Thank-you.

Music knows no boundaries, and music fans of many nationalities and cultural identities have, and continue to support this little gig. The reach of this Blog, now, is quite extraordinary, and in the past week, the greatest number of views has originated in Russia!
So, as we come to the end of another successful year for BAG, may I just say thank-you to everyone involved in making it so. To all the wonderful acts who came and played for us; to local B&Bs for providing home comforts to musicians far from home; to various local press outlets for helping to publicise gigs; to the Murphy family for hosting us; and, finally, to all of you who come along on a Monday night to listen to great music, and support touring musicians - I offer my heartfelt thanks.
We take a break now until early February 2017, when we'll be back with a terrific schedule of gigs for the Spring. Until then, whether or not you celebrate the impending festivities, and however you mark the turning of the year, may I wish each and every one of you peace and joy until we meet again.

6th Annual 'Vibe for Larry' - Friday, Dec. 9th

Photo by Mike Lindauer - bassist, friend, and former golf partner of Larry's!

The BAG year wraps up with the 6th Annual 'Vibe For Larry', which will take place in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Friday, December 9th at 8pm. No cover charge. All welcome.

The purpose of this night is to bring together friends and family of the late Larry Roddy, to honour his memory by doing some of the things that made him happiest - making music, singing songs, telling stories and raising a few glasses while doing so. The night takes the form of an open, fully acoustic session that any performer can join in, play a tune, sing, give a recitation, tell a story, raise a toast, etc.

So, for those who didn't know him: who was Larry Roddy?

Well, firstly, he was my friend. One of my dearest friends. He was a gentleman; a gentle man. A quiet, humble man; a man beloved and missed by so many since his death in 2010.

Those who didn't know him privately, probably best knew him as a music promoter. But that term does not adequately describe his contribution to the live music scene in Ireland. Since the mid-60s when the great Blues Revival began in the UK, Larry brought to Ireland some of the cream of the American Bluesmen, including Mississippi Fred McDowell. Later, he branched out into Folk and Roots music too, booking tours, and acting as Irish Agent for many overseas acts from the four corners of the globe. Names like Jeff Lang and Bruce Mathiske from Australia; Chris Smither and Geoff Muldaur from the US; Johnny Dickinson and Paul Lamb from the UK; John Spillane and Ger Wolfe from Ireland, and so many more. Names, and music, that many of us may never have heard, but for Larry's love of the music, and a desire to bring it to fans who shared that love. He continued to put on gigs, through loss and illness, right up until the end.

The gig in Ballymore Eustace was started by Larry nearly 25 years ago, and with any luck will continue for the same again! So, on Friday Dec. 9th, we'll come together to celebrate music, with music, and to fondly remember Larry, and the many, many, magic nights he gave us.

See ye in Mick's!

I Draw Slow - Monday, December 5th, 2016 - ** 2016 Finale **

www.idrawslow.wordpress.com

I Draw Slow play BAG @ Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Monday, December 5th. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €15.

This is the last gig of 2016, so come along and let's finish this year with a flourish!

I Draw Slow fool many people at first listen - their alt-country/Bluegrass/Appalachian sound is so authentic, one could be excused for assuming this Irish band is actually from the U.S. But, there is no affectation in their sound; it is honest, respectful to the musical traditions that underpin it, and distinctly original.
At times, you hear an old time string band; at others, an Irish Trad session. Throughout it all, you hear superb musicianship, tied together with the vocal ribbon that is Louise Holden's rich voice, and to further embellish the package, lush harmonies abound.

With three albums under their belt - 'Downside' 2008; 'Redhills' 2011; 'White Wave Chapel' 2014, I Draw Slow, who are currently signed to U.S. Bluegrass label, Pinecastle Records, are in the process of recording their fourth album, 'Turn Your Face To The Sun', and there's a crowd-funding campaign where you can get involved. Details, here: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/idrawslow

Ten years of recording and touring the world have honed this band into one of the finest folk/roots/Americana acts this country - or any other, for that matter - has produced, and it is in live performance that they are at their best. So, here's your chance to catch them locally. Spread the word, come along, and be prepared to be blown away!

