article 'Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, and more featured on 100th birthday tribute to Doc Watson', describing the fifteen-track album I am a pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100. The album is out today, and is reviewed by Jim Shahen in 'Songs shine brightest on star-studded Doc Watson tribute'. A quote: 'What makes the album such a rewarding listen is the obvious care and work each performer put into their respective song.' Three YouTube audio tracks from the album are included.

Update: David Menconi, historian of North Carolina popular music, reviews the album (with four videos of tracks from it) and considers Doc's legacy as a person, as well as in music, in 'Doc Watson at 100: his influence lives on through MerleFest, new tribute album' on the Bluegrass Situation.

© Richard Hawkins

Celebrating Doc Watson at MerleFest 2023

This year's MerleFest is due to start two days from now (27-30 Apr.), and as this year is also the centenary of Doc Watson's birth, special features in the festival's schedule have been arranged. In 'Through the lens: a look ahead at MerleFest 2023, celebrating Doc Watson’s 100th birthday', Amos Perrine contributes to No Depression his own tribute to Doc and an outline of the sets that will be played in Doc's honour, together with details of the artists involved and an album of photographs of them, taken at various recent events.

© Richard Hawkins

Watery Hill Boys at The Moorings, 20 May 2023

Thanks to Sharon Loughrin of the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, for this news of:

... a special night being organised by Hilda Watson in memory of her late husband John to raise funds for the palliative care unit in Enniskillen. It will be an excellent night as the Watery Hill Boys are playing and it's a great cause.

The Moorings (also on Facebook) is an award-winning restaurant at 156 Derrylin Rd, Bellanaleck, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh BT92 2BA, and tickets (£15) include a light supper. Sharon adds:

It's a lovely spot on the shores of Lough Erne and the owner is keen to run some bluegrass nights. We went to meet him as he wanted some advice. Charlie seems a genuinely good fella who will look after the musicians; we have sent a couple of bands to book with him.

For the legacy of John and Hilda Watson to bluegrass in this island, see the BIB for 22 May 2022.

© Richard Hawkins

Detached notes

The latest e-newsletter from the Mountain Home Music Company announces a new single by Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (last here in 2019 for the Omagh festival and a tour) - 'Blow whistle', a song written by their bassist, Marshall Wilborn. The recording can be heard in full on Bluegrass Today. The band's regular lineup (Chris, guitar and lead voice; Marshall, bass; Mark Stoffel, mandolin; and Grace van ’t Hof, banjo/ baritone uke) are supplemented on the recording by Billy Cardine on resonator guitar.

*

Two recent features by John Lawless on Bluegrass Today are of special interest to guitarists: one on the high-quality luthiery of Ben Walters Guitars in Virginia, and the other on Together!, a digital release on David Grisman's Acoustic Oasis label, comprising thirty-nine tracks of live guitar duets by Tony Rice and his brother Wyatt, which seems a bargain at $25.00. Billy Strings is quoted: 'This album is a must have for anyone who appreciates the power and beauty of live acoustic music, and a testament to the talents of two of the greatest guitar players to ever pick up the instrument.'

*

For banjo players (and others), multi-instrumentalist Dave Richardson of Compact Recording Systems in Colorado has brought out Banjo V-1: acoustic artists interact with virtual instruments, a twelve-track album (including nine original compositions). A promo video for the album is on Kevin Slick's feature on Bluegrass Today and also on YouTube

*

For lovers of the mandolin: Sandy Hatley's commemoration on Bluegrass Today of mandolinist Alan Niederland, who died earlier this month, includes many tributes from his fellow musicians, one of which takes the form of an elegiac composition for mandolin by Scott Napier. The video of it can be seen on Bluegrass Today.

*

A week ago (14 Apr.) Becky Buller, bandleader, fiddler, banjo-player, and songwriter, who played here earlier this century as a member of Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Other commitments prevented her from being present at the ceremony, but her acceptance address can be read in full in John Lawless's report on Bluegrass Today.

© Richard Hawkins

More celebrations of Doc Watson at 100

John Nyhan's celebration of Doc Watson appeared on the BIB yesterday. Jason Verlinde, the Fretboard Journal editor, has now collected several of his 'favorite Doc-inspired moments from the magazine' to mark the occasion. They include a video (also on YouTube) of Billy Strings playing 'Tennessee Stud', plus one of 'John Henry'. Billy Strings is tonight leading a Doc Watson tribute concert in North Carolina, where in June the North Carolina Guitar Celebration will feature a Doc tribute concert led by Bryan Sutton. A story of how two young Californians made a 1966 pilgrimage across the States to see Doc can be read here; a video of Jack Lawrence playing 'Red rockin' chair' is here; Bryan Sutton and a heap of leading pickers play 'Sitting on top of the world' (also on YouTube); banjoist Tray Wellington tells in a podcast how Doc's music changed his direction; and Doc's legacy is illustrated by a video (also on Bluegrass Today) of Tommy Emmanuel and Molly Tuttle playing 'White freightliner blues'.

