"10 Years of European World of Bluegrass" is #1 on FOLK RADIO for airplay in April 2008

Liz Meyer of Strictly Country Records and EWOB reports "European bluegrass is making its mark! Our new double CD, "10 YEARS OF EUROPEAN WORLD OF BLUEGRASS" is #1 on FOLK RADIO for airplay in April 2008! The 3 songs listed are the tracks most played, but many tracks from this remarkable album have been getting airplay. The album features 48 bands from 15 lands, including the #1 European Bluegrass Bands, 15 guest artists from the USA and Canada, and 33 of Europe's finest. Most of the radio programs reporting their playlists here are located in the USA and Canada, but a handful of Australian DJs report, as well as Israel, New Zealand, and Germany.
We'll be sending more news on the heels of this report, because the European World of Bluegrass 2008 Festival has just ended, and we are preparing the press release to let you know the winners! And the 10 YEARS OF EWOB CD has just received its first press review, from the Louisville Music News in Kentucky - a "5-star" review from bluegrass writer and DJ Bob Mitchell!"
View complete list here...
Strictly Country Records/ Strictly Music
PO Box 628, 2130 AP Hoofddorp
The Netherlands
TEL: +31-297-347-101
www.strictlycountryrecords.com

Bluegrass on the air and on CD in Ireland

Niall Toner reports that NTB 3, the new CD by the Niall Toner Band, will be launched on Sunday 25 May over the national broadcasting station, at Studio One, RTE Radio Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland, starting at 7.30 p.m. Niall says:

NTB3 is another collection of original material, and includes songs co-written with Barry and Holly Tashian and Peter Rowan. Ten songs and two instrumentals, as well as a video interview/documentary shot by Kate Bradbury at Athy 2007, with comprehensive sleeve notes explaining the background to all the tracks, and a beautiful sleeve design by bass-totin' graphic artist Kelvin Busher.

Sample tracks can be heard on the NTB MySpace page. At the launch, two programmes in Niall's 'Roots Freeway' series will be recorded in front of a live audience, with NTB as the house band, and special guests Prison Love, Bray Vista, and Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens (#1 European Bluegrass Band 2005). Admission on the night will be by ticket only; seats can be booked by e-mailing Roots Freeway or the show's producer, Aidan Butler. Niall adds:

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

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

The Niall Toner Band can be heard live at the EWOB Festival in Voorthuizen, the Netherlands, on 1 May, and elsewhere in the Netherlands on 2 and 3 May.

Chris Jones and Four Wheel Drive at the Turfschip, 1 May

Cor and Greet Sanne of CMS Productions announce that Chris Jones (USA) will perform in concert on 1 May at 20:30 in Turfschip, Zuideinde 15, in Nieuwkoop, Holland. Tickets (€12.50 each) can be reserved via the CMS e-mail address.

As well as being a fine singer and guitarist, Chris won the IBMA Song of the Year Award last October with his song 'Fork in the road'. On the programme with him at the Turfschip will be the Netherlands' own Four Wheel Drive, featuring master fiddler Joost van Es, whose set will include material from their new CD, Another town.

Chris is also scheduled to play at Zugenhaus 562, Teufen, Switzerland, on 15 and 16 May at 19:00.

EWOB CDs get warm welcome

Liz Meyer of Stricly Country Records reports that Bob Mitchell, respected music critic and radio presenter in Louisville, KY, has given the new 2-CD set 10 years of European World of Bluegrass (SCR-66) a warm welcome: '... it is fabulous! You should feel very proud - you can be sure it will get a lot of air play.'

The CD European World of Bluegrass 2007 (SCR-65) has been reviewed in the new issue of Bluegrass Now magazine by David Dees, who concludes:

When someone begins to worry about the future of bluegrass, they should play this CD. And there are two very good reasons for American bluegrass bands to listen to this disc: 1) to discover some very good new songs, and 2) to hear how good their competition has become!

Read the full review here. Info on all the EWOB CDs is here. Liz sums up with reference to 10 years:

We finally have the perfect vehicle to show the world that European bands can play really great bluegrass!

Free Gibson Brothers tracks on the Bluegrass Blog

John Lawless of the Bluegrass Blog reports:

Thanks to the folks at Sugar Hill Records, the Bluegrass Blog is offering free downloads of two tracks from the Gibson Brothers' new CD, Iron & diamonds.

The title track is offered today (7 April) and 'Picker’s blues' will be offered tomorrow. There is no charge for the MP3 download to any registered user of the Bluegrass Blog. Registration is quick and free online.

