Kathy Kallick Band in Europe, May 2010: update

Thanks to Peter Thompson, who reports:

The Kathy Kallick Band is delighted to be returning to Europe very soon! They've just released a new CD, titled Between the hollow & the high-rise, and will be playing songs and tunes from it - as well as from Kathy's earlier releases with her band and Good Ol' Persons, bluegrass and country classics, and a few surprises. They're looking forward to seeing and playing music for old friends and new ones from 6 May to 22 May 2010.

Band members include:
Kathy Kallick: guitar, vocals
Dan Booth: bass, vocals
Greg Booth: dobro, banjo, vocals
Annie Staninec: fiddle, vocals
plus special guest Martino Coppo: mandolin, vocals [in place of Tom Bekeny as shown on the CD cover]

Information/sound samples on SonicBids
KKB website
'Wildflowers' on YouTube

HOT BLUEGRASS & COOL ORIGINALS!

Thurs. 6 May Tisvildelejecafeen, Tisvildeleje, Denmark
Fri. 7 May Karens Minde Kulturhus, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sat. 8 May Spring Bluegrass Festival, Willisau, Switzerland
Sun. 9 May Offener Treffpunkt, Binningen (near Basel), Switzerland; presented by Bluegrass in Basel
Mon. 10 May Roch’événements, La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute Savoie, France
Tues. 11 May Hotel Gasthof zur Post, Leipheim/Donau, Germany
Wed. 12 May Fritz-Henbler-Haus, Dortmund, Germany
Thurs. 13 May Valthermond, the Netherlands; c/o Barry Deen (e-mail)
Fri. 14 May European World Of Bluegrass Festival, Voorthuizen, the Netherlands
NOTE: KKB members also playing with other bands during the weekend.
Tues. 18 May Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; c/o Pieter Groenveld (e-mail)
Wed. 19 May M.J.C. de Saint Saulve, Saint Saulve, France; TBC
Thurs. 20 May Aubinges, France; c/o François Galland (e-mail)
Fri. 21 May Preaux, France; c/o Etienne Lobry (e-mail)
Sat. 22 May Arleuf, France; c/o François Galland (e-mail)

Danilo Cartia Band in Rome, 29 Apr. 2010: update

The Danilo Cartia Band (Danilo Cartia, vocals, 5-string banjo, guitar; Andrea Moneta vocals, Chapman stick; Michele Anselmi, vocals, dobro; Luca Dominici, vocals, guitar; special guest Max Giua, percussion) will be playing at 22:00 on Thursday 29 April 2010 at 'Fonclea', Via Crescenzio 82 Rome, Italy - one of the most famous venues for live music in the city. Admission is free. A date not to be missed!

Danilo Cartia: Website
MySpace
Facebook: Danilo Cartia
e-mail
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

Band personnel data have been updated since the original post on the EBB on 20 April.

Sharon Cort Band: 'Kiss the Banjo' tour in Europe, May-June 2010: UPDATE

The Sharon Cort Band on an earlier tour: Bill Keith, Jeff Wisor, Sharon, Ernie Sykes, and Butch Baldassari in Basel (photo: Lilly Pavlak)

The Sharon Cort Band will begin their 'Kiss the Banjo' tour with their first appearance as guest artists at the European World of Bluegrass Festival (13-15 May 2010) in Voorthuizen, NL. They follow this with over a month of shows in France, Switzerland, Ireland, and elsewhere in Europe.

Sharon is known for her powerful, sensitive vocals, her original songs, and her top-notch band members. On this trip the Sharon Cort Band will include Sean McKerr (Ireland; bass), Tom Corbett (USA; mandolin), and Jean Marie Redon (France; banjo). Fiddler Aaron Till (USA) will join the band for a few dates.

Previous tours by the SCB have included the largest country music festival in France, Country Rendez-Vous at Craponne, and a 2007 national television appearance in Paris on 'Magic TV', with founding members of the classic French band Bluegrass Long Distance. Tour dates at present are:

May 14 EWOB Festival, Voorthuizen, NL
May 16 Stichting Boet'n Deure, Poolshoogte, Bosw, Meelkerlaan 5, Staatsbossen van Oodorn, NL; tel: +0031 (0) 599 850361
May 22 Country Festival TBA Paris, France
May 25 Midleton Folk CLub, McDaid's, Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland
May 26 Treacy’s, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
May 28 Corrigans, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland
June 1 House concert, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland
June 3 Country & Bluegrass Festival, Montgeron, France
June 4 Country Western Festival, Montigny sur Lioge, France
June 18 Col Des Roches Festival, Hotel Jet d’Eau, Le Col 15 2400 Le Locle, Switzerland; tel. +41 32 931 46 66

Sharon Cort website; MySpace; e-mail

Read the full press release on the tour here. For further information, contact Terry Harkleroad, Mitero Entertainment, +1-888-301-3529; e-mail.

Blue Dew concert schedule 2010-11

Blue Dew (NL), whose unique style combines bluegrass and Irish traditional music, announce their concert schedule for 2010-2011:

Sun. 30 May 2010 Muziek op De Welle, Markelo
'Little whisky child', 14:30-16:00. More info here.

Sat. 11 Sept. 2010 Buitengewoon Buitenconcert, Wekerom
'Little whisky child' & CD launch; begins 20:00. More info TBA.

Sat. 25 Sept. 2010 De Oude Remise, Nieuweschans
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:30; admission €12.50 advance booking, €15 at the door. More info here.

Sat. 6 Nov. 2010 Theater Prismare, Enschede
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:00; admission €10. More info here.

Sat. 20 Nov. 2010 Kronkeltheater, Slagharen
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:00. More info TBA.

Fri. 26 Nov. 2010 Deventer Schouwburg
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:00. More info here.

Sat. 11 Dec. 2010 Capellenborgtheater, Wijhe
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:15. More info here.

Thurs. 3 Mar. 2011 Theater Globe, Hilversum
'Tales for the ever-young'. More info here.

Fri. 9 Apr. 2011 Theater Carrousel, Ommen
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:00. More info here.

