Eventful Couple Of Weeks ...

It has been an eventful couple of weeks, both here in Bluegrass Manor, and out and about doing Gigs. We had a wonderful visit from Neil Rosenberg and his wife. Neil is the author of a very fine book on the recordings of Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, and he is also a fine 5-string Banjo player, so we had lots to do, and lots to talk about. Neil had borrowed my 1904 John Alvey Turner for the duration of his stay in Ireland, and he and his wife, Terri, played many great Newfoundland Fiddle tunes, as well as some great Bluegrass standards, and made fine contributions to a bunch of my new songs. Speaking of new songs, the launch of my Pinecastle Album has been confirmed for the 25th of September at Jack's Barbeque on Lower Broadway in Nashville, during IBMA week 2012. I will also be doing some Pinecastle Records showcases, as well as playing for EBMA at the Renaissance Hotel. The Album is called Onwards and Upwards, and the title says it all ! The project was produced by Keith Sewell [ Dixie Chicks, Sam Bush Band, Lyle Lovett, Earl Scruggs ] and recorded at Loud Studios in Nashville with Viktor Krauss on Bass, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Ashby Franks on Mandolin, Keith Sewell on Guitars and yours truly on Vocals and Mandolin. There are ten new songs and one instrumental, and I can't wait to get it out to Radio and TV ............. Here at home we are also planning the release of an Album called 'The Best Of The Niall Toner Band', 2002-2012,celebrating ten years of very productive work with Clem O'Brien and Dick Gladney. There are 21 tracks in all on this project, and it will be available at our up-coming Gigs from July onwards, and as they say, in all good record stores. Included are some of the songs that have brought our music to an International audience, and also led to my singing with Pinecastle Records. Finally, for now, I am looking forward to the Athy Bluegrass Festival this coming week-end. Best, Niall, July 2012.