2012 marks the 53rd
year since Ricky struck his first chords on a
mandolin, and this fourteen-time Grammy Award winner
continues to do his part to lead the recent roots
revival in music. With 12 consecutive
Grammy-nominated classics behind him, all from his
own Skaggs Family Records label (Bluegrass
Rules! in 1998, Ancient
Tones in 1999, History of
the Future in 2001,
Soldier of the Cross, Live at the Charleston Music
Hall, and Big Mon: The
Songs of Bill Monroe in 2003, Brand New Strings in 2005, Instrumentals in 2007, Salt ofthe Earth
with The Whites in 2008, Honoring the
Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947
in 2009 and Ricky Skaggs Solo: Songs My
Dad Loved along with
Mosaic in 2010), the diverse and
masterful tones made by the gifted Skaggs come from
a life dedicated to playing music that is both fed
by the soul and felt by the heart.
Lineup Features Many of This Year’s
Grammy Nominees
MerleFest 25 this spring, continuing a twenty-five year tradition of
bringing music’s most talented performers to Wilkesboro, N.C., for one of
the country’s premier music festivals. MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s
and slated for April 26-29, is an annual homecoming of
musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy
Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson
- who himself is the recipient of seven Grammys. Doc will share the
MerleFest stages with the following 2011 Grammy nominees: Bela Fleck &
The Flecktones, the Original Lineup (nominated for “Best Instrumental
Composition”), Vince Gill (nominated for “Best Country Song”),
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (nominated for
“Best Bluegrass Album”), Jim Lauderdale (nominated for “Best
Bluegrass Album”), Steep Canyon Rangers (nominated for “Best
Bluegrass Album”), Tedeschi Trucks Band (nominated for “Best Blues
Album”) and artist Chris Thile, performing with the Punch Brothers at
MerleFest 25 (nominated for “Best Bluegrass Album”).
Of course, MerleFest 25 boasts the talents of many
artists who have already received that most prestigious of music awards.
Besides Fleck (12-time Grammy recipient), Gill (15-time Grammy recipient),
Lauderdale (three-time Grammy recipient), Tedeschi Trucks Band and Thile
(two-time Grammy recipient), other Grammy honorees include Sam Bush
(three-time Grammy recipient), John Hammond, David Holt (four-time
Grammy recipient), Jerry Douglas (12-time Grammy recipient), Los
Lobos (three-time Grammy recipient), Nashville Bluegrass Band
(six-time Grammy recipient), Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, MartyStuart
(five-time Grammy recipient) and dobroist Tut Taylor.
Of special note in Grammy history is MerleFest 25
performer Alison Krauss, whose 26 prior wins makes her the most awarded
female artist in Grammy history.
In addition to its stellar roster of Grammy-nominated
performers, MerleFest has also become known for spontaneous moments,
collaborations and last-minute performance additions. To keep up with any
additional changes and additions to this year’s lineup – even during the
festival – MerleFest encourages fans to sign up for the e-newsletter and to
follow the festival through Facebook and Twitter. Links are available at
www.merlefest.org.
Ticket purchases for MerleFest 25 can be made on the
web at
www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early
bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.
With over 90 artists performing on 14 stages during the
course of the event, MerleFest 25 is an excellent entertainment value. A
complete list of confirmed performers is available at
www.merlefest.org.
MerleFest, considered one of the premier music
festivals in the country, is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College
in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of
Eddy Merle Watson and is a celebration of what Doc Watson calls “traditional
plus” music, meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian regional plus
whatever other styles we were in the mood to play.” The annual festival has
become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding
scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
I just wanted to take a moment
to thank all of the folks who
voted for me for SPBGMA's
Fiddle Player of the Year
this year. This is the second
time I've won this award and it
means a lot to me. I wasn't able
to be at the awards but when I
heard about it last night, I was
completely surprised because I
was nominated with some great
musicians that I respect a lot!
I want to thank my Dad and Mom,
John and Elaine Cleveland for
their support, Jim Roe of Roe
Entertainment, Kimberly Williams
of East Public Relations,
Rounder Records, and D'Addario.
I also want to thank the band
members of Flamekeeper, Ashby
Frank, Glenn Gibson, Charlie
Lawson and Blake Bowen for
traveling up and down the road
with me and making our job of
entertaining so much fun. Most
of all, thanks again to all the
fans who have continued to
support me and Flamekeeper. We
are looking forward to a great
year ahead and hope to see all
of you at a show this year.
HOPE RIVER ENTERTAINMENT
Lonesome River
Band on Music City Roots
Band Gearing Up for
CHRONOLOGY, Volume One
Album Release February
28, 2012
Rural
Rhythm Records just
released
Lonesome River Band's
new single “Close
the Door Lightly When
You Go” from their
upcoming album, CHRONOLOGY,
Volume One.
The album is set for
release February 28,
2012 and celebrates
Lonesome River Band's
30th Anniversary. This
retrospective collection
includes 24 songs to be
released in a series of
three 8-song EPs - one
for each decade of LRB's
existence. The material
will lean heavily on
updated versions of many
of the LRB’s most
popular songs during
each decade, reprised by
the current LRB
line-up.
CHRONOLOGY, Volume One
is now available for
pre-orders on the
band's
website.
Lonesome River
Band has been
in the news with
numerous events lately
including their new
Strictly
Country Magazine Spirit
Awardfor Song
of the Year
for "Record Time
Machine" (from STILL LEARNING
album), plus Sammy
Shelor's 2012 SPBGMA
Nomination for Banjo
Performer of the Year.
Shelor was also a
recipient of the Steve Martin
Prize for Excellence in
Banjo and Bluegrass
award that included an
appearance and
performance (watch
video) by Lonesome
River Band and special
guest Steve Martin on
The Late Show with David
Letterman last November.
Lonesome River
Band includes
the talents of:
Sammy Shelor
(banjo and harmony
vocals); Brandon
Rickman
(guitar, lead & harmony
vocals); Mike
Hartgrove
(fiddle); Barry
Reed (bass and
harmony vocals), and
Randy Jones
(mandolin, lead
& harmony vocals).
Please visit
LonesomeRiverBand.com
for more
information.
We've got a few things
kicking off this month
but just the one gig in
Feb proper. That's at
Bradninch Folk
Club, north of
Exeter but not as far up
as Wellington (!) where
we'll be 'special
guests', playing an hour
or so to close the
evening and all the
details as usual are
available on our
website. That's on
Tuesday 21st.
The Bap Kennedy
(www.bapkennedy.com)
tickets are selling well
for 4th March,
so if you're planning to
come please don't leave
it too long - we are
strictly limited to 100
tickets and about 75%
have gone already. His
new album is currently
at the top of some of
the bestseller lists,
and here's an update
from his website....
Bap's new album 'The
Sailor's Revenge' was
released this Monday and
is already receiving
some great reviews
including 5 star's from
No Depressionand a great
writeup in Hot Press
Magazine which you can
read an excerpt of
below........
"At first listen,
his latest album
(produced by Mark
Knopfler in his
London studio) comes
across as yet
another strong suite
of songs, with well
turned out melodies
and meaningful
lyrics. Fine in so
far as it goes. But
there is more, as
Kennedy’s
increasingly raw,
lived in vocals and
the sparse
no-nonsense backing,
lend this collection
a
greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts
quality that
improves with every
listen."
Don't say we didn't
warn you! Tickets
are available on our
store page at
www.thunderbridgebluegrass.com
and also by
phoning 01823
667669. If you're an
'in person' kinda
person, then you can
go to
Nurtured By Nature
in Wellington High
Street, as they have
a batch of tickets
there also.
Note from the Editor
- 'Back In The Land
Of The Living Room',
is the latest CD
from the boys and it
received a well
deserved five star
review in Maverick
Magazine " British
Bluegrass of the
highest quality"
MAIL ORDER
Banjos,
parts
and
accessories,
practice
aides,
and
tablature.
