Barry & Holly Tashian & E-5 Band (USA): Irish tour, 20-30 Oct. 2016

The E-5 Band: (l-r) Emily Cantrell, Al Cantrell, Al Goll,
Holly Tashian, Barry Tashian

On St Patrick's day this year, Roger Ryan of the Country Music Association of Ireland sent the good news that Barry and Holly Tashian and the E-5 Band (also known as 'the Eclectic Five'), comprising some of the most widely experienced artists in the fields of bluegrass and related music, will be on tour in Ireland from Thursday 20 Oct. to Sunday 30 Oct. For those who don't yet know them, we can't do better than reproduce Roger's press release:

Barry and Holly and the Eclectic Five offer what promises to be an evening of extraordinary music and merriment.

Barry and Holly Tashian (guitar, upright bass, and vocals) have toured worldwide and made numerous appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, 'A Prairie Home Companion', and many other international radio and television programs. Their songs have been recorded by Kenny Rogers, Solomon Burke, Daniel O’Donnell, Mick Flavin, and others. In 1966 Barry and his band The Remains opened for the Beatles’ last American tour. From 1980 to 1989 Barry toured and recorded with Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band. Since 1972 Barry and Holly have recorded seven award-winning albums for Rounder Records, Copper Creek, and Strictly Country.

Al and Emily Cantrell (guitar, fiddle, and vocals) have been featured on Mountain Stage, Riders Radio Theater, Folk Sampler, eTown, and River City Folk, as well as numerous other nationally syndicated radio programs. Their four critically acclaimed albums are on radio playlists worldwide and include the talents of Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, and Riders in the Sky. Robert Redford hand-picked them to play old-time music on-screen in his hit movie A river runs through it. 'She sings like an angel, he plays like the devil.' (The Tennessean)

Al Goll (Dobro) is an adjunct professor of Dobro at Belmont Academy of Music, and a regular performer and contributor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe playing country, bluegrass, and Hawaiian music. He last performed at the Frist Center, Nashville, with Al Nobriga.

Roger also sends the schedule of dates so far confirmed - in addition to the two days shown as free, the evening of Fri. 21 Oct. is open at present.

Thurs. 20th: St John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m.; 068 22566
Fri. 21st: Recital, Cork City Library, 11.00 a.m.
Sat. 22nd: Private event, 12.00 noon
Sat. 22nd: Recital, St Michael’s church, Blackrock, Cork, 6.00 p.m.
Sat. 22nd: Rockies Club, Blackrock, Cork, 9.30 p.m.; 087 2944821
Sun. 23rd: Bunratty Bluegrass Festival, Bunratty, Co. Clare, 3.00 p.m.; 087 7921771
Mon. 24th: Visit to Lord Mayor, City Hall, Cork
Mon. 24th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771
Tues. 25th: Free
Wed. 26th: IMRO showcase in Dublin, 7.00-9.30 p.m.
Thurs. 27th: Drive back to Cork
Fri. 28th: Spells Bar, Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon
Sat. 29th: Balla Bluegrass Festival, Mannion's Bar, Main St., Balla, Co. Mayo
Sun. 30th: Free

For further information and bookings contact Roger Ryan, 087 2944821.