Videos:
'Valentine': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/valentine-video/
'Goldmine': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/goldmine-video/
'Swans': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/swans-video/
'Cry Help': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/cry-help-live-video/

John Blek (Solo) - Monday, November 28, 2016

John Blek returns to BAG @ Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, to play a solo show on Monday, November 28th. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12

John's previous BAG appearances have been very well received, and its a pleasure to welcome back this gentle giant (he's six foot five!) from Cork in support of his cracking second debut album. There's an old soul in the body of this young man, that manifests itself in a sound that could easily take root somewhere between the deep South, and the great mid-western plains of America. Known for some time now as a fine songwriter and singer, on 'Cut The Light' John Blek's guitar playing comes to the fore. His efforts to further develop his already considerable guitar talents have paid off, and the listener is treated to some fine, fine playing and instrumentation.

Watch/listen to 'Little Sparrow', here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkuTP88qkq4

and 'Take Me Home', here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygAM0b1xj4

www.johnblekandtherats.com

John Blek has announced the release of his highly anticipated second solo album entitled “Cut the Light”. This sophomore outing will be hitting shelves and online stores on the 30th  September 2016.

The album was recorded in Bantry, West Cork, Ireland over a period of four days in early spring. A collection of eleven original contemporary folk songs carefully crafted and documented with the help of Davie Ryan (Drums), Brian Hassett (Bass Guitar) and Brian Casey (Producer). With a sound that harks back to that of Bert Jansch and Liege & Lief era Fairport Convention, “Cut the Light” is likely to become a favourite amongst both new listeners and existing fans.

“Cut the Light is an album I have wanted to record for quite a while. I pushed myself to become a better instrumentalist and songwriter on these songs and really focused on creating a collection of pieces that could live together on a cohesive album. It’s something I’m very proud of...…. “ John Blek

Blek is constantly proving himself to be a prolific writer of some of the most beautiful folk music being created today, both solo and with his band John Blek & the Rats. It is less than 12 months since the band released their last record and already John is ready to share his latest work “Cut the Light”.

The album is being put out independently in Ireland on John Blek and the Rats own WARR label and through Tonetoaster Records in Germany. It will be available on CD, 180 gram Vinyl and MP3.

Jeff Finlin/Peter Bruntnell/Clive Barnes - Monday, November 21, 2016

On Monday, November 21st, an incredible lineup representing three corners of the globe will perform in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. That lineup is: Jeff Finlin (USA), Peter Bruntnell(UK), and Clive Barnes(IRL). Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12

Jeff Finlin and Peter Bruntnell are two songwriters at the very top of their game, and two of the best out there; Clive Barnes, as well as being a fine songwriter in his own right, has established himself as one of the most sought after guitar sidemen, and has toured the world in that capacity over recent years with many international acts, including both Finlin and Bruntnell.

Of Jeff Finlin, Peter Cooper of the Nashville Tennessean - “Some folks come to Nashville, amble over to Music Row and look for a cookie-cutter solution. Hand Jeff Finlin a cookie cutter, and he’s liable to melt it down and then forge it into something sharper and more dangerous.”

"Finlin writes with the minimalist grit of Sam Shepard and Raymond Carver. Tune in and you will hear an illusive magic!" - Dave Hoekstra-Chicogo Sun Times

Website: http://www.jefffinlin.com/

Video: 'I Killed Myself Last Night' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdP1hWDTAJ0

Of Peter Bruntnell, MOJO said: "Bruntnell has a remarkable knack for turning out big, dreamy, melodic, memorable songs".

"His songs should be taught in schools" - NME

Website: http://peterbruntnell.net/

Video: 'Mr. Sunshine' - https://youtu.be/BMo7ckUQInk

Of Clive Barnes, Harry Guiren, RTE, said: "Clive is a guitarist who can make one acoustic sound like six. Barnes transported the entire, hushed venue across the Atlantic to where the paths taken by the Delta Blues, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen all led to his own special territory."

Exuding a throat catching melancholy, and romantic and bleak in turns, it sounds like an album
made for all eternity. Hotpress **** 4/5 (Review of 'The Ghost Country')

Website: http://www.clivebarnesmusic.com/

Video: 'Crossroad Blues' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O95Qd66QcaE

The Remedy Club (Formerly B & The Honeyboy) - Monday, November 7th, 2016

http://www.theremedyclub.ie/home

Back in April of this year B & The Honeyboy played their BAG debut, and went down a storm! Now they're back, re-named as The Remedy Club, and with a hat-ful of new material, from their forthcoming third album. This high energy duo is not to be missed, and they return to play BAG at Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, on Monday, November 7th. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12

