Nation & Blackwell Bluegrass Band in Ireland, 24 Jan.-8 Feb. 2014

The Nation & Blackwell Bluegrass Band: (l-r) Gary Davis, Chuck Nation, Curtis Blackwell, Susan Nation

Well, the bluegrass enthusiast in Ireland can't complain of a lack of visiting artists or a slow start to the New Year. Even before High Plains Tradition from Colorado have left our shores, another powerful tradition-based band are coming in: the Nation & Blackwell Band from Georgia are making a welcome return visit after their tour eighteen months ago (see the BIB for 15 May 2012). This time they're staying a little longer; Gary 'Biscuit' Davis will be on banjo in place of Jim Pankey; and they will have their 2013 album On a high, high mountain.

Thanks to John Lawless of Bluegrass Today for a feature on the tour and a list of dates, which we show below. Never mind the BT title saying 'heading to the UK' - three of the fourteen dates are in the UK.

Fri. 24th Jan.: Seamus Ennis Cultural Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Sat. 25th: Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Sun. 26th: Festival of American Country, Bluegrass and Roots, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford
Mon. 27th: The Stage Inn @ Mick Murphys, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare
Tues. 28th: Cunningham's Upstairs Venue, Main St., Kildare, Co. Kildare
Wed. 29th: Barry’s, Grange, Co. Sligo
Thurs. 30th: The Black Box Theatre, Belfast
Fri. 31st: Regional Cultural Arts Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Sat. 1st Feb. Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Sun. 2nd: Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co. Mayo
Mon. 3rd: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork
Thurs. 6th: St John’s Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Fri. 7th: Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Sat. 8th: Marketplace Theatre, Armagh city, Co. Armagh