Sierra Hull

Burlington, MA — The bluegrass world - and critics - are buzzing about “Secrets,” the forthcoming national debut album from 16-year old mandolin prodigy Sierra Hull. Due May 6 on Rounder Records, “Secrets” is an astonishingly mature album that balances hard-driving bluegrass with introspective ballads and features a who’s who of bluegrass all-stars including Ron Block, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Rice, Jim VanCleve, Rob Ickes, Chris Jones, Jason Moore, and 17-year-old banjo whiz Cory Walker (who is in Sierra’s band, Highway 111).

“Sierra Hull is without doubt my favorite mandolin player! Her approach to building solos and working in all situations, both on vocal numbers and instrumentals, is SO far beyond her years that I constantly stand amazed. It’s always good to hear fresh young players with a hunger to pick and create good music, and I am convinced that Sierra Hull is going to be a player and singer that we’ll all be listening to and trying to emulate for years and years. If you’re a mandolin player and haven’t listened to Sierra, you are in for a TREAT. Get your mando out and prepare to rip off as many licks as you can figure out. I know I am! She’s a true inspiration and an even better person!!! I’m so glad I can call her my friend and you’re going to LOVE this recording.” Adam Steffey

Sierra Hull on the Road:

• Apr. 19 — The Feeding Seed with Ron Block - Fletcher, NC
• Apr 25-27 — Merlefest - Wilksboro, NC
• May 14 — The Station Inn (CD Release Party) - Nashville, TN
• May 17 — Silver Dollar City - Branson, MO
• May 30 — Graves Mountain of Music, Syria, VA

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Jeanette Williams will play a York, PA concert  April 12.

Bobby Osborne moved back a week at the Wheeling Jamboree

We reported earlier that Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press would be playing the inaugural show for the re-incarnated Wheeling Jamboree in West Virginia on April 12. That show has been pushed back to Apr. 19 at the Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling.

In addition to Bobby Osborne, the Wheeling Jamboree has scheduled the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Cherryholmes for a May 24 show.

Bluegrass on the Tuesday night Opry

This week’s Tuesday night Opry will feature The Whites and the Del McCoury Band who both play during the 7:30-8:00 slot. Ricky Skaggs is the sole performer on the 8:30-9:00 slot. In addition to performing, Skaggs will be presented with an honorary doctorate of music from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.

The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM 650 AM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.

Cedar Hill’s “Poverty Row” climbs to #8

Cedar Hill’s latest release, “Poverty Row,” (Blue Circle Records) landed at #8 this month on the Cashbox Top Bluegrass Albums Chart. This marks the 3rd month on the charts for “Poverty Row.”

You can catch Cedar Hill onstage later this month at the Early Bird Bluegrass Festival on March 29 in Hugo, OK.

Jeanette Williams Band heading to York, PA in April

The Jeanette Williams Band will be closing out the last show of the season for the Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association’s monthly Concert Series on the 12th of April. The show takes place at the Goodwill Fire Company 2318 S. Queen St. York, PA from 7:00-9:30. Doors open at 5:30 and tickets are $12.00 for members and $15 for non members. For more information call 410-343-2228 or 717-350-4791.

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Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill -”Welcome Here Again” (Green Linnet)

Nashville, Tenn., — Irish fiddler Martin Hayes was featured this last week in The Wall Street Journal’s popular Leisure and Arts column, Cultural Conversation. The Wall Street Journal is the second largest newspaper in America with more than two million readers.

Martin Hayes was the recipient of TG4’s 2008 Gradam Ceoil Award for Traditional Musician of the Year and will appear at the awards show on March 21, 2008 in Killarney, Co. Kerry to officially accept. “The Oscar of the traditional music world” (The Irish Times), the Gradam Ceoil is the highest accolade a traditional Irish musician can receive.

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill’s latest release and first studio album in over a decade is titled Welcome Here Again. Hayes and Cahill were featured on last month’s cover of Irish Music Magazine, have appeared on WFUV’s “Ceol na nGael” and “A Thousand Welcomes” and have received rave reviews in both The Irish Echo and The Irish Times. A review of Welcome Here Again will be heard on NPR’s All Things Considered later this month.

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The Arhoolie Foundation has recently received grants to continue work on two film projects. A documentary on the New Lost City Ramblers, directed by Yasha Aginsky, is well on its way toward completion. This film features live performances recorded at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, interviews with musicians, and archival footage of this pioneering band.

Also in the works is a documentary about legendary California old-time musician Kenny Hall, directed by Chris Simon. The film plans to document the music and life of this 80 year old blind fiddler and mandolin player who has influenced many old-time traditionalists and is also a unique singer and storyteller.

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