The Remedy Club are a harmony-heavy alternative country folk duo from Wexford and Dublin, composed of Aileen Mythen and Kj McEvoy.  Formed in 2006 under the previous name of “B & The Honeyboy’ they released & toured their first two albums throughout Ireland & Europe playing festivals such as Electric Picnic, Westport, Longitude & Sligo Live.  Following a relaunch under the new name - The Remedy Club - they are soon to release their new album ‘Lovers, Legends and Lost Causes’.  This album sees them working with musician/producer Ian Doyle and a collection of other exceptional musicians including Lorcan and Cillian Byrne from Basciville.  Their new album combines threads of country, folk, soul and blues. The marriage of delicious harmonies, raw guitar sounds & honest, mature songwriting create a vintage Americana sound that is fresh and authentic.

The new material, as its' title suggests deals with themes of love, in the tracks, ‘Last Song’, ‘I miss you’ & ‘This is love’, legends in the songs ‘Django’ (inspired by Blues/Jazz musician – Django Rynhart), ‘Listening to Hank Williams’ – a homage to the country legend and ‘When Tom Waits up’ – a song inspired by Tom Waits, conjuring up an atmospheric, smokehouse feeling.  Other songs like ‘Get away with it’ and ‘Bottom of the hill’ relate to the final part of the title ‘Lost Causes’, where the material further amplifies the honest and raw nature of the album.

''The Remedy Club delivered a set that displayed their delicious harmonies, McEvoy's nimble guitar playing and a marriage of folk and country with a hint of the blues. As a devout sceptic I never realised that going to church would be so rewarding''.   ( Jackie Hayden)

Videos - and I recommend you watch 'em all!

'Now and Then' - https://youtu.be/3g2RV4Mqv2g
'Image on My Retina' - https://youtu.be/OUPQSpkiNeA
'Far Away From Love' - https://youtu.be/pmKONaIYZOg
'I Got You' - https://youtu.be/6sj654qp7IY

GREENSHINE - Monday, October 24th, 2016

"All things come to those who wait", they say. True enough, as it's taken a few years of trying for a gap in the BAG schedule to coincide with Greenshine's availability. So I'm delighted to present the band - for the first time in my tenure - in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, on Monday, October 24th. Doors open at 8:30pm; showtime 9pm. Admission is €12.

Website: http://greenshinemusic.com/

GREENSHINE is currently touring in support of the brand new album - 'The Girl in The Lavender Dress', and you can listen to the title track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k8heQg-wVA

GREENSHINE is a family trio comprising Noel Shine, Mary Greene and their daughter Ellie. Their material straddles the boundaries of contemporary, folk and roots and includes many self-penned songs. Their fast picking and close harmonies are a treat to the ear. Noel is a multi-instrumentalist, turning his hand to guitar, bass, mandolin, bouzouki and traditional whistle and this musical dexterity had seen him much in demand as a session and band player by artists as diverse as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and funk and soul legends The Republic of Loose amongst many others. Mary brings rhythm guitar to the mix and her voice is a wonderfully versatile instrument. She is much in demand for her recording session work and has added her talents to the albums of Christy Moore, John Spillane, Mick Hanly and Frances Black as well as cult psychedelic outfit Dr. Strangely Strange. As a duo, Noel and Mary have released 3 critically acclaimed albums to date ~ The Land You Love the Best (placed no. 3 in The Irish Times Folk albums of the year of its release), Unspoken Lines (described as ‘The heart and soul of folk music, coming from a deeper well…,’ by John Spillane) while Mary’s solo, Sea of Hearts, earned an impressive 8 out of 10 in Hot Press.

Ellie Shine has grown up surrounded by music and has been performing in concerts and festivals since the age of 13 including an appearance with GREENSHINE for President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at The Abbey Theatre. Despite her tender years, Ellie has featured on 4 recordings to date. She has a huge interest in the songs of the Muskerry Gaeltacht and reached the All-Ireland final of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann’s under 15 Sean-Nós Singing competition in her debut try-out. She enjoys singing songs of all genres and has a special place in her heart reserved for classic Beatles and country as well as good contemporary songwriting. She accompanies herself on the ukulele.

The music of Greenshine has been covered by several Irish music artists and has been used commercially by Follain Preserves in their ad campaigns, Carrie Crowley in her film Waterway and as signature tunes by several national radio station programmes.