Each free download will only be available for 24 hours. Just visit the Bluegrass Blog to get the free tunes from Sugar Hill and the Gibson Brothers.

10 years of EWOB on internet radio

Peter Thompson, who hosts the 'Bluegrass Signal' show for KALW radio in San Francisco, has prepared a tribute to European bluegrass for Bluegrass Country on WAMU 88.5, the station that has broadcast bluegrass in the Washington, DC, area for over forty years.

Peter has recorded a show made up of seventeen cuts from the new double-CD compilation on Strictly Country Records, 10 years of European World of Bluegrass (SCR-66).

His choice includes seven winners of the #1 European Bluegrass Band award, and comprises (in playing order) the Petr Brandejs Band, Monogram, Kreni, Relief, Fragment, Meantime, Four Wheel Drive, Nugget, Liz Meyer, Fifty Fingers, Red Wine, the Mideando String Quartet, Bononia Grass, Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens, the Stroatkliners, Footprints, and the Looping Brothers.

The show will be broadcast by Bluegrass Country on the five consecutive days ending on 1 May, the first day of the EWOB Festival. Times shown are US Eastern Standard Time; the 30 April broadcast is likely to be easiest for European listeners to hear:

Sun. 27 Apr. 10.00 p.m.
Mon. 28 Apr. 7.00 p.m.
Tues. 29 Apr. 1.00 a.m.
Wed. 30 Apr. 6.00 a.m.
Thurs. 1 May 8.00 p.m.

Peter will broadcast more cuts from 10 years of EWOB on KALW radio.

Scottish Bluegrass Association UK tours

Roll's Boys

Tours in Britain during the next month, arranged by the Scottish Bluegrass Association, include three dates in Scotland (Thurs. 17 April, Fri. 18 April, Sat. 19 Apr.) by Roll's Boys from the Czech Republic, returning to Scotland by popular demand. The band also have a MySpace site, which carries tracks from their new CD.

The Scottish Bluegrass Association has also arranged eleven dates in England, Wales, and Scotland (25 Apr.-5 May) for the Smith O’Reilly Band (USA/Canada), comprising Dick Smith (banjo), Mike O'Reilly (guitar), Doug Bartlett (fiddle, mandolin), and Randy Graham (bass).

Full tour details and other info are on the Scottish Bluegrass Association website.

10 Years of European World Of Bluegrass

Strictly Country Records are proud to announce the release of SCR-66, 10 years of European World of Bluegrass, produced by singer-songwriter Liz Meyer. With over two hours playing time, this two-CD compilation captures highlights from the first decade of the European World of Bluegrass (EWOB), recorded live at the annual EWOB Festival and other EWOB events. Complementing the ten prior EWOB CDs, it includes previously unreleased tracks, and all material has been specially remastered.

10 years of European World of Bluegrass features 48 bands from 15 countries, including the #1 European Bluegrass Bands and a selection of Europe’s finest, alongside 15 special guests from the USA and Canada. The full press release, including tributes by Jon Weisberger and Dan Crary, is here. Contact:

Strictly Country Records/Strictly Music
PO Box 628, 2130 AP Hoofddorp, the Netherlands
Tel: (from USA 011-)+31-297-347-101
Fax: (from USA 011-)+31-297-347-488
E-mail Pieter Groenveld, Liz Meyer

Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth in Scotland, 2-11 Apr.

Dick Glasgow of Causeway Music in Northern Ireland reports:

Two of America’s top roots music musicians - Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth – return to Scotland for a string of nine dates to promote their brand new album, Most of all. Last time they toured in Scotland, fans travelled from far and wide - some from the south of England - to see them perform.

The dates (all in early April) are:

2nd: Edinburgh
3rd: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire
4th: Greenock, Inverclyde
5th: Glasgow
6th: Edinburgh
8th: Huntly, Aberdeenshire
9th: Irvine, Ayrshire
10th: Kirkcaldy, Fife
11th: Kirkcaldy, Fife

Full details are here. Thanks to Dick's old-time music forum for the news.

Mideando String Quintet news

The Mideando String Quintet from Padova, Italy, report that they are promoting their new CD, Tutte le direzioni ('Every direction') with gigs, and shows at best prices. The MSQ add:

If you have interest about our music, please contact us without any doubt! Thank you very much, and a big Italian CIAO.