Rural Rhythm
Records is proud
to announce the
new single,
“Other Side of
Lonesome”
by the multi-
award winning
bluegrass band,
Brand New
Strings.
The song was
written by band
member,
Randall
Massengill
who also
provides lead
vocals guitar,
and metal body
guitar. He is
joined by
Mike
Ramsey
(mandolin);
Stuart
Wyrick
(banjo);
Preston Schmidt
(fiddle);
Tony
Mowell
(upright bass);
Corey
Meuchel
(percussion).
The song was
produced by
Preston Schmidt
and Brand New
Strings and
highlights the
band’s tight
harmony and
powerful
instrumentation
work.
“Other Side of
Lonesome”
is the first
single release
from
BRAND NEW
STRINGS
upcoming album,
STAY
TUNED
set for release
on Rural Rhythm
Records in March
27, 2012. The
song is now
available to
radio at
AirplayDirect
and via the
label’s Fresh
Cuts & Key
Tracks CD.
Brand New
Strings really
hit the ground
running ever
since their 2010
debut album,
NO
STRINGS
ATTACHED,
garnering chart
hits, the band’s
selection as a
2010
International
Bluegrass Music
Association
Official
Showcase Artist,
and inclusion on
two
Rural Rhythm
live event
albums THE
ALL-STAR JAM –
LIVE AT GRAVES
MOUNTAIN
and the BILL MONROE
100TH YEAR
CELEBRATION –
LIVE AT BEAN
BLOSSOM.
STEEP CANYON
RANGERS
Bluegrass
Iconoclasts
Follow-Up
Acclaimed Steve
Martin
Collaborations
With 2012 Tour,
Major Festivals,
& TV Appearances
NASHVILLE,
Tenn., February
06, 2012 -
IBMA’s
Entertainers of
the Year the
Steep Canyon
Rangers today
announced the
April 10 release
of their Rounder
Records solo
band debut
album, Nobody
Knows You. With
this 5th album,
the band –
current Grammy
nominees for
‘Best Bluegrass
Album’ for
2011’s Rare Bird
Alert
collaboration
with Steve
Martin – takes a
giant step
forward as
songwriters and
performers who
continue to
redefine both
traditional and
progressive
approaches to
the genre. And
with a 2012
schedule that
features their
most ambitious
international
theater,
university and
festival tour to
date – including
headlining the
Winnipeg
Festival in
Winnipeg,
Canada, the
Stagecoach
Festival in
Indio,
California and
the Rhythm and
Roots Festival
in Bristol,
Tennessee – they
remain the band
bringing
bluegrass to
perhaps its
biggest audience
ever. “The Steep
Canyon Rangers,
with whom I have
had the great
pleasure of
touring and have
shared the
wonderful honor
of IBMA’s
Entertainer of
the Year Award,”
says Martin,
“are not only
great musicians
who continue to
explore both the
new and old
styles of
bluegrass and
bring a fresh
energy to the
traditions of
American music,
but they are
also really fun
on a bus.”
Nobody Knows You
is the next
level for the
North Carolina
quintet – Mike
Guggino
(mandolin/vocals),
Charles Humphrey
III
(bass/vocals),
Woody Platt
(guitar/lead
vocals), Nicky
Sanders
(fiddle/vocals)
and Graham Sharp
(banjo/vocals) –
known for
forging their
own distinct
path within a
famously
traditional
genre. Having
defied all
notions of “déjà
bluegrass” since
their beginnings
more than 12
years ago at UNC
Chapel Hill, the
new album –
co-produced by
the band and
nine-time
Grammy-winner
Gary Paczosa –
is fueled by
deft
musicianship,
impeccable
songwriting,
distinctive
vocals, and
creative
arrangements
that eschew all
formulas. “We’ve
made enough
records by now
that if we can’t
just follow what
we want to do,”
says Graham
Sharp, who wrote
seven of the
album’s dozen
songs, “then
what’s the point
of us doing it?”
The result –
which blasts out
of the box with
the album’s
buoyantly mold-breaking
title track – is
the most
adventurous and
fully realized
accomplishment
Steep Canyon
Rangers have
achieved to
date, and the
record is poised
to bring them to
audiences beyond
their already
devoted
bluegrass, folk,
americana and
jamband fanbase.
The
band’s acclaimed
2010 album Deep
In The Shade
remained in
Billboard’s
Bluegrass Top 10
for 18 weeks. In
March 2011, Rare
Bird Alert – the
band’s Grammy
nominated
collaborative
and featuring
special guest
vocals from Paul
McCartney and
the Dixie Chicks
– debuted at #1
on Billboard’s
Bluegrass Chart
and at #43 on
the Billboard
Top 200.
Contributing key
performances at
festivals like
MerleFest and
Bonnaroo
alongside Steve
Martin
throughout 2011,
the Steep Canyon
Rangers also
performed alone
as a quintet on
stages such as
Telluride, RockyGrass,
and ‘A Prairie
Home Companion’
with Garrison
Keillor. Recent
national and
international
television
appearances by
the band with
Steve Martin
include The
View, Late Show
With David
Letterman, The
Colbert Report,
Late Night With
Jimmy Fallon,
Austin City
Limits and Later
With Jools
Holland. The
band and Steve
Martin will be
attending the
54th Annual
Grammy Awards
Ceremony in Los
Angeles. Steep
Canyon Rangers
will celebrate
the release of
Nobody Knows You
with CD release
events in both
Nashville
and New York
during the last
week of March in
preparation for
the April 10th,
2012 release
date.
"Trailblazer"
Music Video
and Radio
Single
Release by
The Roys
Song appears
on their hit
album,
LONESOME
WHISTLE
Rural
Rhythm
Records is
proud to
announce the
new
music video
and radio
single
release of
"Trailblazer"
by bluegrass
duo, THE
ROYS.
The song is
currently on
the
Bluegrass
Today Weekly
Airplay
Chart and
appears on
their album,
LONESOME
WHISTLE
which
debuted at
#7 on the
Billboard
Bluegrass
Album Chart.
The
"Trailblazer"
video was
shot on
location in
Hermitage,
TN just
outside of
Nashville
with
additional
scenes
filmed at
Percy Priest
Lake, and
features
Elaine Roy,
Lee Roy
(Mandolin),
Clint White
(Fiddle),
Zac Hardin
(Bass),
Sterling
Masat
(Banjo,
Dobro), and
Harry Clark
(guitar).
It debuted
this morning
on
Cybergrass
and is now
available
for viewing
on numerous
other sites
including:
The Roys'
official
website,
youtube and
Rural Rhythm
Records.
The video
was filmed
and directed
by Sammy
Passamano
III with
Anthony
Passamano
serving as
Assistant
Director.
The Roys,
who were
named
in Roughstock's
2011 In
Review: The
Best New
Talent of
the Year
list, have
kicked off
what plans
to be their
biggest year
yet. They
taped an
upcoming PBS
Special that
celebrates
the music of
Laura
Ingalls
Wilder last
week, and
will embark
on their
first tour
of Australia
next week.
The Roys
recently
announced
joining
Vietti Foods
to extend
the Vietti
Vinyl
campaign,
with the
duo's image
appearing on
500,000 cans
of the
brand's
Family Style
Beef Stew
available at
Family
Dollar
stores in 25
states
through
2012. The
duo has also
signed a new
production
deal with
ValCom
Studios for
a 13-episode
weekly,
music-driven
variety show
called
"Roots And
Music With
The Roys."
Please visit
TheRoysonline.com
for a
complete
tour
schedule and
learn more
about this
exciting
band and
their
current
album,
LONESOME
WHISTLE
Eleven of the
thirteen tracks on this
stunning CD were penned by
band members - the standard
of musicianship is world
class - great songs, very
strong instrumentation. lead
singing and harmonies.
