australianbluegrass.com

Peter Nahyusen has announced the dates for the next Australian Banjo Conference as 6th to 9th January 2011.

I am very happy to announce officially the dates for the next Australian Banjo Conference. I have called it Conference 2010/11 just for now, because the dates have been moved 4 weeks back from the regular December spot to early January. This means the Conference is 6th to 9th January 2011 – Peter Nahyusen.

The final list of instructors is yet to be confirmed and will be determined by the final numbers that register. However in 2011 there will be 50 places available with potentially 5 instructors on the faculty.

Ross Nickerson will once again be the principal instructor, ably accompanied by Gary Vann and Peter Nahyusen. Other instructors will be confirmed closer to the date.

The band and undoubted conference sensation Hungry Hill will be in attendance for the 2011 conference to provide their invaluable support and instruction once again.

The Yinnar Hotel’s reputation as a bluegrass and old-time friendly venue took on international proportions on Wednesday evening with a sold-out performance by Canada’s Hungry Hill.

With the full-house sign going up several weeks ago, and the band refreshed from several days of good old southern Victorian hospitality provided by The Stringbusters, Hungry Hill continued on from their well-received Australian debut at Harrietville with an intimate performance for 250 people.

The night kicked off with the Strzelecki Stringbusters warming up the crowd with their unique, large ensemble sound. The boys have worked hard this year to establish a Bluegrass & Old Time savvy crowd by inviting other acts to appear at their monthly pub gigs. With this night being the last for the year, something special was called for, and Hungry Hill provided the show of the year!

The large crowd jostling for drinks at the bar was silenced by the stunning vocals & harmonies, intricate arrangements, and the fluid dance of the members weaving in and out of the central microphone’s range. Those lucky enough to get a close-up seat were treated to a full display of the attributes that make acoustic music so pleasurable to see & hear.

With their regular banjo player Ross Nickerson on leave in Queensland, local banjo player Greg McGrath was invited to fill the void, and with little time to rehearse, did a marvellous job. Local up and coming mandolin player, Lachy Davidson joined them all in for their 2nd set, trading fiery solos with Bob Hamilton, and also gave Jenny’s fiddle a good work-out too. The night concluded with the Stringbusters squeezing on stage for two last songs.

Performing tunes from their recent CD Ride along many old favourites, Hungry Hill’s time on stage was all too brief, but they leave the Yinnar district with no doubt as to their popularity amongst the locals. This affection was reciprocated, with Jenny publicly thanking all involved in making their 3 day stay enjoyable and relaxing, including a heartfelt thank you to their ‘new best friends’, The Stringbusters, for affording them such a wonderful reception.

The Yinnar Hotel and the local community’s reputation for providing a hospitable mid-week gig for touring artists continues to increase. With the Whitetop Mountaineers slated for March 31, and a few more international irons in the fire, 2010 will be even bigger.

A gathering of pickers on the Sunshine Coast for the 2nd annual banjo conference will provide an opportunity for residents of the community to see some of the hottest picking around. The line up is top class and features The Hungry Hill Band from Canada, Martin Louis from New South Wales Gary Van and Stu Porter as well as Peter and Mark Nahuysen from Queensland.

We had initially listed the Davidson Brothers as playing in this concert. This was our error and offer our apologies for any confusion – Editor.

Where: Maleny Community Centre
When: on 3rd Dec 2009,  from 7:30pm
Cost: Full -$12.00 Concession – $8.00

Hungry Hill will be performing at the famous Yinnar Community Hotel this Wed 25th Nov 2009 at 8:00pm
This great band from Canada, have just wound up their hugely successful festival appearances at the Harrietville Bluegrass and Ol’ Timey Convention in northern Victoria.
If you plan to eat then has it that meal bookings are essential – Yinnar Community Hotel 51631263.

Bellbird Banjos presents Hungry Hill  – Wed 2nd Dec 2009 at 7:00pm

Hungry Hill is a contemporary acoustic bluegrass unit with a focus on original material. Based in northwest Canada, Hungry Hill features five seasoned musicians with a desire to create a fresh sound while staying true to the roots of bluegrass and old-time music. Lush vocal harmonies resonate from three singers around one microphone in the traditional acoustic setting of old time music.

