Jiri Kralik & The Rowdy Rascals, Czech Republic
			This outstanding band plays traditional bluegrass, old-time country and western-swing music. The band prides itself on the extremely high quality of instrumental ability and its member’s additional ability to provide ‘acapella’ vocals. The essential focal point of the band is the man who created it, the fiddler Jiri ‘George’ Kralik; The Rowdy Rascals include Jirka ‘George’ Bok, guitar and banjo player; and Matej Cerny, double bass player.
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			Papa Truck, England
			Papa Truck is an English bluegrass band with both an interesting name and musical persona. The band's critically acclaimed debut album is a great indication of why this is so, full of upbeat songs, fine picking and harmony vocals. Papa Truck band members include Martin Selman (guitar, mandolin, harmonica and Jew's harp); banjoist Dan Abram; Sparkie (double bass and vocals) and Ryan Quartermaine (guitar and vocals).
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			The Tin Box Company, Ireland
			A meeting of like-minded musicians in the Poitin Stil at an open session in mid 2006 was the start of it all. All band members of The Tin Box Company originate from Dublin; namely Barney Bowes (guitar, fiddle and vocals), Martin Gilligan (banjo and vocals), Martin Kavanagh (mandolin and vocals), John Heaney (fiddle bass and vocals) and Paul McEvoy (guitar and vocals). The band has played at the North Wales Bluegrass Festival and at the Athy Bluegrass Festival Fest.
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			Janet Holmes & Friends, Northern Ireland
			Born and raised in Belfast into a very musical family it is not surprising that Janet Holmes has a passion for music. Janet first appeared at Omagh as part of the innovative band ‘Birddog’. Janet took a new direction in the last two years when she began writing her own material which came together in her latest CD ‘Wonder Why’. The new CD was launched as part of the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival where Janet also supported to Nanci Griffith. At Omagh this year Janet will be performing with Colin and Ivan and other friends.
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			Big Medicine, USA
			Big Medicine play string band music of the rural South, their music consists of old-time melodies and mountain harmonies, ancient ballads and archaic fiddle tunes, heart songs, hollers, hymns, and a touch of early bluegrass. Their music has remarkable power and timeless appeal; a balm for the modern maladies of the soul. Big Medicine comprise of Kenny Jackson, Jim Collier, Joe Newberry, and Bobb Head.
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			The Aubrey Ghent Band, USA
			The Aubrey Ghent Band is noted for being a soulfully traditional, high energy gospel jam band. The "Aubrey Ghent Band" pictured from left to right are Lori Ghent (vocals, tambourine), Glynn Moore (organ, keyboard), Tre' Byrd (drums), Larrice Byrd (bass guitar, vocals), Thomas Rhyant (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Aubrey Ghent, center stage, (steel guitar, vocals).
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			The Jeff and Vida Band, USA
			With three critically acclaimed records under their belt and five years of rigorous international touring, this duo make big impressions wherever they go. Performing original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country. Their live performances showcase Vida’s powerful voice and Jeff’s superb picking on mandolin, guitar and banjo and tight well arranged harmonies.
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			The Paperboys, Canada
			It's been said The Paperboys music is hard to describe. It has been called 'a place where Irish, Mexican and roots music collide’. The Paperboys tour extensively, average shows per year range at 150 throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. They've played at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, The Borderline in London, New York's Falconridge Festival and they've headlined at the UK's Warwick and Trowbridge festivals
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			The Blue Grass Boogiemen, The Netherlands
			Known as Blue Grass Boogiemen, a.k.a. the Hillbilly Boogiemen from Holland. The Blue Grass Boogiemen is a five-piece band from Holland, and have been playing bluegrass, vintage country, and rockabilly music since 1990. The Blue Grass Boogiemen are Robert-Jan Kanis (guitar and vocals), Arnold Lasseur (mandolin and vocals), Aart Schroevers (bass and vocals), Bart Van Strien (banjo and vocals), and Lody Van Vlodrop (fiddle and vocals).
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			Mike Cleveland and Flamekeeper, USA
			Award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland brings dynamic traditional bluegrass to the stage with his band, Flamekeeper. A five-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's Fiddle Player of the Year award, Mike and his talented band present a program of tight vocal trios and duos, blistering instrumentals, and fiddle and banjo duets that echo the first-generation stars of bluegrass. The band members are Michael Cleveland (fiddle), Todd Rakestraw (guitar), Jesse Brock (mandolin), John Mark Batchelor (banjo) and Marshall Wilborn (stand up bass).
