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RODNEY CROWELL (USA)
EXCLUSIVE IRISH APPEARANCE!!! We are delighted to welcome to Longford, multi-award winning (Grammy & CMA) singer/songwriter Rodney, From his days in the 1970's as a member of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band to his award-winning group Cherry Bombs, to his years performing and recording with Rosanne Cash...Rodney continues to be one of America's brightest stars. |
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IRIS DeMENT (USA)
EXCLUSIVE IRISH APPEARANCE!!! One of the most celebrated country-folk performers of her day.....this Grammy award winning Arkansas girl grew up singing gospel music, before being exposed to country, folk and R&B during her college years.
When she made the move to Nashville, it was celebrated producer Jim Rooney who helped her land a recording contact. Her debut, Infamous Angel, won almost universal acclaim thanks to her pure, evocative vocal style and spare, heartfelt songcraft. Further recordings with Emmylou Harris ('Our Town') and John Prine (the latter of which earned her a Grammy) cemented her place in the hearts and minds of discerning music fans. |
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BRIAN KENNEDY (Ireland)
You know BRIAN KENNEDY is the ultimate live performer the second he bursts onto stage, grabs his guitar and belts out his first note with total commitment! You feel the energy, and gut reaction tells you this is going to be one whirlwind, rollercoaster of a night as you quietly look to the gods, uttering a silent prayer of thanks. For he's a ray of hope in a world where musicians are moulded, marketed and catapulted to stardom one moment, thrown to oblivion the next; where digital downloading looks set to replace the live performance and the genuine music lover is left wondering where the future legends will come from.
He's the artist who seemingly has it all, blessed with a multitude of talents: singer/songwriter/guitarist, born communicator, seen and heard on countless TV and radio shows from both sides of the mike; Ireland's ambassador on more than one global music stage; recognised author of a couple of best-selling novels and numerous short stories. |
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MOUNTAIN HEART (USA)
EXCLUSIVE IRISH DEBUT!!! Mountain Heart is the band that has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played. The band's name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in acoustic music circles since the group's creation in 1999.
The band has gained legions of fans both as a result of their superlative musicianship, and more notably, their incomparably exciting live performances. As one of the most highly awarded ensembles ever, Mountain Heart, or members of the band, have either won or been nominated for multiple Grammys, ACM, CMA, and IBMA Awards. They have appeared on the revered stage of the Grand Ole Opry in excess of 100 times and have shared the stage with acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Montgomery Gentry, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Brad Paisley to Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, Travis Tritt, Yonder Mountain Stringband, LeAnn Rimes, and Patty Loveless. |
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GERRY O'CONNOR (Ireland)
Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as 'the best ever banjoist in the history of Irish music', Gerry has brought the 4-string banjo to places no other had tread before.
His newest recording 'High Up Low Down' features Gerry's unique use of Irish traditional, American bluegrass and ground-breaking new compositions. |
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SHASKEEN (Ireland)
The members of Galway based Shaskeen know that 2010 will be a year like no other as they celebrate the band's 40th anniversary. Like other bands Shaskeen has brought traditional Irish music to life for millions of people across the world through performances and recordings in the past four decades.
An entire generation has matured on the music of the band that was put together to play on Friday nights at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town in 1970. Since then over 2000 Friday nights have passed and the music of Shaskeen lives on, albeit with a slightly different line up. |
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JIRI KRALIK & ROWDY RASCALS (Czech Republic)
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ROSS NICKERSON (USA)
Reknowned five-string banjo master Ross Nickerson has been playing professionally since the age of 17. He is the author of Mel Bay's 'The Banjo Encyclopedia', and 'Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z'.
He has been a member of numerous successful bands, and has been performing and teaching for many years internationally. |
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WE BANJO 3 (Ireland/UK)
Featuring popular Irish tenor banjo player Enda Scahill, UK-based 5-string wiz Leon Hunt, and two all Ireland banjo players, We Banjo 3's Longford debut last year was a big hit. The join us again this year both in concert and in our workshops. |
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NIALL TONER BAND (Ireland)
Niall Toner is a writer, composer, broadcaster and generally talented expert on country and bluegrass music! His 3-piece band has been a favourite each year at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival and we are delighted to welcome him back once again! |
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CHRIS MEEHAN & HIS REDNECK FRIENDS (Ireland)
Described by Hot Press journalist Dermott Hayes as "the hottest honky tonk band east of the Pecos", Chris Meehan and his Redneck Friends is a band that embraces country music in all its many forms. Their repertoire includes Western Swing, Cajun music and a generous helping of Rock n' Roll. |
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GEORGE HARPER BAND (USA)
EXCLUSIVE EUROPEAN DEBUT!!! Nashville resident George Harper released his debut recording on Christmas Day 2009! Recorded and released on Tree-O-Records (owned and operated by festival favourites, the Carter Brothers) it is entitled "I'll Be Back". featuring 14 original songs covering a wide range of musical styles.... from Country and Bluegrass, to Rock and the Blues. According to George, "there's even a little easy listening on there...guess it would be classified "Americana",
George has appeared at the festival twice in the past - along with the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band in 2006, and with Leroy Troy in 2009.
We welcome the European debut of the George Harper Band! |
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TUPELO (Ireland)
Exciting young acoustic band who brought the house down on the first night of the 2009 festival....We're delighted to welcome them back. |
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BENDING THE STRINGS (Ireland)
3-piece bluegrass band based in the midlands of Ireland. This is their first time to join us onstage. |
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