European
bluegrass music is in great
shape as evidenced by the
vituosity of Monogram. -
Highly Recommended - Editor
NEWS FROM
FRIENDS OF AMERICAN OLD TIME
MUSIC AND DANCE (foaotmad)
www.foaotmad.org.uk
Hunter Robertson
on tour:-
May 30th,
Wednesday.
Rivelin Folk
Club
http://www.rivelinfolkclub.org.uk/
Nether Edge
Bowling Club, 8
Nether Edge Rd.
Sheffield, South
Yorkshire, S7
1RU. 8.30pm. -
May 27th,
Sunday.
Walthamstow Folk
Club
http://www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk/,
Ye Olde Rose and
Crown Theatre
Pub, 53 Hoe
Street,
Walthamstow,
London E17 4SA.
7.30pm. - May
26th, Saturday.
A daytime
clawhammer banjo
workshop
followed by an
evening of
old-time
American music.
Evening concert:
7.30 pm, £8.00.
Workshop: 10.00
am - 4.00 pm,
£45.00 includes
lunch. Wandering
William Centre,
Foldgate Farm,
Steventon,
Ludlow, SY8 4TS.
To book,
contact: Jim
Allen 01568
750546.
www.wanderingwilliam.co.uk
- May 23rd,
Wednesday.
Baldock and
Letchworth Folk
Club , The
Orange Tree,
Norton Road,
Baldock SG7 5AW,
England. 8.30pm
http://www.questor-cp.co.uk/madnanny/index.html)www.hunterrobertson.com
***************************************
CROOKED MOON
- APPALACHIAN
CLOG,
BRIGHTON AREA 6
WORKSHOPS
THROUGHOUT MARCH
AND APRIL. COME
AND HAVE A GO! Date:
Tuesday 6th,
13th, 20th March
Date: Tuesday
10th, 17th, 24th
April Time:
7.30pm - 9pm
Where: Hangleton
Community Hall,
www.hangletoncommunitycentre.org.uk
Cost: £15
(conc £12) for
set of three
w/shops or £25 (conc
£20) for all six
Hard-soled shoes
or taps. No
trainers or any
shoes with soft
soles. Contact
details,
crookedmoon@hotmail.co.uk
***************************************
Old time
songs for
clawhammer banjo
Dave
Marshall is
delighted to say
that his new
song book
entitled “Old
time songs for
clawhammer
banjo” has just
been published.
It is a
collection of
banjo tablature,
chords and
lyrics for 50
popular jam
session
Classics. Available
from:http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/old-time-songs-for-clawhammer-banjo/18828604
Price £10.95
Also through
Amazon.com:
Links also on my
Dave's site:
www.clawhammerbanjo.co.uk
***************************************
The Orwell
Bluegrass
Festival
takes place at
the Hallowtree
site near
Ipswich 11, 12
and 13 May.
This event goes
from strength to
strength and
they are busy
planning to
develop the Old
Time strand that
runs through the
Festival.
Checkout the
website
www.orwellbluegrass.co.uk
/ for
further details
as they come on
stream, also
read Josie
Anstee’s review
from OTN Autumn
2011
***************************************
Step This Way
Appalachian
Cloggers are
looking for new
members,
experience
useful but not
essential. We
meet in the
Durham City area
every Monday in
term-time, 7.15
- 9.15 pm.
Contact Carol
0191 4153506
***************************************
Yorkshire
Cajun Club
is organizing
the 1st ever
Cajun & Zydeco
Festival in
Malton from 9 -
11 March 2012.
More details
about the
Festival
programme can be
found on
www.yorkshirecajun.com
and
the venue is:
THE MILTON
ROOMS, MALTON
YO17 7LX, North
Yorkshire.
***************************************
Advance dates
for the old time
sessions at the
Union Hotel,
Penzance,
Cornwall for the
year. In
general, they'll
be on the first
Thursday of the
month but there
are some changes
when there are
clashes with
other events. 1
March; 5 April;
3 May; 6 June; 5
July; 2 August;
6 September ;18
October ; 1
November ; 6
December
Contact Bob and
Sibs on 01736
332821 or
sibs@sibylle2.freeserve.co.uk
FOAOTMAD have
produced another
run of T-shirts.The
order form is on
the website
www.foaotmad.org.uk
Because of the
multiple size,
style and colour
options (2
colours for
men/ordinary
t-shirts, 2
colours for lady
fit) we will be
holding minimal
stocks so be
prepared to wait
for your order.
The full colour
logo is on the
front and 'Old
Time Here is not
forgotten' in
black on the
reverse. These
T-shirts are NOT
restricted to
members. For
out-of-UK
postage and
payment options
please email
treasurer@foaotmad.org.uk
Remember that
there may be a
delay between
ordering and
availability
because we need
to have a
suitable sized
order.
***************************************
"Friends
Across The Pond"
Copies of the
FOAOTMAD oldtime
sampler cd are
still available.
Check out our
web site for
more details and
a tracklist -
www.foaotmad.org.uk
Payment now
available by
Paypal.
***************************************
The
Killington Lake
Old Time Music &
Dance weekend
will be 13th -
15th July.
Also, Sedbergh
Folkfest has
been cancelled
for 2012 but it
is hoped that
the old time
regulars at this
event will come
to the nearby
Dent Music &
Beer Festival,
22 - 24th June.
Updates from
Kate Lissauer:
Buffalo Gals
(BGs have a new
album out!
'Won't You be
Cruel to be
Kind?' You can
order it on the
Buffalo Gals
Website, or by
contacting Kate.
)
June 4, Monday
Kate Lissauer at
Weymouth
Pavilion Theatre
with Stompin
Dave and Adam
Hurt The concert
is aid of The
Marine Society
http://www.ms-sc.org
and also MV
Freedom
http://www.mvfreedom.co.uk
www.stompindave.com
Address:
The Esplanade,
Weymouth,
Dorset, DT4 8ED
Box office
phone: 01305
783225 General
enquiries: 01305
838517
March 18, Sunday
Kate Lissauer at
the Portland
Folk Club,
Portland Arms,
129 Chesterton
Road, Cambridge
CB4 Contact:
07847 680 560
Tickets: £5
www.theportland.co.uk
March 1,
Thursday, 7:30pm
Buckland Newton
Village Hall,
Dorset DT2
7BZ
01300 345 543
March 2, Friday
Durweston
Village Hall, nr
Blandford,
Dorset DT11
0QA
01258 488 883 or
01258 452 641
March 3,
Saturday Burton
Bradstock
Village Hall, nr
Bridport, Dorset
DT6 4PY 01308
897 214
March 29,
Thursday, 7:30
Whitbourne
Village Hall,
Bromyard,
Herefordshire
WR6 5SE 01886
821 684
Tickets: £8
adult £5 child
March 30,
Friday, 8pm
Leintwardine
Community
Centre,
Herefordshire
SY7 0LZ
01547 540 407
Tickets: £9
March 31,
Saturday, 7:30
Habberley
Village Hall,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire SY5
0TP 01743 792
765 Tickets £8
April 1, Sunday,
7:30pm Little
Wenlock Village
Hall,
Telford
01952 505 888
suepar@tiscali.co.uk
Buffalo Gals
Stampede is a
thrilling new
show featuring
the talents of
three of the UKs
finest
step-dancers, in
a music and
dance
extravaganza.
The dynamic
synchronised and
syncopated foot
music of our
team of dancers
is woven in with
Buffalo Gals'
ever popular mix
of old-time
American music,
humour, stories,
and audience
involvement.
Jake and Dan
Eccles present
step-dance from
its roots to its
present form in
an entertaining
and captivating
fashion.
www.merlintheatre.co.uk
Sweet Sunny
South Old Time
American Music
Festival,
September 7-9,
Friday through
Sunday Fairlight
Lodge Hotel,
Fairlight Road,
Hastings TN35
5DR
A
delightful and
intimate
festival,
featuring
workshops,
concerts, slow
Jams, picking
Sessions, real
ales pub Grub,
and camping
facilities!