Sat. 21 May 2011 Theater Idea, Soest
'Little whisky child'; begins 20:00. More info here.

There is still space in our schedule for appearances in Jan.-June 2011.

Blue Dew can be booked through the StudioKLEINkunst agency. If you are interested in the performance 'The long journey home', the story-programme 'Roasted barley', the programme for those aged 6 and over 'Tales for the ever-young', or the new performance 'Little whisky child', contact:

Marius Klein
Burg. Tonckensstraat 12
7921 KC Zuidwolde (dr)
Tel: +31 (0)6 26552185
e-mail

A joy to see you again and may joy be with you all!

USA Roots Music News, Apr. 2010

Thanks to Rainer Zellner for the Music Contact agency's April 2010 newsletter for USA folk, roots, acoustic country, and bluegrass music, with the major tours currently scheduled for this year:

UNCLE EARL: Neo-Old-Time All-Girl Band

29 Apr. franz k, 72762 Reutlingen, 20:30
30 Apr. Wodan Halle, 79098 Freiburg, 20:30
1 May Jegelscheune, 90530 Wendelstein, 20:00
2 May KFZ, Marburg, 20:00
3 May Clubheim, 89269 Voehringen-Illerberg
6 May KULT, 97996 Niederstetten, 20:00
7 May Club Bastion, 73230 Kirchheim/T., 21:00
8 May Schweizer Landwirtschaftsmuseum Burgrain, CH-6248 Alberswil (bei Willisau), Switzerland, 20:00
9 May Ev. Kirche, 56335 Neuhäusel, 17:00
10 May Neue Welt, 85049 Ingolstadt, 20:30
11 May Haus International, 87435 Kempten, 20:00
12 May Kulturforum, 90762 Fürth, 20:00
14 May Bürgerhaus, 77815 Bühl, 20:00
15-16 May Karl May Fest, 01445 Radebeul
17 May AmVietheater, 07616 Beulbar (with Fox Tower Bluegrass Band), 19:30
19 May Café Castaneda, 34516 Vöhl-Harbshausen, 20:00
20 May Ratssaal, 28816 Stuhr, 20:00
21 May Tanzschule Schrock-Opitz, 26789 Leer, 20:00
22 May Jazztime Open Air Festival, 31141 Hildesheim, 16:00
23 May Hamawe Roots Festival, B-6760 Virton, Belgium, 20:30

THE WILDERS: Bluegrass meets Rockabilly

29 Sept. Ratssaal, 28816 Stuhr
30 Sept. Kulturfabrik Löseke, 31137 Hildesheim
2 Oct. Country Festival, Grindelwald, Switzerland, 20:30
3 Oct. Four Corners, Untermeitingen, TBC
9 Oct. Albert Einstein Forum, 41564 Kaarst, 20:00
10 Oct. Kulturforum, Lauf, TBC
13 Oct. Reithalle, Offenburg, 20:00
14 Oct. franz k, 72762 Reutlingen, 20:00
15 Oct. Schwarzer Hasen, 88239 Wangen, 20:00
16 Oct. El Lokal, Zurich, Switzerland

2nd BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE! - FESTIVAL OF BLUEGRASS AND AMERICANA MUSIC 2010
Sponsored by byte.fm, Akustik Gitarre, No Fences, Bear Family Records

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (USA): Traditional hardcore bluegrass
Jeff and Vida (USA): Acoustic Americana
Shotgun Party (USA): New Western Swing

3 Dec. franz k, 72762 Reutlingen, 20:00
5 Dec. Amerikahaus, 80333 Munich (München)
6 Dec. ParkTheater im Kurhaus Göggingen, 86199 Augsburg
9 Dec. Gut Varrel, 28816 Stuhr
10 Dec. Kulturfabrik Löseke, Hildesheim, 20:00
11 Dec. Theater, Lutherstadt-Eisleben, 18:00
14 Dec. Haus der Kultur, 84478 Waldkraiburg, 20:00
16 Dec. Lokschuppen, 89522 Heidenheim, 20:00
18 Dec. Kammgarn, CH-8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland

*For your calendar*
14-15 May Bühl 8th Internationales Bühl Bluegrass Festival 2010
13-15 May NL-Voorthuizen The European World of Bluegrass Festival
22-23 May 48268 Greven Greven Grass Bluegrass Festival

Radio
'Hillbilly Boogie' on Free Radio Tübingen can now be heard worldwide on the Web every Friday, 21-23:00; repeated the following Saturday morning (03.00-05.00). Call in: +49 7071 760 204. Tell your friends!

MUSIC CONTACT Rainer Zellner
Roots Music Booking and Production
Saarstrasse 8, D-72070 Tübingen, Germany
+49 (0) 7073 2250; fax +49 (0) 7073 2134; e-mail; twitter: mandomaniac

Production Office: Kirsten Spiegl +49 (0) 7073-913588 (13:30-18:30); e-mail
Website: Press: text and photos; Media downloads

Bluegrass im Elsass

Thanks to Serge Rieger for news of the bluegrass band which he leads in Alsace (Elsass). The personnel includes Joel Espesset (mandolin) from Kehl, Heiner Raulff (banjo, dobro), also from Kehl, Théo Sauer (dobro, banjo) from Lampersloch, Serge's son Virgil (bass, vocals), and Serge himself (guitar, vocals). Two tracks recorded by the band can be heard on their website. Contact Serge by e-mail.

The band knows the German bluegrass world well through the Bühl bluegrass festival, the musicians from Night Run and Blue Side of Town, and the Treffen (meetings) in Lindelbrunn (run by Hese Schröder) and in Freiolsheim (by Jürgen Krämer). The band's concerts take place close to the German border. Serge writes:

In 2010 we will organise for the second time a meeting in Kutzenhausen (Alsace). Last year there were about ten musicians and there was heavy jamming, for a very interested audience and an excellent Flammenkuchen [an Alsatian speciality]!