The MSQ, who were #1 European Bluegrass Band 2006, and represented Europe at the IBMA's World of Bluegrass 2007, also have a MySpace site. Contact them at

Associazione Musicale MIDEANDO
Via P. Vergerio 6 - 35126 PADOVA - Italy
tel. (+39) 049 8021556 - cell. 338 8227001
e-mail

Rounder Europe news

New releases from Rounder Europe include Old Man Luedecke's Proof of love CD (Black Hen Music BHMCD 984), his third album and his first with a full band (banjo, guitars, bass, drums, fiddle). Rounder Europe says of the Nova Scotia singer: 'The songs remain, as always, powerful early folk-inspired offerings that continue to marry the warmth and complexity of Old Man Luedecke’s banjo interplay with the emotional lyricism that has won him a devoted following.'

Waterflow - Perfect match for trouble

Waterflow (NL/SK) are proud to announce the release of their first full-length CD, Perfect match for trouble. You can:

- listen to the music on the band's website or MySpace site;
- buy the CD at one of their concerts (€10);
- order it via e-mail; or
- ask for a free CD for promotional purposes (booking or press).

Loes van Schaijk, lead singer with Waterflow, adds:

I'd like to ask all of you who have MySpace webpages to befriend us. MySpace is a great way to get in touch with other musicians, and it would be great if we could check out each other's music before we meet in person (for example, at the EWOB festival). And last but not least, here's a list of the concerts we have lined up so far. If you're in the neighbourhood, be sure to stop by!

Sat. 28 Mar.: Blue Velvet Night, CD release party, Pezinok (Slovakia)
Sun. 27 Apr.: Café Cambrinus, Horst (the Netherlands)
Tues. 29 Apr.: Café Camelot, Nijmegen (the Netherlands)
Wed. 30 Apr.: Queen's Day Market, Den Bosch (the Netherlands)
Wed. 30 Apr.: Stadsbrouwerij De Hemel, Nijmegen (the Netherlands)
Sat. 3 May: European World of Bluegrass Festival, Voorthuizen (the Netherlands)
Fri. 25 July: Bohunice fest, Jaslovske Bohunice (Slovakia)
Sat. 26 July: Bluegrass fest Pisek, Pisek (Czech Republic)
11 Oct.: Bluegrassfest Bratislava, Bratislava (Slovakia)

We hope to see you somewhere this year, and don't hesitate to keep us up to date about your own musical activities. Warm greetings,

Loes van Schaijk
Muldersweg 195
6532 WZ Nijmegen
06-14362134

Waterflow's bio sheet can be seen here.

Roberto dalla Vecchia: news

Roberto Dalla Vecchia ('Flatpicking Guitar with Italian Gusto') has relaunched his website with new design and new content. Suggestions for further improvements are welcome!

All Roberto's CDs and tab books can now be bought online in the US via Marv's Music website, run by Marv Sobolesky. And his Grateful CD can now be bought in MP3 format via CDBaby.com as one zip download including the MP3s (suitable for any MP3 player) and a JPG of the album art, for $9.95. His upcoming concerts and workshops include:

Mon. 24-Sat. 29 Mar.: Flatpicking guitar workshop (which still has one vacancy), 23rd International Workshop of Acoustic Music, Virton, Belgium.

Fri. 4 Apr.: vicenzAcustica 4, with special guests Paolo Bonfanti and Chris Newman in concert, Astra Theatre, Vicenza, Italy; 21:00. +39 0444 505183. Tickets €14.00 in advance, €16.00 at the door.

Fri. 23-Sat. 24 May: 11th International Acoustic Guitar Meeting, Fortezza Firmafede, Sarzana (La Spezia), Italy; includes Roberto in concert, 21:00 on Friday, and the Italian Flatpickers Convention on Saturday.

Fri. 30 May-Mon. 2 June: Acoustic Guitar Workshop 4, Recoaro T., Italy, +39 0444 505183. For all levels of players; two vacancies still available.

New CD from the Coal Porters: sold out!

Kentucky-born Sid Griffin and his London-based band the Coal Porters have released their latest album, Turn the water on, boy!, featuring former Byrds member (and longtime pillar of the West Coast bluegrass scene) Chris Hillman. It is now available in stores and through Amazon.

The Coal Porters, who claim to be the first alt.bluegrass band, will launch the album at a free party in London on Wednesday 2 April. Full details are on Sid's website.

That was our original post of 6 March. Sid Griffin now reports that the first pressing of 2,200 copies is completely sold out.

Mike Eisler CD: Lost tribe

Mike Eisler has been a pillar of the bluegrass scene in the western US for many years, especially as banjo- and fiddle-player with the Sawtooth Mountain Boys from Oregon, who toured in the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland about fifteen years ago.

Mike now plays fiddle with Lee Highway, and has just completed a 12-track all-original instrumental album, Lost tribe. It can be previewed and ordered through CD Baby.