Contact:
sweetsunnysouth69@yahoo.co.uk
Box
Office: 7
Badgers Way,
Hastings,TN34
2QD Tel 01424
423230
Tickets: £32
full weekend,
£19 Saturday all
day, £11 Friday
or Saturday
concert only, £6
workshops, £3
camping per
night
www.sweetsunnysouth.co.uk
Workshops
Fiddle and
Feet! April
27-29, Friday
through Sunday
Kate Lissauer
and Issy Emeney
residential
workshop JSArts
Traditional Folk
Music Workshops
and Courses
Grantham,
Lincolnshire
Contact, for
information and
booking: Jo
Smith 07713 760
266
jsarts09@gmail.com
Online
booking:
www.jsarts.co.uk
A weekend
of Appalachian
flatfoot dance
workshops
alongside Old
Time fiddle
workshops,
culminating in a
joint event as
the groups come
together to play
and dance for
each other.
La Fuente de
Musica, Music
Workshop Holiday
in Andalucia,
Spain
May 12-19,
Saturday through
Saturday
Kate Lissauer,
Dave Bing, John
Whelan and
others Classes
in Fiddle,
Banjo, Guitar,
and Singing.
Small, intimate,
fun, and packed
with great
learning and
playing
experiences, as
well as all the
holiday-making
enjoyment you
can stand! For
enrolment and
further
information,
contact Kate
Lissauer through
kate@katelissauser.com
or
01373 474 110.
Common
Ground on
the Hill
July 7-13,
Saturday through
Friday. Kate
teaches fiddle,
banjo, super slo-mo
jam, and perhaps
some other
things this
wonderful week
of cultural
sharing and
peacemaking
through arts and
education.
McDaniel
College,
Westminster,
Maryland USA
www.commongroundonthehill.org
JEFF DAVIS (USA)
with BRIAN
PETERS (UK)
Crabshell Inn,
Kingsbridge
Sunday 19th
February 2012 at
8.00pm
Long term
collaborators in
exploring and
making real the
authentic music
which got its
strong stomach
from travelling
to and fro
across the
Atlantic, from
port to port,
ranch to farm,
mine to mine,
pub to saloon,
back and forth,
over and again
down the years.
BOX OFFICE NOW
OPEN Neil on
01548 856601 or
Email
whites@neilart.f9.co.uk
£10
booked in
advance (pick up
and pay for on
the night) or
£15 on the door.
To get 20% off
your meals, book
a pre-concert
table at the
Crabshell on:
01548 852345
***************************************
Grandpa
Banana.
Founding member
of The
Youngbloods, and
the original
'Hippie From
Olema' is
undertaking a
short tour in
February.www.grandpabanana.com
Wed Feb 1st
Herrison Hall,
Charlton Down
near Dorchester
DT2 9UA
Thu Feb 2nd
Cellars,
Southsea
Fri Feb 3rd The
Chichester Inn,
Chichester, West
Sussex
Sat Feb 4th
Number 8,
Launceston,
Cornwall,
Sun Feb 5th
House Concert in
Exmouth
Mon Feb 6th The
Thunderbolt,
Bristol
Tue Feb 7th
Robin 2, Bilston,
West Mids
Wed Feb 8th
Greystones,
Sheffield
Thu Feb 9th
Cabin 5150, 1-3
George Street,
Macclesfield
Fri Feb 10th
Adelphi, Hull
Sat Feb 11th TBA
- possibly
Cromer, Norfolk
Sunday February
12th Green
Dragon Brewery,
Bungay, Norfolk
- Afternoon Show
***************************************
STOMPIN' DAVE &
PROF. OZ
Stompin'
Dave and
Edward
Bennett have
just
released a
new CD
titled
Old-time
fiddle &
banjo. The
duo first
performed
together at
The Cornish
Bluegrass
Festival
2011. The CD
is available
from
www.stompinstore.com
Tue 21st Feb,
Ringwood Folk
Club. Elm Tree
Inn, Hightown,
Ringwood,
Hampshire, BH24
3DY, Stompin'
Dave renunites
with his old
stompin' partner
Prof. Oz for a
night of
old-time,
bluegrass &
hillbilly blues.
starts 8.15pm
entry £7. for
more info tel:
01425 673713.
www.ringwoodfolk.org.uk
A BLUEGRASS
CONCERT
Thu 23rd Feb,
The Barnfield
Theatre, Exeter,
Devon, EX11SN
The Carrivick
Sister's and
Stompin' Dave
combine forces
to present a
night of
bluegrass &
old-time music,
with special
guest Edward
Bennett on
banjo. doors
7pm, starts
8pmadv tickets
£12. cons £10.
Box Office 01392
270891.
www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk
***************************************
Little Opry
@ Tom Thumb
Theatre,
Cliftonville,
Margate will be
opening it's
doors to Old
Timey,
Bluegrass, Old
Country and
Americana music
on Saturday 28
January at 7.30
with Old Timey
duo CUT THE
SHUFFLE. The
plan is to run
on the last
Saturday every
other month with
bookable 15
minute open mic
slots followed
by a headline
band. See the
website for more
info.
www.littleopryattomthumb.webeden.co.uk
CONCERTS AT THE
CRABSHELL INN,
KINGSBRIDGE -
SUNDAY SHOWS FOR
2012 Book
tickets from 4
weeks in advance
at big discounts
on 01548 856601
Concert-goers
with a reserved
table get 20%
meals discount.
Reserve with the
Pub on 01548
852345
19th February:
Jeff Davis (USA)
with Brian
Peters (UK)
www.brian-peters.co.uk
www.jeffdavisoldmusic.com
Jeff Warner will
be touring the
UK again in
October/November
2012.
Dates are
filling up well;
if anyone is
interested in
booking him for
a gig, house
concert or
workshop email
Phil Tyler -
ptyl@onetel.com
www.jeffwarner.com
John Yeaman
regrets to
announce that
the 2012 Sewerby
May Day Event
has been
cancelled.
***************************************
Give Me the
Banjo. PBS
Arts from the
Blue Ridge
Mountains:A
musical odyssey
through 300
years of
American
culture.http://video.pbs.org/video/2164506461
***************************************
Best Practice
Steve Wise saw
the article in
the OTN about
the slow-downer
and says there
is a free piece
of software –
best practice –
which does much
the same but
without the
restrictions of
the free version
slow-downer
http://bestpractice.sourceforge.net/
***************************************
OT banjo
player needs
basic tuition.
Peterborough
area. PE8 6HJ
Phone Dave
07716339075
after 5.00 p.m..
***************************************
Do you want a
Pig Roast
(veggie options
too) for a
picking weekend
in
Worcestershire
or surrounding
counties? Banjo
enthusiast Alan
and wife Sue are
happy to quote.
Phone: 08445 000
874 or 07749
797076
Chelmsford
based guitarist
looking for
other musicians
to play OT &
related music.
email:
howe.john@gmail.com
***************************************
WANTED:
Fiddle player
based around
Cheltenham.
Currently, we
have vocals,
banjo, guitar
and mandolin. If
anyone
interested,
please email
Frank at
harleyfrank1959@hotmail.com
or
call on 07920
101659.
***************************************
Milliner -
Koken Collection
of American
Fiddle Tunes
is now
available.
Transcribed and
Annotated by
Clare Milliner
and Walt Koken.
Purchase from
www.mkfiddletunes.com
This is
an essential
resource and
reference book
for anyone
interested in
old time
American fiddle
tunes.
Bristol - 2nd
Thursday of the
month
Hillgrove Porter
Stores, 53
Hillgrove St
North, off Dove
St, Kingsdown,
Bristol BS2 8LT
***************************************
Hop Pole,
Aylesbury on the
first Monday of
the month.
Contact Andy
Pridgeon 01844
238203
***************************************
Red Lion,
Wolvercote,
Oxford OX2 8PG
Last Thursday of
the month
session in
Oxford. Old
time and
bluegrass. More
old time
fiddlers
needed! So come
along - more
details:
taube.marks@lang.ox.ac.uk
by
phone on 01865
552111 (leave a
message if not
there).