This year the Kutzenhausen meeting is on 1 August. The band's schedule at present is as follows:

24 Apr. Foyer St Louis, Robertsau, Strasbourg
25 Apr. à Schwabwiller (14:00-17:00), moulin
15 May Plan d'eau de Reischshoffen
16 May Ecurie du lac, Retschwiller
21 May Pauses musicales de Haguenau
22 May A la lueur des notes, Kutzenhausen
21 June Fête de la musique EPAHD, Haguenau
4 July Jardin d'Irma Betschdorf
23/25 July Jardin musical Haguenau
1 Aug. Bluegrass in Kutzenhausen

News from Beppe Gambetta

Thanks to Italian guitar wizard Beppe Gambetta for news - sent from Australia, where he will perform at the National Folk Festival, Canberra, and at the Fairbridge Festival, Perth, in early April.

Beppe returns to Italy for the all-star Acoustic Nights in Turin (Torino) and Genoa (Genova), which were announced on the EBB on 21 February. More details are on his website.

In the middle of May he begins two months of touring in Italy, Germany, and the USA, returning to Europe in July for the Rossiglione Folk Festival (23-5 July) and the 18th International Acoustic Guitar Workshop at Ambroz Pod Krvavcem, Slovenia (1-8 August). Twenty-one of the thirty places on the Workshop are already taken. Instructors will include Kathy Chiavola (USA) for vocal training and songwriting.

Beppe will then be touring in Italy in August and September, in the USA in October, and in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in November-December. A UK tour is being planned for March 2011 - promoters who are interested can contact Loudon Temple of the Brookfield Knights agency by e-mail.

The German record company Acoustic Music Records has just released the Beppe Gambetta collection, a compilation of fifteen tracks from previous albums. It is available directly from the Acoustic Music Records website or at Beppe's concerts.

Full details of Beppe Gambetta's schedule as it stands at present, together with many other items (YouTube favorites; peformances, recordings, and books by other musicians; and his comprehensive list of favourite restaurants in many countries), can be found in his newsletter, which you can read here.

You can also join Beppe on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Reverbnation, Plaxo, Flatpicking Guitar Network, and Last.fm

Red Wine Bluegrass Party # 2

Thanks to Martino Coppo, who reports:

Red Wine Bluegrass Party #2 on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 March was another big hit!

For two nights the air of our hometown, Genoa (Genova), was filled with the sound of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, and with the beautiful vocal harmonies of our special guests, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum.

The show was divided in two sets: in the first one Red Wine played alone, and then invited Laurie & Tom for a few more songs together. After a short intermission, Laurie & Tom opened the second set with a beautiful a cappella hunting number, and then played several songs as a duo, switching from guitar to mandolin to mandola to fiddle to twin fiddles! They invited back Red Wine on stage to end up the show with more numbers together. What a thrill to play and sing with such great musicians!

The encore saw a surprise visit on stage from our guest friends Beppe Gambetta (on Friday) and Lowell Levinger alias 'Banana' (on Friday and Saturday), for a rendition of 'The Old St. Sabbath' and 'My old Kentucky home'.

Everybody left the the Theatre of Gioventu' happy and with a lot of great memories, and we've already started working on the Red Wine Bluegrass Party #3 for 2011!

Danilo Cartia Band schedule, 26-8 Mar. 2010

The Danilo Cartia Band will be playing on 26 March 2010 at the Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana 66, Rome, and on 27 March at the Stage Pub, Via dell’Olmetta, Formello (RM), north of Rome.

Admission is free to both these shows and to the latest Rome Bluegrass Jam, which will be held on 28 March back in Rome at the Cantine Blues.

Danilo Cartia: Website
MySpace
Facebook: Danilo Cartia
e-mail
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

Benefit concert for Albert Schweitzer hospital

Thanks to Lilly Pavlak, who reports from Bülach, Switzerland:

The Swiss old-time/bluegrass band Big Stone [see photos above and below] organised a benefit concert for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambarene, Africa. It took place in the very well attended catholic church centre in Bülach last Friday, 19 March.

Big Stone with the gentleman who worked in the hospital

In the middle of the program, a gentleman who was working in Lambarene for years sang together with the band Johny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues'. After a break, another Swiss band, the Blue Valley Drifters, came on stage and played another set.

Blue Valley Drifters

It was a beautiful evening and I hope that good money came together to help... thanks to Big Stone! It would be nice, if more bands will follow this great idea.

The parish priest with little Iwanka from Ukraine

Last year in January they held there also a concert to pay the hospital bills for a little girl from Ukraine, named Iwanka. As we could see her at the concert this time too, she is getting much better now. She is waiting for the next operation, living here with her Swiss foster-family.

New Acoustic Gallery: Mar. 2010 newsletter

The Krüger Brothers return to the New Acoustic Gallery at Solingen on Wednesday 31 March 2010 for the only German concert in their European tour, bringing with them their brand new CD and a percussionist. A foretaste of their music can be seen and heard on YouTube. Tickets are €30 in advance, €35 at the door. For all tickets to NAG events, telephone Oliver Waitze at +49 0212/2474007.

Also in the NAG's 2010 concert series, Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg will give a concert of duets for mandolin and mandocello on 11 September. Tickets: €25 in advance €30 at the door.

The Trio Vibracao (Oliver Waitze, acoustic guitar; Jesper Rübner, mandolin; Max Schaaf, bass) will be in concert at the NAG on 13 Nov. 2010 at 8.00 p.m. Tickets: €15 in advance, €18 at the door.

New instruments have recently come into the NAG, including the Eastman MD 515 LA F-style mandolin (€950); Marc Beneteau baritone (€6490) and concert standard guitars (€4490: special price for a month!); Prucha 'Diamond Point Custom' 5-string banjo (€3890); and Migliorini & Pozzi guitars from Italy - classical (€4690) and steel string (€5490). In the next weeks, Oskar Graf cutaways are expected in.

Oliver Waitze's 'Flatpicking bis Gypsy Swing Workshop' will be held from 31 July to 7 August 2010 in Tuscany, Italy. Info and questions: tel. +49 0212/2474007.