Bluegrass Swiss made on CD

Hans Peter Frey of the Swiss Bluegrass Music Association (SBMA) reports:

The SBMA soon will release Bluegrass Swiss made, a CD sampler containing 23 tracks from 17 active Swiss bands. The CD gives a good survey of the current bluegrass scene of Switzerland. Every important band still in existence in spring 2008 is represented with at least one track. The compilation includes a coloured booklet with photos and short bios of each band. The official release date is 17 May, at the 9th Spring Bluegrass Festival in Willisau.

Bluegrass Swiss made can also be ordered on the SBMA homepage or via e-mail and will cost SFr. 20.00 (plus p&p).

News from Matching Ties

Paul Stowe reports on behalf of Matching Ties:

In the next few weeks we will have our St Patrick’s Day concerts, culminating in my solo concert on Mon. 17 Mar. in Bad Aibling, Germany. Our summer season is beginning to shape up with some nice festival dates as a trio (with fiddler Georg Bähr) or as a quartet (with Georg and Thomas Kärner on upright bass). For US fans, we will tour the northwestern US as a duo with dates in Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana from 17 October to 3 November. We hope to see you at a Matching Ties or Paul Stowe concert soon.

Many of you received an e-mail from me at the beginning of February with the sad news that our friend and music colleague, Scotsman Dave Bell, passed away. Dave can be heard on our most recent CD Across the sea on bodhran and percussions. We continue to mourn his passing, and miss him. He shall not be forgotten. You can read a post about him on our Blog or News page on the Matching Ties website. Please check the news page for updates, news, and pictures, and of course our tour schedule, which will be constantly updated.

Samples of Across the sea and details of how to buy any of the four Matching Ties CDs are here. The complete March/April Matching Ties newsletter, in German, Italian, and English, with schedule of dates, is here.

The Wilders: new CD due out, 15 April

The rock paper scissors, inc. world music and Americana agency of Bloomington, Indiana, announces that the Wilders band from Kansas City will release their new CD, Someone's got to pay, on 15 April. The album - almost all original material, using percussion, electric instruments, keyboards, button accordian, cello, viola, cajun triangle, lap steel, and tambourines - will break new ground for the band.

More details can be found on the Wilders' website, which also includes a blog report from their long tour in 2007 through Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Beppe Gambetta: news bulletin

In his latest newsletter Beppe Gambetta introduces a new videoclip based on his red shoes. Also included are:

* dates for his tours in North America (21 March-12 April, 4-22 June, 18 Sept.-25 Oct.) and Europe (22 May-1 June, 31 July-2 August);
*a long list of Beppe's favourite eating places in different countries;
*news of his 16th Annual Residential Workshop at Ambroz in the Slovenian Alps (3-10 August), with special guest Steve Kaufman, and of his next recording project; and
* links to several other videos, including 1985 footage of Red Wine when he was their guitarist.

Read more here.

European bluegrass wanted for RBI airplay

Bob Mitchell of Louisville, KY, reports:

Radio Bluegrass International has given me a weekly two-hour bluegrass program. 'The Best of Bluegrass' will be broadcast from the International Bluegrass Museum website. The first internet broadcast will probably be in March or April.

I've recorded eight programs and played several tracks from your recordings of the EWOB Festival - I want to include more music from around the world. I'd be interested in receiving CDs for possible airplay. I can not promise each artist will be played, but I will give everyone equal consideration. Traditional bluegrass only, please. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know. Best wishes from the United States,

Bob Mitchell
5800 Coach Gate Wynde (309D)
Louisville KY 40207
1-502-897-0256
e-mail

Bluegrass events in Belgium this week

Bluegrass in Belgium announces:

A very interesting band, the Hickory Project (USA), will be playing in Kozen (near St Truiden) this Thursday, 6 March. Address: Buurthuis Ter Cose in 3850 Nieuwerkerken-Kozen, Opcosenstraat 1; starts at 20:00.

The Sons of Navarone are giving a free bluegrass concert this Friday, 7 March, at 21:00 to celebrate the release of their CD At Last! Address: 't Ey, Koutermolenstraat 6b, 9111 Belsele (St-Niklaas). See you all there!

On Saturday 8 March, we allow you to stay home.

For further concert info, see the Bluegrass in Belgium website. Other dates in the Hickory Project tour are here. A post on the Sons' new CD appeared on the European Bluegrass Blog on 22 February.

Wonder why: new CD by Janet Holmes

Northern Ireland singer/songwriter Janet Holmes launched her new CD, Wonder why (Big Bear Hug Music BBH1), on 20 February in Belfast as part of the Belfast Nashville Songwriting Festival. Nine of the thirteen tracks are original compositions. On the following night - also as part of the Festival - Janet played support to Nanci Griffith.

