Stolen Bacon & Day Silver Bell banjo

Bluegrass in Belgium sends the sad news that banjo- and guitar-player Guy 'Le Strobbe' Stroobant lost his Bacon & Day Silver Bell 5-string banjo yesterday when it was stolen at the Grain d'Orge in Brussels, where he and his band had been playing.

The banjo - his professional equipment and his sole treasure - has belonged to him since 1968. Guy, who learned how to play it from the late Derroll Adams (1925-2000), can be seen playing the Silver Bell in several videos on YouTube. He is devastated by its loss.

Musicians and lovers of music and instruments are asked to spread the news and keep their eyes open, everywhere where such an instrument may be found or offered for sale.

Hamawe Roots Festival, 26-7 May 2012

The Hamawe Roots Festival will be held on 26-7 May 2012 at the Roiseux d'Hamawé farm just off the N82 between Virton and Arlon in Belgium. The festival programme has a strong backbone of Cajun music, headed by the Savoy Family Band (USA) and several French Cajun bands, with plenty of Cajun food available.

Bluegrass and old-time music are represented by two bands from Belgium - Blue Maxx (photo above; also to be seen on YouTube) and the Straps - and the Rockridge Brothers from Sweden. Full details in French and English are on the Festival website.

G-runs 'n Roses join forces with master guitarist Ondra Kozák

G-RUNS 'N ROSES - hard drivin' bluegrass

Following yesterday's post, here's the band's official press release about the strong new line-up. The energetic bluegrass band is becoming "hard drivin' bluegrass":

G-runs 'n Roses from the Czech Republic are proud to announce that they have teamed up with guitar ace Ondra Kozák. Apart from being one of the country’s most admired guitarists and a fine singer, he is also an accomplished fiddle player. This means that G-runs 'n Roses are now blessed with the luxury of twin-fiddles, which is set to become one of the band's strongest assets.
The new line-up sees founding member and guitarist Ralph Schut moving to the position of banjo player for the group, which leaves him highly motivated to fill the mighty big shoes of Michal Wawrzyczek, who is leaving the band to pursue his own musical dream.
Completing the line-up are Martin Burza on fiddle, Tomáš Kubín on acoustic bass and Milan Marek on mandolin.
The new line-up is already performing and preparing fresh material for the group’s upcoming album release, which is scheduled to appear next spring.

More information on the band, its members, recordings and tour dates can be found on the band’s brand new website at www.g-runs.com

G-Runs 'n Roses at Bühl: a new look

Thanks to Wolfgang Mark of the Bühl city press office for the news that G-Runs 'n Roses (CZ) will be appearing in a new configuration at the 10th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival just over a week from now (4-5 May 2012).

The lineup, as now shown on the band's website and in the above photo (l-r) is Tomáš Kubín (upright bass), Ondra Kozák (guitar, fiddle, vocals), Ralph Schut (banjo, guitar, vocals), Martin Burza (fiddle, vocals), and Milan Marek (mandolin, vocals). Details of their appearances at Bühl are on the online Festival programme.

Leeds Bluegrass Club celebrates thirty years

The Ken Tardley Playboys, resident band in 2002

The Leeds Bluegrass Club in northern England is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. Thanks to Ivor (surname unknown), who writes:

In a country where bluegrass is pretty thin on the ground, it's a pretty remarkable achievement to have kept the monthly gig going for such a long time. It's hard to believe that the cramped little 6" high 'stage' saw the likes of Del McCoury, Bob Paisley & the Southern Grass, and Peter Rowan play there in the early days (apparently 80 people showed up for Peter Rowan - and they had to take out all the seats & tables to squeeze every one in)...

Held at the Grove Inn, Leeds, on the last Thursday of the month, more recent European visitors have included the excellent Sons of Navarone and 4 Wheel Drive, plus UK acts like Dalebilly, Down County Boys, Chill Until Blue, and the Britannia Bluegrass Band... Whatever's on offer, whether it's scratch bands pulled from the back room picking sessions, or a special guest, it's usually worthwhile and I figured Kevin Garratt [shown in 2002 in the photo on right] and John Bennett deserve a 'shout' for keeping the bluegrass flag waving for so long!

A report by Pete Wraith on the Club's first twenty years, with a list of artists who had played there in that time, can be seen on the North West Bluegrass News website, from which these photos are taken.

