Author: Uncle Stu

A fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, blazing mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana.

What do you get when you mash up a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster? Kenny Blackwell (mandolin and guitar), John Weed (fiddle), and Stuart Mason (guitar, banjo, and mandola) are the bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. Avid practitioners of the time-honored folk process, these boys combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

“Each of these three is amazingly accomplished, but something magical happens when they play together, their instruments swirling around one another like curls of smoke from a smoldering fire. This is old-time music at its most riveting!” –Glen Starkey, New Times SLO

Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell, who studied with the legendary Jethro Burns, has been a fixture in the West Coast bluegrass scene since the late ’80s. He is known for his extensive studio work on various projects, as well as his collaborations with progressive fiddler Richard Greene and his membership in the Laurel Canyon Ramblers, a legendary California bluegrass outfit.

An accomplished fiddler across genres, John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the traditional styles of Clare and Donegal.  The result is an old-time Irish fiddling style that compliments his forays into bluegrass, swing, and other American music. A classically trained violinist, John leverages his understanding of the instrument to coax emotion from every tune.

Guitarist Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals, melodic mandola, and inability to hold his whiskey. A native of West Virginia, Stuart has won awards for traditional singing (Goleta Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention), mandola (Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest), and songwriting (West Coast Songwriter’s Association). In 2009 a song from his solo release “Appalachian Bride” was selected from among 286 entries to appear on the first New Times Music Awards Compilation CD.

Acoustic folk and country bands Little Black Train, Mud Thump, and Mother Corn Shuckers will be performing at the Morro Bay Folk and Fiddle Festival on Saturday, May 22 at the Pelican Grill in Morro Bay. Each band will perform a one-hour set of lively down-home music, followed by an old-time sunset jam session at the end of the day. Musicians are encouraged to being their instruments. Admission to the festival will be $15, with all proceeds to support the musicians. Performance schedule is Mother Corn Shuckers at 1:00, Mud Thump at 2:30, Little Black Train at 4:00, and sunset jam session at 5:30. Food and beverage will be available at the venue. Seating is limited.

With an all-star lineup of veteran string wizards Kenny Blackwell, John Weed, and Stuart Mason, the headliners Little Black Train will perform vintage fiddle tunes and old-time songs from their new self-titled release.  From Depression-era gospel to Appalachian and and Celtic dance tunes, they explore the roots of bluegrass that date back to the nineteenth century and earlier. They employ the time-honored “folk process” to combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Bob Dylan. The new record also includes fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell, who studied with the legendary Jethro Burns, has been a fixture in the West Coast bluegrass scene since the late ’80s. An accomplished fiddler across genres, John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the traditional styles of Clare and Donegal. Guitarist Stuart Mason, who also plays mandola and banjo, is known for his authentic vocals and inability to hold his whiskey.

Mud Thump plays lively original songs that run the gamut from old-time bluegrass to new acoustic alt-country. Guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass fiddle combine with strong harmonies to produce their homegrown sound. With backgounds ranging from jazz to country, and strong original material, Mud Thump is a new band that has earned its place in the Morro Bay Folk and Fiddle Festival.

Opening the festival will be the Mother Corn Shuckers, an acoustic Americana outfit consisting of Che Miller on guitar and mandolin; Shawn Canon on guitar and mandolin; Mark Hughes on banjo; Jeff Pienack on guitar and harmonica; and Alan Vogan on bass fiddle.

Who: Little Black Train, Mud Thump, Mother Corn Shuckers
What: Morro Bay Folk and Fiddle Festival
Where: Pelican Grill, 560 Embarcadero, Morro Bay
When: Saturday May 22, 1-7:00PM
Cost: $15 at the door

Call 534-9021 for more information.
Email:  stu(at)helmintoller.com

The Clubhouse at This Old House will present “oldternative” bluegrass band Little Black Train on Friday, April 23, 2010 to celebrate the release of their new album “Little Black Train.” The cozy lounge with stone firepace and rustic beams will form the backdrop for Kenny Blackwell’s blazing mandolin, John Weed’s fiery Irish fiddling, and Stuart Mason’s songs of old-time Americana.

With its all-star lineup of veteran string wizards, Little Black Train will perform vintage fiddle tunes and old-time songs from their new release. From Depression-era gospel to Appalachian and and Celtic dance tunes, they explore the roots of bluegrass that date back to the nineteenth century and earlier. They employ the time-honored folk process to combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. The new record also includes fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland. The band, which has been together since last August, took its name from an old-time gospel number that was the favorite song of John’s four year old son at the time.

“For regular fans, they should come out and hear our new material with my banjo. And we’re working some old country blues into our sets as well, since bluegrass was greatly influenced by Southern blues,” says Stuart Mason. “For those who haven’t heard us before, they may have heard Kenny around the county in his other bands, and of course John and myself in Molly’s Revenge. Little Black Train allows all three of us to kick some butt in an acoustic trio format, which is a fun alternative to our other bands. John and I still can’t believe that Kenny said yes to this project!”

Little Black Train CD Release Party
The Clubhouse at This Old House, 740 W. Foothill Blvd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Friday April 23 2010, 7:00 p.m. Cost: $10

Press Contact:
Stuart Mason (stu-at-helmintoller.com)
805-534-9021