The Birkbeck,
Leyton, London.
Last Tuesday of
the month.
Contact Paul
Warner 07990
737539
***************************************
Plume of
Feathers,
Castlemorton, nr
Malvern,
Worcestershire.
Wednesdays
8:30pm
***************************************
Old
time/Bluegrass
Session that
takes place on
the first Friday
of each month at
the George III
Hotel,
Penmaenpool,
Gwynedd, N.
Wales.
***************************************
The
Manchester Cajun
session is
at The Beech pub
on Blackburn Rd,
Chorlton, on the
last Tues of
every month
diggerhugh@tiscali.co.uk
***************************************
Newcastle upon
Tyne session:
The Gathering
American
Old-Time Music
Session The
Fusilier, off
Victoria Ave,
off Station
Road, Forest
Hall, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE12
0JB Monday
evenings from
8.30 pm contact:
passthebuck@talktalk.net
***************************************
Nottingham
session
The Plough, St
Peter's St.
Radford,
Nottingham.
American
Singaround - 1st
Monday in the
month. Starts
8pm. Bluegrass,
old-time,
country, gospel.
Tel. Yvonne
Dreyer 0115
9249438
***************************************
Weekly
session every
Thursday in
Bakewell at the
Queen’s Arms,
on the market
square in the
middle of town,
opposite the
co-op
supermarket. The
postal address
is Bridge street
and the postcode
is DE45 1DS
Contact is Steve
Wise. email:
stevewise@fastmail.co.uk
,
tel:07986 903409
****************************************
Cambridge
Bluegrass and
Old Time
Session, 2nd
or 3rd Wed of
month at Six
Bells, Covent
Garden, off Mill
Rd, Cambridge.
Contact Julie
Watson at
jkw32@cam.ac.uk
****************************************
Bournemouth
Folk
continues to
promote monthly
gigs of
old-time,
bluegrass and
americana bands.
More
information:
www.bournemouthfolkclub.com
***************************************
Old Time Session
at the Union
Hotel, Chapel
Street,
Penzance,
Cornwall
Contact Bob and
Sibs on 01736
332821 for
dates, and/or to
be put on the
mailing list.
They're looking
forward to
seeing friends
old and new who
manage to get
down this far
for their
holidays! Or
why not make a
special trip.
Old Time &
Bluegrass
Session at The
Walnut Tree Inn,
Blisworth,
Northants (3rd
Monday of every
Month) 8.00pm
start Contact
Alan Metcalfe
a.metcalfe340@btinternet.com
***************************************
Rainham Oast
Old Time
Sessions (ROOTS)
meets at 8 pm on
the first and
third Wednesday
every month in
the bar of the
Rainham Oast
Community
Centre, next to
Rainham Railway
station in
Kent. Plenty of
floor spots,
mainly playing,
dancing and
singing to old
time. People
encouraged to
join in,
especially
beginners, the
club is
acoustic, all
welcome. Also
at ROOTS we have
a slow jam
session on the
last Friday
every month all
welcome
www.roots.ik.com
contact Graham
on 01634 260281,
graham.g.anstee@btopenworld.com
********************************************
Old-time &
bluegrass
session Blue
Lion pub,
133 Gray's Inn
Road, London.
Meet every other
Wednesday,
gathering from
around 7 and
playing tunes
from 8. If
anyone would
like to be on
the email list,
please email
helenelizabethkeen@yahoo.co.uk
Mar 01st * CHRIS
BARTRAM, NEIL
BROOKES & TONY
WEATHERALL
Mar 08th * NAOMI
BEDFORD & PAUL
SIMMONDS
Mar 15th * JUDY
COOK
Mar 22nd * free
admission * TUNE
& SONG SESSION
Mar 29th * PETA
WEBB, KEN HALL &
SIMON HINDLEY
Our
Future Guests
will include:-
*
Andy Irvine
(April 12th)
*
Jim MacFarland &
Jerry O’Reilly
(April 19th)
*
Mike Gulston &
Blanche Rowen
(April 26th)
*
John Kirkpatrick
(May 17th)
*
Gordon Tyrrall
(June 14th)
*
Matt Quinn
[Album Launch
night] (June
21st)
*
Jim & Lynette
Eldon (July
19th)
*
Sisters
Unlimited
(September 13th)
*
Jerry Epstein &
Ralph Bodington
(September 27th)
*
Jeff Warner
(October 4th)
*
Martin Carthy &
Dave Swarbrick
(October 11th)
***************************************
CELLAR
UPSTAIRS FOLK
CLUB MEETS
on Saturdays at
8.15pm
VENUE: Exmouth
Arms, Starcross
Street, London
NW1 2HR (on the
corner of
Cobourg Street,
near Euston and
Euston Square
stations;
parking is
easy), on
Saturdays at
8.15pm
INFORMATION: 020
7281 7700;
www.cellarupstairs.org.uk
(PUB:
020 7387 5440 -
but they're not
very aware of
the folk club
details)
ENTRANCE:
Members: £6,
non-members: £7
(unwaged £1.50
less), except on
nights marked *,
when it will be
£7 and £8.
Membership: £2
for the year
ACCESS: The club
room is up a
short staircase.
RESIDENT
PERFORMERS: Jim
Younger, Gail
Williams, Peta
Webb, Ken Hall,
Bob Wakeling,
Frankie Cleeve
18 FEB: TOM
PALEY
25 FEB: LESTER
SIMPSON
3 MAR: BARTRAM,
BROOKES AND
WEATHERALL
10 MAR: RUTH AND
SADIE PRICE
17 MAR: RON
KAVANA
24 MAR: JIM
CAUSLEY
31 MAR: THE
MIGHTY QUINNS
7&14 APR closed
for Easter
21 APR: JIM
McFARLAND AND
JERRY O’REILLY)
28 APR: JOHN
HEGLEY
5 MAY: KLEZMER
KLUB
12 MAY: ROY
BAILEY
19 MAY: JOHN
KIRKPATRICK
26 MAY: NOTTS
ALLIANCE
2
JUNE: closed for
bank holiday
9
JUNE: RATTLE ON
THE STOVEPIPE
16 JUNE: LEON
ROSSELSON
***************************************
Eve
Morris's Old
Time imports
cd, video & dvd
catalogue is
available to
download in
Acrobat pdf
format. Just
click on her
butterfly advert
at the bottom of
the
www.foaotmad.org.uk
home
page.
La Fuente de
Musica
Residential
old-time Music workshop week
in Andalucia May 12-19, 2012
El Fonte, Sorbas, Espana
04270
The
curriculum for May music
week includes classes in
beginning and advanced
old-time fiddle, beginning
and advanced old-time banjo,
guitar, and group singing.
Teachers are Dave Bing, Kate
Lissauer, John Whelan, Peter
Dunn, and one or two others
TBC. his delightful and
popular learning holiday is
claimed by many to be the
best holiday they've ever
had! Why? Great teaching,
great companionship, a small
group of like-minded people,
the intimate setting, pure
natural beauty, wonderful
food, big swimming pool,
mountains, privacy, great
music day and night...
May week has
now expanded to include more
instruments and more levels
of instruction. There is
something for everyone, and
even the non-playing partner
or family member will have a
glorious, relaxing time.
Tuition, room and board, and
use of all facilities is
covered by the £500 fee.
Transport is paid by
participants, and transfers
are arranged, as needed, by
La Fuente. Rooms are shared
by two, three or four
people, and private double
or twin rooms are available
for couples.
Kerry's Fletcher's
Regular classes Spring
2012
kerry@kerryfletcher.co.uk
Weekly
Appalachian Clogging -
Faversham, Kent On:
Thursdays (term times
only) Spring term –
January 5th – March 29th
(no class half term on
Feb 16th) 12 week term
At: St Catherine's
Schoolroom, Preston
Lane, Faversham ME13 8LG
Times: 6.30pm-7.30pm
Beginners /
7.45pm-8.45pm Improvers
8.45pm-9.45pm
Intermediates Cost:
£6/£5 conc. per class
(payable by term only)
Discount for 2 classes -
Improvers &
Intermediates: £10 /
conc. £8 per class.