New Acoustic Gallery
Neuenhofer Str. 122
42657 Solingen, Germany
e-mail

Steppin’ Stone plays Bühlertal, 17 Apr. 2010

Thanks to Walter Fuchs, organiser of the annual Bühl International Bluegrass Festival, who reports:

The excellent French bluegrass band Steppin’ Stone plays at the Gewölbekeller in Bühlertal, near Bühl/Baden, Germany. Steppin’ Stone is a trio with Jean Paul Distel (guitar, dobro), Pascal Spitz (vocals, guitar, banjo), and Laurence Gondet (vocals, bass).

The concert takes place Saturday 17 April 2010, at 8.00 p.m. Info and tickets: +49-7223-9967-0.

Danilo Cartia Band at Velletri, 21 Mar. 2010

The Danilo Cartia Band (I) will be playing at 10.00 p.m. on Sunday 21 March at 'Bibenda', Via Appia sud, 28 - Km 42, 900 Velletri (Rm). Admission free.

Danilo Cartia: Website
MySpace
Facebook: Danilo Cartia
e-mail
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, and Red Wine at Interlaken, 13 Mar. 2010

Thanks to Lilly Pavlak for a report and photos of the concert on 13 March by Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, and Red Wine at Interlaken, Switzerland.

Concert promoter Martina Ruhmann

Many more photos from the show are here, and Lilly's full report of the concert can be read here.

4 Wheel Drive in Ireland, 2-9 Apr. 2010

A fine photo of Jurgen Biller (banjo) and Joost van Es (fiddle) of 4 Wheel Drive is the illustration for a flyer issued by the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

4 Wheel Drive, with Jolanda Peters (vocals), will be 'in residence' at the Folk Park throughout its Easter Celebrations programme, which will run from 10.00 a.m. on Saturday 3 April to 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 6 April, under the title 'A Spring Fair Day'. The band are no strangers to the Folk Park, having often played there during previous editions of the annual Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival.

In addition, 4 Wheel Drive will be playing several other dates in Ireland (2-9 April); full details are on the Bluegrass Ireland Blog. The tour is coordinated by Andrew Peters of the Bronte Music Club in Rathfriland, Co. Down.

Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum in Rome, 16 March 2010

Danilo Cartia & Rome Bluegrass Jam present Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum on Tuesday 16 March 2010 at 22:00 in the Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana N.66, Rome, Italy.

As shown on the European Bluegrass Blog on 1 March, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum are a week into their current tour in Europe. Today (Sunday 14 March) they head the lineup for the Bluegrass Jamboree at the Amigdala Theatre, Viale Lombardia 31, 20056 Trezzo sull'Adda (between Milan and Bergamo); and on 19-20 March they will be special guests at the 2nd Red Wine Blue Grass Party at the Teatro della Gioventù, Via Cesarea, 16121 Genoa (Genova).

Danilo Cartia Band at Rignano Flaminio, 17 Mar. 2010

The Danilo Cartia Band (I) will be playing at 'Blue Frets' on 17 March 2010 (St Patrick's day) at 22:00, in St James’s Irish Pub, Via Flaminia Km 39.100, in the town of Rignano Flaminio, north of Rome on the SS3 (Via Flaminia).

Danilo Cartia: Website
MySpace
Facebook: Danilo Cartia
e-mail
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

Danilo Cartia Band at Auditorium Due Pini, 11 Mar. 2010

The Danilo Cartia Band (I), led by banjoist Danilo Cartia, will be playing at 9.00 p.m. on Thursday 11 March in the Auditorium Due Pini, Via Zandonai, in north-west Rome. Admission: €10.

The Auditorium Due Pini presents a varied musical programme - other acts listed in the poster (left) are in the fields of flamenco, tango, mariachi, and the music of Simon & Garfunkel.

Danilo Cartia: Website
MySpace
Facebook: Danilo Cartia
e-mail
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

Crooked Still in Europe, Mar. 2010: update

The tour schedule for Crooked Still (USA) which was published six weeks ago on the European Bluegrass Blog should have been twice as long.

Before the band (leaders in the field of 'alternative bluegrass') begin their dates in the UK and Sweden, they will be making five appearances in the Republic of Ireland, beginning on 15 March. This includes a slot on one of the longest-running programmes on the national TV station. Full details are on the Bluegrass Ireland Blog.

Tony Furtado plays in England, Sat. 10 Apr. 2010

Graham Buckley informs us that after his session teaching at Sore Fingers Week (5-9 April), Tony Furtado (USA) (left) will be performing his only UK gig on this visit at the Verge, Cheshire Ring, 72 Manchester Road, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 2BJ, on Saturday 10 April at 8.30 p.m.

Tickets at £10 are available from the venue or on Ticketline. Door price is £12. Tony played this venue in November last year and wished to do a repeat gig there. Enquiries: telephone +44 07802 293 854/0161 368 8769, or e-mail Graham Buckley.

4 Wheel Drive at Toogenblik, 5 Mar. 2010

Bluegrass in Belgium announces:

Don't miss Four Wheel Drive in concert at Toogenblik this Friday.
Four Wheel Drive is one of Europe's top bluegrass bands.
And Toogenblik is the greatest place to enjoy acoustic music.

Friday 5 March at 20:30
Toogenblik
Cortenbachstraat 11
1130 Haren-Brussel
Belgium

Danilo Cartia band in Rome, 11 Mar. 2010

The Danilo Cartia Band will be playing on Thursday 11 March 2010 at the Auditorium Due Pini, Via Zandonai 2, Rome (Vigna Clara)

For forthcoming appearances by the Danilo Cartia Band, see the EBB post of 16 Feb. Danilo Cartia and Rome Bluegrass Jam are also presenting the concert by Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum on 16 Mar.

Danilo Cartia: Website
MySpace
Facebook: Danilo Cartia
e-mail
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum in Europe, March 2010

(photo: Hali McGrath)

Following the news posted on the EBB on 27 January, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum (USA) are scheduled to play a total of eight shows in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland this month. As a duo, they will be playing

Fri. 5 Mar. Hotel zur Post, 89340 Leipheim, Germany, 20:00
Sat. 6 Mar. Rathaus, 71171 Murr, Germany, 20:00
Tues. 16 Mar. Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana 66/68, Rome, Italy, 22:00

In all the following shows, they will be playing with Red Wine (I). Laurie & Tom add:

We are happy to have been chose by this great band to help them celebrate their anniversary, and play a few other concerts besides!