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			G2 Bluegrass Band, Sweden
			G2 Bluegrassband are Sweden's very own young, cool and ridiculously good Bluegrass band. Formed at a festival in the Fall of 2005, G2 quickly got to work mixing up their own Scandinavian blend of bluegrass, building around singer Christoffer Olssons soulful, mellow voice. G2 Bluegrass Band are made up of 5 members: Christoffer Olsson on guitar & vocal; Erik Igelstrm on mandolin; Tobias Strmberg on dobro & vocal; Jimmy Sunnebrandt on acoustic bass & vocal and finally Jens Koch on banjo.
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			Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, USA
			Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned, and intense traditional bluegrass. Their music is born of the vibrant old time southern fiddle bands, as well as the lonesome moans of the backwoods mountain blues. The power and soulful nature of Danny’s lead singing will quickly get the attention of those hearing this band for the first time. You’ll feel the power in his upper range and be struck by the contrasting blues-filled emotion in his lower range. The Southern Grass band are T.J. Lundy (fiddler) and Bobby Lundy (bluegrass banjo).
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			Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, USA
			Jerry and Tammy Sullivan have gone from one of gospel music's best-kept secrets to one of its most loved successes. This father and daughter combination, who trace their musical lineage back more than 60 years, are beneficiaries of a rich family tradition of acoustic gospel music. Beginning in the late 1970's, Jerry and his then fourteen-year-old daughter Tammy Sullivan became a team. Jerry sings and plays guitar while Tammy leads the vocals and plays upright bass.
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			Woodbine, Ireland
			Playing traditional and contemporary bluegrass as well as acoustic country music, Woodbine are a four piece band from Athy, CountyKildare.Comprising Liam Wright on guitar, dobro and bass fiddle, Nicola OBrien on double bass, Tony OBrien on rhythm guitar and Paddy Chanders on mandolin, guitar and bass fiddle, all four members provide superb vocal harmonies with material arranged to suit the bands line-up.Woodbine have played at all the Irish bluegrass and folk festivals over the past few years and released their first album in June 2004.
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			Rough Deal String Band, Ireland
			The Rough Deal String Band play music inspired by many sources, tunes gleaned from the old and the new. Bill Whelan plays five string banjo in the band. For more years than he cares to remember, Bill played upright bass with various bluegrass and Irish traditional music bands. Now he sticks to playing banjo in his own unique style. Tim Rogers plays fiddle and adds vocals to the group. Originally from New England, Tim also plays mandolin, banjo and harmonica. Ben Keogh features on guitar and vocals.
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			Jack Lawrence & Tony Williamson, USA
			Jack Lawrence has been called a ‘flatpicking powerhouse’. His style combines exciting, high spirited and innovative guitar solos. Tony Williamson is among the finest mandolinists alive. He has performed in many different musical genres and ensembles including acts like the Bluegrass Alliance. Over the years, the two musicians have developed a brilliant guitar partnership, capitalizing on both their strengths. This is great music hiding behind genuine humility.
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			Hungry Hill, Canada
			Hungry Hill is a five-piece acoustic bluegrass group with a focus on original material. Based in northwestern Canada, Hungry Hill features lush vocal harmonies resonating from three singers around one microphone, and the powerful individual delivery of voice and instrument. Hungry Hill offers soaring harmonies, dazzling instrumental prowess and critically acclaimed song writing tastefully delivered.
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			Broken String Band, N. Ireland
			The Broken String Band play traditional, raw acoustic Appalachian mountain music at its foot tappin best. This dynamic band features Geordie McAdam who has teamed up with his old friend Michael Ash. Both are former members of The Black Mountain String Band. They play old-time music with real passion and enthusiasm. Along with Geordie and Michael are the Muirhead brothers, Ivan and Adrian. This pair add the bluegrass sound and drive to the band. With bass player Big Walty, these guys have real talent and gel together with ease.
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			Northern Exposure, N. Ireland
			Northern Exposure from Armagh comprise of two brothers Pete and Patsy Toman and Petes son, Jonathan. They have taken part in most of the bluegrass festivals in Ireland. Patsy's role in the band is lead singer and guitarist, while Pete sings and plays double bass. Jonathan is the mainstay in the band with his exhilarating banjo playing and guitar picking. Jonathan was involved in a banjo album called 'Banjo Influence', a CD featuring a number of players from all over the world.
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			Professor, Jack Bernhardt (Lecture Series), USA
			Jack Bernhardt is a Professor at Wake Community College, Raleigh, North Carolina. A professor of anthropology, Jack will once again enthral our visitors with his informative and entertaining insight into the musical traditions of American folk music. In January 1980, he moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and developed a strong interest in country music and playing guitar. He began making trips to Galax, Virginia, and Mount Airy, North Carolina interviewing musicians and recording musical performances. In 1987, he was hired by the Raleigh News and Observer as their correspondent covering country and traditional music.
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