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SUZY BOGGUSS (USA)
This platinum selling singer songwriter has successfully crossed multiple genres, from her 2007 Billboard chart topping 'Sweet Danger' to folk and country. Her beloved collaboration 'Simpatico' with Chet Atkins, showed the world that she was willing to embrace tradition while also continuing to grow and challenge herself as an artist. We welcome this multi Grammy and CMA award winning artist to Tullamore! |
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PAUL BRADY (Ireland)
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Paul is one of Ireland's most enduring artists. From the Johnstons to Planxty to his fabulously successful solo career, Paul's career has spanned several decades. With songs such as 'The Island' 'Crazy Dreams', and his spectacular version of 'Lakes of Pontchartain', Paul Brady continues to be a favoured performer worldwide. |
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BLUE HIGHWAY (USA)
Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band's eight exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994. With a deep bench of virtuosic songwriters, vocalists and instrumentalists, Blue Highway's hallmark is an unwavering commitment to the ensemble, the "democracy of the band" that makes Blue Highway a powerhouse. |
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DON RIGSBY & CHARLIE SIZEMORE (USA)
From remote Isonville, Kentucky to an international following in bluegrass music, Don Rigsby has remained true to his mountain roots and made his own mark as a powerful tenor and distinctive mandolin player. Don grew up listening to early Ralph Stanley records and to the high lonesome sound of his cousin Ricky Scaggs. He emerged onto the national scene as a member of the Bluegrass Cardinals, played with JD Crowe and the New South, and as a member of the award winning band Lonesome River Band.
In addition to being one of bluegrass music's most distinctive and expressive vocal stylists, Charlie is also recognised as being one of its most literate and thoughtful songwriters. He joined Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys at the tender age of seventeen (replacing the late Keith Whitley), where he spent nine and a half years. |
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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". |
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MUNDY (Ireland)
Offaly native Mundy's 5th studio album Shuffle in 2011 is Mundy's love song to his favourite American songwriters, which perfectly compliments a catalogue that already includes a live album & DVD where he had a massive hit with Steve Earle's Galway Girl. Along the way he's notched up other huge hits in Ireland, a number 1 album, and shows in the UK & Ireland with Oasis, White Stripes, Manic Street Preachers etc. However it's in the roots world where Mundy is currently residing, having toured with and opened for Jimmy Webb, Imelda May, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and opened up the ceremonies for Barrack Obama's visit to Ireland. |
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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.
Gerry's recordings feature a mix of his unique use of Irish traditional, American bluegrass, folk, and ground breaking original material . |
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BEOGA (Ireland)
According to Earle Hitchner, 'Beoga may be Ireland's closest answer to The Band in combined virtuosity, risk taking and omnivorous musical palate. Beoga's variety is invariably impeccable...'. Their fourth recording 'How To Tune a Fish' earned them the Irish Echo's number 1 Irish Traditional Album of 2011. |
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ELECTRIC CEILI (Ireland)
Six musicians with a love of traditional Irish music, who had the idea to combine it with funk and rock. Their melodies are fused with a myriad of modern, funky and complex rhythms. The result is an eruption of celtic sounds and nuances, culminating in some of the most exciting performances of modern times! |
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WE BANJO 3 (Ireland)
Award winning banjo band We Banjo 3 return to the festival this year with their brand new album Roots of the Banjo Tree, due for release in August. Enda Scahill, brothers Martin and David Howley with special guest Fergal Scahill will be in concert and in workshops for the festival. |
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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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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 Appalachian Mountains of the USA that they enrich with ingredients of blues, country, jazz and Celtic music. |
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BENDING THE STRINGS (Ireland)
Bending the Strings are three musicians from the Midlands, who play their own brand of Bluegrass Music.... Its trad Bluegrass... but with an interesting twist... They use a piano both as a rhythm and solo instrument. Although the piano is not veiwed as a traditional Bluegrass instrument, it has been used in many Bill Monroe recordings in the early days of his band. Their name was taken from a Bluegrass Banjo tune of the same name, which of course the band feature in their live set! |
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BLACKJACK (Czech Republic)
From the Czech Republic, Blackjack play bluegrass music on the edge between traditional and contemporary. Their precise rhythm and dynamic vocals separate them from the rest.
They won 1st place in 2011 at the prestigious LaRoche Bluegrass Festival (France) and the 1st place Audience Award at the 2009 European World of Bluegrass. |
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Michael J Miles (USA)
Michael J Miles is a master banjoist, guitarist, orchestral composer, author of numerous theatrical works combining music and history, and acclaimed music educator.
Widely regarded as one of America's most inventive and accomplished clawhammer banjo players, Michael's earliest recording - Counterpoint - was described by Pete Seeger as "the most beautiful I've heard..." |
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Rachael Hester (USA)
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