Dale Ann headlines Bluegrass Festival

Ireland’s foremost bluegrass festival takes place in the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh on 1-3 September. This is the 26th year of the festival, which attracts a large and loyal clientele on an annual basis.

The Bluegrass in the Park sessions are especially popular with day trippers, and run from noon until 6pm. There are also the special concerts on Friday and Saturday night, and the Sunday evening Bluegrass Gospel concert.

The headline act at the big show on Saturday night is Dale Ann Bradley and her band. The Kentucky lady is a five-times winner of the Female Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year award in the USA, and enjoyed a major reception on a previous visit to the Omagh festival. Rackhouse Pilfer from Sligo are another major attraction on the Saturday night show. The six-piece band will bring their unique sound, energy and versatility to the festival stage, and return by popular demand. The Henry Sisters from Donegal also feature on this show, as do Robirohi, an acclaimed bluegrass group from Estonia who have impressed European audiences for many years. Others featuring over the weekend are The Dirty Beggars (Scotland), Viper Central (Canada), Flats & Sharps (England), Old Hannah (Sligo), Geordie McAdam (Down), Roots Revival (Armagh), The Whileaways (Galway), Mules & Men (Dublin), Clew Bay Critters (Mayo), Richie Foley and Paddy Kiernan (Cork), Watery Hill Boys (Louth), Northern Exposure (Armagh) and the Broken String Band (Down). Check out the 26th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Festival on Facebook, or call the Ulster American Folk Park for all the details.

Elle Marie’s Charleville night

Elle Marie O’Dwyer will launch her new album, On A Day Like This, in the Charleville Park Hotel on Thursday, 24 August. The traditional singer from Cork will be joined by various artists on the night, including the Shandrum Céilí Band and PJ Murrihy. Admission is €10 and the show starts around 8.30pm.

Kenny in Bray

Nashville singer-songwriter Kenny Foster is over for his first UK/Ireland tour this month, to celebrate the worldwide release of his album Deep Cuts. Kenny, who hails from Joplin, Missouri, is doing a show in The Harbour Bar, Bray on Thursday, 24 August. He then heads across the Irish Sea to perform three dates in England, before returning to the USA.

The Day Merle Haggard Died

Armagh man Seamus Delaney has released a new single. The Day Merle Haggard Died is a class recording from Seamus, who sings country from the heart. The song is taken from his new album, which is due for release in early September.

Daddy’s Lessons

Daddy’s Lessons is the debut country song from Letterkenny singer Sinead Black. The young Donegal lady is currently working on her first album. A music video to accompany the new single has also been released.

Country Showtime with Bryan

Country Showtime is a new 30-minute programme hosted by Bryan Buckley on the Keep It Country channel. It goes out at 7pm on Thursday evenings and features short interviews with well-known names from the Irish country scene.

Henry McMahon, bandleader with The Mainliners, was the featured guest last week. Others who will feature in the coming weeks include Big Tom, Margo, Michael English, Declan Nerney, Richie Kavanagh, Gerry Guthrie, Johnny Carroll, Paddy O Brien, Trudi Lalor and Bernie Heaney. Teenager Bryan hails from Dundrum, Co Tipperary, and is a student at Cashel Community School. He also presents a show on Tipperary Mid West Radio. The Keep It Country Channel airs on Sky 389, Freesat 516 and Freeview 87. CL