Fri. 12 Mar. Folk Club, Turin (Torino), Italy, 21:30
Sat. 13 Mar. Weisse Berge und Blaues Grass, WSI, Kammistrasse 11, Interlaken, Switzerland

Sun. 14 Mar.: Bluegrass Jamboree, Amigdala Theatre, Viale Lombardia 31, 20056 Trezzo sull'Adda (between Milan and Bergamo), Italy. As the poster (left) shows, the lineup includes Once in a While (Milan) and Bononia Grass (Bologna/Genoa). Doors open at 19:00 and the show starts at 20:00. Admission is €15; a 'Country Barbeque), for an extra €10, can be booked in advance at 331 966 3821. Thanks to Paolo Ercoli of Bononia Grass, who sends us the information of this great event.

Fri. 19-Sat. 20 Mar.: 2nd Red Wine Bluegrass Party, Teatro della Gioventù, Via Cesarea, 16121 Genoa (Genova), Italy, 21:00. Tel. 0108936326; fax 0105848721 (see the EBB for 23 Feb. 2010).

Lilly of the West joined by famous Irish musicians to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Sofia, Bulgaria

Lilly of the West will perform at the Sofia City Art Gallery on 16 March, joined by Paul O'Shaughnessy (fiddle) and Larry Egan (accordion) as special guests from Ireland. Paul O’Shaughnessy has been a member of the legendary folk band Altan for several years. Larry Egan is featured on the acclaimed Kitchen recordings.

Lilly of the West will feature Lilly Drumeva (vocal, guitar, fiddle); Yasen Vasilev (guitar); Svoboda Bozduganova (upright bass); Michail Shishkov (piano, dobro guitar).

The concert is part of the Sofia Municipality Chamber Concert series. For further information please see Upcoming Events on the Irish Embassy website or contact Lilly Drumeva by e-mail. Lilly's original announcement (with band photo and St Patrick's Day decorations) can be read here.

Red Wine Bluegrass Party # 2 on 19-20 March 2010

Martino Coppo, lead singer and mandolinist of Red Wine (Italy), writes:

Dear Friends,

Attached please find all the information for 'The Red Wine Bluegrass Party #2', which will take place at Teatro della Gioventù in Genoa (Genova), Friday 19 and Saturday 20 March, 9.00 p.m., with special guests from San Francisco Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum!

Take a look at the newly designed website -

Ticket sales: online and

Theater and booking office hours
(from Tuesday to Saturday 4.30-7.00 p.m.
Sunday 3.00-6.30 p.m. and during shows)
Via Cesarea 16, 16121 Genoa
P +39 010 8936326
F +39 010 5848721
e-mail

We'll wait you there!

Martino

Red Wine Website
Facebook
MySpace

Bluegrass Jamboree! in Basle - in pictures

Thanks to Paolo Dettwiler for this news:

The website of regional bluegrass association 'Bluegrass in Basel' has been updated to include a nice gallery of photos, taken by Beat Schmid of Switzerland, of the Bluegrass Jamboree 2009 festivities which took in place in Basel on Sunday 13 December 2009 - the only show in Switzerland of Rainer Zellner's tour. Tentative plans are to have the Jamboree back in December 2010. And here's the link.

Sample photo above: mandolin climax at the finale, with Hannah Johnson (UK), Rainer Zellner, Carl Jones (USA), Mike Guggino (USA)

Beppe Gambetta Acoustic Nights, May 2010

Italian guitar wizard Beppe Gambetta has scheduled a series of Acoustic Nights 10 'Il decennale!', to take place in Italy in early May 2010. The concerts will feature Patty Larkin (USA), Mike Marshall (USA), Tony McManus (Scotland), Bruce Molsky (USA), and Darrell Scott (USA). The dates are:

Tues. 4 May Maison Musique, Turin (Torino), Italy, 21:00

Thurs. 6 May-Sun. 9 May Teatro della Corte, Genoa (Genova), Italy: 20:30 (6, 7, 8 May) and 16:00 (9 May)

More details, including links for online booking, are here.

Beppe Gambetta website
MySpace
YouTube

Danilo Cartia Band schedule, Feb.-Mar. 2010

The Danilo Cartia Band (Italy), led by banjoist Danilo Cartia, will be playing at 22:00 on 18 Feb. 2010 at the Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana, 66/68 Rome. Admission free. Info: 349/6694810.

Other upcoming dates on the band's schedule include:

26 Feb. Teatro Spaziozero, Via delle Regioni, 10 Cisterna di Latina (LT), 21:00
28 Feb. Bluegrass Jam, Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana, 66/68, Rome, 22:00. Info: 349/6694810
11 Mar. Auditorium 'Due Pini', Via Zandonai, 2 Rome, 21:00
21 Mar. Bibenda Cafè, Via Appia sud, 28 - Km 42900, Velletri, 22:00
27 Mar. The Stage Pub, Via degli Olmetti, Formello (RM), 22:00
28 Mar. Bluegrass Jam, Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana, 66/68 Rome, 22:00

Danilo Cartia website
MySpace
Facebook
ph. / fax +39 06 8273332
mob. +39 339 6908450

New Acoustic Gallery newsletter, Feb. 2010

The New Acoustic Gallery (NAG) in Solingen, Germany, invites readers of its February newsletter to say what artists they wish to see at the Gallery, and in what styles of music: 'Bluegrass? Jazz? Swing? Happyfeetjamgrass?'

Events already scheduled for 2010 include a concert by the Trio Vibracao on 13 November and a mandolin workshop with Jesper R. from 12 to 14 November. The NAG will have a presence at two major festivals: the European World of Bluegrass at Voorthuizen, the Netherlands (13-15 May) and the Eurofestival Zupfmusik in Bruchsal (3-5 June).

New products in the NAG include mandolins (right) by the Canadian luthier Michael Heiden (as used by John Reischmann); K & K pickups for guitar, banjo, and mandolin; tuners, metronomes, armrests, tailpieces, capos, and picks; books ranging from The Beatles for banjo to Jim Mills's Gibson Mastertone banjo book; and CDs by Mike Marshall and others.

