Nation & Blackwell heading to the UK

nation_blackwellIt seems we’ve been reporting a good deal of late about American bluegrass artists touring overseas. Given the costs, legal issues and inconveniences associated with taking a band out of the country, it’s great to see so many artists finding a way to make it work.

It shows both a growing number of artists willing to make the leap, and an increase in interest in bluegrass music outside the US and Canada.

Georgia’s Nation & Blackwell is preparing for two weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland starting in late January 2014. This will be their second tour of the island nations, having been there before in 2012.

The group consists of Chuck Nation on mandolin and fiddle, Curtis Blackwell on guitar, and Susan Nation on bass. For this tour, they will be joined by Gary “Biscuit” Davis on banjo.

Curtis has that most lofty of bluegrass pedigrees, having worked with Bill Monroe for a time in 1967 as a Blue Grass Boy. Chuck is a highly decorated musician as well, now the reigning Georgia State Fiddle Champion, and Georgia State Mandolin Champion. He is also a winner of the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship. Susan handles the singing and songwriting side of the band.

Davis has his share of major awards as well, with a total of four National Banjo Championships to his credit. He has also served as bandleader for Dolly Parton, and toured Ireland previously in that stead.

Nation & Blackwell will be promoting their latest album, On A High, High Mountain released earlier this Summer.

Irish tour dates include:

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.