australianbluegrass.com

Submitted by Neil and Cilla Wills – Qld.

The weather was kind for July in Queensland, clear sunny days and cold nights.

Friday night started with a concert after dinner, featuring The Wayward Sisters, The O’Donnell Family, Redland Bluegrass Boys , Pirate Brides, Innes Campbell & Present Company, Groundspeed and closed with Brendan Radford’s Glasshouse Mountain Boys.

The well attended workshops ran through Saturday and many of the artists contributed their time to pass on techniques and other wisdoms to the eager audiences. The workshops form an integral part of the festival, giving many of the attendees lots of inspiration to keep on learning and practicing every day.

The walk-up concert early in the afternoon gave many of the performers the opportunity to perform on the main stage and they showed that there is plenty of Bluegrass happening locally in the Brisbane area.

Mid-Saturday afternoon, George Jackson had organised a Tony Rice Tribute and ten different artists / groups presented wide selection of Tony’s well known tunes. The audience was enthralled and it was just great to see the young hot shots like George, Daniel Watkins, Inness, BB Brownes and Lachie Davidson show the more established artists that they better keep looking over their shoulders because these young guys are coming up fast.

Saturday night kicked off with Bluegrass Parkway. The power cut out for a couple of minutes during the set however BGP did not notice and just played on!. The audience loved it and there was a great roar when the lights came on again.

George Jackson & Twisted Oak, Karen Lynne, then Kristy Cox finished off the first half. Interval and the now famous ‘mulled wine’ warmed the crowd before the boys from Nashville hit the stage.

Midnight from Memphis consisted of David Long on mandolin, Scott Simotacchi on guitar, Preston Schmitt on fiddle and Eric Thorin on upright bass. It was such a pleasure to see these four guys in action, often doing some of their own compositions.

As has been the case for the past seven years, the Davidson Brothers closed the concert with fast and furious Bluegrass. These guys just keep getting better and better.

A great weekend was had by all, many of our guests kicked on Sunday night with the traditional jam / party. Monday was R&R on Stradbroke Island whale watching and sight-seeing for the day.

It was an honour to see Midnight From Memphis in action. Their unique style, great own compositions, harmonies, musicianship and single mike theatrics left the audience demanding more.

That was 2010 and now it’s back to the planning for 2011 - Neil & Cilla Wills.

More news from the folk at Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture Queensland.

In January this year we brought you news of the Bluegrass Brunch planned for this year’s Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture Queensland. News just in reveals one of the acts for the event is none other that the region’s Redlands Bluegrass Boys.

The group comprises, Allen McMonagle on guitar and fiddle, Neil Wills  on mandolin and guitar, Fred Hudson banjo, Bill Turner on guitar and Tom Stekinga on double bass. The Redlands Bluegrass Boys was formed in 1998 by a group of enthusiastic acoustic musicians who were part of the Redlands Modern Country Music Club.

Scheduled for Sunday 2nd May this year, the Bluegrass Brunch will be held from 9:30am to 12 noon at the Hasking Street Cafe in Hasking Street, Caboolture. The event is free. If you need breakfast and lunch, the cafe is sure to serving both.

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

Up in the sunshine state, there is a bluegrass band called the Redland’s Bluegrass Boys. The members all hail from south-east Queensland and are a band I have  admired for some time. Indeed, just like a fine bottle of ‘red’, these boys get better with each passing year. The album’s liner notes contains an amusing quip about the bands years of experience being indirectly proportional to the number of hair follicles remaining on their collective scalps. This band is also part of the organisational powerhouse behind the annual Redland’s Bluegrass Festival, one of the best Bluegrass events in the country.

I discovered this little gem of a CD sitting on the merchandise table at the last (2009) Redland’s Bluegrass Festival. I was surprised to hear that this album was released almost a year ago, so perhaps this review may be old news to some. Nevertheless, I’ll persist.

The first thing you notice with this album is the high quality of the artwork and cover design, which the liner notes reveal, is the work of Laura Wright once named Laura McMonagle.  Those who know the band will see the family connection.

The Redland’s Bluegrass Boys comprises Allen McMonagle on guitar and fiddle, Neil Wills on mandolin, Fred Hudson on banjo, Bill Turner on guitar, Tom Stekinga on bass. All band members contribute to vocal harmony which is one of this bands strengths.

There are three original tracks on this CD – Cedar Crossing, Neil’s Reel and I’ll Hold You in My Arms. Most fetching for me was the song, Cedar Crossing written by  Allen McMonagle. This is a delightful reflection on childhood memories of time spent with, and teachings handed down from, his dad. The recollections are brought to life through catchy music and well structured lyrics that are sure to invoke a sense of nostalgia. The second original is Neil’s Reel – written by Neil Wills. This track is a striking, medium paced fiddle-style tune that provides each of the band members an opportunity to shine while they pick a break. Last but not least is the track titled, I’ll Hold You in My Arms. It’s another from McMonagle’s pen and one that could sit well in any bluegrass band’s repertoire. It presents lots of opportunity for tasty breaks, tight harmonies and the Bluegrass Boys don’t let any of them pass. If you’ve ever seen this band perform, this album will provide a great memento of your experience. If not then the CD will ensure that you will want to.

The track list below show they have included a variety of music spanning the notable works of Bill Monroe, Paul Kelly, Peter Rowan and a surprise offering of Buddy Holly’s Maybe Baby. This album will compliment anyone’s bluegrass CD collection and is one well worth tracking down.

Track List:

1. Howlin’ at the Moon
2. Lonesome Pine
3. Cedar Crossing
4. Neil’s Reel
5. Drifting Too Far
6. Maybe Baby
7. Oh Lord
8. I’ll Hold You in my Arms
9. Night After Night
10. Blue Moon of Kentucky