Kilkenny goes Americana

So many people in America know just how popular Irish music and culture is in their own country. Very few realize that there is a very similar feeling for American roots music among the Irish population. Since I was a boy I have listened to the music from the American mountains and plains and loved the songs about people and places so far away from my own Donegal home. Guy Clark was a huge influence, conjuring up pictures of a more down to earth and real America you wouldn't find on television. Late night Irish radio would tease us with more great music and many of us fell in love with the America of folk song. Bluegrass, with it's strong Irish traditional roots, made a trip back home and found a great welcome among musicians who loved playing the fast paced tunes, some still very similar to their Celtic influences. In more recent times a younger generation has been discovering that American old time country, Americana and guitar fuelled rootsy pop have a lot to say to them too. They have embraced the bands and singers and realized that the U.S.A. has a lot more to offer musically than the sugary empty pop banalities of Brittany Spears or Justin Timberlake.

So it is no real surprise to see that the Kilkenny Rhythm n' Roots Weekend is in its seventh successful year. While your JigTime host enjoys a feast of great acoustic based Bluegrass and roots in the mountains of North Carolina next weekend, many American bands are heading to a small Irish town for a weekend of great music. Sponsored by Carlsberg the event takes place over the May bank holiday weekend, running from Friday April 30th through Monday May 3rd .

The lineup for the event would be the envy of any promoter in America and the organizers should be very proud to be able to put a selection of music like this on annually. Some of those playing include the legendary Terry Allen, whose re-release of his 1975 masterpiece Juarez (Sugar Hill) has rarely been out of my CD player in the last few months. Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men are also on board at the festival as are the Rev Johnnie Thompson Singers.

Mark Olson & the Creekdippers will join in the melee as will the excellent Caitlin Cary whose album I'm Staying Out is a superb example of real Southern pop.

From our own Irish shores there is a wealth of talent on offer too. The Mary Stokes Band will belt out their regular and powerful sets of great blues music. The Martin Hutchinson Band makes a visit home from the Netherlands where music fans have embraced the folk and roots songwriting from the ex pat from Kildare. Johnny Moynihan will also perform at the festival. Johnny has done it all, from Sweeney's Men to Planxty and De Danann. Johnny has worked with many singers including Annie Briggs June Tabor, Maddy Prior and Frances Black.

These are just a few of the great bands and artists scheduled to appear over the weekend in venues throughout the town. So if you find yourself in our lovely wee country next weekend I am sure you will find a great welcome and maybe even a few familiar faces in Kilkenny.

For a complete lineup of the acts appearing check out

http:///www.kilkennyroots.com