Sorry - I haven't time to chase news, but
you send it and I'll post it... if it is of general interest! 

British News (space to spare... for free...) Mainland European News (1st April)

Geoff Bowers writes: "I'm afraid that I have some awful news... Mark Tindle passed away suddenly Saturday night (12th Sept 2004) whilst playing onstage at a Ceilidh in Beeston, Nottingham. Most bluegrass fans in the UK will know, or know of, Mark, as an avid bluegrass musician as well as a leading light in the quarter-century ceilidh band, Five Go Off. It was this band he was playing with when the terrible event occured.

"Mark was a well-known and very well thought of guy and his most premature passing will leave a very big hole in many lives - not to mention the Nottingham music scene."

Mark left two young daughters and Suzanne, his widow. Suzanne is accepting calls of sympathy and condolence with great understanding; she can be contacted at 10 Willoughby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6EE or by phone at 0115 9235-914

Mark currently played in the Nottingham Bluegrass band The Leen Valley Boys, who were already reeling from the recent tragic death of Thadius Kaye. Thadius' wife Angela plays bass with this band and they all had a most successful gig on the previous Friday at The Lion pub in Nottingham. The band also recently lost their previous bass player, Pete Christian, who moved back to his birthplace, the Isle of Man, following the effects of the onset of legionaires disease.

Geoff asks, "Has any band had such a terrible time in so short a space?"

"All aspects of musicianship and singing bluegrass style including harmony, will be covered right from the basics. This will give an understand what is 'Bluegrass' through building skills in singing lead; harmony; rhythm back-up and taking lead breaks. This is a 'hands-on' course with playing and performing bluegrass on stage as the outcome.

For more details and a place on this course phone 0131 333 5009 or Write to John

The first meeting of the course will take place in Bathgate at 8-00pm on Tuesday 10th February at the Glenmavis Tavern, Gideon Street.

www.scottishbluegrass.com Article: John receives European Award

"Bad news I'm afraid... Thadius Kay (who, with his wife Angela supported Peter Rowan at Leicester recently) died yesterday  (27th Jan) in a microlite accident. Thad' was a such larger-than-life character who gave out 150% to his music. He was enormously - and quite rightly popular over a full, energetic life. His sudden death has stunned everyone and he will be genuinely and very greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his wife and dear companion, Angela."

The funeral will be Wednesday 4th Feb at 11:45 at Loughborough Crematorium.

Leicester Mercury reports:
"Thadeus Kaye (Real name - Krzyzanowski) was flying a single seat plane when it plunged to the ground near Ashby-De-La-Zouch at about 16:30 on 27th January 2003. Witnesses said the microlight spiralled towards the ground in the north east of the town and crashed about 500 metres from the nearest road. Thadeus, who was married and lived in Markfield, is understood to have been a flying instructor at Derby Airfield."

Jean and I are devastated by this news - we first met Thad, with his brother George, about 34 years ago in the Irish republic. More news as it arrives - Ed.

Thad and Angela Gig | Thad & Angela open for Peter Rowan

European News

Dennis Schut writes: I have been doing a weekly 2 x 2 hour radio program 'Kentucky Rodeo' in the Netherlands for over three years, with a mix of good Bluegrass, and real - not Nashville commercial - country, some cajun, Irish, good folk music etc.

The programme is now on on the internet at www.radiorijnwoude.nl The 2nd hour is dedicated to 'Kentucky Rodeo' exclusively to the European World of Bluegrass and good acoustic music.

If you would like some extra exposure, more airplay, please send a copy of your new CD´s, new Demo´s etc. We can also do a 'special feature' on your band as well. If so, please include a biography and whatever information you'd want to have on the radio.

Also please send him your showdates/information of festivals where your band is due to play in Europe...and he will broadcast them for the European world of Bluegrass to hear. The radio program 'Kentucky Rodeo' and 'European World Of Bluegrass' will be on the air/ on the web on: Monday nights 9 - 11 PM and Wednesday afternoons 2 - 4 p.m.

You can listen to the program on www.radiorijnwoude.nl , click on the right hand side of the page on 'luister nu' or the logos of real audio etc., below it, depending on which program you choose to use or download to listen.

Please send bio-info and dates of performances and festivals to Dennis at dennis.schut@cec.eu.int or d35s2@yahoo.com  You may also send your Bluegrass and country music requests and I will play them for you!

Send postal mail, CD or other info to:
 Radio Rijnwoude
 Dennis Schut
 Rue Leon Lepage 32
 1000
 Brussels, Belgium