A work in progress

The Bluegrass Ireland Blog (BIB) keeps its calendar updated, publishes news received, and adds new features whenever they come to mind. Send in news or queries by e-mail, please; we can't send a direct reply to a comment on a post. The BIB does not do reviews.

Thinking of touring in Ireland? Look at the BIB's THINKING OF TOURING IN IRELAND? page. Click on the 'Welcome' label below for more about the BIB's background, purpose, and uses.

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA) for Ireland, 28 Feb.-10 Mar. 2018

The BIB editor writes:

The BIB's THINKING OF TOURING IN IRELAND? page remarks of Chris Jones that 'Chris has toured a lot in Europe (though not yet, unfortunately, in Ireland).' That hole is about to be filled. Thanks to Nigel Martyn and his Old Flattop agency for the news that Chris Jones & the Night Drivers will tour Ireland from 28 February till 10 March 2018.

The band is Chris Jones (guitar, lead vocals) with Mark Stoffel (mandolin), Gina Clowes (banjo), and the legendary Jon Weisberger (bass). Their command of traditional and contemporary bluegrass is underlined by the reputation they've earned for very strong original material.

Nigel has arranged an eleven-day tour with the band playing every night - in Cookstown, Westport, Armagh, Naul, Banteer, Kilworth, Sixmilebridge, Belfast, Dun Laoghaire, Carrig-on-Bannow, and Roscrea. Full details will be announced in due course.

Michael Miles (USA) in Clarinbridge, 4 Nov. 2017

As the BIB reported on 19 Oct., the great clawhammer banjo maestro Michael J. Miles of Chicago (left) will be performing in concert at Paddy Burke’s in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, on this coming Saturday (4 Nov.), having received a standing ovation there in spring 2013.

Tom Cussen of Clareen Banjos in Clarinbridge, who is sponsoring the concert in association with the Clarinbridge Arts Group, sends the news that doors will open at 8.15 p.m. The show will start about 8.45 with an introductory set of 15-20 minutes by tenor-banjo player Brian McGrath. Michael Miles's set will begin at about 9.10 / 9.15 p.m.

New tab book from Jim Pankey

Many will remember Jim Pankey's appearances in Ireland, most recently last year as a member of the Hamilton County Ramblers (USA) at the Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree and elsewhere, and as an instructor at the first Bluegrass Camp Ireland. As well as his performance and instructional videos on YouTube, he also produces tablatures for sale, both for bluegrass and for clawhammer banjo.

Thanks to Bluegrass Today for the news that Jim now has a new tab book, 32 arrangements and ideas for bluegrass banjo. The list of tunes and other details are on Bluegrass Today; the book can be bought online here.