Kelley McRae & Matt Castelein - Monday, October 17, 2016

Having become a true BAG favourite over the past few years, the (by now, annual) return of Kelley McRae and Matt Castelein is always hotly anticipated. That return happens on Monday, October 17th, and will see the pair present songs from their new release, 'The Wayside' (Spoiler alert: its a belter!!).

As usual, doors open at 8:30pm, and Admission is €12

www.kelleymcrae.com

Videos: http://kelleymcrae.com/videos/

Kelley McRae called New York City home for many years, cutting her teeth in the vaunted singer/songwriter scene and honing her craft at legendary clubs like The Living Room, The Rockwood Music Hall and the Bowery Ballroom. In 2011 McRae teamed up with guitarist Matt Castelein, and the duo traded in their Brooklyn apartment for a VW camper van and hit the road full time. Kelley and Matt traveled extensively across America those first few years, performing hundreds of shows and finding inspiration for new songs along the way.

The duo has since gone on to tour in eleven countries, including shows in London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin. They’ve taken the stage at renowned venues such as The Bluebird Café in Nashville and The Green Note in London, and they’ve performed at festivals like Riverbend in Chattanooga,TN, Rhythm and Blooms in Knoxville, TN and the Kerrville Folk Festival where they were named New Folk Finalists.

Kelley McRae’s latest release, The Wayside, is a testament to the inspiration inherent in the American landscape, the grief intrinsic to change, and the hope that comes with stepping onto unknown soil. The Wayside, McRae says, “is the place along the side of the road where things get left behind, or where you go to rest awhile, or where you go find something you lost along the way.” McRae’s songs sip life from the tension between holding on and letting go, blooming in their rich search for truths.

Released in April, 2016, The Wayside debuted at #7 on the Euro-Americana charts and hit #4 on the Roots Music Reports Top 50 Contemporary Folk chart. It has continued to impress critics: Penguin Eggs Magazine calls Kelley’s voice ‘hauntingly beautiful, echoing the best of Gillian Welch’ and New York Music Daily calls the duo ‘the real deal.’ Folk Radio UK describes McRae as ‘evocative of the finest moments of Emmylou.’ Mike Penard of Radio France says, “With hundreds of new releases each year, there are maybe ten or twenty magical moments. The Wayside is one of those moments.”

Kevin Montgomery, with Clive Barnes - Monday, October 10th 2016

Kevin Montgomery plays BAG at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, on Monday, October 10th, 2016. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12. Clive Barnes backs him on all things stringed.

Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles all figure prominently into the musical landscapes that singer/songwriter Kevin Montgomery paints with his high lonesome voice and heartfelt lyrics. As the child musical parents - his Dad, Bob, was Buddy Holly's musical partner, and wrote songs like 'Heartbeat', 'Wishing', and 'Misty Blue'; his mother was Elvis Presley's backup singer, and sang on 'Suspicious Minds', 'In The Ghetto', 'Kentucky Rain', 'Everlasting Love' and many others - Montgomery had little choice in the matter of his musicality. With that bloodline, the nature angle is covered pretty well. As for the nurture side, growing up in Nashville set the rootsy Americana sound as the basis of Montgomery's work, while busking in subways adds New York's sly, street-smart sensibilities to the mix. The wide-open, sun-filled skies of Los Angeles top it all off with an optimism and melodicism reminiscent of Jackson Browne.

Montgomery made a strong debut in 1993 with 'Fear Nothing' on A&M Records. It showcased a young talent with obvious potential, earned him slots fronting for labelmate Sheryl Crow and David Crosby, and garnered limited airplay on Triple-A radio. With that foundation, Montgomery bounced around for several years before departing A&M. He got himself onto a number of compilation discs, including the Buddy Holly tribute Not Fade Away where he duets with Mary Chapin Carpenter. Montgomery also took some time to collaborate with folks like Lee Ann Womack, Cindy Alexander, Rodney Crowell, and Anna Wilson. Both Martina McBride and Juice Newton sought out Montgomery's tunes to cover. In 2000, Another Long Story came to light in the U.K. and Europe. A great collection of Montgomery's strongest work yet, it caught Paul McCartney's ear and got Montgomery invited to perform at the former Beatles' annual Buddy Holly birthday event in London. His popularity overseas has been further proven by the numerous television performances and sold-out concerts enjoyed on every visit. To capture the feel of his acoustic European shows, Montgomery recorded Kevin Montgomery Live at Nashville's legendary Bluebird Café in 2001. Also released in 2001 was the EP Paint which features a duet with Trisha Yearwood on the aptly titled "Tennessee Girl." That track was chosen by the BBC as their lead-in to the CMA Awards.