Youth – conc. rate for
15-25year olds Please
note: I'm unable to take
absolute beginners this
term but contact me if
you are interested to
come and watch a class.
Monthly Appalachian
Clogging - Pirton, Herts
On:
Saturdays: Jan 21st, Feb
11th(with musicians
class 1-2pm), March
10th, April 21st (NB –
change of venue, will be
at Baldock Scouts hut),
May 19th (with musicians
class 1-2pm), June 16th
(NB –same dates as Euro
dance Workshops in
Ickleford – you can
dance all day!) Usual
times (but sometimes
vary – check before
travelling):
9.30am-10.30am Beginners
/ 10.45am-11.45am
Improvers / 12noon-1pm
Intermediates / 1pm –
2pm Repertoire Dances
(Jan, March, April &
June) or Musicians Class
led by Tim Brooks (Feb
& May) At: Pirton
Village Hall, Nr
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
SG5 3PS Cost: £6 per
hourly session Friends
rate: £5 per hourly
session when paying for
3 months.
Peter's Green -
Wendy is also running
beginners
classes…Monthly
Appalachian Clogging -
The Village Hall Peter's
Green, Herts On:
Mondays, January 9th &
30th, February 27th,
April 2nd, May 14th
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Cost: £6.00. For
more info:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgn9q6j_34c75j3dhr
Kerry
Fletcher, 3 week
Appalachian Clogging
course March
7th-21st 2012
- mixed levels. Limited
places, contact Kerry to
book a place, Cecil
Sharp House, 2 Regent's
Park Road, London NW1
7AY.Wednesdays 6.30pm –
8pm £21 / 16.50 for 3
weeks
Kerry
Fletcher, 3 week
Appalachian Clogging
course - mixed
levelsMay 2nd-16th 2012
. Limited places,
contact Kerry to book a
place, Cecil Sharp
House, 2 Regent's Park
Road, London NW1 7AY.
Wednesdays 6.30pm – 8pm
£21 / 16.50 for 3 weeks
***************************************
The
Green Grass Cloggers
On Youtube is one for
the cloggers (and anyone
else interested) -
perform at their 40th
anniversary reunion in
September:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRizjnemYko
***************************************
A two
day residential workshop
in Fiddle and
Appalachian Flatfooting
in Grantham, Lincs.
is being planned for the
weekend of 28/29th April
2012. Kate Lissauer and
Issy Emeney are the
tutors. Full details
will be available soon,
but places will be
limited so people might
like to contact JSArts,
who are organising the
weekend, to express
their interest. JSArts
email address is
jsarts09@gmail.com
Interested
dancers may contact Issy
about it -
issy.emeney@zen.co.uk
***************************************
FLATFOOTING WORKSHOP
The
Friday morning
Flatfooting classes in
Cheddar - Contact Issy
Emeney for more details.
01934 741551
issy.emeney@zen.co.uk
***************************************
Coastal Cloggers -
Burnham on Sea, Somerset
- are looking for new
dancers. Some experience
a help but not
essential. Monday
evenings 7:00 to 8:30.
Contact Linda Bond 01278
780533
labond222@hotmail.co.uk
***************************************
Clogging - south
Somerset
Beginners' classes in
Appalachian dance, run
by No Mean Feet, West
Chinnock Village Hall.
7.30 every Tuesday - all
welcome. Tel 01935
826758 for further
info.
Songs:
You Don't Know Love;
Goodbye Broken Heart; Do
Me With Love; Faithless
Love; He's A Heartache;
Please Help Me, I'm
Falling; She's Single
Again; I'll Need Someone
To Hold Me; Down To My
Last Broken Heart; Tell
Me A Lie; It Ain't Easy
Bein' Easy; Don't Worry
'Bout Me Baby; Ring of
Fire.
Janie
Fricke sings Country
Side of Bluegrass.
The new album is a
collection of Janie's
well-known country hits
reinvented bluegrass
style. Bluegrass
musicians backing up
Janie Fricke add an
excellent new sound to
her songs of the
1980's. The new
versions are a far cry
from the country
versions which will make
the bluegrass lovers
very happy.
The
musicians on County
Side of Bluegrass do
a great job of
developing the correct
contemporary sound. Mark
Fain plays solid and
fine bass lines while
Bob Mater adds just the
right touch of drums.
Musicians include David
Talbot-banjo, Randy
Kohrs-Dobro, Luke Bulla,
Glen Duncan, along with
Andy Leftwich and Jimmy
Mattingly switching
between mandolin and
fiddle. Background
vocals are provided by
Chip Davis, Margie Cates
and Judy Rodman. Very
impressive is not only
the rhythm, but the
guitar flat-picking
accomplished by Johnny
Hiland playing guitar.
Country Side of
Bluegrass includes
Janie Fricke's up tempo
versions of "You Don't
Know Love" and "Tell Me
a Lie". New versions of
"Don't Worry 'Bout Me
Baby", "It Ain't Easy
Bein' Easy", and
"Goodbye Broken Heart"
are bound to be
favorites of all
listeners. Country
lovers will surely
recognize "Please Help
Me I'm Falling in Love
with You", "Faithless
Love" and the Johnny
Cash hit, "Ring of
Fire".
Bluegrass and Country
lovers will all
appreciate the fine work
completed on this album
and welcome, for the
second time, Janie
Fricke and Country
Side of Bluegrass
into the folds of the
music. If you love your
bluegrass with a little
bit of country, then you
will love Country
Side of Bluegrass.
Janie
Fricke will be doing a
tour in 2012 making many
appearances with
"Bluegrass Artists of
the Year", The Roys.
Country Side of
Bluegrass will hit
the shelves January 24,
2012. The album will be
available through Ernest
Tubb Record Shops, at
her shows and on
www.janiefricke.com
GOLDRUSH IN CONCERT (further
info tel:07968 124582)
"Goldrush were
so hot they
nearly made our
stage burn. Not
only were the
band technically
brilliant, their
songs and
instrumentals
really gripped
the audience - a
case study in
best
performance"
Sunday, 1st April,
8-00pm, Royal British Legion, 50 North Bridge
Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PP
Wednesday, 18th April,
8-00pm,
Dunfermline Folk Club, Thistle Tavern,
Baldridgeburn, Dunfermline, KY12 9EG
Friday, 18th May,
8-00pm, Heart Of England Bluegrass Venue,
Bulkington War Memorial Club, Stafford Close Bulkington,
Bedworth CV12 9QX nr. Coventry
Friday, 29th June,
9-00pm, Hoedown At The Crown, The Crown Inn,
The Crown Inn, 109-111 High Street, Biggar ML12
6DL, £5-00
admission on the door
July 20/21/22,
Guildtown Bluegrass Festival, Hall Road
Guildtown PH2 6BY, 6 miles north Perth, A93
Saturday, 11th August,
8-30pm, Acoustic Music Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace,
Edinburgh, EH1 12DZ
Goldrushwas formed by John Sheldon in 1989 and made its debut
at the Guildtown Bluegrass Festival which John founded
in 1987. The current Goldrush line-up is stronger than
ever. Individually and collectively the band has decades
of performing experience ranging from the folk scene,
the country music circuit, Edinburgh International
Festival, Edale Bluegrass Festival, Southern Fried,
Living Tradition Summer School and premier bluegrass
events including the European World of Bluegrass. The
band also runs workshops and performs on the Scottish
Bluegrass Association Bluegrass in the Schools programme
along with extensive charity work.Goldrush has forged a distinct and impressive identity
for delivering cutting edge traditional bluegrass and
Celtic roots music to delighted audiences.
Sutton Cricket Club
Gander Green Lane, Sutton,
Surrey, SM1 2EH.