Wagon Tales (UK): latest tour and CD news

Following on from the news posted on the EBB on 6 Feb. 2012, Ben Somers, bass player for London-based 'alt. bluegrass' group the Wagon Tales, reports that the band will be backing and collaborating with American singer/songwriter Krystle Warren on her UK tour in May. The band's credentials in roots music - a deep influence on her own music - make them well qualified to play as her band on the UK dates.

They will be appearing with her on 22 May at Dingwalls in Camden, London, and as part of the Brighton Festival on 24 May at All Saint's Church in Brighton, Sussex. The Wagon Tales have also just finished their first full studio album of completely original material, which will be released later this year.

Their other coming show dates at festivals and concerts include two in Sweden (Stockholm, 4 May; Gothenburg, 5 May). More details are on the band's online tour schedule.

Tourdates Eddie & Martha Adcock with Tom Gray in Europe

As announced in EBB on 7th February, Eddie & Marcha Adcock with Tom Gray were invited to play the Banjo Jamboree in Caslav, CZ, and are now announcing some more gigs Europe in June 2012. Thanks to Lilly Pavlak for updating us with the following dates:

• Saturday, 16th June, Banjo Jamboree, Caslav, Czech Republic
• Sunday, 17th June, Pflegehofsaal, Langenau (near Ulm), Germany, 7 p.m.
• Monday, 18th June, Haberhaus, Neustadt 51, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, 8.p.m.
• Tuesday, 19th June, TBA
• Wednesday, 20th June, TBA
• Thursday, 21th June, Beavers Miltenberg (near Frankfurt), Germany, 8 p.m. 
• Friday, 22nd June, Toogenblik, Brussels, Belgium, 8.30 p.m.
• Saturday, 23th June, Partycentrum "De Vriendschap", Wadway 22, 1715 GZ SPANBROEK, The Netherlands, Reservation phone +31 229 57 1448

Look out for an acoustic treat!

Danilo Cartia Band in Rome, 27-8 Apr. 2012

Banjo- and guitar-player, singer, and bandleader Danilo Cartia reports from Italy that the Danilo Cartia Band will be journeying through bluegrass, acoustic blues, and the sonorities of traditional North American ballads as far as 'rockgrass' on Friday 27 April at the Cantine Blues, Via della Batteria Nomentana 66/68, and on 28 April at the McTower Pub, Via della Rustica 1. Both shows are in Rome; both shows begin at 22:00; and to both shows, admission is free.

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

Punch Brothers in Europe, July 2012

Thanks to UKBluegrass.com for the news that the Punch Brothers (USA) will be back in Europe in July 2012. The dates at present on their tour schedule are:

July 6 Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark, 6.00 p.m.
July 7 KNUST, Hamburg, Germany, 9.00 p.m.
July 10 La Flèche d'Or, Paris, France, 8.00 p.m.
July 12 Latitude Festival (12-15 July), Southwold, England, 6.00 p.m.
July 14 Larmer Tree Festival, Salisbury, England, 7.00 p.m.
July 15 Hard Rock Calling, London, England, 6.00 p.m.
July 17 Whelan's, Dublin, Ireland, 8.00 p.m.

Further details, including venue website links, location maps, and online ticket purchase facilities, are on the band's tour page.

Next 'Criffel Creek' playlist

Thanks to C. Paul Lyttle of Scotland, who sends the latest playlist for his 'Criffel Creek' radio show (see the separate EBB post on radio playlists):

Here is my 20 May playlist, and there are a few new surprises in it - courtesy of some very kind American and Canadian musicians who went to the trouble of sending me CDs. John Prine is my featured artist. Listen to the show for more details.

Did you realise there is now a 'Listen Again' button? if you miss the live show, it remains online for seven days and should be loaded two hours after it has been presented.

Please note there will be a three-week gap between the 29 April and 20 May shows instead of the usual two weeks.

Cripple Creek Cloggers wish to meet European musicians

Thanks to Lilly Pavlak for the news that the Cripple Creek Cloggers from Rutherford County, central Tennessee, will be touring in the Baltic States in the first half of July 2012, performing at festivals in Latvia and Lithuania.

The Cripple Creek Cloggers, nationally known as 'Tennessee's only authentic Appalachian-style cloggers, offering a festive celebration in rhythm and dance', toured the Czech Republic in 2010. For their 2012 trip, they are looking for some bluegrass musicians in Europe who might be interested in working with the troupe during their tour (2-16 July).

Any help will be greatly appreciated. For further information, contact Steve Cates by e-mail.