In addition to Janet (lead and harmony vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar), musicians on the CD include Colin Henry (guitar, resonator guitar, Weissenborn guitar, banjo, harmonica), Ivan Muirhead (lead guitar), and Jonathan Toman (banjo), among others. Janet, Colin, and Ivan performed at two early EWOB Festivals in the band Birddog, and Jonathan can be heard on the Banjo influences CD produced by legendary French banjoist Jean-Marie Redon.

At last! - the Sons on CD

At last! The Sons of Navarone have released their first CD.
Available worldwide from Guido. For details, visit the Sons' website.

Thanks to Bluegrass in Belgium for the news. The Sons recently played two dates in the UK, as mentioned on an earlier post on the European Bluegrass Blog.

First Barcelona Bluegrass and Old-time Festival, 23 Feb.

The First Barcelona Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival will be held at the Sala Monasterio, Barcelona, on 23 February 2008. The organisers are proud to be able to launch bluegrass and old-time music in Barcelona, in a central venue, with four bands:

RC Brothers: four-piece band playing classic bluegrass (Monroe, Stanley...)
Tin Horn Hank: Scots trio (guitar, banjo, mandolin) living in Barcelona
Lluís Gómez and his band, with songs and instrumentals from his first CD (featured on the Bluegrass Blog)
Aaron Pell: songwriter from North Carolina, now living in Barcelona

The Seventh Al Ras Festival of Bluegrass and Old-Time Music will be held at Mollet del Vàlles on 14 June 2008.

Another town on CD Baby

Since last night, Another town, the latest CD by Four Wheel Drive, has been available through CD Baby. All fourteen tracks can be sampled here.

Dan Crary on 10 years of EWOB project

Strictly Country Records has received the following message from guitar maestro Dan Crary:

Congratulations to the EWOB and the European bluegrass bands and fans for their great success in bringing bluegrass music into full bloom in Europe. If Bill Monroe were alive, he would be very proud of you.

Bluegrass music itself is richer because our European colleagues play and perform the music with great skill and inspiration. Your 10 years of EWOB CD is a magnificent project. The great mix of European and touring American artists shows that our music is international, intercultural, and powerful. In a world where it seems everyone is disagreeing or arguing, the 10 years of EWOB project is a beautiful document to show that our music brings us together across oceans and issues.

************

SCR adds:

If you share our European World of Bluegrass vision and would like to be a sponsor, please contact Pieter Groenveld at Strictly Country Records/ Strictly Music by e-mail. There's NO MINIMUM contribution to be a sponsor. MONDAY night, JAN 28 (USA time) is the final print deadline to add your name to this historic double CD.

G2 on Swedish TV

The Bluegrass Blog reports that G2, the current #1 European Bluegrass Band, performed and were interviewed on Monday 21 January on 'Nyhetsmorgon' (The Morning Show), the highest rated morning television program in Sweden, broadcast on the TV4 national channel.

They played 'What would I say' and 'Where the tall grass grows' from their debut CD, Where the tall grass grows. The publicity section at their label Cosmos Records arranged the appearance on 'Nyhetsmorgon' - a major coup for a young band. Video clips can be found on the TV4 website.

Four Wheel Drive at Westport in June

Four Wheel Drive will be the headliners at the second annual Folk and Bluegrass Festival on 27-9 June at Westport, Co. Mayo, in the west of Ireland.

Friday 27 June will be dedicated to folk music, with a concert lineup headed by Gavin Glass. Saturday 28 June is bluegrass day; Four Wheel Drive will be in concert at the Westport Inn Hotel, which is offering a special package rate for the weekend.

Four Wheel Drive have played several times at most of the major bluegrass festivals in Ireland. Their new CD, Another town, will soon be available through CDBaby.

10 years of EWOB: update

Updating the EBB post of 31 December 2007: the print deadline for 10 years of EWOB, the new compilation from Strictly Country Records/Strictly Music, the Netherlands, is now 20 January.

The 2-CD set has forty-eight tracks by thirty-four of the best European bands, plus fourteen US/Canadian guests. For those who already have the annual EWOB CDs, please note: ten songs on 10 years of EWOB have never appeared on previous EWOB CDs, and all tracks have been remastered for improved sound.

The full text of the SCR release is here.

Mideandos on Ludomentis

The Mideando String Quintet from Italy (#1 European Bluegrass Band 2006) report:

Hi and Happy New Year!

You can buy our new CD Tutte le direzioni ('Every direction') on the Ludomentis website... a preview is on our MySpace site.