New
acoustic music club and every
Wednesday,
8pm to 11pm £3
singers night £5 guest night
Hosts The Feuding Lloyds and The
Acoustic Astonauts
All acoustic acts welcome
BAR Parking for 80 cars
enquiries 07545326534
Tuesdays
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start
The Village, South Fort Street Edinburgh,
EH6 4DN
Reservations via
www.leithfolkclub.orgor call/text 07502 024852 For
sale on Ebay
Vintage 1967 D35 Martin guitar for
sale (serial number 219085). Previously owned by
bluegrass recording artist Bill Clifton. For
further details, search for item number
290602681884 on the E bay homepage.
St. Bonadventures,
Bristol COUNTRY, ALT.COUNTRY,
AMERICANA, SINGERS,
SONGWRITERS, LIVING LEGENDS, YOUNG PRETENDERS, TROUBLED TROUBADOURS, HONKY TONK HEROES, CHEAP BEER, check out
www.crhmusic.com
UK Bluegrass Musician, Teacher, multi instrumentalist, Barn Dance Caller
and compiler of a great listing of south East England gigs – Rick is a main
man in
UK
bluegrass who links back to Bill Clifton taking bluegrass round the folk
circuit in the 60’s. At this time Rick and his band worked closely with
Bill to establish the scene bluegrass in the
UK. He is a brilliant musician
and organiser.Kentucky to
Kent Festival, St Julian’s
Club,
Kent,
England
Check out the dates at my website –
www.ricktownend.co.uk – where there are listings of all
bluegrass/old-time events in London and Kent, Surrey & Sussex.
If you would like to
receive The Toy Hearts monthly newsletter please email
sophiaguitar@hotmail.co.uk
We would love to keep in touch and let you know what we are up to!
Visit the band at:
The Toy Hearts continue to get great coverage in the specialist
press, Guitarist, Acoustic, R2, Country Music People but have
also had extensive features in the more mainstream national
Press such as, The Independent, The Sunday Express and The Star
on Sunday. 2011 sees The Toy Hearts profile going from strength
to strength as they perform at major UK festivals,
amongst them Cornbury, Bestival, Shambala and Moseley Folk and
most recently a live BBC session with Bob Harris and a feature
in the Daily Mail.
“As well as
producing quite possibly the finest and most authentic-sounding
blend of Americana of any UK act, The Toy Hearts possess a
trump card in the heart-melting voice of Hannah Johnson... With
'Femme Fatale' as a calling card, the
UKAmericana crown
is The Toy Hearts' for the taking.”, R2 Rock and Reel
Magazine
“They fully
deserves to be the first British act nominated for a bluegrass
Grammy. We should consider ourselves lucky;
Nashville
didn't confiscate their passports so they couldn't ever leave!”
Mike Davis, Net Rhythms
“Fronted by
sisters Hannah and Sophia Johnson, these are sweet harmonies and
commendable forays into hot jazz and old-time swing” Duncan
Warwick, Uncut Magazine
“The vocals
are pure and the musicianship is top-class... This group is
going from strength to strength and I would recommend this album
to all bluegrass fans” David Knowles, Maverick Magazine
“The overall
sound is excellent, Hannah's vocal's quite superb and Sophia's
guitar playing stunning. The album has a tremendous vitality
about it and the elements of western swing that creep in here
and there only add to the variety of a band who are as good to
look at as they are to listen to.” Venue Magazine
New Single,“Tomorrow” by Irish Songwriter and Bluegrass Artist, Niall Toner
Award-winning Irish songwriter and bluegrass artist, Niall Toner, is pleased to announce the new single, “Tomorrow,” is now available to radio stations on Airplay Direct. The song is from his upcoming album, ONWARDS AND UPWARDS, set for release on Pinecastle Records in the fall of 2012 in conjunction with The Niall Toner Band’s U.S. tour.
"I admire the way Niall's deep affinity for bluegrass and American country music blends seamlessly with his Irish sensibilities. It makes him a uniquely appealing artist, and Pinecastle is lucky to have him," said Pete Wernick (Dr. Banjo).
The Niall Toner Band is an acoustic Irish bluegrass band with Celtic influences that have three albums to their credit. The perform at festivals and venues in Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. Their diverse repertoire ranges from contemporary up-tempo songs, to inspirational gospel-style numbers, as well as tributes to Bill Monroe like "The Master's Resting Place" and "Bill Monroe's Mandolin."
Niall's most recent U.S. album release was THE SOUNDS OF THE BLACKSTAIRS MOUNTAINS, features his tribute song to the Father of Bluegrass, “William Smith Monroe,” that is still receiving extensive airplay on bluegrass radio.
Niall's composition credits include songs recorded by artists like Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Albert Lee, Special Consensus, Keith Sewell, The Swanson Family and more. In 2003, Niall was nominated for a Global Artist Award by the Country Music Association. For more information on The Niall Toner Band please visits NiallTonerBand.com. For U.S. bookings during September 15th-October 15th, 2012, please contact Mountain Music Entertainment. For more information on Pinecastle Records, please visit PinecastleMusic.com
For any further information (media, PR or otherwise) please contact Cherry Batchelor.
Cherry.batchelor@hand-media.com 01622 823920
Subscriptions are now available to the print edition of Maverick Magazine:
UK 1 year subscription - £27.00 +£3 p&p
Euro/ROW 1 year subscription - £27.00 +£23 p&p
La Fuente de Musica
May 12-19, 2012
The perfect setting
for learning and sharing music, in the most beautiful of places,
with old friends and new. We offer an Old-Time week of intensive
learning and fun, hosted by teachers Dave Bing, Kate Lissauer,
Johnny Whelan and Pete Dunn. The
week will feature old-time fiddle, banjo, guitar, and singing
instruction.
All
levels of ability are welcome, and classes, which are usually about
6-7 strong, have included complete beginners alongside highly
experienced players.
News Flash:
Scholarships are now available! Economic
slumps in England and Spain have resulted in less available money,
as well as higher prices in Spain, forcing us to raise our fees! To
help the situation, La Fuente is currently offering several
half-price scholarships. Please contact Kate to find out how to
apply for one.
Dave
Bing,
known internationally as a master fiddler and hugely knowledgeable
carrier of American traditional and bluegrass fiddle styles, is also
a highly accomplished banjo player and guitarist, and excellent
singer. He has many years of teaching experience at home and in the
UK, and is regarded as one of the best and most accessible music
teachers around.
Kate
Lissauer,
well known as a fiddle and banjo player and singer, is a very
experienced teacher, highly regarded in the UK and US for her
workshops in fiddle and banjo. She performs as a solo musician and
with her band Buffalo Gals.
Johnny
Whelan
plays clawhammer and finger-style banjo and is the banjo player with
Buffalo Gals, the very popular UK-based old-time string band. He is
a very patient and knowledgeable teacher and is known for his
dedication to encouraging beginners.
Peter
Dunn,
currently guitarist with Buffalo Gals, is arguably the UK’s
favourite and most sought-after old-time back-up guitarist, but his
versatility, scope and knowledge of the guitar in a range of styles
is also well known. Pete has endless patience and generosity as a
teacher.
The
residential week is held in a beautiful and remote part of
mountainous southeastern Spain, an hour’s drive north of Almeria.
The site is self-contained, all meals are provided, and rooms are
shared with one to three other people. Double rooms for couples are
available. The site is self-contained, with a beautifully appointed
farmhouse and 20-metre swimming pool. All meals are provided, and
rooms are shared with one to three others. Double rooms for couples
are available. There is plenty to do in the area, including
sightseeing to the beaches and natural park, rock climbing, hill
walking, and visits to Granada and other places of cultural
interest.
Room,
full board, tuition and use of all facilities are included in the
£500 price. Non-playing spouses, friends and family members are
welcome, but we must charge the same fee to everyone: £500 per
person, £250 per scholarship or child 14 or under, and £450 for
participants who are camping on site. Tents, beds, and bedding are
provided for campers, and, apart from a torch, no further particular
supplies would be required by campers.
