Festivals in 2010

Maybe it's so early, but here calendar of country and folk festivals in Slovakia:

FEBRUARY 2010

Date	Place	Name	Info
February 12	Nova Bana	Nova Bana Winter Folk Festival	A review of non-professional guitar soloists

MAY 2010

Date	Place	Name	Info
May 8	Prievidza	Strunobranie Folkforum 2010	A regional festival of music genres

JUNE 2010

Date	Place	Name	Info
June 2010	Zvolen	Country Garden
June 11 - June 13 2010	Trnava	Dobrofest	18th year - An international festival celebrating John Dopyera
June 18 – June 19 2010	Radimov	Radimovska sopa	14th year - A festival of good music
June 2010	Nove Zamky	Country Castle 2010	2th year - A festival of country. bluesgrass and western

JULY 2010

Date	Place	Name	Info
July	Nove Mesto nad Vahom	Country Park	10th year - Festival of country music groups and dance groups genres
July	Nova Bana	Nova Bana Summer Folk Festival	14th year - A festival of folk and country music groups
July 16 - July 17	Turzovka	Drotaria 2010	6th year - Festival of folk, country and tramp song
July 24	Povazska Bystrica	Country Music under Starry Skies	8th year - A festival featuring music bands and soloist groups and dance groups genres
July 30 - July 31	Liptovsky Hradok	Folk under Skalka	14th year - A festival of folk, contry, tramp and blegrass music

AUGUST 2010

Date	Place	Name	Info
August 6 - August 8	Tuzina pri Prievidzi	Country Fest Tuzina	14th year - A review of Slovak bands and performers of country, folk, bluegrass, tramp music and related genres
August 26 - August 28	Piestany	Lodenica 2010	12th year - An international festival of folk and country music

Back

Hello everybody.

Holidays finished and we all are back at job. I'm sure, somebody of us spent free days on romantic way or dream's islands (see up) with perfect person.

My holidays were different, but also nice. I spent holidays on way. But perfect way, I think. I spent it in adventure parks in Europe, especially in Germany and Belgium. (And I recommend you Europa park in Rust.) But I don't like to write about parks. This blog isn't about that, but about music, especially in country and folk music.

Last time I advertised Competition.

It hasn't so response as I've waited, but never mind. I thought of it and prepared own list and here it is:

• Rangers
• Jiří Grossmann
• Taxmeni
• Fešáci
• Waldemar Matuška

.

It isn't list what you've waited. These names are names of Czech bands and singers. Yes, they are my favourite. And also Bee Gees and ABBA, but it isn't Folk or Country, as you know.

And what about American singers. I prefer John Denver.


Rangers


Jiří Grossmann


Taxmeni


Fešáci


Waldemar Matuška

Country Competition

During all history of country music, there are and were many famous singers and music bands.

Everybody knows some hitparade in every kind of music, as well in Country music. Every year there is official competition - Grammy Awards. It is rating of professionals in more categories.

Let's try to create some own TOP 5. Here are only four categories:

• Singer - Man (Never mind if interpret is still alive or dead.)


• Singer - Women (Never mind if interpret is still alive or dead.)


• Music Band (Never mind if music band still exists or not.)


• Song (during all rich country history)

Please write it to comments under this post. Everybody can nominate 5 nominees for each category.

The contest will be close after 2 month and results will be published asap.

In the end, there will be evaluation and one of the voting will have his link on this site for 4 months.

Festival Pohoda - tragic 13th annual

Last weekend in Slovakia was the 13th annual of Bazant Pohoda. Music program was rich. On Thursday started British electronic formation Basement Jaxx and next Royal Choral Society. During next days there was legendary american poet Patti Smith and famous Czech interpret Marta Kubisova.

People saw Lou Rhodes and Andy Barlow with their project Lamb, headliner music band Travis, Klaxons, The Ting Tings, Hadouken. Also English-Sweeden formation Razorlight.

Slovak scene was represented by Collegium Musicum with Marian Varga, Richard Muller, Andrej Seban and Hudba z Marsu, Noisecut, traditional bands Zive Kvety, Hex, Tomas Sloboda Sounds Like This, Slobodna Europa, Para and Karol Miklos.

As you can see, this fest is full of good music and this year was not exception.

But, ...
Unfortunately this annual was different.

This annual has number 13th and somebody believes that this number is unlucky.

Bazant Pohoda is traditional organized on Trencin airport. By agency report, there were about 100 casualty people and 1 man died. Very strong wind detach O2 Arena. This accident was during concert of AMO and United Flavours. In that time there were more than one hundreds people.

What's happened?

Official news by TA3:
Police Investigation Into Tragedy at Pohoda Underway

Bratislava, July 19 (TASR) - Police continue to investigate the tragic accident that occurred at the Pohoda music festival on Saturday afternoon and claimed the life of a 29-year-old man from Piestany (Trnava region), spokesman for Police Corps Presidium Martin Korch said on Sunday.

There have been no new findings concerning the accident at Slovakia's largest open-air music festival, he added.

A severe storm accompanied by gusts of wind hit the area at around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, bringing down a large tent covering the O2 Arena. Crowds of people were underneath the canopy at the time.

According to an eye-witness, the O2 Arena acted as a kind of "flytrap", as "it was the only place at Pohoda where a gig was underway at the time of the accident, so thousands of festival-goers pushed their way in there."