We want to inform you that we are also available for gigs.

Be part of bluegrass history

Pieter Groenveld and Liz Meyer of Strictly Country Records /Strictly Music, the Netherlands, have a New Year's request for all friends of European bluegrass: Become part of bluegrass history by sponsoring the new SCR compilation, 10 years of EWOB.

The double album consists of tracks by fourteen US & Canadian guests and thirty-four of Europe’s finest, including all the #1 European Bluegrass Bands from 1999 onwards, recorded at the annual European World of Bluegrass Festival. The Festival helps to nurture bluegrass bands and events all over Europe, generates tour possibilities for US bands, and - through the annual EWOB CDs - helps European bands to get airplay in the homeland of bluegrass music. Pieter points out:

The EWOB CDs are the biggest commitment Liz and I have made to giving something back that can make a difference in the music world... This double album, 10 years of EWOB, is our most significant contribution yet, and will be an important vehicle for a whole generation of bands from a continent with a wealth of great musicians. The promotional value of the 10 years of EWOB compilation for European bluegrass and EWOB will outweigh the first ten years of EWOB CDs combined.

The full text of the SCR release is here. Contributions are welcome at any time, but your name can be added to the 10 years of EWOB CD booklet only until 20 January 2008. Later sponsors can be listed in the EWOB 2008 CD booklet. Contact Pieter by e-mail or at

SCR Productions
PO Box 628
2130 AP Hoofddorp
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 (0)297 347 101
Fax +31 (0)297 347 488

Another town: new CD from Four Wheel Drive

Four Wheel Drive officially released their new CD, Another town, during the weekend of 7-9 December. The album is on the band's own label, Stoney Man Records, named in honour of 4WD's former bass player and lead singer, the late Theo Lissenberg, composer of the song 'Stoney Man Mountain'.

Four Wheel Drive consists of Joost van Es (fiddle, vocals), Jürgen Biller (banjo, vocals), Jan Michielsen (guitar, vocals), Alfred Bonk (upright bass, vocals), and Edu Grin (mandolin, vocals). A preview of Another town can be heard on the 4WD MySpace site. Jan Michielsen reports:

We gave three concerts on that weekend, one in Belgium for our Belgian fans on Friday 7 December in a place called 'The Singer' in Rijkevorsel. On Saturday night there was a CD party/concert at the Waldorfschool in Utrecht; it was a full house, and every fourth visitor bought a CD.

On Sunday afternoon we played a gig in 'De Amer', a prestigious venue in Amen (Holland). The concert was videotaped and put on YouTube (type in 'Four Wheel Drive Bluegrass'). That first weekend we sold about 100 CDs.


Jürgen Biller and Joost van Es at The Singer

Packway Handle Band in Europe, 24 Jan.-17 Feb.

The band hone their single-broomstick technique

The Packway Handle Band from Athens, Georgia, USA, are a young, adventurous, and original band with a classic five-piece lineup. Since the band formed in 2001 they have released two full-length albums and a seven-track EP Extreme. Their third full-length album, Packway Handle Band, will be released in early 2008, coinciding with their three-week tour in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Thurs. 24 Jan.: Celtic Connections Festival, Glasgow, Scotland
Fri. 25 Jan.: Celtic Connections Festival, Glasgow, Scotland
Sat. 26 Jan.: Birnam Arts Centre, Birnam, Perthshire, Scotland
Sun. 27 Jan.: Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
Tues. 29 Jan.: Kilbarchan Old Library, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Wed. 30 Jan.: Wallace Bennett Suite, Arts Guild Theatre, Greenock, Invercluyde, Scotland
Thurs. 31 Jan.: Regal Theatre, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
Sat. 2 Feb.: The Tollbooth, Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Sun. 3 Feb.: Jumpin Hot Club, The Cluny, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England
Thurs. 7 Feb.: JC De Bunker, Gemert, Holland
Fri. 8 Feb.: Gipsy Horses Ranch, Westerlo, Belgium
Sat. 9 Feb.: Max, Stavoren, Holland
Sun. 10 Feb.: Café Den Bromfiets, Bonheiden, Belgium
Tues. 12 Feb.: Café Patin, Antwerp, Belgium
Wed. 13 Feb.: Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, Holland
Thurs. 14 Feb.: Palace Hotel, Brussels, Belgium
Fri. 15 Feb.: Strandpaal 28, Assenede, Belgium
Sat. 16 Feb.: Salle Des Fetes, Arrigny, France
Sun. 17 Feb.: 013, Tilburg, Holland

Roberto Dalla Vecchia: news and 2008 gigs

Roberto Dalla Vecchia sends his wishes for everyone: 'a beautiful Christmas season with family and friends, and a New Year full of incredible music!'