Transportation is the responsibility of individual participants,
with advice and assistance provided by Kate. A deposit of £100 will
secure a place on the course. These weeks are not profit making,
and all proceeds go toward supporting our very inspiring US based
tutors.
For
information or enrolment, contact
kate@katelissauer.com Please visit
www.katelissauer.com and go to the events and gallery pages for
information and pictures from La Fuente de Musica.
Hi John
I hope this finds you well.
Dave Morriss (Morriss Boys String Band) has created a "British
Bluegrass Veterans" page on Facebook.
We're reconnecting with old friends and fans and exchanging
memories and photos of the old days.
It's well worth joining facebook if only for this page only.
Many of you might know me as the editor of Maverick
magazine, but my involvement with music, and more specifically
country music goes way back further than that … in fact to the early
1960s. In 1966 I published and edited the UK’s very first monthly
country music magazine. Initially called Country Record Exchange,
it then became Country Music Monthly and finally simply
Country Music before being absorbed into Country Music People
in 1970 … a magazine that I contributed to until the early 1990s,
when I became a contributor to Country Music International.
When that closed down in 2001 I then went on to edit and publish
Maverick.
This short email is to let you know that the all-new Alan Cackett
website has just been launched. This replaces the old site from a
couple of years ago with all new content that will eventually
develop into the most comprehensive one-stop site for all the
country music information—current and historical—that you’ll ever
need. The intention is to update this site on a regular basis with
comprehensive biographies of all the major performers, singers,
writers and musicians involved in country music over the past
eighty-odd years, latest country music news from around the world,
tour dates, reviews and features that I hope will be of great
interest to all country music lovers … to see more please go to
www.alancackett.com
Your comments on the site will be greatly appreciated
Alan Cackett
From Robin & Linda Williams
Dear Friends,
Greetings from the land that winter's forgotten. We probably
shouldn't say anything because, as soon as we do, winter will
descend with a vengeance, but it'll be worth it not to have had to
spend December and January battling ice, snow and bone chilling
temperatures. We've recently seen sunny days and enjoyed
temperatures in the 60s.
There's lots going on. First, we've heard from the good folks at
Traveling Troubadour that we're heading into crunch time for our
cruise to Alaska in July. Holland American Line, the cruiser's best
friend when it comes to sailing on big ships, needs to know by the
first of March how many of us will traveling with them. So if any of
you are have been procrastinating on making a decision on whether to
join us, let us encourage you to make your decision, remembering of
course that you don't have to send all the money in now, just a
deposit. Keep in mind that whenever Robin and Linda and Their Fine
Group are involved fun rears its head. For more info, call Lynette
Miller at (800) 584-6724 or find her on line at
http://travelingtroubadour.com/.
We're just back from a week in Nashville where we recorded our
22nd CD. It was intense work made all the more so by Robin getting
sick at the beginning of the week. But he "iron-manned" it through
and we came up with a CD that we're pleased with. We would say we're
proud of it but pride is one of the "seven deadly sins" and we need
to stay as far away from them as we knowingly can. Being able to go
to Nashville and work with such top quality musicians is one of the
perks of doing what we do and it makes us feel we're doing something
right. The musicians, Al Perkins, Todd Phillips and Cris Brashear,
sure made things easy. Jim Rooney, the producer, was a joy to work
with and we spent as much time with him as we could. Mark Howard is
an excellent engineer and it was a pleasure to be in his studio
again. We recorded and mixed twelve songs in five days - seven of
them originals - and now are looking forward to the CD being
released on Red House Records in the late spring or early summer. As
well as the personnel mentioned above, we were also lucky enough to
"fly"in harmony performances on a couple of songs by long time
friends Jim Watson and Garrison Keillor. A couple of big "thank yous"
go out to Tim O'Brien who let us use his house and Dr. Rob Marsh who
helped get Robin back on his feet in a hurry.
As is evidenced by this February email, we are sometimes late
getting them out, so we would like to mention a special night coming
up in early March. All gigs are special but this night, March 2nd in
Staunton, VA with two good friends, Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton
deserves an extra mention. Jeff and Mark, the owners of Huss and
Dalton Guitars (www.hussanddalton.com),
are wonderful musicians and we love singing and playing music with
them. What we'll be doing is taking what we do in our living rooms
and polishing it up for the stage of The Mockingbird Roots Music
Hall in Staunton, VA.
It's exciting for the two of us to get to play and sing with
these guys. The rehearsals have been fun and productive. We're all
bringing songs to the table that aren't found in our normal
repertoires and we're getting a kick out of what we're coming up
with. Who knows, some of these songs may stick with us after this
gig is over. We're calling this night "The Big Gig" and our band The
Big Gig Troupe." We'll be joined by a couple of hot shot musicians,
Zack Demming on standup bass and Oliver Craven on fiddle and
mandolin.
Bumper Sticker Of The Month: I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not
so sure.
We'll have a couple of weeks at home before heading up to
Massachusetts and New York the end of the month to play some of our
favorite places. Now we're thinking about what we wrote in the first
paragraph and we'll hope for dry roads. It'll be good to get bac k
to doing what we do best, playing live. Come out and support some
live music.
Your pals,
Robin and Linda
Robin and Linda's web site: www.robinandlinda.co
From Derek Brandon Hey - check out this YouTube link:
- it's our daughter Pam's band (Belle Monroe and her Brewglass
Boys, at the California Bluegrass Associations annual Father's Day
Festival, 2011) singing a song composed and written by Jean for me
~:o)= It's about evenings by the campfire at the campsite we visited
for many years in the south of France.
(927 pages, easy to search or navigate) Best to all, Derek B.
Introducing The Editor ............... I play
5 string banjo and sing baritone harmony in a five piece
Bluegrass band - details at
www.scottishbluegrass.com/goldrush.htm
along with details of events run by the Scottish
Bluegrass Association, registered Scottish charity SC034759
of which I am the director and secretary. My main goal is to
continue to develop interest in bluegrass and old time music
as international genres and to enjoy performing and teaching
bluegrass. The bulk of my work is under the umbrella of the
Scottish Bluegrass Association. My band Goldrush is very
involved in volunteering performances on the Bluegrass in
the Schools programme and in teaching Bluegrass Academy
workshops. Our original material is on You tube.
An important aspect of SBA activity is the provision of
free advice and work permits for visiting bluegrass and old
time musicians. Artists seeking advice on touring the UK are
invited to contact
secretary@scottishbluegrass.com
I also run a recording studio and have produced many
albums and CD's including the BBMA compilation album and a
radio promotion CD of talented European bands.
As a past chairman of the British Bluegrass Music
Association; founder and organiser of Guildtown Bluegrass
Festival and the Scottish Bluegrass Association; promoter;
producer; event organiser and bluegrass musician; I received
an international award Pioneer of European Bluegrass awarded
by European World Of Bluegrass.. When serving as chairman of
the British Bluegrass Music Association March 1990 – May
1995 (5 years 3 months) I initiated significant
developments;- I built up the membership, magazine and
profile of the BBMA; and 'hands on' produced a compilation
CD; established involvement in the Home Office work permit
scheme for foreign entertainers; established events and
awards including the highly successful BBMA " Sore Fingers"
Summer School; obtained significant grants and support for
the organisation including international networking and area
representatives
John Sheldon
* Please note that information in
this e-news letter comes from many different and generally reliable sources
– and although efforts to verify the contents have been made – regrettably
– its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
We ask you to format text for submission
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of the Editor
established
1979 
The Niall Toner Band is an acoustic Irish bluegrass band with Celtic influences that have three albums to their credit. The perform at festivals and venues in Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. Their diverse repertoire ranges from contemporary up-tempo songs, to inspirational gospel-style numbers, as well as tributes to Bill Monroe like "The Master's Resting Place" and "Bill Monroe's Mandolin." 