He added that the organisers warned people that they should gather at the edges of the tent, so that they could leave quickly if advised to do so. "Unfortunately, the gusts of wind rushed in so quickly that they didn't manage to warn the people under the tent."

In addition to the death of the young man, three more young people sustained severe injuries and were operated on in hospitals in Trencin, Zilina and Martin (Zilina region). Another 18 people remain in the Trencin Hospital's trauma ward. A total of 40 people were admitted into nine hospitals. Another 52 festival-goers were given first aid.

The 13th annual Pohoda festival was called off after the accident, and the festival participants were evacuated.

"We took some 10,000 people from the airport to Trencin railway station, to the Druzba culture house and to Opatovce (Trencin region)," said spokesperson the Trencin branch of Slovak Bus Transport (SAD) Ivana Strelcova. All the public-transport buses from the town and neighbouring area were used to evacuate the festival-goers, she stressed.

tf/df

Bazant Pohoda Festival 2009 TV Spots


Pohoda 2009 Trencin last seconds before the accident


Pohoda 2009 O2 arena breakdown


Pohoda 2009 O2 arena breakdown


Pohoda 2009 Trencin (exkluzivni zabery cele tragedie)

Festival Pohoda

Summer is here and many people only wait for a weekend, when they can go to dance or to listen music on some summer festivals.

From history of this the greatest festival in Slovakia:

Michal Kascak is musician and progenitor of this fest. He was a member of music band Bez ladu a skladu. During 90-teen he had established his own festival and kept his dream.

Everything began in 1997, when started the 1-st annual of Bažant Pohoda festival. It was only small fest, only about 2000 guests, one main stage and show of some Slovak and Czech music bands. Nothing special. Place of fest - town station.

Next year brought some changes, one of them was changing of place - to Areál Pod Sokolicami, the other was dance stage. The 2-nd annual and 3000 guests, 9 music bands.

The 3-rd annual and 8000 guest, 22 famous bands as Skulpey (USA), Werk (A), Másfél (H), Ole lukkoye (RUS), Auktyon (RUS), Jaroslav Filip (SK) Varga + Šeban+ Rózsa + Buntaj (SK) and others.

Year 2000 brought other changes. The4th annual had name Topvar Pohoda fest and it impel to change place. Again. There was main stage (alternative, rock, pop, world music, dance music), rock stage (rock, punk, alternative, pop) and two dance stages. Music bands : Bomfunk MCS (FIN), Vinx (USA), ISM (GB), Zóna A (SK), Homage and Jaro Filip (SK), Will White – Propellerheads (GB), Lol Hammond – Girl eats boy (GB), 808 state (GB) etc. Total 19 bands on main stage. Rock stage and 19 bands (Twinkles (ITA)). The first time there were escort actions: vernisage of photograhy from Pohoda 99, happenings, performance, graffiti; cinema in areal, tatoo, piercing, literatúre, CD shop, tea-room, internet cafe, adrenalin sports, competitions, exhibitions, bungee jumping, tandem jumps, hot-flue balon, motocars, bungee running, skate park, air castle. 20 000 guests per day. General partner was Topvar company (that' s why name Topvar Pohoda).

In 2001 festival grew up, they added other stage (there were now main stage, dance stage 1, dance stage 2, dance stage 3, rock/hip hop stage and rock open-air stage).

From 6-th annual to these days the name of festival is Bažant Pohoda, because general partner became Zlatý Bažant company (producer of bier). Stages: main stage: alternative, rock, pop, ska, dance music; Kofola stage: world music, rock, punk, alternatíve, pop, ska; Smint stage: techno; Durex stage: house, drum´n´bass, techhouse; Kenvelo stage: experiment, chill out, nu jazz, minimal, Blaupunkt stage: live acts, alternatíve, hip-hop, rock; Jah Jam stage: reggae, dance hall, dub, ska - 20000 guests per day.

The 7th was similar as 6th. But on 8th people met on new place - airport. From that time, festival is still on airport. More place, more guests, more fun, more music, more attractions.

• Stages: Bažant stage: alternative, rock, pop, ska, dance music;
• Kofola stage: world music, reggae;
• Chio stage: rock, punk, alternative;
• Aréna TB: theatre, literature, discusions, chamber music;
• Durex stage: drum´n´bass, hip hop;
• Kenvelo stage: techno, techhouse;
• Rock FM oáza: reggae, indies, rock;
• Algidance chillout tent : chill out, live acts

There were Chumbawamba (GB), Rescate (ARG), Tata bojs (CZ), Amparanoia (E/Cuba), Dan Bárta + Illustratosphere (CZ), I am X (GB), Asian Dub foundation sound system (GB), Zóna A (SK), Vypsaná fixa (CZ), Štefan Hríb, Juraj Kušnierik + Radovan Kazda, Marián Huba, Misha, Jana Belišová, Petr Fiala, Jozef Lupták, Ladislav Snopko, Vladimír Palko, Fedor Gál, Valerij Kupka, Marian Milčák, Primož Repar, Stanislava Chrobáková-Repar, Marek Vadas, Eman Erdélyi, Monika Kompaníková, Vlado Janček, Michal Hvorecký, Zuzana Šeršeňová, Tibor Holoda, Joachim Dvořák, Jaroslav Rudiš.
You was able to listen music, to watch theatre, photography, bažant cinematograph.
Escort actions: Liga za duševné zdravie: chalk-talks and discussion about brainwork.
Easy park: adrenalín sports, competitions, exhibitions, atractions, paintball, volejball, football, spinball duo, cobweb, rent of sportng goods.
Total in word - 127 music bands.