For more details, see the NAG website or contact

Oliver Waitze
New Acoustic Gallery
Neuenhofer Str. 122
42657 Solingen
Germany
+49 (0)212/2474007
e-mail

New banjo DVD from Jens Kruger

As announced today on the Bluegrass Blog, Homespun Tapes have just released a new banjo instruction method, Jens Kruger’s banjo method for beginners, subtitled An easy and joyful way to start picking. Homespun says:

His is a completely different approach to learning to play the banjo: it’s liberating, inspiring, and will allow anyone to make music in minutes.

This is available from Homespun as a DVD or by direct download, and also from Amazon.

The Kruger Brothers will also be touring Europe in late March 2010. According to their schedule page (where more details are given), the dates are as follows:

Sat. 20 Mar. Eagle Music Shop Event, West Yorkshire, UK
Wed. 24 Mar. Tell Schauspielhaus, Altdorf UR, Switzerland
Fri. 26 Mar. Stadtcasino, Basel, Switzerland
Sat. 27 Mar. Yehudi Menuhin Forum, Bern, Switzerland
Sun. 28 Mar. Tonhalle, Kammermusiksaal, Zürich, Switzerland
Tues. 30 Mar. Prague, CZ; details TBA
Wed. 31 Mar. Bratislava, Slovakia; details TBA

Crooked Still in Europe, 21-27 Mar. 2010

Thanks to FOAOTMAD for the news that alternative bluegrass band Crooked Still have a few dates this side of the Atlantic in March - five in England, and the last in Sweden:

Sun. 21 Mar. St Bedes's, Chorley, Lancashire
Mon. 22 Mar. St Bonaventure's Club, Bristol
Tues. 23 Mar. The Borderline, London
Wed. 24 Mar. The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Thurs. 25 Mar. City Memorial Hall, Sheffield
Sat. 27 Mar. Folk Music Gala 2010, Uppsala, Sweden

More details are on the band's website.

UK concert for Haiti earthquake relief

The Sutton Acoustic Music Club in southern England announces a concert to raise funds for relief in Haiti. Half the programme will be bluegrass, and prominent bands and musicians from the British bluegrass scene will take part.

The concert will be held in the Good Shepherd Hall, Station Approach, Tadworth, Surrey, on Sunday 28 February 2010. The lineup is:

A Band like Alice (Bluegrass) TBC
The Andy Smythe Band (Folk and Americana)
Biggin Hillbillies (Bluegrass)
Monroe's Revenge (Bluegrass) TBC
Acoustic Astronauts (Americana)
International Men of Mystery (South American and Folk)
The Grasshoppers (Bluegrass and Americana)
Butt of Lewis (Folk)

Also featured are Bob Winquist (fiddle) & Mike Aston (mandolin), Geoff Chapman (singer/ guitarist), and Fr Michael Elfred (guitar), priest in charge of the church.

The concert begins at 7.00 p.m. and continues to 11.00 p.m. Admission is £10 on the door; donation boxes are also available, and there will be a raffle. All collections and ticketing are arranged by the church. For further info, contact Mike of the Acoustic Astronauts (+44 (0)7545326534).

Thanks to Richard F. Thompson of the BBMA for forwarding this news.

Belgium: concerts and other news

Les Impertinents (photo: Véronique Marchand)

Bluegrass in Belgium reports:

Dear friends

The Sons of Navarone give a free concert in Tervuren on Sunday 31 January at 20:00. The number of seats is limited, so you only get in by making a reservation by e-mail.

The Sons will also do a five-day tour in the UK in February. Details on their website. It seems the Sons are in great shape (except for one who has the 'flu and sounds more like a Snot of Navarone). They are on the cover of British Bluegrass News and will also be on the cover of the next issue of Bluegrass Europe magazine.

Belgium celebrates the arrival of a new bluegrassy band! Les Impertinents - with all except one member of the legendary Gold Rush.

Two American and one Dutch bluegrass bands are visiting Belgium soon: the Grascals, Hayseed Dixie, and 4 Wheel Drive. Check all details on the calendar of Bluegrass in Belgium.

1st Inishowen International Guitar Festival, 5-7 Feb. 2010

The schedule for Beppe Gambetta's forthcoming tour in Ireland, as given by the European Bluegrass Blog on 4 January, has now been supplemented and updated. Full details can be seen on the Old Flattop website of Nigel Martyn, organiser of the tour.

Beppe Gambetta's final shows in the tour will be as part of the 1st Inishowen International Guitar Festival at Culdaff, Co. Donegal, Ireland (5-7 February), where he will be the leading bluegrass exponent among many prominent guitarists from Ireland, the rest of Europe, and the USA.

Nigel Martyn is also organising a tour in Ireland during the 'EWOB period' by Uncle Monk (USA), a progressive old-time duo formed by Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan. More details are on the Old Flattop website and on the Bluegrass Ireland Blog for 21 January.

Uncle Earl / Fox Tower concert, 17 May 2010

Thanks to Andy Glandt (D) for the news that the Fox Tower Bluegrass Band have organised the following concert:

Monday 17 May 2010
Uncle Earl (USA) & Fox Tower Bluegrass Band (D)
AmVieh-Theater, 07616 Beulbar, Germany (near Jena), 7.30 p.m.

This concert can be added to the list of Uncle Earl tour dates previously shown on the European Bluegrass Blog.

May 2010: Worldwide Month of Bluegrass

The EBMA is now collecting dates of all bluegrass events happening in May 2010, and offers to feature any festivals in or near this period on the back of this year's EWOB Month T-shirt. Please send in information to the EBMA by e-mail.

The 2010 EWOB logotype will be available for download to be used on flyers for your events shortly. As usual, the EBMA will present an information booth at the EWOB Festival in Voorthuizen, the Netherlands (13-15 May 2010), which is organised under the auspices of EBMA by the EWOB Voorthuizen committee.