Also featuring that eveing are The Redland’s Bluegrass Boys and The Nahuysen Brothers
When – Wed, 2nd Dec 2009 at 7:00pm.
Where – Redlands Modern Country Music Club, Pinklands Reserve on Cleveland –Redland Bay Road, Thornlands
Tickets are $10 and available at the door

Brief Listing On-Site Concerts

Here’s a brief rundown on the 2009 Harrietville program. This is s very impressive lineup.

Thu 19th Nov.

• 7:30pm  Hungry Hill, then Bluegrass Parkways +WSM 1945– 9:30 Old time Mountain Square dance (Community Hall) The West Virginia String Band

Fri 20th Nov. in the Marquee

• 3:00 – 3:55 West Virginia Stringband( USA)
• 4:00 – 4:55 Hungry Hill – (Canada)
• 7:00 – 7.25 Senile Delinquents (Vic)
• 7:30 – 7:55 Fatchance & The Bluegrass Playboys (Vic)
• 8:00 – 8:25 Burnt Creek Deviation (NSW)
• 8:30 – 8:55 Chilly Strings (Vic)
• 9:00 – 9:25 Hunter & Suzy Owens Band
• 9:30 – 9:55 Pigeonwing Strings – (Aust & USA)
• 10:00 – 10:25 The Bridgeland Brothers ( SA)
• 10:30 – 11:00 The Acoustic Shock Reunion Band (NSW)

Fri 20th Nov. in The Hub restaurant

• 11:00 – 1:00 Hungry Hill; Jimmy Martin Half Hour

Fri 20th Nov. in the Community Hall

• 11:00 pm  – 1:00 am Mike Seegar Memorial Old Time Country Show – M.C. Ken Mc Master (see him for spot)
• 1:00 am til late Craig Woodward’s Friday Night Band

Sat 21st Nov. Evening in the Marquee

• 1:30 – 1:55 The Cowrippers (SA)
• 2:00 – 2:25 Archer (Vic)
• 2:30 – 2:55 Appalachian Heaven (Vic)
• 3:00 – 3:25 Bluestone Junction (Vic)
• 3:30 – 3:55 My-T-Fine Sringband (NSW)
• 4:00 – 4:25 Coolgrass ( Vic)
• 4:30 – 4:55 High Times String Band (Vic)
• 7:00 – 7:25 Davidson Brothers (Vic)
• 7:30 – 7:55 Pigeonwing Strings(Aus & USA)
• 8:00 – 8:25 Karen Lynne & Blue Mountain Rain (NSW)
• 8:30 – 9:10 West Virginia String Band (USA)
• 9:15 – 9:40 Hardrive (Vic)
• 9:45 – 10:20 Hungry Hill (Canada)
• 10:30 – 11:00 Redlands Bluegrass Boys

Sat 21st Nov. in The Restaurant

• 11:00 pm – late Jack Johnson Memorial Show (see Nick Dear for 15 min spot)

Sun 22 Nov. in the Marquee

• 9:00am – 1:00pm Radio Gospel Show—Live over WAMU-FM Washington.DC and internet over Bluegrasscountry.org
• 2:30 – 4:30 Overseas Guests Farewell Show
• 4:35  All-night Longers
• 7:00 – 7:25 Guitar Pickers Spectacular (National)
• 7:30 – 7:55 Hill Williams ( Vic)
• 8:00 – 8:25 The Pecking Order ( Vic)
• 8:35 – 9:15 Bluegrass Parkway (WA)
• 9:20 – 9:45 The Wayward Sisters (Tas)
• 10:00 Host Paul Duff ( Walkup—15 min spots-see Paul at Weekend)

Workshops Saturday and Sunday: vocals, harmony, banjo, fiddle, guitar, dobro and bass
There is a detailed program available  at www.harrietvillebluegrass.com.au