I don t want to repeat words about perfect atmosphere on next annuals. You can see photos and ask people, who were there. Always there was much fun, good music and each annuals had left a lot of unforgoten memorries in everybody, who was there.

Joan Baez @ Bazant Pohoda 08


Utah Saints - Something Good


Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat (Bazant Pohoda 2008)

Festivals 2009 in Slovakia II.

     Welcome to Slovakia. Find your favourite festivals in August.
Festivals in July in Slovaka

Date	Place	Name	Genre
July 02 - August 09 2009	Bratislava	Letné Shakespearovské slávnosti
July 21 – August 21 2009	Trnava	Letný kinematograf	movie festival
July 31 - August 01 2009	Poprad	Okey Summer 2009	different music styles
July 31 - August 01 2009	Nové Mesto nad Váhom	Open Jazz Fest	jazz music
July 31 - August 01 2009	Podbranč	Punkáči deťom	punk music
July 31 - August 01 2009	Zelená Voda	Open Jazz Fest	jazz music
July 31 - August 02 2009	Jaslovské Bohunice	Fest Dobré Bohunice	country music
July 31 - August 02 2009	Žilina	Fest Anča	movie festival
August 06 - 09 2009	Kráľová Lehota (Ranč)	Camp Fest Svarín	open-air music festival
August 07 - 09 2009	Červeník Amfiteáter)	Červeník festival	different music styles
August 07 - 08 2009	Duchonka	Orange Music Summer	different music styles
August 07 - 09 2009	Trnava	Trnavský jazzyk Trnavský jazzyk	jazz music
August 08 2009	Turzovka	Rock beskyd fest 2009	rock music
August 13 - 15 2009	Jaslovské Bohunice	Hard Fest	different music styles
August 14 - 15 2009	Terchová	Terchovský budzogáň 2009	rock and punk music
August 15 2009	Holíč	Cibula Fest	different music style
August 14 - 15 2009	Zliechov	Pustohlav festival	different music styles
August 14 - 15 2009	Snina	Rock pod kameňom	rock music
August 19 - 23 2009	Kolárovo	Hanna Hanna Festival	art gathering and festival
August 21 - 22 2009	Modra	Minikvas festival	different music style
August 21 - 22 2009	Orava	Orava Music Summer	different music styles
August 21 - 23 2009	Trnava	Trnavská brána	folklore
August 22 2009	Nitra	Na brehu 2009	different music styles
August 22 2009	Hadlová	Festival na brehu	folk and rock music
August 27 - 29 2009	Piešťany	Lodenica	country music
August 28 - 29 2009	Bratislava	Uprising Reggae Festival	different music styles

The Best Festivals in Europe

Date	Place	Name
August 20 - 22. 2009	Salzburg, Austria (Green Park St.Polten)	Frequency Festival
July 02 - 05. 2009	Belgium	Rock Werchter
August 14 - 16. 2009	Burgas, Bulgaria(Central Beach)	Spirit of Burgas
July 03 - 12. 2009	Petrčane, Croatia	The Garden Festival
July 02 - 05. 2009	Denmark	Roskilde Festival
July 03 - 05. 2009	Belfort, France	Eurockeennes
July 17 - 19. 2009	Ferropolis, Germany	Melt
August 12 - 17. 2009	Budapest, Hungary	Sziget Festival 2009
September 04 - 06. 2009	Stradbally Estate, Ireland	Electric Picnic
July 09 - 12. 2009	Novy Sad, Srbija	Exit Festival
July 16 - 18. 2009	Trenčín, Slovakia	Pohoda Festival
July 16 - 19. 2009	Benicassim, Spain	Fiberfib
August 13 - 15. 2009	Göteborg, Sweeden	Way Out West

Festivals 2009 in Slovakia I.

     Welcome to Slovakia. This year is very rich for festivals. Here you can find lists of festivals in July with different genres