European fiddler wins West Tennessee contest

Fiddler Ivor Ottley, originally from England, resident for some years in the west of Ireland, and now a regular member of the Downhill Bluegrass Band in Sweden, is at present in the USA, where he has just won the title of West Tennessee's overall champion fiddler at the 56th Old Time Bluegrass and Fiddlers' Jamboree in Holladay, TN (20-21 Apr.). In response to our congratulations, Ivor writes:

I had no idea it was also the West Tennessee championship till they told me afterwards. I won the 19-to-55-year-old category and then had a playoff against the senior champion. Somehow I won that too, which then made me the overall champ... I love it here, and everyone is very friendly and supportive. I felt very humbled to win it, and to be so welcomed by everyone here.

Over $6,000 in cash prizes were distributed during the Jamboree. The results are not yet on the Jamboree's website, but this photo of Ivor outside the main venue comes from its Facebook page. Thanks to Anne Christenson of the Hillfillies for sending in this news.

Update 24 Apr.: Thanks to Steve Holladay, webmaster for the Jamboree, who sends a message of appreciation for coverage of the event, and adds:

I have the winners posted now and am working on updating links, uploading videos, and what not. Here is a link to a few videos of Ivor playing in our contest.

Bluegrass on the air in Alsace

Walter Fuchs, country music historian, radio presenter, and organiser of the Bühl Bluegrass Festival in southern Germany, reports:

Yesterday in Strasbourg, Alsace, we really had a good time with our radio MCs. For two hours, from 10.00 a.m. till high noon, I had the chance to answer questions and talk about the 10th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival, and of course to play music from our lineup this year. That took place at the brand new studio of Radio 'Arc-en-Ciel' in Strasbourg. Beside me and Marianne, there were DJ Marion Lacroix, DJ and interpreter Jacques Neufeld (both Radio 'Arc-en-Ciel'), and part of the time a DJ from Radio 'Frequence Verte', Jacky Kuhn, was present. [The photo above shows (l-r) Walter Fuchs, Jacques Neufeld, Marion Lacroix; in front, Jacky Kuhn]

After the programme we had lunch in a very old traditional restaurant at the outskirts of Strasbourg. It's a restaurant where Kaiser Wilhelm II usually made a stop and had a good time on his way to the Hohkönigsburg, when he restored that old ruin and built it up again. That's a great attraction since. Bluegrass music is very much alive in Alsace, and there's quite a bunch of radio stations over there that are running weekly country/bluegrass programmes.

Covered Grass invited to official IBMA showcase

As announced in the latest Music Contact newsletter yesterday, Covered Grass (D) have been invited to take part in the official showcase programme at IBMA'S World of Bluegrass 2012 in Nashville this coming September - the first band from Germany to have achieved this. Several bands from Canada are also giving this year's showcase schedule a strong international character. A full list can be seen on Bluegrass Today.

Covered Grass consists of (l-r in photo above) Joon Laukamp (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Volker Fisher (banjo, vocals), Corina Aurin (vocals), Carsten Manz (bass, vocals), and Ralph Bonfanti (guitar). More details are on the band's website.

Oldest Italian bluegrass band in a new lineup

Bluegrass Stuff, founded in 1977, can claim to be the oldest bluegrass band in Italy and one of the oldest in Europe; but when the band takes the stage at the 10th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival in Germany, just over two weeks from now (4-5 May 2012), there will be several new and younger faces in the lineup - as shown in the above photo.

Massimo Gatti (vocals, mandolin), Ruben Minuto (vocals, guitar), Matteo Ringressi (vocals, banjo), Colm Murphy (fiddle; from Cork in southern Ireland), and Icaro Gatti (bass) will also be joined by Swiss lead singer Tabea Anderfuhren (vocals, guitar). At the 'Bluegrass Metropolis' of Bühl they will be performing on the open-air stage in the Johannesplatz at 10:30 as well as their two concert sets in the Bürgerhaus Neuer Markt (14:00, 19:00).

Tickets are available from the Bürgerhaus Neuer Markt, or via this link. More information and contact data are on the Festival website.

New release from Little Black Train

Barn dance, the second CD from 'oldternative' band Little Black Train (USA), was officially released on Tuesday 17 Apr. 2012 by Native Home Records, and for a limited time the band are giving away a free download of the first track. The entire record can be streamed at this link.