In 2012, Montgomery released 'Some Comfort', and continues to tour the U.S. and Europe regularly.

Video: 'Some Comfort': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ges_fGFaYTw

Clives Barnes needs little introduction to the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs audience; he is, without doubt, one of the finest guitarists to come out of Ireland. A remarkable player of regular guitars, as well as lap, slide, and steel guitars, Barnes has forged himself an international reputation, both as a player, and a singer/songwriter in his own right. He is highly sought after as a 'sideman' adding, as he does, tremendous texture to many artiste's stage sound. From his early days he has performed with some of the finest musicians, the world over. Here he is backing Eric Bibb and Taj Mahal when he was just a youngfella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gJix03hO2k

Suzanne Jarvie, with Chris Brown and Kate Fenner - Monday, October 3rd.

Suzanne Jarvie & Hugh Christopher Brown - Featuring Kate Fenner - Play BAG at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace on Monday, October 3rd 2016.

The Canadian multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Hugh Christopher Brown's vast musical relationships run across genres and stem back to his teenage years playing Hammond organ on the road in North America, with his own band and many others.

Brown recently produced David Corley's and Suzanne Jarvie's debut albums, garnering international critical acclaim for both. Two Irish tours with Corley have cut a path he now walks with Suzanne Jarvie and longtime musical partners Kate Fenner.

Canadian Americana singer-songwriter Suzanne Jarvie has been singing and playing music since childhood. A legal career and four children to take care of would be life's focus until the near fatal accident of her eldest son brought forth the writing which became her highly praised debut album, Spiral Road. Produced by Brown, the record is a deeply personal journey of Americana and roots influenced songwriting. Music critics compared Suzanne's "seraphim-pure" (No Depression) vocals and songwriting to Lucinda Williams and Emmy Lou Harris and the record was honored with a 2015 Independent Music Awards nomination in the Best Concept category. Paul Kerr, Americana UK raved “Spiral Road is, simply put, a superior example of singer song writing in the Americana tradition...There are some heart stopping moments…powerful…”

Kate Fenner's voice has been called ' A National Treasure' by the CBC. Her recent works with legendary artist Joan Jonas have given that voice a permanent home in the Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art. Growing up with Brown, the two have a dozen albums between them, and deep musical roots in NYC and Canada. Beyond their own works, they have toured alongside BB King among many others. Fenner and Jarvie first collaborated for a New York show two years ago. Their combined voices proved immediate sisterhood.

The trio will be performing songs from their collective repertoire and debuting music from forthcoming albums.

Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12.

Suzanne Jarvie - 'Spiral Road' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu5al8OBm_Y

For more info:
http://suzannejarvie.com/ 
http://www.chrisbrownmusic.com

THE GREAT TRADE - Monday, Sept. 26th, 2016

Peter Doran has played BAG solo, on at least three occasions. A man of many talents, and musical manifestations, he returns to Mick  Murphy's on Monday, Sept. 26 - this time in the company of Brian Murphy, to bring us his latest project, The Great Trade. Who better to tell us all about it than Peter himself ( (c) www.peterdoran.com/blog ):

"Introducing “The Great Trade”

 For the past couple of years, in fits and starts, with great bursts of creativity quickly followed by long periods of distraction or working on other things, songs have been coming together for a new project called The Great Trade. These songs have been co-written with my friend Brian Murphy, a fellow Mullingar native who has contributed electric guitar and lap steel on my last two records.

The first beginnings of this project came when we were on tour in the UK and Holland in 2013. We were both looking for a way to play some shows outside of Ireland and somehow this tour came together. The entire tour lasted about three weeks I think and in that time we spent a lot of time together in vans, trains, hotel rooms, back stage areas and coffee shops. So much of being on tour involves waiting. You’re always waiting for the show to start it seems. Hurry up and wait. We filled these spaces with chatter and dreamings and wandering conversations. Out of some of these conversations came songs, or the beginnings of songs, the outlines of ideas.

It was interesting to be kicking around song and melody ideas with another human being for a change. It was exciting and had a speed and energy that I don’t often encounter when working on my own. This was the first signs of something coming together. There was a feeling, still is, that we could write some good songs together and more importantly enjoy challenging each other to write well.