Festivals in July in Slovaka

Date	Place	Name	Genre
June 18 - September 06 2009	Bratislava	Bratislavské Kultúrne leto
July 02 - August 09 2009	Bratislava	Letné Shakespearovské slávnosti
July 02 – July 05 2009	Vychodná	Vychodná	folklore
July 03 2009	Čadca	Čadca Fest	alternative music
July 03 – July 04 2009	Handlová	Country trh festival	country music
July 03 – July 04 2009	Banská Štiavnica	Jazznica	jazz music
July 03 – July 04 2009	Horná Streda	Toto je HIP-HOP	hip-hop music
July 03 – July 05 2009	Malacky	Kontact Street Fest	different music styles
July 03 – July 05 2009	Záriečie	Semfest Záriečie	different music styles
July 04 2009	Bytča	Rockstone Fest	different music styles
July 04 2009	Skalica	Skalica Music Fest	different music styles
July 04 – July 05 2009	Bratislava	Rača Fest 2009	country music
July 05 2009	Dolný Kubín	Podbielanské folklórové slávnosti	folklore
July 05 2009	Púchov	Semfest 2009	different music styles
July 06 - July 11 2009	Terchová	Cyrilometod' Days	folklore
July 06 – July 11 2009	Vŕbové	Vŕbové Vetry	alternative music
July 09 – July 19 2009	Liptovský Mikuláš	Letná fotoškola	international Festival of photography
July 10 2009	Trnava	EKO Fest Trnava	different music styles
July 10 – July 11 2009	Bojnice	Summer interval	different music styles
July 10 – July 11 2009	Dudince	Country Stopa	country music
July 10 – July 11 2009	Domaša	Orange Music Summer	different music styles
July 10 - July 12 2009	Piešťany	Jazz Festival Doda Šošoku	jazz music
July 10 – July 18 2009	Liptovský Mikuláš	Letná fotoška Domu fotografie	festival of photography
July 11 2009	Podhájska	Podhájska Fest	different music styles
July 11 2009	Veličná	XVIII. Tradičný veličiansky jarmok	folklore
July 11 2009	Hlohovec	Bajakfest	different music styles
July 11 – July 12 2009	Zvolen	Download Open Air	different music styles
July 16 – July 18 2009	Trenčín	Bažant Pohoda	alternative music
July 17 – July 18 2009	Turzovka	Drotária	folk/country music
July 17 – July 18 2009	Vranov nad Topľou	SunDance Open Air Beach Party	dance music
July 17 – July 18 2009	Šurany	Streetrock Fest	rock music
July 18 – July 19 2009	Malatiná	IX. Bačovské dni	folklore
July 21 – August 21 2009	Trnava	Letný kinematograf	movie festival
July 24 – July 25 2009	Ružiná	Orange Music Summer	different music styles
July 24 – July 25 2009	Trenčianske Bohuslavice	Topvar Žákovic Open	different music styles
July 24 – July 26 2009	Zemplínska Šírava	Šírava Fest	dfferent music styles
July 24 – July 27 2009	Rudava	Summerbeach Rudava	different music styles
July 25 2009	Košice	Free Summer	dance music
July 25 2009	Kežmarok	FestEasy 009	alternative music
July 25 2009	Nové Zámky	Rainbow Open Air 2009	different music styles
July 25 – July 26 2009	Nové Zámky	II. Strekovsý pivničný festival	different music styles
July 25 - July 26 2009	Terchová	Jánošík in movie	folklore
July 26 2009	Sihelné	Folklórne slávnosti Pod Babou horou a Pilskom	foklore
July 31 - August 01 2009	Poprad	Okey Summer 2009	different music styles
July 31 - August 01 2009	Nové Mesto nad Váhom	Open Jazz Fest	jazz music
July 31 - August 01 2009	Podbranč	Punkáči deťom	punk music
July 31 - August 02 2009	Jaslovské Bohunice	Fest Dobré Bohunice	country music
July 31 - August 02 2009	Žilina	Fest Anča	movie festival

The Best Festivals in Europe

Date	Place	Name
August 20 - 22. 2009	Salzburg, Austria (Green Park St.Polten)	Frequency Festival
July 02 - 05. 2009	Belgium	Rock Werchter
August 14 - 16. 2009	Burgas, Bulgaria(Central Beach)	Spirit of Burgas
July 03 - 12. 2009	Petrčane, Croatia	The Garden Festival
July 02 - 05. 2009	Denmark	Roskilde Festival
July 03 - 05. 2009	Belfort, France	Eurockeennes
July 17 - 19. 2009	Ferropolis, Germany	Melt
August 12 - 17. 2009	Budapest, Hungary	Sziget Festival 2009
September 04 - 06. 2009	Stradbally Estate, Ireland	Electric Picnic
July 09 - 12. 2009	Novy Sad, Srbija	Exit Festival
July 16 - 18. 2009	Trenčín, Slovakia	Pohoda Festival
July 16 - 19. 2009	Benicassim, Spain	Fiberfib
August 13 - 15. 2009	Göteborg, Sweeden	Way Out West

Spiritual Kvintet II

Next reorganization of the group became with leaving of Karel Zich, in season 1973/74. Spirituál started to show with tramp group (later named Brontosauři) with brothers Jan and František Nedvěd and Zdenka Tosková. Next year leaved Jarka Hadrabová and came Eva Lifková.

In 1980 Eva Lifková married and went to Francie, in its stead became Irena Budweiserová. Very short time, we had seen also Lenka Slabá and Jan Nedvěd in the group.

During revolutionary events (November 23, 1989), the group sang on Prague squares, (two presidents sang with them Vaclav Havel and George Bush senior). For next american president Bill Clinton, the group showed in Reduta in January 1994. In this time, the member was Karel Zich again. František Nedvěd became in 1992 after his brother after recording of album Rajská zahrada.
In 2000 Olda Ortinský leaved Spiritual, came Jirka Cerny, who was band-master of music band C&K Vocal.

Year 2004 was written by black letters to the history of this band. This year, exactlu in July 13, their member Karel Zich drowned in the Medi, during his diving trip. It wasn´t the first time, what the band lost one of the members (two of the foundation-members, manager of the band), but it was the first time, what Spiritual had to say good-bye to one of the youngest members from actual arrangement.

It was very hard leave-taking. Karl Zich was great singer and player (his nick was Elvis Presley of Czecho-Slovakia).

In September 2004 became Jiří Holoubek to the band from Relief.

The next member Oldřich Orlický dead in May 3, 2006.