Little Black Train consists of Kenny Blackwell (mandolin, guitar, vocals), John Weed (fiddle, vocals), and Stuart Mason (lead vocals, guitar, mandola, banjo). The twelve tracks on Barn dance include blues and gospel songs from the Deep South; material from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and Charlie Poole, as well as from Mason's family background in West Virginia; and Irish dance tunes. Weed and Mason are also members of Molly's Revenge (USA), a California-based Celtic group who performed at Celtic Connections in Glasgow in 2009, and Mason has played in Ireland with Rattlesnake Creek (USA) at the International Traditional Music Festival in Feakle, Co. Clare.

'The Masters of the Acoustic Guitar', Prague, 24 May 2012

 
Thanks to Rosťa Čapek and Iva Louková for this news:

Dear friends,

Let us invite you to our new concert, 'The Masters of the Acoustic Guitar'. We will introduce Mike Marshall (USA), who is not only one of the world´s best mandolinists but also a fantastic guitar player. You will see also David Doruzka (CZ), Paul O´Brien (CAN), Sammy Vomacka (D), Stano Palúch (SK), Martino Coppo (I), Michal Vavro (SK), Ondra Kozak (CZ), and others. You will hear various styles of acoustic guitar music: jazz, blues, ragtime, Brazilian choro, folk or bluegrass.

The concert takes place in the concert hall of the Pyramida Hotel in Prague 6, on Thursday 24 May, 7.30 p.m. The great exhibition of acoustic guitars made by the best Czech and Slovak makers and the exhibition of historic guitars from the Czech Republic and the USA is part of the concert and opens at 4.30 p.m. Information and tickets (from €12 to €29) at the Čapek Instruments website and via e-mail. We are looking forward to you,

Rosťa Čapek and Iva Louková

BE #83 - on its way soon

The editorial team of Bluegrass Europe, the official magazine of the EBMA, apologise for the delayed appearance of the April-June 2012 issue:

The reasons are easily described with one word, 'life'. Both chief editor and graphic designer had to cope with some life issues, which kept us from being on time. This should not be an excuse, and we'll try to be on time with the summer issue.

There are a whole lot of personalities featured and other topics covered in the upcoming number:

Editorial - EBMA NEWS - Alecia Nugent (interview) - Rawhide - BluegrassDuinen (News Europe) - CD Releases and book review - Berkenroth BG-Festival - Ted Lehmann: Essay - Concert & Festival Calendar - News US - Bluegrass im Klosterhof - Bühl Festival - Bluegrass LP Project - Earl Scruggs - Gibson Brothers - Danilo Cartia - Svata Kotas - EBMA’s European Bluegrass Guide

If you want a copy, make sure to join EBMA through this link; or subscribe here for Bluegrass Europe.

Bühl looks to the future

Walter Fuchs reports from Bühl, Germany, that a press conference on the forthcoming 10th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival was held at 11:00 on Thursday 12 April 2012 at Bühl.

In addition to the programme already advertised for the Festival, it was announced that on Saturday 5 May a special open mic stage will be set up in front of the town hall for jammers to perform between 10:30 and 13:30. Among them will be two complete bands: Mart O'Pickers (below left) from Strasbourg, France, and Back Porch Pickers (below right) from Kehl, Germany. This will be in addition to the regular open-air stage shows in the Johannesplatz on Saturday morning, featuring bands from the concert schedule: Tabea & Bluegrass Stuff (CH/I) 10:30-11:00, and G-Runs `n Roses (CZ) 12:00-12:30.

Dates were also announced at the press conference for the next two International Bühl Bluegrass Festivals: 3-4 May 2013 and 2-3 May 2014. Large features on the festival have subsequently appeared in the regional newspapers, the Acher- und Bühler Bote and Badisches Tagblatt.

Earl Scruggs Tributes Archived at WSM Online

Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM 650 AM Radio host Eddie Stubbs has sent important and interesting news regarding two recent WSM Radio broadcasts now available for listening online. Both programs focus on legendary pioneer musician Earl Scruggs, who passed away on March 28.

WSM Radio is offering two historic programs in their online archive section for a limited time only. For those of us who are Earl Scruggs fans and friends these two programs provide an opportunity to learn more about the musician, as well as the man behind the public image.

The archived broadcasts include the Celebration of Life (Earl's funeral service) from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee; and the Eddie Stubbs' "On-Air Tribute to Earl Scruggs".