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings have also marked Doc's centenary with a display of the many recordings he made for their catalogue, and a video of him playing 'Deep river blues' can be seen on the Smithsonian Folkways Facebook.

© Richard Hawkins

Celebrating Doc's 100th anniversary

BIB editor's note: Many thanks to John Nyhan for this celebration of Doc Watson (born 3 Mar. 1923, died 29 May 2012). The image of Doc above publicises a Boston performance early in his career. John writes:

If Doc Watson was still alive he would be 100 years old on this Friday, 3 March 2023. Doc Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, on 3 March 1923, becoming blind in his first couple of years from an eye infection. It did not hold him back. He has been described by the great authority on country and roots music, Bill C. Malone, as the greatest roots musician America has ever produced.

It is hard to pigeonhole Doc's music. It covers Appalachian ballads, blues, jazz, rockabilly, bluegrass, and songs by contemporary songwriters. Of course his flatpicking of fiddle tunes on the acoustic guitar mesmerised guitarists and audiences alike. Bringing the guitar from rhythm, to a fully fledged lead instrument. He is also a great fingerpicker.

He was discovered at the beginning of the 1960s by folklorist and musician Ralph Rinzler, was then brought to New York and Boston to perform, and made a huge impact on the folk revival. He influenced many bluegrass guitarists, who then started taking solos in bluegrass ensembles - players like Clarence White, Tony Rice, and young flatpickers today like Molly Tuttle, Trey Hensley, and Billy Strings (who sometimes sounds like a reincarnated Doc Watson), to mention but a few. Tommy Emmanuel was also greatly influenced by Doc. Doc also plays banjo and harmonica and is a wonderful unaccompanied singer: he has a great baritone voice.

Doc started as a solo act, but was later joined by his son Merle. Merle was an excellent guitarist and was especially a great slide player. Merle sadly was killed in an accident in 1985. Doc and Merle became a trio when T. Michael Coleman joined them on bass.

Doc has won many awards, Grammys and lifetime awards, and was also awarded by the president of the USA. In spite of his adversities, Doc kept going. When Merle passed on, flatpicker and friend Jack Lawrence filled in. Doc kept playing up to a couple of weeks before his death at the age of 89.

I first heard Doc's music in the early 1970s on a folk music programme on BBC Radio. Then when I got the record Doc Watson on stage, featuring Merle Watson, I was completely captivated. One thing I really love about Doc is that every song he sings, he makes it his own. I feel no one can sound like Doc. His uniqueness is incredible.

I was one of the lucky few to see Doc, Merle, and T. Michael live in Connolly Hall in Cork in 1981. What an incredible concert. I now have over seventy records, CDs, DVDs, books, and many articles in magazines, on Doc, which I dearly treasure. On Friday I will be celebrating the centenary of Doc's birth in my home with some friends. We will be immersing ourselves in the music of Doc Watson. We will also of course be including Merle Watson, T. Michael Coleman, and Jack Lawrence.

Here are some quotes on Doc by other famous musicians.

Earl Scruggs: 'If I was going to pick guitar, that's the way I would want to pick, like Doc.'

Joan Baez: 'My early lmpressions of Doc were the same as my later impressions of Doc... the best guitar player I ever knew... and what a great singer. I wanted to sing "Alberta" with the same soulful clarity and purity that Doc did.'

Sam Bush: 'When you are playing along with Doc, if you try and throw in too much it sounds horrible. It is the classic three Ts that Doc has, the taste, the tone, and the timing. He is the king of all of those.'

KEEP ON PICKING

© John Nyhan

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

Detached notes

John Lawless reports on Bluegrass Today that next month's Midwinter Bluegrass Festival in Colorado will be the first to be held without the founder, Ken Seaman (right), who with his wife Mary had organised the festival from 1986. Ken's death in September 2021 was greatly regretted here; he was well known in Ireland from several visits as banjo-player of the Bluegrass Patriots, who headlined the first Dunmore East festival in 1995. Ken's memory will be honoured at this year's Midwinter Festival (17-19 Feb.).

*

The latest newsletter from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, TN, announces a new special exhibit and travelling exhibition, 'I've endured: Women in old-time music', aimed at illustrating all aspects of women's contributions to old-time music and the society that produced it. The title phrase 'I've endured' comes from a song by Ola Belle Reed. Next week (10 Jan.) the Museum's visiting speaker will be Kristina Gaddy, on her recent book Well of souls: uncovering the banjo's hidden history (see the BIB for 26 Nov. 2022).

*

The Mountain Home Music Company announces in a press release that Leaving is believing, the latest album by Ashby Frank (one of the many alumni of the Special Consensus) is scheduled for release on 20 Feb. 2023 and can be pre-ordered or bought in advance of that date; links for doing so are on the press release.

*

A new book by Ron Block, who has played in Ireland as a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station and recently in a duo with Damien O'Kane, was published three months ago: Abiding dependence: living moment by moment in the love of God. It can be bought in paperback from the author at $15.00, or as an e-book from the publishers at $9.59. A brief TV interview with him about the book can be seen here or on YouTube.