Members:
Irena Budweiserová, sing, percuse
Zdena Tichotová, sing, percuse
Dušan Vančura, sing, kontrabas
Jiří Cerha, sing, perkuse
Jiří Tichota, 6-streams guitar, band-master
Jiří Holoubek, guitar

Discography:

• Písničky z roku raz dva, Supraphon 1973, reedice 2003


• Spirituály a balady, Supraphon 1978, reedice 1995, 2007


• Saužení lásky, Supraphon 1981, reedice 1996, 2007


• 20 let, Supraphon 1984, reedice 1993


• Šlapej dál, Panton 1985, reedice 1994


• Every Time I Feel The Spirit, Panton 1986


• Šibeničky, Panton 1988, reedice 2003


• Za svou pravdou stát, Panton 1990


• Hallelu, Panton 1991, reedice 2007


• Rajská zahrada, Panton 1992, reedice 2001


• Antologie 1960-1995, Sony/Bonton 1994, reedice 2003


• Hanba nám!, Monitor 1994


• Na káře, Pupava 1997


• Vánoční koncert, Monitor-EMI 1998


• Křídla holubic, Pupava 2002


• Karel Zich a Spirituál kvintet, Sony Music 2004


• Křížem krážem, Sony BMG 2005


• 45 let archiv, Sony BMG 2006


• Spirituál kvartet, Supraphon 1963


• Spirituál kvintet, Traditional jazz studio, Supraphon 1967


• Spirituál kvintet, Supraphon 1971


• Čtwero pjsnj, Panton 1986, reedice 2007

Participation :

• Dostavník


• Písně amerického západu, 1969


• 20 let Porty


• Porta 1


• Porta 2


• Country fontána 97


• Folkové balady


• F & C Hity


• 20 folkových písní 1


• 20 folkových písní 2

Dvě Báby


Válka růží


Za svou pravdou stát


Třešničky


Mlýny

Spiritual Kvintet I

This music band was established in autumn time in 1960 by four members of Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, mainly by initiative of Ivo Mach, nick name Dědek (Granfather). It was man quartet. Members were Miroslav Keller (tenor - nick Velký Bubo (Great Bubo)), Miloslav Kastelovič (barytone - nick Kagan, or Malý Bubo (Small Bubo)) and Jiří Tichota (usually bandmaster - nick Tichák).

The first public presentation came after 2 years, on International Jazz Festival in Karlovy Vary. The name was Spiritual Kvartet and this band was the first folk music band in Czechoslovakia. In that time, the word "folk" was unknown in this area. That's why they present themselves on jazz concerts, usually with band Junior Trio, S+H Quintet or Tradiotional Jazz Studio P. Smetáčka. With last band they recorded some albums for recording studio Supraphon.

It was so long time ago, when they had listened american legend music band The Weavers. From that time, they wanted to be like them. After Věra Nerušilováwho was also a member of band Incognito Kvartet, Růženka Helebrantová (nick Odetta) came in and from that time here is Kvintet. Later the band had more members, but the name didn't change more.

From 1964 Spiritual Kvintet had periodic program in Theathe Na Zábradlí. In 1967 two members Mach and Keller leaved band (they went on long-term business trip abroad). Next year (in August) Růženka emigrated to Swiss.

Everybody thought this would be end of this band but it didn't. In 1969 came Karel Zich and Jarka Hadrabová. The band showed also with Olda Ortinský Dušan Vančura and Honza Thorovský (he substituded Kagan who returned to Slovakia).

This membership existed only 4 years, but during this period the band wined recognition on country and folk festivals (Porta 70, Golden Tele 71). Also they changed scene to Theatre Atelier. They released their first albums in czech Písně amerického západu and Písničky z roku dva.

As I said more times (try to see Rangers, Taxmeni, Greenhorns, Fešáci), came normalization and everything pertinated with it. Club were closed, some students had to leave Faculty, band had to finished its activities. Fortunately only for shot time.

Tom Dooley


Banua Jail


Mává nám svěm svobodná zem

Taxmeni

     Sometimes you can see stagecoach, how goes through long plains, some other time military jeep. Every time there are same passengers – Taxmeni. The modern country band.

We can meet the band on Czech scene already three decades. The first time it was in turning point 60 and 70-teen. Taxmeni started their repertoire by melodies of traditional country music, but how the time went, they released with their own production. They are representative of military country style.

Past members of the bands The Plainsmen and Stonewall Jackson established the band Taxmeni in the autumn 1970. Their first show was in February 1971. In that time, the band stayed between folk and bluegrass styles. They won some amateurish competitions and festivals, and also one year of Porta.

I think I don't need to explain, why they changed the name from English (Taxmeni) to Czech (Krajánci). Ok, I explain it once again. In the Czechoslovakia, thanks to political pressure, all music bands, if they wanted to present themselves, they had to change name to Czech.

The first hit was Řeka velkých přání from 1975 and their first album named Z pastvin velkoměsta. From this album there are still very popular songs Dědečkovy hodiny, Zamkněte bránu a zavřete dům, Kopec bot.

Thanks to strong pressure, they stopped their music activities in 1979. Practically, they started with their shows again only in the second part of 80-teen, when political climate came liberalize.

In 1990 they released single Guadalcanal in Supraphon production (recording studio).
Many music albums were in Panthon production (recording studio). The most expressive album is album Zlatá éra (Golden Era) where are also songs Hledaný muž, Baltimore, Dlouhý černý závoj, Dvě řádky stop.

Very popular are series Calamity Jane. From traditional style, they step by step went to modern conception.

Repertoire of Taxmeni is rich and very various. They set to music stories about nationality, hardiness, men’s honor, moral tenet. In their songs we can see not only classic western topics, but also stories of Czechoslovak legionnaires or soldiers from period of the Second World War.