Kathy Kallick Band in Europe, May 2010

The Kathy Kallick Band bring their brand of 'hot bluegrass & cool originals' to Europe in May 2010. Kathy previously toured Europe four times with the Good Ol' Persons and twice with the Kathy Kallick Band.

Confirmed bookings to date - with (they hope) more to follow - include:
May 7: Copenhagen, Denmark
May 8: Willisau, Switzerland
May 9: Binningen, Switzerland
May 12: Dortmund, Germany
May 13: near Voorthuizen, Netherlands
May 14-15: European World Of Bluegrass
May 18: Hoofddorp, Netherlands
May 20: Vierzon, France

For this tour, Kathy is joined by band members Dan Booth (bass, vocals), Greg Booth (dobro, banjo, vocals), and Annie Staninec (fiddle), plus special guest Helmut Mitteregger (mandolin, vocals).

The band performs Kathy's song 'Wildflowers' on 30 Aug. 2009 here. The band's electronic press kit (with five tracks from their forthcoming album) is here.

Thank you & please don't hesitate to contact me for additional information -
Peter Thompson (e-mail)

Coming events in Norway

Ila Auto

Dagfinn Pedersen, EBMA board member, reports from the Norwegian Bluegrass Music Association that no fewer than five bands are currently about to release, or are working on, new CDs. The hard-working Ila Auto, whose debut CD won the Norwegian Best Country Album 2006 award, will release their third CD - predominantly original material, all in Norwegian - on 18 January, on the Universal Records label, with full national TV and radio promotion package.

Risør Bluegrass Festival (15-17 July 2010) is receiving the first significant financial support from central or local authorities in its nine years of existence. The festival website will soon open for enrolment in the workshop (for all bluegrass instruments, plus harmony singing and clawhammer banjo). EBMA members travelling to Risør from outside Norway will be eligible for a 50% discount. Dagfinn's full report, which will appear in the next Bluegrass Europe, can also be read here.

New from Denmark

Spencer Sorenson reports on behalf of Bluegrass Music Denmark (BMD):

Bluegrass Music in Denmark has just completed a successful year, in which ten concerts were presented in Copenhagen. Highlights of the year were the visits of Special Consensus (USA) in October and our annual multi-concert, or Bluegrass Night. This year there were three groups – Bluegrass Boulevard from Denmark, an overdue reunion with Monogram from the Czech Republic, and the first-time visit of the Sons of Navarone. Through the year we had bands from the US, Sweden, and Czech Republic as well as some of our local Danish bands.

Our spring program is in place, and we are presenting concerts by Cold Mountain Band from Sweden; G-Runs 'n Roses from the Czech Republic; John Lowell and John Moore from the USA; Grassride from Sweden; Bluedolls, a new band from Denmark; Kathy Kallick from the USA; and a double concert with Special Blend and the Copenhagen Mountain Boys.

Danish bluegrass was well represented at the IBMA Congress in Nashville this fall, as a group of about a half dozen took the trip across the Atlantic. All came home very pleased with the trip and ready to enjoy more bluegrass. They recommend a trip to IBMA for all bluegrass fans.

Our new website (in Danish) has improved communications with our members, and proved to be a popular addition to our services.

Contact Spencer Sorenson by e-mail.

Hayseed Dixie in Europe, 2010

The notorious Hayseed Dixie (USA) will soon begin their 'Killer grass' tour, to mark the release of their new album Killer grass. The tour is planned to run from the middle of February to around the end of October.

At present the band's itinerary lists dates in the following countries:

Ireland (18-22 Feb.)
Scotland (24 Feb.-1 March)
England (2-22 Mar.)
Spain (25-27 Mar.)
Italy (30-31 Mar.)
Switzerland (1-4 Apr.)
Austria (5-6 Apr.)
Germany (7-18 Apr.)
Denmark (20-23 Apr.)
Sweden (24 Apr., 10 May)
Norway (25 Apr.-1 May)
Finland (4-8 May)
Luxemburg (12 May)
Netherlands (13-16 May)
Belgium (17 May)
England and Wales (19-27 May)

More details of locations are on the band's website.

The bluegrass year ahead in France

Christopher Howard-Williams of the France Bluegrass Musique Association reports:

I start by wishing you all a very happy new year. Let's hope bluegrass in general, and the European scene in particular, enjoy a prosperous and fruitful year. I will see some of you at Bühl.

The south-west region of France, around Toulouse-Bordeaux, has become very active recently with a new association created in 2009 called 'Bluegrass en Gascogne', based in Mirande (home of an important country music festival). They are organising their second bluegrass jam weekend on 30-31 January near Rodez, hosted in the home of a musician who can sleep ten guests. For more information on this meet and on the association, please e-mail Georges Baret.

In the same region a new bluegrass band called Mama Dalton and the Bluegrass Boys is playing a gig near Toulouse on 15 January. I say 'new', but one of the musicians played with Spasmodic Bluegrass Convulsion, famous for being the driving force behind the Toulouse Bluegrass Festival in the early 1980s.

Meanwhile, don't forget if you are in Paris to visit the Saturday afternoon jams at AEGC. These take place every Saturday during school term time in the west of Paris at Garennes-Colombes.

The line-up for the Craponne Country Rendezvous is complete and includes three excellent bluegrass acts: the Grascals, Bradley, Gulley, and Fox, and the Quebe Sisters. Craponne is France's other major country music festival, hosting almost exclusively US bands (mainly from Texas). The festival is always one week before La Roche Bluegrass Festival, always showcases some good bluegrass, and has a fine campsite where FBMA squat a large area. The two festivals enjoy a special relationship and have brought bands over on exclusive partnerships for the past three years (Hickory Project, 3 Fox Drive, Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain) and again in 2010 (Bradley, Gulley, Fox). You may like to take in both festivals with a week's holiday in between (a three-hour drive): Craponne 23-25 July; La Roche 29 July-1 August.