After this 2013 tour I went on to write and record my “Outlines” album and then tour that. Brian has been busy with his other original project “Arrow in the Sky” and playing guitar with the band Cronin. In this way the time gets filled. We grabbed some time here and there in 2014 / 15 but have really turned our attention back to the project this year. In April we recorded our first video with the help of Mark Bennett and Darragh Glennon. The song is called “Blackberry Wine” and was inspired by a book I read about the life of Billie Holiday. I hope you enjoy: https://youtu.be/IUTeLljx8R4 ".

This promises to be a great show; Peter Doran is one of Ireland's finest young songwriters.
Doors open at 8:30pm; Admission is €12

Ben Reel - Monday, September 19, 2016

It's been a few years since Ben Reel last played BAG, so its great to welcome him back to Mick Murphy's in Ballymore Eustace, on Monday, Sept. 19th. As usual, doors open at 8:30pm, with Admission being €12.

Irish artist Ben Reel released his eagerly awaited 7th studio album on May 18th 2015 simply titled `7th’ which is a real rock`n’record featuring his great band. Like the previous album `Darkness & the Light’ in 2013 the new album 7th was recorded & produced by himself  in his home studio in Co.Armagh, Ireland.  

Since his debut back in 1999, each album has gone from strength to strength, receiving critical acclaim from radio & press from around the world. Ben’s music has evolved into an honest earthy sound that has matured like a fine wine, drawing from the well of different styles of musical influence from rock, soul, blues, alt folk/americana, country & reggae which fuses all these genres into a melting pot to create a great sound which has become his own .

In the past years he has had numerous high profile TV & Radio appearances and airplay under his belt including Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 and has supported names like Jools Holland, Alabama 3, The Cranberries and has collaborated musically with such names as Hal Ketchum, the legendary ‘Blockheads’, award winning saxophonist Gilad Atzmon and co wrote and performed with some of Nashville's finest, David Olney, John Hadley, Sergio Webb & Irene Kelley.

Videos: 'One of These Days' - https://youtu.be/AW5lWeAKV_E
             'Our Fathers' Sins' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZpgR6rGDYo

BAG Gig Schedule - Autumn 2016

After the usual summer break, BAG is back!! Here we go for year number six!! 

The Autumn schedule is jam-packed with the best acts from Ireland and overseas. Put your favourite picks in your diaries now, and don't miss out. All gigs are, as usual, on Monday nights in Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. Doors open at 8:30pm, with a showtime of 9pm. Unless otherwise stated, admission to all gigs is €12

For artiste info/videos etc. click on the links provided.

September

5th - Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly (IRL) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp09K-WdVYI

12th - Niall Connolly (IRL) http://niallconnolly.com/ Support from Eugene Brosnan 
http://www.eugenebrosnan.com/

19th - Ben Reel (IRL) http://www.benreel.com/

26th - Peter Doran - The Great Trade (IRL) http://www.peterdoran.com/

October

3rd - Suzanne Jarvie (CAN) http://suzannejarvie.com/

10th - Kevin Montgomery (USA) http://www.kevinmontgomery.com/

17th - Kelley McRae Duo (USA) http://kelleymcrae.com/

24th - Greenshine (IRL) http://greenshinemusic.com/ 

November

7th - B and The Honeyboy (IRL) http://www.bandthehoneyboy.com/

14th - The Four of Us (IRL) http://the4ofus.com/

21st - Jeff Finlin(US)/Peter Bruntnell(UK)/Clive Barnes(IRL) http://www.jefffinlin.com/ http://peterbruntnell.net/ http://www.clivebarnesmusic.com/

28th - John Blek (Solo) (IRL) http://johnblekandtherats.com/

December

5th - I Draw Slow (IRL) https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/

9th - 6th Annual 'Vibe for Larry' - Free session of music, song and stories - all welcome.

Followed by winter break - BAG will resume again in February 2017

Songwriters In The Round - Gary Ferguson, Roy Thompson & Shane Sullivan

BAG gigs in Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, may be on a summer break, but organiser, Roy Thompson is not!

U.S. Country/Old Time singer/songwriter, Gary Ferguson returns to Ireland in July for a tour, and following several dates around the country with Colin Henry, he teams up with Roy Thompson and Shane Sullivan for two 'Songwriters In The Round' shows. In the past few years, Gary has teamed up and co-written with each of these Co. Kildare songwriters. This is the first time that all three will have shared a stage together, and has the makings of two great shows.