The band has already more than 2500 concerts. They had shows also in abroad; they had huge success in Poland and Slovakia.

Basic member is Jaroslav Čvančara, who wrote book about history of the band Taxmeni named Taxmeni aneb Hledání country grálu. Jaroslav is head member and player on 5 strings banjo.

Other members are:
Vratislav (Vráťa) Vyskočil – head singer
Luděk Kodrle – drums
Václav Dumek – bass guitar
Jindra Vrbenský – keyboard
Karel Mrkvička – guitar
Milan Krištof – solo guitar

Last year they came again to show in Country Lodenica. It was success, again. They have many fans here and I’m one of them.

Discography:
1975 – Krajánci
1978 – Z pastvin velkoměsta
1980 – Krajánci – L.Sobota - T. Holý – Bambini di Praga B. Kulínského
1981 – Přijď mezi nás
1990 – Calamity Jane 1
1990 - Guadalcanal
1991 – Lilie skautská
1991 – Nebeští jezdci – Taxmeni, Roger Latzgo
1991 – Country aréna – Taxmeni 20 let
1992 – Country bál
1993 – Potlach s Jardou Šterclem
1993 – Vráťa Vyskočil, Yvonne Přenosilová, Taxmeni
1994 – Calamity Jane 2
1994 – Hoši od Bobří řeky zpívají (Hobř – spolupráce Taxmeni)
1995 – Zlatá Éra
1997 – Calamity Jane 3
1998 – Tulák po hvězdách
1998 – Master Serie
1999 – Desperádos
1999 – Byl jednou jeden polda
2001 – Taxmeni – Best of CD1
2001 – Taxmeni – Best of CD2
2004 – Calamity Jane 4




Buráky


Balada o Jed Clampettovi


Hrát, hrát, hrát


Poslední stádo

Zalman

     Czech music band without official established day. The beginning is allowed to be day of the first concert of trio Žalman in Porta in 1982. The basic member was Pavel Lohonka, Pavlína Jíšová and Antonín Hlaváč.

Later the name was changed to Žalman & spol. and this name became the legend of Country scene in Czecho-Slovakia.

After some singles, the first album was Žalman & spol. in 1987. In 1988 came other members (Jaroslav Matějů, Vojta Zícha) and this arrangement became the most favourite of all the band’s history. In 1992 they released album Jantarova Země and movie Folk a Folklor. In the same year, the band finished its existence, but thanks only for short time.

In same year, in 1992 new Žalman & spol. was established with two past members (Lenka Slabá, Jaroslav Kovář). The band produced new albums Hodina usmíření, Tu neděli po ránu, reedition of Jantarova země, Písně sebrané pod stolem.

In summer time there was the first holiday’s camp for young musicians named OASA MUSA and it was released album Potlach v mé duši, what was selection of Žalman tramp songs from 1962 – 1982.

In 1995 was changes membership, Lenka Slabá leaved the band and Michaela Krmíčková came. After this arrival was produced album Pocestný do sedmého nebe, which was followed by same name’s film.

The members in that time were:
Pavel Lohonka
Michaela Krmíčková
Vojtěch Zícha
Jaroslav Matějů
Petr Novotný

Thanks to Canadian countrymen, the band had some concerts in Vancouver and Calgary and they made trip through Rocky Mountains. From this journey, they created document movie.

In 1997 the history was repeat and the band was disband and established again. There was released album Sbohem romantiko with many guests and also some past members of the band.

From October 1997 till today the band has same members:
Pavel Lohonka – guitar, sing
Jindřiška Petráková – flute, perkus, sing
Jan Brož – guitar, sing
Petr Novotný – basguitar, keyboard, sing

In this arrangement, there were released albums Láska a smrt, Ve znamení ryb, V roce jedna.

Intersection of the all production of Pavel Žalman (from period of Minnesengrů to last arrangement of Žalman) was double album – compilation named Žalman – Výběr nejlepších nahrávek. The other author album was Nápis na štítu domu from 2004.

     During all history of existence, the band and especially Pavel Lohonka got many awards as Zlatá Porta (Golden Porta – 1987), Velká Porta (Great Porta – 1992), Zlatý klíč (Golden Key – 2001 – inquiry of magazine Folk & Country after Album of the Year), Zlatá deska (Golden Record – albums Písně sebrané pod stolem, Pocestný do sedmého nebe, Sbohem romantiko, Ve znamení ryb), Krišťálová deska (Crystal Record).

Discography:
1987 – Žalman & spol.
1989 – Jantarova Země
1991 – Hodina Usmíření
1992 – Tu neděli po ránu
1992 – Když Bůh jihočechy stvořil
1993 – Žalman & spol. + Jantarová Země
1993 – Písně sebrané pod stolem
1994 – Potlach v mé duši
1995 – Pocestný do sedmého nebe
1996 – Živě na Moravě
1997 – Sbohem romantiko
1998 – Sbohem romantiko
1998 – Láska a smrt
2000 – Ve znamení ryb
2001 – … v roce jedna
2002 – Žalman - Výběr nejlepších nahrávek - double album
2004 – Nápis na štítu domu
2005 – Ráno bylo stejný
2006 – Zatracený písně
2007 – Mezi kameny

Filmography:
1990 – Folk a Folklór
1994 – Žalman & spol. Na cestě
1995 – Pocestný do sedmého nebe
1999 – Láska a smrt

Divokej horskej tymián


Jdem zpátky do lesů

Invitation - Children's Day

Again invitation. Now it will be something for those, who feels still young. Mainly, if you are junior to 18 years old.