Celebration of Life  [1:59] 
broadcast on WSM Radio - April 1, 2012
Invited musicians and speakers included: Master of Ceremonies, Eddie Stubbs - The Del McCoury Band - Ricky Skaggs - The Whites: Buck, Sharon & Cheryl - Bela Fleck - Charlie Daniels - Emmylou Harris - John McKuen - Jim Mills - Marty Stuart - Vince Gill - Patty Loveless.

The Eddie Stubbs Show "On-Air Tribute to Earl Scruggs"  [2:33]
broadcast on WSM Radio - April 4, 2012

Eddie Stubbs first came onto the music scene as a fiddler with the Johnson Mountain Boys bluegrass band in 1979. Eddie's extensive knowledge of American Country and Blue Grass music history is well respected by his peers and scholars worldwide. Those of you who have heard Eddie's historic tribute shows in the past are aware of his respect for, and personal relationships with, music legends and pioneers. This tribute show is no exception. Earl Scruggs had the utmost respect for his friend and colleague Eddie Stubbs. In this very special broadcast Eddie reveals his admiration, respect, and love for Earl. Eddie provides us all with an amazing retrospective of the life history of one of the great musical innovators of all time as he honors the late Earl Scruggs.

 Click to listen to these archived programs at:  wsmonline.com

Foghorn Stringband in Europe, May 2012

Caleb Klauder (mandolin), Reeb Willms (guitar), Nadine Landry (bass), Stephen 'Sammy' Lind (fiddle)

Thanks to Nadine Landry, bass player for the Foghorn Stringband, for details of the tour that the celebrated old-time band from Portland, OR, USA, will be playing in Europe next month. This list includes details not yet on the band's online tour schedule.

May 1 Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland
May 2 McCann's Bar, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland
May 3 Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
May 4 The Grand Social, Dublin city, Ireland, with I Draw Slow
May 5 The Crane Bar, Galway city, Ireland, with I Draw Slow
May 7 Feile Na Bealtaine, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland
May 9 Kilworth Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, Ireland
May 10-13 Fiddle Fair, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland, with Dirk Powell

May 16 Mello Mello, Liverpool, England
May 18 The Masons Arms, London, England
May 19 The Snug Club, Cromer, Norfolk, England
May 20 The Three Horseshoes, Towersey, England
May 21 What's Cooking, London, England
May 22 House Concert @42, Edinburgh, Scotland

May 24 Le Bibarium, Geneva, Switzerland
May 25 La Parenthese, Nyon, Switzerland
May 26 Le Cabinet, Geneva, Switzerland
May 27 Bain des Pâquis, Geneva, Switzerland
May 29 TBA, France

2nd Country Normandy Festival, 24-6 Aug. 2012

Thanks to the Country France Newsletter for the news that the 2nd Country Normandy Festival (24-6 August 2012) at Maltot, Basse Normandie (12 km from Caen), will include a contest for younger bands from that region and the adjoining départements.

It is open to groups from every genre of country music (including bluegrass) and is aimed at encouraging and promoting those who produce original material on the French country music scene. Winners of the first and second prizes will receive a professionally mixed and mastered recording of their material as a promotional tool in developing their careers. Full details can be found on the Festival website. Bands who are interested are advised to apply quickly!

The Porchlight Sessions needs help

What looks like being an important documentary film on bluegrass is in an advanced stage of completion but needs the support of bluegrass enthusiasts everywhere. The film, The Porchlight Sessions, aims at showing (in the words of its makers) 'the evolution of the bluegrass sound told through the voices of the community... We are trying to make this film the most beautiful and best sounding representation of bluegrass culture to date'. In addition, it sets out to change mistaken perceptions both of the culture of bluegrass music and of the wider culture from which it springs.

For more info, as well as the project's own website, it is the subject of the latest e-bulletin from Compass Records, and John Lawless publishes a major feature today on Bluegrass Today, including a long interview with director Anna Schwaber on the background and making of the film. Lawless says:

Using stunning visuals, compelling content, and the sort of quick cuts and multiple images on screen that will be familiar to younger viewers and followers of independent film, this project is poised to penetrate the consciousness of potential bluegrass lovers who might not have discovered it otherwise.

