Frank Hall began to learn the art of the bow, playing for square dances in southern Indiana in the early 1970s. He journeyed with various old-time bands (The Monks, Easy Street Stringband, Indiana Raincrows) and dance troupes (Rhythm In Shoes, Shuffle Creek Dancers), occasionally dabbling in traditional Irish and Mexican fiddle styles. He has been coming regularly to Ireland since 1991, when he first met and played with Johnny and Lena. In addition to fiddle he plays stand-up bass, a little guitar, and writes the odd tune.
Lena Ullman’s playing and singing has been widely appreciated around the country since the founding of the Higglers Jug Band in the 1980s. Introduced to the 5-string banjo and American music at age 15, she has since become a masterful player of old-timey tunes and ‘high lonesome’ songs. As an innovator Lena has adapted the quintessentially American ‘clawhammer and frailing’ on banjo to various styles including traditional Irish dance music, and can often be found in sessions around East Clare. She has also written a number of gorgeous tunes.
Johnny Moynihan, singer, songster, instrumental innovator, itinerant minstrel, hardly needs introduction as he has made a towering reputation in Irish traditional and folk music circles, further enhanced by occasions and stories of his lingual wit. In this combo, Johnny indulges his fondness for American traditional music while adding his own stamp, and—though not the first to do so—another instrument to another tradition, in this case, the box to old-timey music.
Influences
Old-time American Country music--fiddle and banjo dance music and songs from live sources as well as recordings from 1920's-40's.
Johnny Moynihan of Sweeney’s Men, Planxty, DeDanann, The Fleadh Cowboys: vocals and accordeon, mandola, mandolin, fiddle and more.
Lena Ullman of The Higglers Jug Band: vocals and five-string banjo
Frank Hall of The Monks, Easy Street Stringband, Rhythm In Shoes: vocals, fiddle, guitar
Old-timey dance music from the southern Appalachian region of America, some say the errant son and daughter of Irish music, ranges in style from sensitive waltzes to nervy breakdowns, all safely musical. Wild and edgy, backbeat and funky, bluesy and ballady, the child is also father and mother to country and rock. It’s roots music, the spud and the bog carrot, butter fried and salted.
I'm still trying to get that ol' "Chilly Winds" track to work on your pop out player. It's that time of year. It's cold as a witch's toenail and I'm trying to save money on the heating. "Chilly Winds" would make sense at the moment, but it refuses to play. I need a swig of moonshine, but can't get the bottle opened.
Hope you're keeping warm and well, away over the water, and having great success with the Mexican songs. I'm zeroing in on German lieder at the moment. They're great for singing in the shower, when there's no hot water left. Of course, I still keep a few French chansons on the back burner. They come in handy when doing illegal U-turns. Italian arias are just the thing for doing laundry. But Mexican songs must open a whole new world.
Damn, we're over here working our arses off trying to play them twisty Irish tunes and you all nail both yours and ours at the same time!! Lovely music--I'm stealing that Train song! Glad to have new musical friends.
Hi there, Frank - Enjoyed watching the interview for the Galway Arts Festival. Worried Man Bluessounded lovely. Wish I'd been there. Things are going well here - recorded and mixed three songs last week with some great players - but I can't help missing dear ol' Éire. All the best from the Wild West.
Hi Moonshine, I Draw Slow are playing The Cobblestone, Smithfield in Dublin on Wednesday 24th June, supported by the amazing Thomas Kitt. Doors are at 8.30 and admission is €10, a small price to pay to see the citys two premier acoustic acts don't you agree? On the off chance you disagree, come down on wednesday next to the Cobblestone, Smithfield Dublin and we'd be happy to discuss it.
Antonio Hoyos will be joining us on the 16th of June, appearing as "The Great Antoine!"
We are delighted that this great comedic performer can join our line-up.
The Pop Haydn Post-Modern Medicine Show will be appearing at The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood! One show at 8:00 PM.
Pop will be joined by Professor Dave Bourne and the Medicine Show Band, Rob Zabrecky, Sophie Evans, Antonio Hoyos, Phil Van Tee and Pop's Candy Girls for a wonderful show of Old Time Music, magic, comedy and variety.
It'll make you feel better!
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
19th Century Attire Welcome!
You can buy tickets at LaughFactory.com or call: 323-6561336 ext 1.
For more information and video go to my Myspace Profile or:
That ol' "Chilly Winds" must be one of the greatest tracks I've heard in the last hundred or so years. Was glued to it, for over an hour. Played it fifty odd times and still want to hear it again. If I didn't have to go and feed the chickens, I'd sit here all day. That Moonshine you got brewing, down there in Mount Scribe, or wherever it's hidden away, is mighty strong all right, mighty strong!
We look forward to your gig in Downeys in Ballyfermot on Thursday, February 19th 2009. Some of the "younger members" do remember Johnny performing 25 years ago. The others are just too young to remember.
"Well, like I tell the girls, if you have trouble with the mike, just smile real loud."
-Mother Maybelle Carter, as quoted near the end of Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone? (The Carter Family & Their Legacy In American Music)
We've all been there. Hope you're well. Have been meaning to send you the complete recordings of the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Charlie Poole, & Hank Williams, so that you, Lena, Johnny and Frankie can get prepared for our cross-country biker bar tour, this April. Must get off my arse! In the meantime, send my love to your fellow joggers.
Yes it's bleached and I cut it myself. The whole thing cost me $4. Looks at least twice that I reckon. - Still can't leave the country so no trips planned. Ray's not doing a tour of Ireland this summer because no one knows him there so it's hardly worth it. If you ask me I think he went there looking for me and his mission is accomplished. : ) Hope the music is going great for ye, Moonshine.
Hey there, Mickey Moonshine - Forget about the CDs. I'll get hold of a few, one way or another. Have a friend in Dublin who has a box of them. Also, I'll get on to Vinny, soon. Haven't meant to be callous; have just been busy baby-sitting my nieces, playing in the snow, getting bossed around, pinched in the butt, and punched in the stomach. Nobody said it was going to be easy - but hell! Having said that, I think Moonshine and myself should do a tour of biker bars, starting in, say, Butte, Montana, and ending up in Bristol, Tennessee. Run the idea past Lena and Johnny. Till then: all the best!
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