We received a note from Slovak banjo player Richard Cifersky, asking us to share a message about his indiegogo campaign to help him raise the funds necessary to obtain a VISA to live in the United States as a working musician. Filing and attorney fees are estimated to run $5000, and Richard is hoping that his many friends in the US will chip in enough to crowdsource these costs.
The reason he asked us to share this note today is the fact that matching funds are available until September 25 for anyone who makes a donation.
“Hey everybody, I’ve been working hard raising money for my Musician’s Working Visa. I just got back from a great tour in Ireland, with my band Bill Faster. I spent two weeks with a good friend and colleague (from Bill Faster) painting his house. I also have been playing with Natural Fusion (a duet project with amazing guitarist Peter Luha).
But I don’t want to let my indiegogo campaign fall by the wayside. I have raised only 1/4th of the funds needed to renew my O-1 VISA for three years. To give this campaign a jumpstart, my dear friend and VISA sponsor, Jonathan Maness (of WestWend and Anteflow Records, Inc.), has agreed to match, dollar for dollar, any contributions made for a week, up to $500! This means, with your help, we can raise an additional $1000 for my indiegogo campaign this week!
If you are considering making a donation, now is the time to do it, because for this week only, any funds you contribute will be doubled. This opportunity began on Tuesday, September 15th and will end on Friday September 25th. Please consider helping me realize my dream of playing music professionally in the United States. Great artists like WestWend, and businesses like Jonathan’s Anteflow Records, are waiting to put my talents to good use in the American music industry, and you can help!”
Help make a humble banjo pickers dream come true… if you can. Richard will surely be deeply appreciative of donations of any size.
Immigration is a hot topic of conversation in the United States these days, and is likely to remain so as we head into the Presidential election next year. Everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter, whether the discussion centers around the tedious process to reside in the US by law, or on the many non-natives who enter and remain here surreptitiously.
Opinions on this question can be brutal and harsh on all sides, but one issue seems to unite everyone: that the process of obtaining resident status by the book is quite cumbersome, and often very expensive and time-consuming as well. Permanent legal resident status, sometimes referred to by its token as “green card” status, is typically required prior to applying for citizenship, with work visas often used to enter legally beforehand.
A case of this sort has arisen in our bluegrass world, in the form of Slovak banjo player Richard Cifersky who is currently appealing to friends in the States to help him obtain a three year work visa. This sort of immigration status allows a foreign national to earn money legally in the United States during the time the visa is valid, but limits the holder to working only in that specified field. If it is not renewed, the visa holder is expected to return to their home country, though this is an oft-abused aspect of the system.
Richard has studied five string banjo from the Slovak Republic since he was a boy, and is hoping to find a career playing bluegrass in this country. He has visited the US many times on a previous visa, and is trying now to make a permanent move here. Though he hopes to eventually receive a green card, he is applying for an O-1 visa which is reserved for foreign nationals who have demonstrated “extraordinary ability” in the arts, sciences, athletics, education, or business.
The difficulty is that an attorney is required to file all the necessary paperwork, and Richard says that the filing fees have doubled since his last application. He expects that the costs for a visa application alone will run $5,000, and said that he has been told that permanent resident status is almost impossible to achieve without physically being here.
“I spoke with lawyers about ‘Green Card’ but the process is very difficult as US government has strong new rules. I am asking again for same working visa as last time (R-O1).
Working visa entitles you to perform only a job in the applicant’s profession. Mine is music and I must have US sponsor who will guarantee that I will do only music. My sponsor is again my friend, Jonathan Maness. I would like a stay 3 years and during this time try establish my life and music career over there. After this time I hope I will be ready to ask for ‘Green Card.’ “
Richard has created this video to explain his situation, and asks that bluegrass lovers all over the world would consider making a small donation to his indiegogo campaign to raise the necessary cash.
With this level of difficulty in following the law, it isn’t hard to see why hundreds of thousands of immigrants chose to simply cross the US border illegally each year.
If you feel called to help Richard in his banjo journey to the US, donations are being accepted online.
When musical friends get together to experiment without preconceptions, interesting and unexpected outcomes can be the result.