The project is now at a critical stage of funding to bring it to completion, and donations are sought through the Kickstarter channel. A trailer can be seen on the internet sites mentioned above, and on the Porchlight Sessions Kickstarter page, where donations can be pledged. The project can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

Lilly of the West CD release at Studio 5, 3 Apr. 2012

Thanks to Lilly Drumeva for this news:

On Tuesday 3 April Bulgaria’s only country/bluegrass band, Lilly of the West, celebrated the release of their ninth album, Swings & heartaches, at Studio 5 in the National Palace of Culture, Sofia.

Lilly of the West (Yasen Vasilev, guitar; Michail Shishkov, dobro and piano; Svoboda Bozduganova, upright bass; Lilly Drumeva, fiddle and lead vocals) were supported by guest musicians Michal Barok (top mandolin player from Slovakia), Milena Vuleva (leading violinist from the Bulgarian conservatory), and Rosen Hristov (banjo virtuoso and founding member of Lilly of the West).

The concert was presented by Bulgarian radio legend Toma Sprostranov, who was telling the story behind each song and calling on stage some of the people involved in the production of the album - Stamen Yanev (mix and mastering), Stanislav Donev (recording), Ivan Kolovoz (art photography), and Sean O’Reilly (internet marketing).

Opening speeches were held by Mr Karol Mistrik, ambassador of Slovakia, and Mr Ken Moskowitz, counsellor of public affairs of the US embassy. Lilly of the West performed tracks from the new album, a full description of which appeared on the EBB on 5 Mar. 2012.

Lilly of the West was formed in 1996 by Lilly Drumeva in Sofia. Shortly after releasing a debut album, the band toured successfully throughout Europe and the US, winning European and international bluegrass music awards. Lilly of the West has a large repertoire, including country, bluegrass, swing, jazz, pop and Bulgarian folk music. More info here.

Good wishes for Easter

Wishing you all a Happy & Sunny Easter, from the Czech Republic -

Lilly Pavlak

New Acoustic Gallery newsletter, Apr. 2012

Thanks to Oliver Waitze (left) of the New Acoustic Gallery (NAG) in Solingen, Germany, for the NAG's April 2012 newsletter, which can be downloaded as a pdf format document, or viewed on the news pages of the NAG website.

The website itself has a new layout, and instruments now in stock at the NAG include a 1962 Gibson RB-100 banjo with Tony Pass rim; Deering banjos in 4-, 5-, and 6-string format; a 1957 Fender solid-body electric mandolin; and an 'Audrey' model gypsy jazz guitar in birdseye maple by the Spanish luthier Geronimo Mateos. Oliver Waitze will be giving a week-long flatpicking guitar workshop (21-28 July 2012) at Poderino San Christophoro in Tuscany, Italy.

Argentinian guitarist Enrique Corea, a former member of the David Grisman Quintet, will be performing in concert at the NAG on 2 June 2012. Full details are in the NAG newsletter.

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

Henhouse Prowlers in Belgium this month

As reported on the EBB on 14 Mar. 2012, the Chicago-based Henhouse Prowlers bluegrass band are on tour in western Europe this month.

Bluegrass in Belgium draws attention to the fact that most - at least a dozen - of their shows during the tour will be in Belgium. The full list can be seen on their online tour schedule.

Press conference (12 Apr.) for 10th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival

A press conference on the forthcoming 10th International Bühl Bluegrass Festival will be held at 11:00 on Thursday 12 April 2012 in Rathaus I, Alter Trausaal, Hauptstraße 47, 77815 Bühl, Germany.

Anyone wishing to take part should contact the Bühl city press office by e-mail for a form, which should be returned by fax (see contact details below).

The Festival itself will be held on 4-5 May 2012. Headline acts are the Gibson Brothers (USA; top right) and Alecia Nugent (USA; above), with Oh My Darling (CAN), Bluegrass 43 (F), G-Runs `n Roses (CZ), and Tabea & Bluegrass Stuff (CH/I). Full details with photos and band website links are on the Festival website.

Wolfgang Mark
Stadt Bühl, Pressearbeit
Tel. +39 (0 72 23) 9 35-2 82, Fax -2 89
E-mail
Rathaus I, Hauptstraße 47, 77815 Bühl
Postfach 1665, 77806 Bühl

Second Irish act signed by Pinecastle Records

The 'neo-old-time' band I Draw Slow (shown in the above photo), based in Dublin, Ireland, has just joined the artist roster of the prominent US bluegrass label Pinecastle Records - the second Irish act to do so, following the lead of singer/songwriter, bandleader, and broadcaster Niall Toner.

I Draw Slow state on their Twitter page: 'We are very very excited!'.