The kickoff concert for Ireland’s premier folk conference, Your Roots Are Showing (YRAS), presents “Folk in Fusion – YRAS Live,” on January 14th, 2025, a showcase of globally acclaimed roots music artists. Headlined by GRAMMY, MacArthur, and Pulitzer Prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens, this event features an extraordinary lineup of talent from both sides of the Atlantic. Highlights include the inaugural Your Roots Are Showing Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to bluegrass legend Peter Rowan, honoring his enduring impact on roots music.
Featured Artists:
- Peter Rowan: GRAMMY-winning bluegrass icon, celebrated for his groundbreaking songwriting and contributions to the genre. Recipient of the first YRAS Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Rhiannon Giddens: GRAMMY-winning vocalist and instrumentalist, acclaimed for her profound exploration of African American musical traditions and their role in Americana.
- Dirk Powell: GRAMMY-winning multi-instrumentalist known for his innovative interpretations of Appalachian music and ability to bridge traditional and contemporary sounds.
- Ron Block: 14-time GRAMMY winner, revered for his soulful banjo and guitar work with Alison Krauss & Union Station, blending technical mastery with emotional depth.
- Alison Brown: GRAMMY-winning banjo virtuoso whose genre-spanning style fuses bluegrass, jazz, and Celtic influences.
- Thomas Gabriel: Songwriter and grandson of Johnny Cash, carrying on his family’s storytelling legacy with a fresh, distinctive voice.
- Liam Ó Maonlaí: Frontman of the Hothouse Flowers, renowned for merging traditional Irish music with contemporary folk-rock.
- Kenny Sharp: A roots-blues performer known for his emotive vocals and dynamic stage presence.
- Enda Scahill: World-class Irish tenor banjo player and co-founder of We Banjo 3, celebrated for blending traditional Irish music with modern styles.
- Brendan McCreanor: Acclaimed Irish uilleann piper and co-founder of the YRAS conference, showcasing Ireland’s evocative musical landscapes.
- Gerry O’Connor: Master Irish fiddler whose intricate style connects the traditions of past centuries to today’s folk scene.
- Sandy Kelly: Ireland’s “Queen of Country Music,” bridging Celtic balladry with Nashville influences.
- David Geaney: Five-time World Champion Irish dancer, delivering electrifying performances that amplify the rhythms of folk music.
- Brown Liquor Music: An ensemble blending Americana, roots, and country to create a spirited and soulful experience.
More information at showingroots.com/folkinfusion
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central