Roberto recently made a twenty-day tour in the USA with guitar wizard Mark Cosgrove, receiving a warm welcome at venues in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington. He also played a benefit concert for Emergency in Washington DC, and would like to encourage everyone to support this non-profit organization. Pictures of the tour are here, and videos from the last show of the tour are on YouTube here and here.

More pictures from FlatMEETing, the first meeting of Italian flatpickers, are here. The Open Spaces tab book is back in stock, still at €12.00 euro (Paypal); shipping is free. Order from Roberto by e-mail, with your address. And Roberto's Christmas music favorites can be heard here; click on the 'Play' button.

As his 'Link of the Month', Roberto recommends Becky Taylor's radio programme 'Out of the box' on www.WorldWideBluegrass.com, every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (US EST).

2008 gigs:

Fri. 25 Jan. and Sat. 26 Jan.: Roberto Dalla Vecchia and Luca Francioso in concert at 7:30 p.m.; Acoustic Jam, Soldiers' Theatre, Vicenza, Italy. Info & tickets tel. 0444 717281

Sun. 24 Feb.: Workshop and concert, 'Un week-end di chitarre a Tombelle', Vigonovo (VE), Italy. Info tel. +39 328 871 9891

Mon. 24-Sat. 29 Mar.: 23rd edition of the International Workshop of Acoustic Music, Virton, Belgium.

Fri. 4 Apr.: Roberto Dalla Vecchia and guests in concert, 21:00; vicenzAcustica 4, Vicenza, Italy. Info tel. +39 0444 505183

Fri. 30 May-Mon. 2 June: Acoustic Guitar Workshop 4, Italy. Info tel. +39 0444 505183

Lluís Gómez Quartet CD now out in USA

The new instrumental CD Lluís Gómez Quartet, announced in the EBB on 24 November, is now available in the USA, and can be bought on CDBaby, on the Trad Music website (Scotland), and from Nechville Musical Products.

Lluís wishes everyone a merry Xmas and a happy new year.

Red Wine with Tony Trischka in 2008

Tony Trischka (photo by Angelika Rinnhofer)

Martino Coppo reports:

As we are getting ready to celebrate Red Wine's thirtieth birthday with a show in Genova on 28 February 2008, we're also working on a few Italian/European dates around April/May 2008 to present our new CD Winter's come & gone; and it seems like we're gonna have a special guest who already toured with us in 1989 for the release of our first LP, Full taste - banjo wizard and three times IBMA 2007 Bluegrass Awards winner Tony Trischka!

If by chance you know someone who could be interested in booking Red Wine & Trischka for that time, please let us know.

Red Wine
P.O. Box 13, 16032 Ruta (GE) ITALY
Tel.: +39 010-5702353; +39 348-7805876

Broadcast interviews from World of Bluegrass 2007

Niall and Steve Huber

Niall Toner reports that on 27 and 28 December 2007, at 6.00-7.00 p.m. each evening (Irish time), the Irish national station RTE Radio One will broadcast the first two programmes in the 'Nashville Sessions' series. These will feature writers, performers, and instrument-makers interviewed by Niall and his producer Aidan Butler during their visit to the IBMA convention in Nashville during October 2007. Guests include Greg Cahill, Pete Wernick, Barry and Holly Tashian, Steve Huber, Goldheart, Broken Wire, Si Kahn, Steve Kaufmann, Keith Sewell, Wendy Buckner, and many more. Details of further interviews with bluegrass people will be announced in early 2008.


Niall and David Harvey of Gibson

The NTB are currently working on CD #3, provisionally titled We believe in clean endings, featuring again all original material. Recording should be completed before mid-January, with hopes of a release date in early February. The NTB schedule for 2008 includes the Athy Bluegrass Festival; see details here.

Country Cocktail in the USA

Country Cocktail (CZ) made a successful autumn tour in the USA. Personnel for the tour were Eduard Kristufek (mandolin, harmony vocals), Pavel Kristufek (5-string banjo), Jarda Chmel (upright bass, harmony vocals), and Dennis Schut (lead vocals, guitar). The Kristufek brothers are also well known luthiers, and Dennis (NL) is also lead singer of the Dutch band Spruce Pine. Mirka Musilova (banjo, harmony vocals) guested on some songs.

The band played seven shows, including the highest saloon in the USA (10,000 ft plus) at Leadville, CO; the Station Inn and Gibson Showcase, Nashville, TN; and Byron Berline's Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie, OK.