In each town, there will be prepared many attractions.

I will write now only about Bratislava, because I live here. This year this Children's Day will be on Sunday, but shows will start on Saturday.

Shopping Center Aupark

The first will be in Shopping Center Aupark. This center is near of city park Sad Janka Kráľa (Park of John King).

Last year it was first time, what this show was realized. It has success and that's why this year will be again. There were about 70 thousands people. I can only envy that I'm not child more time. :o))

Here are some pics from that:

What it will be prepared for this year?
Program is various:
- face painting,
- inflatable attractions,
- rigging attractions,
- children competitions,
- mini-cars,
- animals (elephant, tiger, lion, lion babies, etc.),
- mountain-wall,
- clown, magician,
- games,
- bubble show, foam show,
- theater,
- bungee runner, trampolines,
- fancy skating exhibition, skating (synthetic ice),
- „Fly” attraction, gladiator,
- presentation of folklore bands, dance school of Miguel Mendez, majorettes, ballet studio, bike3all, dance school of Jumbo-Milan Kereš,
- christening of lion baby,
- profi dance show,
- cotton candy, popcorn, etc.

Shopping Center Polus

On Sunday show continues in other shopping Center named Shopping Center Polus. In this center show starts on Saturday too and finish on Monday, but main programm will be on Sunday.

Program :
Saturday - 02 - 07 pm.
- face painting,
- inflatable attractions,
- baloon animals,
- casting - new faces in advertisement,
- cotton candy

Sunday - 02 - 07 pm.
- face painting,
- inflatable attractions,
- baloon animals,
- children competitions,
- dance show of Fredy Dance Group – junior,
- children musical,
- casting - new faces in advertisement,
- cotton candy

Each day children can visit restaurant Pizza Pazza, where they can cook own pizza at their's discretion.

Monday - 09 am. - 01 pm.
- great children show on lakeside Kuchajda.

Invitation on Junifest in Slovakia

Time runs like wild horse. It isn't so much time ago, what I wrote about Festivals and it's already here. Junifest. It's national beer festival, this year it will be already 5 year anniversary.

Date     June, 13. - 22. 2008,
Time     04 pm. - 02 am
Place: Bratislava, Incheba Expo

DATE	ACTIVITIES	PERFORMERS
June, 13. 2008	Country Festival in Bratislava	Allan Mikušek, Kamelot (CZ), Nový Rownák, Veslári - Peter & The Rowers, Tanečná skupina Cloggshow, Rasťo a Lujza, etc.
June, 14. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Košice
	Concerts in Bratislava	Senzus, František Nedvěd (CZ), Taktici, Party Lounge, Lenka Ferenčíková & Band
June, 15. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Prešov
	Golden brassband and Akcent show + Golden Violins and Lúčnica in Bratislava	Jadranka, Martin Jakubec a Akcent Live, folklore band Jánošík, Golden Violins and soloists of folklore band Lúčnica, DH Maguranka, DH Záhorienka, DH Buckovanka, Oľga Szabová, Stano Vitáloš, Zdeno Sychra, etc.
June, 16. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Bratislava
	Rock Stage in Bratislava	Judas Priest
	Junifest Top Dance Party in Bratislava	top DJ Marco V from the Netherlands, Slovak and Czech DJ-s Milan Lieskovsky, Robert Burian, Michael C
	Judas Priest After Party in Bratislava	Judas Priest
June, 17. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Trnava
	Concerts in Bratislava	Bukasový Masív, Horkýže Slíže, Big Deal, REA - Kristína Botlóová, Paťa Jurtová, Eva Pšenková + band + guest Barbora Šulíková
June, 18. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Nitra
	Concerts in Bratislava	rock legendary band OLYMPIC (CZ), Robo Šimko & band, R.A.D.O., Stará Škola - The old school band
June, 19. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Trenčín
	Concerts in Bratislava	Tublatanka, Fleret CZ), Setback, Waterflow (NL,SK), etc.
June, 20. 2008	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Žilina
	Concerts in Bratislava	Gladiátor, Terne Čhave (CZ), Kmeťo Band, Rockarolla, Arccus, etc.
June, 21. 2008	Junifest Fitness & Aerobic Party in Bratislava
	Casting MISS JUNIFEST 2008 in Banská Bystrica
	Concerts in Bratislava	Nocadeň, Aya, James Evans & Band (GB), Anka Repková a Prorock, Barbora Šulíková & Band, Fredy's Dance Group, Thierry and friends, etc.

As you can see, the program is very rich. Performers will be representants of Slovak, Czech and also foreign popular music scene.

I think, the main croyd-puller of the program will be Olympic. This band is music icon of Czechoslovak pop scene. This legendary band is already on rock scene from 1963. Its show will be June, 18. and I believe, it will be again huge success.

Also fans of hard rock music will find something for them, on Monday June, 16. there will concert of heavy-metal legend, music band Judas Priest in Expo Arena Incheby. Other appearances :
of rock bands (Interitus, Heed a Kreyson)
of heavy metal bands (Sexit and others)

It will be the first time, what you can visit also electronic dance music JUNIFEST TOP DANCE PARTY with special guest, Dutch DJ MARCO V. Besides also the best Slovak DJ-s: Milan Lieskovsky, Robert Burian, from Czech Republic Michael C.

