The California Traditional Music Society and the Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival present a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, blazing country blues, and songs of old-time Americana.

Little Black Train

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012  7:00 p.m
At the CTMS Center for Folk Music
16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino CA  (818) 817-7756

Tickets are $15 at the door only, no presale tickets

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. The Train has been in the studio since the first of the year, tweaking new material for their second release on Native Home Records, and they're eager to break out some fresh songs for a discerning audience.

"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. Band members Weed and Mason are also members of the popular Celtic group Molly's Revenge.

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 SLO Music Awards Compilation CD.

The California Traditional Music Society's Center for Folk Music is located at
16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino CA, 91316, 818-817-7756.  Visit www.ctmsfolkmusic.org

The Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival remains one of the premiere old time folk and bluegrass events in America. Join us for our 52nd celebration on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at Paramount Movie Ranch in Agoura Hills, California. On three stages plus the Dance Barn and Children’s Area, set within Western movie sets and mountain locations. Bring your instruments and sit in with jamming musicians! Advance tickets on sale now to save money and avoid long lines. Visit www.topangabanjofiddle.org