Happy 75th Birthday Ray Benson!

Cheers to Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson on his 75th! Here are a few of Ray's memories and performances from over the years. 

The 26th Annual Banjo Special @ The Tranzac Club, March 22

Don't miss this chance to see four of Toronto's finest banjo pickers together on stage at the Tranzac on Sunday, March 22!

The 26th Annual Banjo Special

The banjo event of the season! Old-Time, Bluegrass, Folk banjo are showcased by four of Canada's top banjo pickers!

A fun night and a Toronto tradition! In its twenty-sixth year, The Banjo Special brings together four of Canada’s top players to celebrate this wonderful instrument at the Tranzac Club (292 Brunswick Ave) on Sunday, March 22 at 7:30 pm. Come and join Chris Coole, Arnie Naiman, Brian Taheny, Chris Quinn, and a myriad of guests as they present an evening of songs and tunes - with banjos at the heart of it all. There will be breakdowns and marches, picks and bare fingers, songs new and old, tubaphones and flatheads, Vegas and Gibsons. And it will all be handled with flair, fun, and big style. This is a unique chance to hear the diverse voice of both the five-string and tenor banjo, and how the instrument has woven its way into Bluegrass, Old-Time, Americana, and Traditional Irish music. Tickets are $33.59 advance and selling fast. Get 'em right here.

Meet the banjo pickers...

Across Canada and the United States, Chris Coole has become as much of a household name on the claw-hammer banjo as one can become. As a teacher, composer, and performer, he has plied his trade professionally for more than 30 years. Apart from his own albums, Chris can be heard as a sideman and/or producer on over 150 recordings by artists such as Sylvia Tyson, Jim Cuddy, Natalie MacMaster, Cara Luft, John Reishman, April Verch, Justin Rutledge, The Slocan Ramblers, and David Francey. Chris Currently plays with The Lonesome Ace Stringband. www.chriscoole.com

Arnie Naiman is a unique banjo player for his claw-hammer and fingerpicking styles. He was influenced by folk music of the 60’s and 70’s as well as by the music of pre-war artists such as Uncle Dave Macon, Charlie Poole, and The Carter Family to name only a few: Arnie is a very fine interpreter of these old songs and tunes. Arnie’s own banjo compositions are various; some joyous and celebratory, others haunting and dark. Arnie currently performs with Hannah Shira Naiman, Ragged But Right, and also in the Virginia-based old-time String Band, Albemarle Ramblers. Arnie has recently released his solo CD, My Lucky Stars. http://arnienaiman.com/home

String guru Brian Taheny hails from the Irish music mecca of Sligo, Ireland.Brian plays Fiddle, Tenor Banjo, Guitar, Irish Bouzouki, Cittern, Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello, Dobro and Bass guitar, and is also known for his innovative arrangements of traditional tunes. Brian has built a solid reputation for himself as an extremely accomplished Celtic musician with strong and uniquely distinctive style. He has performed with many of the greats in traditional music all over Europe, Canada, America, and Asia. He has performed on well over 100 albums, has received two Juno nominations and is currently part of the well respected trio "North Atlantic Drift" based out of Toronto. http://www.merriweather.ca/brian-taheny.html

Chris Quinn began his Scruggs-style bluegrass odyssey in 1979. Having performed on over 100 CDs as a sideman or featured artist, Quinn is a central figure on the bluegrass scene in Canada and abroad. Chris has become renowned for his solid timing, his sense of taste and tone, and his creative backup playing. A sought-after teacher, Chris has taught hundreds of people at camps and workshops, from Quebec to Tennessee, from BC to Asia. As younger players have come along to join the professional scene, Chris has been a mentor to many of them. Today, some of Chris’ former students have gone on to professional careers in music too. https://chris-quinn.ca

Watch the 22nd Annual Banjo Special below. 

The Ettes return with "Dangerous Girl"

The Ettes' Coco Hames and Poni Silver just shared a new song "Dangerous Girl" – check it out. 

Happy 79th Birthday Ry Cooder!

Raising a glass to Ry Cooder on his birthday with a studio session accompanying guitarist Manuel Galbán and more.  

Michael Mulholland's Junkyard revisits The Saints first three LPs

The first three classic albums by The Saints are the subject of Junkyard with host Michael Mulholland. Check the link below. 

The Saints' Stranded, Eternally Yours, Prehistoric Sounds

This week on Junkyard, we are focusing on the first three albums from The Saints - the records (I'm) Stranded, Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds. These three albums capture the transition in musical styles from one of Australia's best ever bands, as well as highlighting their great musical vision at the time. Chris Bailey initially left the band after the UK's final tour, before he was convinced to rejoin the band to complete Prehistoric Sounds.The band then broke up, upon the day of it's release. Chris Bailey kept The Saints going, after his return to Australia. By this stage Ed Kuepper had already formed the band Laughing Clowns. We'll be playing many tracks from all three albums, as well as discussing them in detail. Should be good, looking forward to it! Listen to the March 12th episode of Junkyard on Melbourne, Australia's Progressive Broadcasting Service PBS 106.7 FM right here. 

Col. Tom's Swinging Door w/ mandolin marvel Andrew Collins @ Cameron House, Sunday

Creaking Tree Stringer and Tone Ranger Andrew Collins sits in with Col. Tom Parker and crew from 6 pm to 8 pm. 

Marcus & Mary Margaret O'Hara's Martian Awareness Ball @ the Horseshoe, March 14

Tonight's St. Paddy's Day bash will double as a celebration of life for Marcus & Mary Margret's beloved sister Catherine. 

Watch a clip of Mary Margaret O'Hara on stage at the 48th Martian Awareness Ball right here