Roots To Rise Live, a new live recording from the Irish band We Banjo 3, was released on July 19th; it debuted this week in the # 1 position on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart. The band’s last studio recording, Haven, was released in July of 2018 and spent 3 weeks at # 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart, the only self-released CD on a chart dominated by major label releases. Haven also re-entered the chart this week in the # 5 position. Haven marked the first time an Irish band entered the # 1 position on the chart, thus Roots To Rise Live marks the second time for this grassroots crossover sensation.
We Banjo 3 is one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Ireland in recent years. This Galway and Nashville-based quartet comprises two sets of brothers, Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley, on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bodhran, and percussion propelled by lead singer David Howley’s emotive voice and pitch perfect harmonies from this band of brothers. Collectively these highly-respected players hold over a dozen “All Ireland” titles and are revered by their peers. We Banjo 3’s music is a passionate blend of Americana, bluegrass, Celtic, world music and pop. It is this crossover of many genres of music that makes them hard to pigeonhole and also makes them so appealing to talent bookers at major festivals in the U.S. such as Merlefest in North Carolina, BottleRock in Napa Valley, Summercamp in Illinois, and many more.
Roots To Rise Live was recorded on February 27-28, 2019, at The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and features a mix of original material, traditional compositions, and select cover songs, including a surprise in the middle of “Prettiest Little Girl.” It also includes two previously unreleased tunes, “Shine On,” which is a fan favorite at their live shows, and “John Brown’s.” Engineered by Mike Monseur and produced and mixed by Frank Marchand, the stellar production is receiving much notice in the rave reviews from the press and radio programmers. Roots To Rise Live is available on CD, vinyl and on most digital platforms.
Roots To Rise Live was released in conjunction of the band’s summer and fall 2019 U.S. tours, which continue to support Mental Health America raising awareness for the organization and funds with a $2.00 donation from the sale of every t-shirt and CD going to MHA.
We Banjo 3’s Roots To Rise tour schedule is as follows with all dates subject to change.
Thurs, 8/1– Portsmouth, OH– Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
Fri, 8/2– Dublin, OH– Dublin Irish Fest
Sat, 8/3– Dublin, OH– Dublin Irish Fest
Sun, 8/4– Dublin, OH– Dublin Irish Fest
Mon, 8/5– Bethlehem, PA– Musikfest
Tues, 8/6– Bethlehem, PA—Musikfest
Thurs, 8/8—Marshfield, WI—Chestnut Center for the Arts
Fri, 8/9– St. Paul, MN– Irish Fest of Minnesota
Sat, 8/10– La Crosse, WI– La Crosse Irish Festival
Sun, 8/11– La Cross, WI– La Crosse Irish Festival
Thurs, 8/15– Milwaukee, WI– Milwaukee Irish Festival
Fri, 8/16– Milwaukee, WI– Milwaukee Irish Festival
Sat, 8/17– Milwaukee, WI– Milwaukee Irish Festival
Sun, 8/18– Milwaukee, WI– Milwaukee Irish Festival
Wed, 10/2—Bend, OR—Tower Theatre
Fri, 10/4– Fairbanks, AK– Hering Auditorium
Sat, 10/5— Anchorage, AK— Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Sat, 10/6– Valdez, AK– Valdez Civic Center
Wed, 10/9– Washington D.C.– The Hamilton
Thurs, 10/10– Live Oak, FL– Suwanee Roots Revival
Fri, 10/11– Live Oak, FL– Suwanee Roots Revival
Sat, 10/12—Woodward Theatre—Owensboro, KY
Sun, 10/13—North Shore Center—Skokie, IL
Wed, 10/16– Brownfield, ME– Stone Mountain Arts Center
Thurs, 10/17—Storrs, CT—Jorgensen Auditorium
Fri, 10/18—Atlanta, GA—City Winery
Sat, 10/19—Franklin, TN—Franklin Theatre
Sat, 10/20—Black Mountain, NC—LEAF Festival
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.webanjo3.com
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
