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PETER ROWAN BLUEGRASS BAND (USA)
To fully detail the vast background of Peter Rowan would take more space than this page affords. He has clearly dedicated his life to defying boundaries in his musical exploration. Peter was hired in the 1960's as singer and rhythm guitarist with Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys... followed by a stint with David Grisman in the Boston folk-rock band Earth Opera. In the 70's he formed The Rowan Brothers with siblings Chris and Lorin, which has been followed by projects with fellow Bluegrass Boy Richard Greene, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, etc. As a songwriter, Peter's tunes have been recorded by such artists as the New Riders of the Purple Sage, George Strait, Michael Martin Murphy, Ricky Skaggs, Desert Rose Band, Janie Fricke and many others. |
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TONY TRISCHKA & TERRITORY (USA)
Grammy nominee Tony Trischka makes a welcome return this year to the Banjo Festival. Tony is one of the world's most innovative banjo players. Throughout his thirty year career, Tony has defied boundaries and explored a wide variety of genres commonly considered out-of-bounds for the banjo. He's been a key figure in opening the banjo and acoustic music in general to wider influences. |
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FOUR MEN & A DOG (Ireland)
Four Men & a Dog made a name for themselves with their eclectic and vivacious blend of traditional Irish music with a wide spectrum of other genres, including rap, Southern rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, polka, country swing, and even salsa. Featuring the brilliant fiddle/banjo playing of Cathal Hayden and Gerry
O'Connor, Four Men and a Dog are one of the most exciting live bands to emerge from the Irish shores. |
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LEROY TROY (USA)
Leroy has been entertaining audiences for more than 3 decades. With his charming wit, old time songs of America's days-gone-by, and his spectacular banjo playing and flipping tricks, Leroy is a favourite wherever he performs. We are delighted to have Leroy return to our stage this year by popular demand! |
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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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PETE & JOAN WERNICK (USA)
Pete Wernick, "Dr. Banjo", is renowned worldwide for his accomplishments and contributions to bluegrass music. Known for his banjo playing with Hot Rize, and his singer-guitarist wife Joan present one of the West's most engaging country duets. Joan's clear, soulful singing and Pete's masterful picking bring life to a diverse repertoire including traditional bluegrass, vocal duets, and blazing instrumentals. Joan, also known to music fans as "Nondi", has sung with various groups in Colorado and hosted a bluegrass radio program on KGNU Boulder since 1978. Her natural sparkle and the couple's on-stage repartee adds an extra dimension to their duet performances. Bluegrass Now magazine says, "Joan's singing is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any bluegrass traditionalist." |
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STEVE COONEY & PADRAIG O'SE (Ireland)
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UNWANTED (Ireland)
Returning to the Banjo Festival due to popular demand, Unwanted are a dynamic trio featuring Cathy Jordan of Dervish, with multi-instrumentalist Seamie O'Dowd, and one of the music world's most respected mouth organ players Rick Epping. |
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CARTER BROTHERS (USA)
Intrepid world travelers... bringers of brief moments of happiness... blood relatives of The Carter Family... creators of their own brand of
"groovinappalacian-
folkrockfunkedupbluegrassgypsybluesmusic". Returning this year with their full band in tow, Tim and Danny Carter have become favoured performers of many Irish venues... |
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THOM MOORE (USA)
Originally from the USA, singer/songwriter Thom Moore (ex Pumpkinhead and Midnight Well) has made Ireland his home since 1971. Songs such as Gorgeous & Bright, and particularly Cavan Girl have helped Thom carve out a special place in music lovers hearts in Ireland. Here, he teams up
with... |
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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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BARCELONA BLUEGRASS BAND (Spain)
Two great musicians Lluis Gomez on banjo and harmonica player Joan Pau Cumellas presents the project Barcelona Bluegrass Band. A spectacle dedicated to the original music of the Appalachians Mountain of the EUA and that they enrich with ingredients of blues, country, jazz and Celtic music. |
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GEORGE HARPER (USA)
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".
After numerous appearances at the Banjo Festival (with the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, and with Leroy Troy), George debuted his own band at last year's festival to spectacular audience approval...we welcome George, yet again, to Longford! |
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G-runs 'n Roses (Czech Republic)
2010 European Bluegrass Band of the Year. |
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TUPELO (Ireland)
Tupelo are an exciting, original, acoustic roots act consisting of an eclectic line-up of instruments which includes banjo, guitar, fiddle, saxophone and double bass. Their sound is fresh and unique in today's world of endless electric outfits. The band have been working hard over the past two years, playing all over Ireland and bringing their exciting live shows to the masses. Tupelo released their debut album, 'Dirty Money' in October 2010 which has been well received by media and fans alike. Due to popular demand, we welcome Tupelo back to the JKBF for the third successive year. |
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