Such is the case with The Natural Fusion Project, a two-year-old effort that came from a pair of Slovak artists looking to merge their musical approaches. One, Richard Cifersky, was a noted contemporary banjo player, and the other, Peter Luha, an internationally-recognized electric guitarist.
Both are virtuosic instrumentalists, with their own ideas about original music. Together it’s a unique sound, with Peter combining his distinctive slap guitar rhythm with Richard’s roll-oriented banjo.
Here’s video of one of the tunes they’ve recorded, one of Richard’s called War In My Mind.
More video examples of their tunes can be found on The Natural Fusion Project web site.
US grassers are rapidly getting used to the idea of bluegrass music being a truly international endeavor. It may be, and may long remain, a primarily American musical form, but important contributions from beyond our shores are a regular component of bluegrass news.
Eastern Europe in particular has witnessed an explosion of more than the music, with a number of internationally-prominent bluegrass businesses cropping up as well.
A new one is Banjolit (pronounced banjo-light), the brainchild of Slovak banjo player Richard Cifersky, who has assembled a team of inventors and entrepreneurs to create innovative products for banjo players worldwide. They include luthier Robert Neuszer, woodworker Miroslav Durai, web and app developer Jiří Markalous, electronics designer Ivan Benkovič, and banjo picker Bennett Sullivan to help conceive, design, develop and bring new products to market.
Their first is available now, a wooden banjo armrest they call Dr Arm. Designed to reduce arm fatigue and increase comfort, these are made using common banjo hardwoods (maple and mahogany), and attach quickly using an ingenious, screw-in system.
Cifersky said that the project began about a year ago, when he and Durai were discussing the idea of a wooden armrest. Both agreed that they preferred wood to metal, but neither were satisfied with what was available on the market.
“We started working on our first prototype, and did testing for couple months. I tested various radius and finish options on the wood for a month each. In the end we have our final armrest, which has a natural wax finish and a very comfortable radius.”
This video demonstrates quite nicely.
Dr Arm can be ordered for US or European delivery. The US price is $45, plus $5 shipping. More details are available online.
Richard tells us that they have more products to add soon, including an ointment made from the Comfrey plant to reduce inflammation in players who have paid or soreness issues with their hands or arms.
He is also involved in Radio Velvet, a listener-supported 24/7 streaming bluegrass radio service based in the Slovak Republic. It features a mix of hosted and automated programming, all of it 100% grass.
Slovak banjoist Richard Cifersky will be visiting the US again later this month. He will serve as a staff instructor during Acoustic Music Week at Lincoln Memorial University, and perform with east Kentucky’s Velvet Blue while he’s over.
Richard plans to be in the States from June 19 through July 5. The timing of his visit works out perfectly to teach at the camp, which runs June 23-28 in Harrogate, TN, and help out with Velvet Blue, who recently lost their banjo player.
Acoustic Music Week is an instructional project managed by Steve Gulley and Dale Ann Bradley in the Cumberland Gap area of Tennessee. Instructors include Alan Bibey on mandolin, Mike Scott on banjo, Kenny Smith on guitar, Phil Leadbetter on reso-guitar, Brandon Godman on fiddle, and Marshall Wilborn on bass. Steve and Dale Ann will lead workshops on singing and songwriting, and Richard will help with intermediate banjo.
Cifersky is a heralded picker at home in the Slovak Republic, where he has twice been named Banjo Player of the Year by the Slovak Bluegrass Music Association. He has also performed as a member of Fragment, one of Europe’s most celebrated bluegrass bands, and helps arrange tours of eastern Europe for US artists.
Velvet Blue just recently said farewell to Megan McKamey, who had been playing banjo with the group. She has left to work with the Tyler Williams Band, and focus attention on a new solo project, Here’s Your Goodbye.
Megan tells us that the album contains 12 new songs she has written, with her playing banjo and singing lead. Assisting are Steve Gulley on bass, Jason Burleson on mandolin, Tim Stafford on guitar, and Ron Stewart on fiddle. Gulley and Dale Ann Bradley tackle harmony vocals on the project, which was recorded at Gulley’s Curve Studio.
The remaining members of Velvet Blue – Brian Cooper on guitar, Carrie Johnson on bass, and Taylor Hampton on mandolin – are looking forward to having Cifersky with them this month.
