With the guitar now firmly back centre stage in contemporary music – for a while there we feared a joint ukelele/kazoo takeover – all eyes are turning towards Drogheda for next week’s Irish Guitar and Blues Festival 2011, a veritable nirvana for guitar and blues lovers.

The event is in association with RTÉ 2fm, Hot Press, The Sound Shop in Drogheda and the town’s state-of-the-art theatre, the TLT. Highlights include live performances, masterclasses and clinics by top musicians from home and abroad. Plus, there will be an exhibition of the leading brands in the guitar-player’s armoury.
Featured artists include Irish songwriting legend Paul Brady who will play with his band at the TLT on Saturday, April 16 on a bill that also includes Grammy award-winner Ed Gerhard. Acclaimed guitarist Pat McManus will have already graced the same venue the previous night with a band of supremo musicians, including Henry McCullough of Wings, Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash and Barry Barnes of Sinner Boy.
Leading session and live guitarist Jimmy Smyth will host a series of masterclasses on Sunday April 17 with Jason Duffy (drums) and Paul Moore (bass). Masterclasses will also be presented by Ed Gerhard and fingerpicking genius Richard Gilewitz, while Mundy and Eleanor McEvoy will present a class on songwriting and guitar techniques whilst Jason Duffy focuses on blues drumming.
The Guitar Fair in The Sound Shop (next door to the TLT) will display gear from such renowned brands as Fender, Marshall, Martin, Taylor, Takamine, Godin, Breedlove, Boss, Yamaha and Peavey. And the weekend will climax with the celebratory Guitar Festival All Stars Finale Concert on Sunday at 5pm, which will feature all the leading lights of The Irish Guitar and Blues Festival 2011. Hold onto your plectrums – it’s gonna’ be some weekend!

MEET THE MASTERS
ED GERHARD
Gerhard is a Grammy Award-winner whose music has won fans in Europe, Japan and the US. He is equally at ease on 6-string, 12-string, slide guitar or acoustic Hawaiian lap slide. He captivates audiences with his virtuosity, quick wit and warm tone. He can express emotion with every note.
 
RICHARD GILEWITZ
Fingerstyle guitarist Gilewitz delivers rousing performances blending sublime playing with humour. His playing encompasses the entire history of the acoustic guitar, including blues, folk, traditional and classical. One of the most charming aspects of a Gilewitz performance are his anecdotes about travelling the world, teaching guitar.
 
JIMMY SMITH
Irish blues and rock legend Smyth started playing guitar aged seven. His first band opened for Thin Lizzy, Brinsley Schwarz, Horslips and Frankie Millar. Philip Lynott later invited him to join Lizzy to replace Brian Robertson. Jimmy recorded two albums with The Bogey Boys and has featured in ‘Best Guitarist’ polls in Hot Press, alongside The Edge and Rory Gallagher.

PAUL MOORE
Moore has played electric and upright bass since his teens and recorded with Mary Coughlan, Juliet Turner, Katie Melua, The Chieftains, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Mark Knopfler and Van Morrison. He’s worked with Riverdance, Jimmy McCarthy, Paul Brady, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Moving Hearts, Jon Lord, and Michel Legrand, as well as on the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and Chicago.

ELEANOR MCEVOY/MUNDY
McEvoy has just completed an extensive UK tour to promote her latest album, I’d Rather Go Blonde. Her live shows reveal her virtuosity as both guitar-player and songwriter. She has collaborated with Dave Rotheray (ex-Beautiful South), Rodney Crowell and Henry Christian. Mundy is back from a tour of Australia where his version of ‘Galway Girl’ has been a huge success, matching his own ‘July’ and ‘Mexico’.
 
JASON DUFFY
Duffy is one of Ireland’s most sought-after drummers. Playing since age of 11, he has collaborated with The Corrs, Michael Flatley, Bono, Sharon Shannon, Donal Lunny, Jeff Beck, The Waterboys, Imelda May, Paul Brady, Mundy, Shane McGowan, Damien Dempsey, Tara Blaise and more. His masterclasses are a fascinating experience for any drummer.

For full line-up see page 49.