THE TALENTED CZECH BANDS are getting a lot more publicity lately so here is who are coming in 1998.

I have been wanting to do a tour for Monogram for four years, since I first saw them in fact. The only reason they haven’t come before now is because the band have had a lot of bad luck. Jacob, the lead singer, lost his voice and had to rest it for over a year; the bass player left - to replace him and keep the same harmony was difficult; the banjo player scalded his hand, etc. But all is finally agreed and Monogram will be in England in June and playing at Tom Travis’ new Edale Festival. See the wonderful review of their CD in the Nov.1997 NWBN!

Negotiations are under way for Slavick Hanslik and Washville’s Chris Jones to tour together. Slavick is an incredibly talented guitarist who has recorded with Bela Flek, Jerry Douglas, and Tim O’Brien etc. Cop are back this year and also New Section, who were on TT’s 1996 Seldom Scene Concert in Blackburn. Vabank Unit have had two successful tours and are playing next year as special guests at the big festival in Northern Ireland.

Since taking over Cop’s tour from Matt Ditchburn I have done eight successful tours for Czech bands. It seems that until a musician speaks about the talent no one will listen - thanks go to Pete Wraith, Arthur Robinson and Tom Travis, who have always given the Czech bands a chance. I have been to Czechoslovakia 23 times and attended a festival on most of those trips, always staying with musicians. The highlight was an invitation to attend Cop’s 15th birthday bash and address an audience of two thousand!

When the Czechs record a CD they always have a ceremony with a Godfather to give it luck and Champagne is poured over the CD. When I helped to put the Peter Rowan and Drhua Trava tour together in the Czech Republic, Peter was Druhua’s Godfather. He is now recording with Lubos (banjo). Lesley (Hired Hands) and I were treated like royalty on that tour, going from Praha right down to Bratislava to a TV reception.

Next came the Bill Keith - Slavic Hanslick tour. We all stayed with Vladia (the ex-banjo player from Cop) and Bill played at Vladia’s every night. Bela Fleck’s tour was next then Laurie Lewis wanted to visit the Czech Republic and asked if I could help. "Of course" I said, "stay with Vladia -all the stars do!" In his music room Vladia has a huge wall - ‘The Wall of Fame’ - that everyone of note has to sign. I took Arthur Robinson with me on one trip and, as you all know, he is now well established in his music business and talent spotting. I am glad the Czechs have finally got the credit - they are a very talented bunch.

Carmen Turner, Hope Valley, Sheffield.

Anyone interested in a gig for any of the Czech bands or wanting any information on the Czech Republic then please contact Carmen (01433-651771) or Arthur Robinson (01723-354062).
Click for a report on Arthur's Czech visit
Anyone interested in the Dunmore East Festival 1998 (Ireland) should contact Carmen.

Updated 23rd Jan 1999