“We are excited about playing with Richard, while he’s visiting the US this summer! When you get to work with musicians of Richard’s caliber, it’s an honor share the stage with them. We only wish his visit here could be longer!”
Fragment, one of the most popular central European bluegrass bands ever, is celebrating their 30th anniversary by doing a reunion tour. Bass player and vocalist Jana Mougin is chronicling their tour for us at Bluegrass Today.
Day 9: December 1, Budapest, Hungary
The last show of our tour was actually Fragment’s first ever in Hungary. Even though Budapest is only a couple of hours drive from my hometown Bratislava, Slovakia, we’ve never had a chance to play here, as bluegrass has never had a wide fan base in this country. The times are changing and our southern neighbors are discovering this genre and musically, they are actually doing really good!
I was very impressed as we arrived to a nice Community House downtown in Budapest. The band on stage Poa Pratensis (scientific name for Kentucky bluegrass) was sounding great! We were the closing band of the event, and while we were enjoying home made goulash soup (thanks to Adrienn and Milan), we had a chance to listen to a folkier formation Tempered Sprits.
The concert was held in beautiful atrium of the Community House and despite a very small audience, the atmosphere was really great. Quietly listening fans, applauding after solos, enjoying every moment of our show made our first time performance in this country really enjoyable.
Big thanks to Hungarian Bluegrass Association for this well organized night! It was nice to meet new musical friends and fans.
Shortly after the finished the last show of our tour, we jumped back in the car, as the boys had a long trip home ahead. Even though everybody was tired, we felt happy.
Our 30th anniversary was simply a blast! I just hope it won’t take a long time until we get together again!
Fragment, one of the most popular central European bluegrass bands ever, is celebrating their 30th anniversary by doing a reunion tour. Bass player and vocalist Jana Mougin is chronicling their tour for us at Bluegrass Today.
Day 8: November 30, Pezinok, Slovakia
I woke up to another day of our tour in my cousin’s house in Roznava, where I had a chance to spend a few hours with my son. Sammy spent the whole time, while I was touring, with my family. They took great care of him and I can’t thank them enough. Even though I knew he was having a wonderful time, it was hard for me to say goodbye and leave him for two more days. The rest of the band picked me up on their way from Kosice and we continued traveling together to Pezinok, our banjo player Richard’s hometown.
The concert was held in the Cultural Center of this little town in the West of Slovakia, primarily known for winemaking. To our surprise, all the seats were sold out and we had to add a few chairs to accommodate all the fans who came to celebrate with us tonight. “Candy Floss”, the band from Zvolen, opened for us and they were well received again. They were easy to follow as the audience was very appreciative and happy. It reminded me of the release party of our album “Meant To Be” we played in this hall 10 years ago. The same atmosphere, the same familiar faces, maybe just a bit older now.
A special (and totally unexpected) surprise was a delicious cake we’ve received from one of our friends. It was another great concert and I started to be a little sad that our tour was drawing to an end. One more show in Budapest, Hungary tomorrow and we’ll have to say goodbye.
Fragment, one of the most popular central European bluegrass bands ever, is celebrating their 30th anniversary by doing a reunion tour. Bass player and vocalist Jana Mougin is chronicling their tour for us at Bluegrass Today.
Fragment DAY 7: November 29, Kosice, Slovakia
Our seventh day on the road was very special to us from many reasons. The invitation to play in Kosice initiated the whole idea of putting together our 30th anniversary tour. Through the years, we’ve played in this city on regular basis and we were looking forward to see our old buddies – musicians and fans.
To me, this part of my home country is even more special, because my mother was born in this part of Slovakia, and many members of my family live here. But the main reason, why this night was so exceptional was, that the concert held in the beautiful Old Town Hall, was a tribute to our friend Peter Dula. Peter was a great country singer, songwriter and guitar player, who lost his battle with cancer four years ago, at the age of 28. He was the lead singer/guitar player in Slovakian band Peter and The Rowers (Veslari). Fragment was honored to be a part of this event, along with three other formations Country Pohoda, Dusan Dobias & Erich Bobos Prochazka and Slovak Tango.