© Richard Hawkins

Remembering Jason Moore

Thanks again to Dave Byrne of mygrassisblue.com, who (as promised a week ago) sends this commemoration of Jason Moore of Sideline, who toured Ireland three years ago. Dave writes:

Today is the first anniversary of Jason Moore’s passing. We’ve published a video of an interview we recorded with him during the Sideline tour of Ireland back in 2019. The video is on our Facebook page and website and here’s the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHCCgLmnK0M.

In the eight-and-three-quarter-minute interview, conducted at the Theatre Royal, Waterford, on 13 July 2019, Jason talks about how Sideline came together; his favourite Sideline song; his view of what constitutes bluegrass and what makes a good bluegrass band; audiences in Ireland, and much more.

© Richard Hawkins

For Halloween

Before Halloween became a festival of animated corpses, necromancers, and assorted horrors, it was part of a time of commemorating saints, martyrs, and the souls of the departed. In this video, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road remember the departed, singing a cappella 'I cannot bring them back (but I can go to them)'.

© Richard Hawkins

Michael J. Miles celebrates 'The circle' - and more

Michael J. Miles's latest e-newsletter leads with two concerts he will be playing with John McEuen to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the epoch-making Will the circle be unbroken album: on 3 Nov. in Milwaukee and the following night in Chicago. Next, on 6 Nov. he and Jill Kaeding (cello) will be playing an 'American Bach' concert.

Michael's programme of one-song, one-time-only Zoom workshops for clawhammer banjo and fingerstyle guitar will run each Monday from 7 Nov. to 12 Dec., teaching songs by J.S. Bach, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Turlough O'Carolan, and others. Full details and links are on the newsletter, which is also linked to a video of his guitar arrangement for 'Both sides now'.

© Richard Hawkins

Bil VornDick commemorated in Nashville

The BIB was fortunate to be able to publish on 14 July Richard Thompson's obituary of Bil VornDick (right), the legendary Grammy-award-winning producer, recording engineer, songwriter, and musician, who died on 5 July at the age of 72.

Sandy Hatley has now reported for Bluegrass Today on the ceremony celebrating Bil VornDick's life which was held at the Ocean Way Studio in Nashville, TN, two days ago (20 Seot.). Tributes in speech and music during the occasion included contributions from Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Craig Duncan, and Edgar Meyer, and clearly show why Bil VornDick was held in such high regard.

Jerry Douglas also makes a substantial contribution to the obituary of Bil VornDick that appears in the Sept. 2022 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.

© Richard Hawkins

The Solemn Old Judge

Thanks to Roger Green for sending a link to 'Meet the American who founded the Grand Ole Opry: "Remarkable visionary" George D. Hay', an article by Kerry J. Byrne, published last week on the Fox News website. It commemorates George Dewey Hay (right; 1895-1968), creator of the name 'Grand Ole Opry' rather than the show itself, but his enthusiasm for rural music and rural life did much to make the show a national institution. The article includes eleven photos and a brief video. One of the photos shows the Ben Watts statue of Loretta Lynn outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN; in the background is Watts's statue of Bill Monroe. The article can also be heard as an eight-minute audio recording.

© Richard Hawkins

Two great July weekends: Durrow and Ardara

Woodbine with John Denby and Long Way Home, in 'Bob's Hideout'

Thanks to Tony O'Brien for this report on the Mini Bluegrass Festival in Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois (1-2 July) and the Ardara Bluegrass Festival in Co. Donegal (15-17 July):

The Mini Bluegrass Festival in Bob's Bar, Durrow, was a resounding success with two sold-out concerts and some great pickin' sessions. The audience on both nights were amazing, giving the acts a fantastic reception. It looks as if this event could turn into a regular annual festival. Long Way Home and Geraldine & Kevin Gill gave two great performances, and Woodbine with John Denby on mandolin were in fine form on both nights.

Woodbine with John Denby

Geraldine and Kevin Gill

Woodbine at Ardara with Joe Meehan (extreme left)

Ardara Bluegrass Festival, back after two years of lockdown and featuring an all-Irish lineup, was the usual great weekend. The concert on Saturday night, with Colin & Janet Henry, Woodbine with Joe Meehan (mandolin) and Dessie Crerand (fiddle) and Mules & Men in the Nesbitt Arms, was a very emotional event with moving tributes to Mel Corry and P.J. Coleman, both very much part of the Ardara festival since its inception in 2008. Colin & Janet with a fabulous version of 'The sunny side of the mountain' and Woodbine with 'Queen Anne's lace' paid tribute to Mel, and Woodbine with 'Free as a breeze' as a tribute to P.J. Colin also commemorated the legendary Geordie McAdam. A great show to a really fine audience.

The Sunday night was a full house upstairs in the Beehive with hosts Woodbine and guest spots from Kevin & Geraldine Gill (who paid tribute to Siona Knepper), Paddy Cummins (mandolin), Sean McMonagle (vocals), Daniel & Susanne (from Sweden; mandolin and guitar), and Ken Brown (USA; guitar & vocals). A fitting wind-up to a great weekend of music from both the concerts and the usual Beehive jam sessions [below].

© Richard Hawkins