Details as follows:
Friday July 15 - Arts & Culture Centre, McCauley Place, Naas, Co. Kildare. 8pm Show. Tickets are €12 and are available from Jam Music, Naas, from Saturday June 18th; from Hair by Eilis, Hair Salon in Kilcullen, or you can reserve by phoning Roy Thompson on 086 3270780, or Shane Sullivan on 086 8597164
Sunday July 17 - Tutty's Bar, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow. 4pm Show. A 'Pass-the-hat' gig with a recommended donation of €10pp

Gary Ferguson - 'Morning in May' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT9USr4Jh0E
Shane Sullivan - 'Little Steps' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zuGqI4GtS4&list=PLbXlgJmjggiBJFapfGX6pK27wdJUOdrTk
Roy Thompson - 'To Say So Long' co-written with Gary Ferguson and Frankie Lane - 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3Q_Y3MGN4

For more info on Gary Ferguson's other Irish dates, check out: 
http://www.gunnysacksongs.com/ferguson_and_henry/

BAG Listings - APRIL/MAY 2016

All gigs are in Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. 
Unless otherwise notified, all gigs are: 
Doors 8:30pm; Show 9pm; Admission €12.

Please follow the artist website/YouTube links below for music samples, etc.

Monday Apr 4th - Niall Connolly (IRL - U.S. based)
niallconnolly.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2pCYdXvcw

Monday Apr 11th - B and The Honeyboy (IRL)
www.breakingtunes.com/bthehoneyboy
https://youtu.be/CnrGPIcrd4g


Monday Apr 18th - Fiach Moriarty (IRL)
http://www.fiachmusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Fiach2008


Monday Apr 25th - Josh Harty (USA) + support - Mark 'Cappy' Caplis, aka Kolumbus
www.joshharty.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN08u6lGo-g

Kolumbus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjuxSOyfpes


Monday May 2nd - Bank Holiday, but...
Peter Mulvey (USA) plus John Statz (USA)
http://www.petermulvey.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/petermulvey43
http://johnstatz.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQnJWyCeBfs

Monday 9th - Winter Wilson (UK)
www.winterwilson.com  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwHtFzdU5Yk

Monday May 16th - No gig.

Monday May 23rd - Buddy Mondlock with Mike Lindauer, and Tim Grimm (Double bill) €15

www.buddymondlock.com  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ki_jr0xEpE
www.timgrimm.com  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSRhFVhXWI

Monday May 30th - Roy Thompson (IRL) with special guest, Eugene Brosnan - last gig before summer break.

https://www.facebook.com/roythompsonmusic/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Poap000fE

Eugene Brosnan:

'Share Of The Blame' -

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn410f9n17E


'Spring Wind' (Greg Brown cover)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPm68cnopvY

BAG GIG SCHEDULE - FEBRUARY-MAY 2016

All gigs are in Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. Unless otherwise notified, all gigs are: Doors 8:30pm; Show 9pm; Admission €12.

Here's the full listing for FEBRUARY.

Monday Feb 1st - The Lost Brothers (IRL) (€15)

thelostbrothersband.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QV5_GRec8

Monday Feb 8th - Small Town Jones (UK)

www.smalltownjones.net
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggsOvunbd6U

Monday Feb 15th - Paul Tiernan (IRL)

www.paultiernan.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeL5bYm2UyM

Monday Feb 22nd - Mark Geary (IRL)

markgeary.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W24GSOhbqQ

Monday Feb 29th - Krista Detor (USA)

www.kristadetor.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Us0ljmUWPM

Only three gigs in MARCH, as the last Monday of the month (28th) is the Easter Bank Holiday. Here's what's confirmed so far:

Monday Mar 7th - Cormac O'Caoimh (IRL)
www.cormacocaoimh.net 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RphBcEBjlE

Monday Mar 14th - Luan Parle 
with Clive Barnes (IRL)
www.luanparle.com
https://youtu.be/spbTADWtjCI


Monday Mar 21st - Nick Nace (USA) with Gordon Barry (IRL).
https://www.reverbnation.com/nicknace
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEF10BSxZBLX99KH637vmRA
http://www.breakingtunes.com/gordonbarry

Here's what's in the BAG so far for APRIL:

Monday Apr 4th - Niall Connolly (IRL - U.S. based)
niallconnolly.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2pCYdXvcw

