For the last few years we’ve all looked forward to the coming together, at around  this time, of some of the world’s best musicians for the Ar Ais Arís festival in Buncrana.

And while the festival is not going ahead this year, we’re all delighted that some of Buncrana’s best are in fact coming home for a celebration of music. The Pyros will perform on two nights in the Inishowen Gateway and all at Scoil Íosagáin are especially looking forward to the concerts on Friday 27^th March and Saturday the 28^th.

Another week has gone by and here in Georgia the weather has been all over the place. Last week, if you remember, we were on a tornado watch. Then we got a couple of days of steady and much needed rain. This was followed by a big snowstorm coming through which is very rare in this part of the world and finally yesterday we were back to sunny and almost warm weather. So if you think Irish weather in unpredictable, think again. At least in Ireland we know it is going to rain. 

I want to send my best wishes to the owners of the Malin Hotel this week who will be celebrating 20 years since the ballroom opened. If you have never been to the Malin Hotel or even Malin Town itself the hotel is a great gathering place in this beautiful village. The ballroom is at the very top of the hotel and my band "The Pyros" have played there many times.  In fact we used to make a weekend of it when we were there, playing the gigs in the ballroom and then sessions until dawn in the bar.  We would finally find a room and sleep until lunchtime when the whole session would start again. Thanks to all in Malin for the many happy memories. 

On this week's acorss the pond we have new music from Liz Carroll and John Doyle and old music from Fats Domino and The Country Gentlemen among many others. There is music from Ireland, England, Scotland and America this week with well knows names such as Tom Waits and cool bluegrass players like Mike Auldridge. Something for everyone I think. Also more details of the Pyros gigs in Buncrana at the end of the month. So enjoy the show and stay in touch.

Well once again it is time for the show notes for Across The Pond. It is episode 24 and another week closer to my Irish trip. I hope many of you will be able to make it to the Pyros gigs in Ireland. I am looking forward to the trip even though this year I won't have my lovely Lupa at my side to enjoy everything with me. Lupa came with me last year and she took to Ireland like a duck to water, although she didn't really see the value of my plan to build a house right up at Malin Head. She thought the wind was a little too cold for her American blood. But you watch, I will get her round to the idea eventually.  Anyway the Leon Redbone track on today's show is for her. 

On this week's show.

1. Shoot the Moon - Blueridge - Common Ground

2. Wild and Wicked Ways - Leon Redbone - No Regrets

3 Whiskey Before Breakfast - The Woodpickers - An Evening in the Smokies

4. Hey Porter - Marty Stuart -  Sugar Hill Retrospective

5. Mean Old World - Butch Robins - Freamments of my Imagination

6. Weep Not For The Memories - Seamus Egan - A Week in January

7. Killing me Softly - Mike Auldridge - Blues and Bluegrass

8. Misr'y River - Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver - Doyle Lawson

9. What's for Dinner - Bering Straits 

10. Kakvo e tsvete tsufnalo - Pirin Bulgarian National Folk Ensemble - The Legendary Bulgarian Voices

11. Tine The Conqueror - Jackson Brown -  Time The Conqueror

12. One Love - Mark Schatz - Brand New Old Tyme Way

13. Broken - Tift Merritt 

14. The Parting Glass - from Waking Ned

Have a Great Week Everybody!

Oh and check out the new Pyros site at http://jigtime.com/thepyros

Finally we are able to officially announce that the Pyros will be doing at least 2 gigs in Donegal next month. So set your alarms for Friday March 27th and Saturday March 28th. After lots of speculation we finally decided to hold the two concerts in our venue of the past 3 years, The Inishowen Gateway Hotel. 

I was sitting here last Thursday waiting for my show to be broadcast when I heard the news of John Martyn's death. And it took me by surprise how hard it would hit me. I jumped on Youtube to look back at some great moments of his long career and spend a couple of hours enjoying memories of where I was or what I was doing when I heard each particular song. And while there were tears there were also smiles knowing that John had been part of a rich tapestry of music I have been lucky to grow up with. Thanks for all the great music John. Today's show is you and you alone.

And to show you some insight into just how  deeply felt and personal John's songs are, have a look at this piece from an interview John did with Phil Cunningham during a series on the music of Scotland. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkcmB8a1cn8&feature=related

There is no poll today. The show features just a small sample of John's prolific body of work. I have some favourites and I have played a few of them on the show. But there are too many brilliant songs, too many magical moments in music history from this one man for me to pick my real favourites. Play me a John Martyn song and I will be transported back to a very specific time and place in my life. Not many musicians have that effect. Enjoy the show and relish your own memories of John Martyn

On today's show we have music from Bonnie Raitt, Randy Kohrs with Dolly Parton. Dermot Byrne and Mister Midnight among others. This is also the last show I record at my old house in Norcross as I am moving to the picturesque town of Suwannee which is just a few miles north of here. It is also the last show before the new administration takes power in Washington. So lots of changes on the way and I am hopeful they will be good ones.

Also on the show today I talk about a great concert taking place in my home town of Buncrana on Friday night.