The tradition of the “Tribute to Peter Dula” started four years ago and as a part of the concert, Honorary Awards of Peter Dula are presented to a few personalities actively working on the country/bluegrass scene as publicists, festival or event promoters. Fragment, Henrich Novak, Richard Cifersky and myself were very honored to be inducted in Peter Dula’s Hall of Fame. On behalf of Fragment, our dobro player Henrich Novak also accepted Peter’s “traveling” guitar, that he will keep until the next year and pass it on to the next awarded artist.
To me, the highlight of the night, besides great music and wonderful audience, was meeting Peter’s parents for the first time. Along with Ladislav Sasak (family friend and a long time member of The Rowers) they keep the memory of Peter and his musical achievement alive. I’m thankful for that as it was a night I will cherish forever.
Fragment, one of the most popular central European bluegrass bands ever, is celebrating their 30th anniversary by doing a reunion tour. Bass player and vocalist Jana Mougin is chronicling their tour for us at Bluegrass Today.
DAY 6: November 28, Zvolen, Slovakia
Probably the hardest day of our tour. After five hours of sleep we got up at 6:00 a.m. and enjoyed full European breakfast in our hotel in Kaufbeuren. The tables were nicely decorated with Christmas centerpieces and candles, even for breakfast. Great start of the day!
By 7:00 a.m. we were on the road. The beautiful winter scenery and sunrise made our 10-hour-long trip more enjoyable. We traveled from southern Germany, through Austria to central Slovakia. The concert was held in the historic Town Hall in Zvolen. It was nice to see our friends from bluegrass band Candy Floss (based in Zvolen), who opened for us tonight. They played all original material and they put on a great show!
Again, we saw a few familiar faces in the audience and overall it was another wonderful night. We stayed with Candy Floss’ bass player Anton Naroda and banjo player Simona Schmidtova in their beautiful house in the vicinity of Zvolen. They took a great care of us, treated us with special locally-made food and drinks. It’s been a long and exhausting day.
Thanksgiving day is my favorite American holiday and I thought of my family and friends across the ocean. Even though we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Slovakia, besides many other things in my life, I was extremely thankful for the opportunity to play music in my homeland again, surrounded by friends.
Fragment, one of the most popular central European bluegrass bands ever, is celebrating their 30th anniversary by doing a reunion tour. Bass player and vocalist Jana Mougin is chronicling their tour for us at Bluegrass Today.
Day 5: November 27 Kaufbeuren, Germany
The last day in Germany turned out to be a bit cold, but beautiful. We left the hotel in Langenau and drove about an hour to Kaufbeuren.
When we arrived at the hotel, our guitar player Ondra found out that we were only fifty minutes from Neuschwanstein castle, a popular tourist destination in Bavaria.
We had approximately three hours until the sound check and everybody was up for taking a little trip to the “winter wonderland.” We jumped back in the car and in about half an hour we enjoyed beautiful winter scenery driving by the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. As we were getting closer, the castle emerged between the mountains and it really looked like something from a fairy tale. We didn’t have time to take the 30 minute walk to the most famous Neuschwanstein Castle, so we decided to walk up to the Hohenschwangau Castle close by. It was definitely worth walking up the icy stairs, as the view with two lakes, Alpsee and Schwansee below, was remarkable. Despite the cold weather (15 F), I wished we could have stayed longer.
Around 5:00 p.m. our routine began with loading the sound system into Sudhaus, a restaurant type venue, with regular bluegrass concerts. Among many others Claire Lynch, Chris Jones and The Night Drivers and Monroe Crossing played there earlier this year.
Our promoter Frank Rickal was worried about the attendance, as an important soccer match was on TV that night, but the first bluegrass fans started to show up an hour and a half before the show.
After the sound check and a lovely dinner – local specialty Kase Spatzle (dumplings with cheese and roasted onions), we were ready to start the show. We played three sets and during the intermissions we had a chance to chat with local fans/musicians at the merch table.
I have to admit, I was ready for bed when we finished the show with two encores, but yet we had to pack and load the sound system in the trailer. We got to the hotel around midnight and went straight to bed, to catch some sleep before our long trip back to Slovakia.
