British News (space to spare... free...)

• Julie Cross' Faddilly weekend to be moved to a new, better venue due to Foot & Mouth disease. Read report in Letters: New Lakemore venue
• The A1 Festival of Music and Dance will NOT be affected by Foot & Mouth and will definitely be taking place over the weekend of the 29th June - 1st July.
  Apart from all the great bands listed on the Festival information the organisers are very pleased to announce that Steve Somers and his band Rocky Mountain High will be performing. Steve has a fantastic voice, and sings a number of John Denver classics. Even die-hard Bluegrassers were seen to be pinned to their seats at this wonderful performance.
    Ireland's Rough Deal String Band will do an Old Time workshop.
    There will be a competition, sponsored in part by the BBMA, for the most promising young musician/dancer over the weekend of the Festival and the winner will receive a trophy.
• Ken Scott, better known as 'Calico Jack', died on 20th April 20001 from cancer, after a long illness, during which he was always very active. Colorful Ken has promoted bluegrass and other types of music for as long as I have known him (1983) and will be very sadly missed by many. His greatest activity has been the annual Calico Jack Music Weekend. which will continue as usual.
  Read the letter from Ken's widow, which contains all price details, etc.
• Scottish Bluegrass Association news:
  • The Association will be holding an open meeting at Guildtown Bluegrass Music Festival, 10,11,12 August 2001 to consult musicians, fans and supporters on the way ahead for Scottish Bluegrass.  They are presently well ahead with a compilation CD to celebrate 15 years of the festival and this will feature music from up to twenty bands stretching back to the very first festival in 1987. Proceeds from this project will be donated to the IBMA museum. The CD will be launched at Guildtown and aimed at European radio airplay.
  • SBA is building its' (free) membership. The web site is being built and developed www.scottishbluegrass.com and promotional events are being organised. They hope to have downloadable MP3 of bands that have played in Scotland as well as an up to date source of event info as well as the history of Scottish Bluegrass mirroring or including Joe Ross's BU article.
  • The Association will be at the European World of Bluegrass (24-26 May) in their capacity as members of the board. They also hope that arrangements might be developed for regular (initially annual) compilations of European bands - to be made for distribution to Radio stations and are very keen on any initiative involving Radio in popularising the music (as WSM did for Bill Monroe).
• Carmen Turner is arranging a tour for Northern Irish band The Freightliners from 17th to 23rd may inclusive. They are a 'new country' band evolved from a red-hot Bluegrass band, but as of 8th April she still needs gigs in the UK for 18th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd may. Phone Carmen on 01433-651771.
• All-girl a-capella sextet Sweet Storm have at last comleted their CD project after 2 years! They are involved in making a video: 2 months ago a producer saw them perform and arranged for a 7-day tour on a barge, ending up a an Irish festival; you know - girly group hires barge, goes on an adventure and singing holday then blows them away at a festival. The video will be for promoting the tourist industry. OBWAT look out!

European News

• This space is available... free...
• Laurie Lews reports "We just returned from a very fun and action-packed tour of Germany, with side-trips into Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, where we played 18 shows in 21 days. It was exhilarating, educational, and exhausting. But thanks to a great crew (including banjoist Kristin Scott and driver/helper/merchandiser Mike Moore) and good map-reading skills we made it through in good health and with no major mishaps."
• The 4th European World Of Bluegrass festival will take place at " 'T Trefpunt" in the city of Voorthuizen in the centre of the Netherlands. Dates: May 24th, 25th and 26th 2001. Each day starting at 12.00 runing till midnight. Over 40 European Bands + Bill Clifton & Pick of the Crop USA, Tammy Fassaert Canada and many others. No website at the moment, but coming beginning of May. For further information - write to organiser Dennis Scutt