Monday Apr 11th - B and The Honeyboy (IRL)
www.breakingtunes.com/bthehoneyboy
https://youtu.be/CnrGPIcrd4g


Monday Apr 18th - Fiach Moriarty (IRL)
http://www.fiachmusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Fiach2008


Monday Apr 25th - Josh Harty (USA)
www.joshharty.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN08u6lGo-g


And coming in MAY:

Monday May 2nd - Bank Holiday, but...
Peter Mulvey (USA) plus John Statz (USA)
http://www.petermulvey.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/petermulvey43
http://johnstatz.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQnJWyCeBfs

Monday 9th - Winter Wilson (UK)
www.winterwilson.com  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwHtFzdU5Yk

Monday May 16th - No gig.

Monday May 23rd - Buddy Mondlock with Mike Lindauer, and Tim Grimm (Double bill) €15

www.buddymondlock.com  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ki_jr0xEpE
www.timgrimm.com  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSRhFVhXWI

Monday May 30th - Roy Thompson (IRL) - last gig before summer break.

https://www.facebook.com/roythompsonmusic/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Poap000fE

BAG Gigs - January 2016

Just the one show this month, but its a good 'un!! Debut BAG appearance for Gordie Tentrees from Canada - see below. Monday, Jan 25th, Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. Doors 8:30pm. Gig starts 9pm sharp. Admission - €12 at the door.

Gordie Tentrees w/ Jaxon Haldane
Gordie Tentrees crosses the big pond with 25 record release concerts in England, Ireland and Scotland including famed Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland with much loved multi-instrumentalist Jaxon Haldane who also opens all concerts solo before joining Gordie. 
Deeply personal and moving, melodic and uplifting and lyrically rich – these are the songs that will tear your heart out, one note at a time. Master storyteller and multi-instrumental performer Gordie Tentrees has arrived. Yukon based, Ontario raised, farm boy, golden glove boxer, school teacher, youth counsellor turned folk artist, Tentrees has released 6 records touring North America, UK, Australia and Europe up to 200 concerts each year, nominated for Western Canadian Music Awards, international song competitions and toured with Kelly Joe Phelps, Fred Eaglesmith, Steve Poltz and Mary Gauthier. www.tentrees.ca
Opening the concert is Oklahoma based, Winnipeg raised Jaxon Haldane, former bandleader for legendary Canadian punk-bluegrass band the D-Rangers, performing his own songs as well as joining Gordie on banjo, mandolin, fiddle saw, and cigar box guitars. See them both below!

WATCH Gordie Tentrees – Love in Ink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vsytjbpMU4
WATCH Gordie Tentrees – Keno City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91YuurM1c0E

2016 - A New Year with a new Program

2015 was a great year, in which I presented 30 gigs to the 'Ballymore Faithful'! Audiences were great, with plenty of new faces joining the ranks of the regulars. The long-established ethos of 'quiet attentiveness' has remained unadulterated; new listeners have quickly understood, and valued, the wonderful respect that is shown to all musicians who come to play for us - for that, I am thankful, and, indeed, reassured that there are still people who do want to go to gigs to listen to the music. So, on behalf of all the musicians, and myself thank-you, one and all, for your continued support. Do please keep it up - we need you as much as you need us!

2016 promises to be another great year of gigs, with much of the first half of the year already booked. As usual, I'll be presenting a mix of returning favourites, and quality acts new to BAG. Striking the balance between the two is always the challenge, but I think you'll enjoy what comes your way, even if I can't give everyone their every wish! Believe me when I tell you that inquiries for bookings, far outnumber the available Mondays. However, there's always 2017, and beyond! 

This year, as last, all gigs will start at 9pm - unless otherwise advertised, with doors generally opening at 8:30pm. Admission price will generally be the same, too, at just €12, but there will be some higher profile acts who will command a little more. "That's understandable", I hear you say. Well, I thank you for your understanding!

Check back regularly, as I'll be posting monthly updates - I can't sustain last year's individual gig postings - with artist info, website and video links. Please note that when posted the monthly updates may not be complete, and this will be indicated at time of posting - further acts may be added, filling in the gaps.

If you do the whole Facebook thing, head on over to the new BAG Like Page at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BAGBallymoreAcousticGigs/

If you'd like to be added to the Mailing List, email ballymoregigs@gmail.com

Here's to another great year of magic nights in Mick Murphy's Bar in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare!

See ye in Mick's!

R.T.