Country Cocktail are preparing to record a new CD in spring 2008, and hope to tour the UK in the summer. They are booked for the SBA's Guildtown Bluegrass festival (19-20 July 2008), and are looking for extra UK dates between 10 July and 1 August. Photos and a video from the Guthrie festival can be seen here. Contact the band via e-mail (1), (2), or (3).

Lluís Gómez Quartet CD

The Lluís Gómez Quartet have released their first CD, Lluís Gómez Quartet, recorded in Spain and mixed and mastered in the USA by Tim Carter in Nashville and Dave Harris in North Carolina. Some of the eight original compositions and two Irish tunes from the album can be heard on Lluís's MySpace site.

Musicians taking part, in addition to Lluís (banjo), were Ricky Araiza (guitar), Joan Pau Comellas (harmonica), Maribel Sànchez (upright bass), Tom Corbett (mandolin, guitar), Tim Carter (banjo), Jose Mari Pulido (banjo), Bernard Molloy (fiddle), and Victor Estrada (theremin). Lluís adds: 'Help me to record a second one - the best CD for this Xmas time!'

Time after time on the Bluegrass Blog

Lilly Drumeva's new CD Time after time, which was announced on the European Bluegrass Blog in June, has been given a substantial and detailed feature by John Lawless on the original Bluegrass Blog. Read it here.

Petr Brandejs Band news

This information from Petr Brandejs expands, corrects, and replaces the EBB post of 19 October:

The 13th annual autumn weekend workshop of the Petr Brandejs Band and friends was held in Male Svatonovice, Czech Republic, on 12-14 October. There were 90 participants and 12 instructors from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and USA. The crowd at the sold-out Saturday 'teachers' show' was more than 250 people. Video footage with Czech commentary, shot for NTv (Nase Televize), can be seen here.

More pictures will soon be on the Petr Brandejs Band website (English version available), where you can now see photos from earlier workshops.

The next PBB workshop will take place in Novy Jicin, CZ on 8-10 February 2008. More info is here.

In July, Petr Brandejs is going to work closely with Dagfinn Pedersen and do a similar workshop in Norway again.

The PBB is almost ready to record their 5th CD again with its original, traditional, English and Czech material.

And just in case - the Petr Brandejs Band dates:

14 December: Country Club Alabama, Karvina, CZ
20 December: Concert for students, Novy Jicin, CZ
9 February 2008: Kino Artefakt, Novy Jicin, 19:00
1 March 2008: Bluegrass na Blatech, Guest House Diana

For further information contact:
Petr Brandejs
Bludovice 137
74101 Nový Jičín
e-mail
mob.: +420 777 122 569
Skype name: brandejspetr

G2 on the Bluegrass Blog

Today's posts on the Bluegrass Blog include a feature by John Lawless on the current #1 European Bluegrass Band, G2 from Sweden. Mentioning in particular the songwriting skills of G2's guitarist and lead singer Christoffer Olsson, John considers them an impressively talented band who could make a big splash next year in Nashville, where they will be on the main showcase stage during IBMA's World of Bluegrass. Read the full feature here.

As from 2 November, G2 also have a new look to their website. Their new CD, Where the tall grass grows, was released this week. The official launch party and concert will be held on Monday 12 November at 20.00 in the Södra Bar & Veranda, Södra Teatern, Mosebacke Torg 3, Stockholm.

Mismountain Boys: new CD

The Mismountain Boys from Bergamo, Italy, who released their CD Back to traditions earlier this year (reported on the European Bluegrass Blog in May), are now releasing a new CD, The old home, which will be available at the end of this month from the band at live shows and from selected selling points.

Like Back to traditions, the new album comprises bluegrass standards together with classic country material such as 'Another song, another drink', 'My Oklahoma home', 'Ring of fire', and 'He'll have to go'.

New Groundbreakers album

Most requested, the latest CD by Jussi Syren and the Groundbreakers (Finland), is out on the Goofin Records label. The fifteen tracks are all new versions of the band's most requested songs, with special guests. Sound clips can be heard on the Groundbreakers' website.

The band's upcoming tour schedule includes dates in the Carolinas and Georgia (USA) in April 2008.

EWOB 2007 CD details now on line

Thierry Schoysman of Bluegrass in Belgium reports that full details of the European World of Bluegrass 2007 CD (Strictly Country Records SCR-65) are now available here, together with those of the other nine European World of Bluegrass CDs, all produced by Liz Meyer.

Details include all song titles, author and publisher credits, band personnel and contact data ('phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and website links).

MSQ album launch, 10 November

Tutte le direzioni ('Every direction'), the latest album by the