France Bluegrass Musique Association
+33 450 03 42 04
(Mobile) +33 647 714 435
E-mail Christopher Howard-Williams
145 rue de la Croix
F - 74800 La Roche-sur-Foron

Bluegrass in the Netherlands, 2010

Rienk Janssen (with thanks to Adri Richter) reports:

On 16 January Leiden's Annual Picky Party will be held, organized by Adri Richter and Geert van Schoonderwoerd den Bezemer. This is an invitation only event, but it does not hurt if anybody who would like to go there contacts Adri by e-mail to see if there is still room...

Apart from the abundant jam sessions, there will be stage shows by the Lovables, Except-2, Lucy & the Man, Robert Allen Trio, Babes in the Grass, André Hendriks, New Lowland, Emmy & the Bluegrass Pals, Lazy Tater, Rocks & Ivy, Cajun Craze, Bont & Bluegrass, Heavy Clay, Whiskey Rose, and Brock & his Bluegrass Bunch.

Dolly, I Beg Your Pardon has a program of workshops and concerts for schools, elementary as well as high-school level.

Peter de Moor has renamed his Fiddle Tunes website, with a cool search option to browse through (up to now) 2,600 tunes.

The Northern Picking Party in Valthermond will be held on 27 March (invitation only; e-mail).

On Sunday 6 June this year's Boet'n Deure Muzikale Landdag will take place in Odoorn. Bands who would like to perform can apply by e-mail.

The 28th edition of the Big Bear Festival in Zuidlaren will be on 24 May - for more info e-mail Rienk Janssen.

New Acoustic Gallery newsletter, Jan. 2010

Oliver Waitze of the New Acoustic Gallery (NAG) sends the Gallery's January newsletter and all good wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year.

Mike Marshall's mandolin workshop will be held at the NAG on Sunday 17 January 2010 from 13:00 to c.17:00. Marshall has been a pioneer of acoustic music making for over thirty years, playing bluegrass, jazz, blues, Brazilian, and other music, and is the founder of the Mandolin Symposium Camp in Santa Cruz, California. The workshop will range from how to hold the instrument to playing solo Bach. Admission: €60.

A report by Martina Ruhmann of the concert in the NAG by Trio Vibracao on 31 Oct. 2009 can be read on the NAG website.

Oliver Waitze's 'Flatpicking bis Gypsyswing' workshop will be held from 31 July to 7 Aug. 2010 at the Albergo Poderino San Cristoforo, near Volterra in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. More info is available here or direct from Oliver Waitze via his own website or by 'phone (+49 0212/2474007).

New items coming into the NAG's stock of instruments include Oskar Graf guitars, a baritone guitar by Marc Beneteau, an AJL Gypsy guitar x-O 503, a Nechville Eclipse Banjo, and a Collings CW Dreadnought. Read the whole NAG newsletter here.

Oliver Waitze
New Acoustic Gallery
Neuenhofer Str. 122
42657 Solingen, Germany
Tel.: +49 0212/2474007
e-mail

Grascals in Europe, Feb. 2010

Thanks to Thierry Schoysman of Bluegrass in Belgium for the news that the multi-award-winning Grascals (USA) will be playing the following concerts in Europe at the end of February:

26-27 Feb. Schützenhaus Albisgütli, Uetlibergstrasse 341, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland (as part of the 26th Internationales Country Music Festival (29 Jan.-21 Mar. 2010))

28 Feb. Handelsbeurs, Kammerstraat 19, Ghent, Belgium

More details are on the Grascals' tour schedule.

Beppe Gambetta in Ireland, 28 Jan.-6 Feb.

World-class acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta will be playing seven shows in Ireland at the end of this month and in early February. The complete schedule, as it stands on his website, is as follows:

Jan. 28 Out To Lunch Festival, Black Box, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast, +44 2890 232403
Jan. 29 Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Fingal, Co. Dublin, +353 1 802 0898
Jan. 31 Colfers Bluegrass and Americana Weekend, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, +353 51 561159
Feb. 1 Kilworth Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, +353 87 792 1771
Feb. 4 The Crane, Sea Road, Galway, +353 91 587419
Feb. 5-6 Culdaff Inishowen Guitar Festival, McGrory's, Culdaff, Inishowen, Co. Donegal, +353 (0)74 937 9104

Gibson Brothers (USA) to perform exclusively at Oldenburg State Theater Sun, 11th April 2010

Picture: Eric & Leigh GibsonDC Bluegrass Union Fall ConcertNovember 2009Photo by Kendall Barrett

As an exclusive arrangement, the Gibson Brothers (USA) have been invited by the organisers (advised and supported by Oldenburg's own Klaus Grotelüschen, owner of Hillbillie Guesthouse) to play the beautiful State Theater in Oldenburg, Germany, on Sunday, 11th April, 7.30 pm. It is their first time in Europe.

"To say they've got the classic brother duet thing down is an understatement; they own it" says Michael Eck of "No Depression".

Tickets may be ordered from mid-February at the theater directly.
Ticket hotline phone +49 (0)441 22 25-111, fax + 49 (0)441 22 25-221
open from Mon - Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 10am through 1pm,
e-Mail: kasse@oldenburg.staatstheater.de

Bluegrass Jamboree! in Basle, 13 Dec. 2009

Steep Canyon Rangers

Thanks to Lilly Pavlak for news and photos of Rainer Zellner's Bluegrass Jamboree! Festival of Bluegrass & Americana Music 2009 at Basle (the standard English spelling), Switzerland, on 13 December, presented by Bluegrass in Basel (the standard German spelling).

Rainer's Music Contact agency created the first travelling festival in central Europe: three bands, a tour bus with driver, and a soundman, on a sixteen-day tour. The Basle concert, at 5.00 p.m. in the Halle QuerFeld, was the only one outside Germany. The old-time duo Beverly Smith & Carl Jones (USA),


with fiddle, banjo, guitars, and mandolin, opened the first set, followed by the British bluegrass/swing band Toy Hearts,

Toy Hearts: Sophia Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Steve Amadeo, Stewart Johnson

and finally by the award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers (USA), who took the audience by storm.

The final onstage jam: promoter Rainer Zellner (centre, at back of stage) joins in on mandolin

Guitar player Luca Bartolini (right), formerly with Red Wine and now with Bononia Grass, who came all the way from Genoa for the show, was invited to take part in the finale.