All Sunday (June, 15. 2008) will belong to older generation and for everybody, who likes folklore, brassbands a public music.

In program named Akcent Parada and Zlatá Dychovka (Golden Brassband). In the end of Sunday show, there will be show of Orchestra Golden Violins and soloists of excellence folklore band Lúčnica.

This year, the first time there will be medial beauty competition MISS JUNIFEST 2008. Shows of finalists from each Slovak region will be part of program and there will be also spectator votes.

Each day, in Junifest will be cut a Slovak records, beer and other competitions, tombola, games and many more atractions!

Fesaci

     This band has already been popular a few tenth years. And only a few bands had so many past members as it. Everybody in this area know names as Michal Tučný, Tomáš Linka, Petr Novotný, Pavel Brűmer, Hanka Horecká, etc.

They are representative of classic country music.

The beginning of legend band history is in December 1967. The first name was Greenes, later Bluegrass Hoppers.

The basic arrangement was: Pavel Brűmer, Jan Turek and Karel Poláček. They all were young chemists.

The first public show was in one nursery, where children play old traditional about girl with name Susan.

In 1968-1970 they were very successful in Porta. They debuted by live recording from Porta Jackson and studio recording Poslední veřejné oběšení v Západní Virginii and Lora. Both were singed by Jindra Šťáhlavský.

In 1970 and 1972 band recorded two albums. In turning point 70’s, thanks to political pressure all music band with English names and wanted to present themselves, they had to change name to Czech. Bluegrass Hoppers was in same situation. And from that time we can meet Fešáci (Loverboys). The legend say, that one day Pavel Brűmer stayed in front of mirror and he came with new name.

The most famous period came after the first selection of the band Greenhorns in 1974. In this time some famous people came to Fešáci, such as Petr Novotný, Michal Tučný and Tomáš Linka. Under management of Petr Novotný, the band recorded the first album Ostrov Fešáků. Till today there were very popular songs Matterhorn, Jaro, Dárek vánoční and Já tajně cvičím.

In the same time the band changed general band sound, which turned more to modern country music. Evidence of it are songs Paní má se má, Jaro, Sundej z hodin závaží or Zvony.

     Next album Saloon Fešáků brought famous songs such as Kamaráde, pusť ten kolotoč, Sundej z hodin závaží, Dávej vinu dálkám, Svítá ve tvých tvářích. In the same year, the band got award Gold Porta.

     The third album Fešáci 2000, besides with songs Paní má se má, Dialog 2000, came in the time, when Michal Tučný decides to leave the band and started solo career (he established the band Tučňáci).

The members in that time were:
Karel Poláček – guitar, sing
Jan Turek – violin, sing
Pavel Brűmer – 5-strings banjo
František Pátek – autoharp, dobro
Robert Moucha – bassguitar, sing
In this membership the band went to tour through US in 1980.

Great asset had been coming of two gagmen – Jozef Mladý and Jozef Alois Náhlovský in 1982, and the band started with cyclic show Salon Fešáků. They recorded album Pošta Fešáci 1.

Two years later, there came also the first ladies – Hana Mladá and Hana Horecká, and in 1985 Tomáš Linka leave the band to open his solo way and he established the band Kanafas.

After Velvet Revolution in 1989 (There was finish of comunists in Czechoslovakia) the band came with total new album, Hviezda Countryon (famous song are Allways On My Mind, Lady, Balím a odcházím, Duhové znamení) and celebrated their 20’s anniversary. The main person on this album is Pavel Brűmer (Komedie plná omylů, Amanda, Hvězda Countryon, Komedianti nestárnou). Fešáci introduced new members as Jindra Malík, Miloš Slezák, Erika Řičicová and present bandmaster Antonín Kny.

In the same year, the band had success with experiment - 12 hours marathon – Fešácky maratón. There came about 25 thousand people.

As celebration of their 25 years existention, they created big show – galaconcert in Prague with about 1000 artists. The top was show of Emmylou Harris in Czech.
In 1992, from band exit Petr Novotný, who was many years the bandmaster, later also duo gagmen, Mladý - Náhlovský. It was hard shot. Some members came back to sing with band again (Tomáš Linka, Jindra Šťáhlavský) and after exit Erika Kahounová and Blanka Šurková, the band was again band with only men members.

30-years they celebrated by tour through Australia and recorded annual album Fešáci 30 let. They made more concert in Czech and also one in Slovakia. I was on two concerts. They were great. Many famous songs, many funny skits. Just great atmosphere.

From Australia they bring many themes for new songs and in 1998 new album with these songs was recorded.
The sister's band is Cadilac with Pavel Brűmer.

Actual members:
* Jindra Šťáhlavský - sing, guitar
* Jindra Malík - sing, perkuse
* Tomáš Linka - sing, mouth orcan
* Robert Moucha - sing, bass
* Antonín Kny - sing a guitar
* Petr Kocman - sing a guitar
* František Pátek - dobro, vocal, perkuse
* Jan Turek - moderate, vocal, violin
* Ladislav Bartoš - bass guitar, vocal
* Pavel Macar - keyboard
* Martin Melničenko - drum, perkuse


Diskography:
* Ostrov Fešáků, Panton, 1975
* Salon Fešáků, Panton, 1977
* Fešáci 2000, Panton, 1981
* Pošta Fešáci 1, Panton, 1983
* Hvězda Countryon, Firma 6P, 1990
* Fešáci '92: Jedeme dál, Monitor, 1992
* Fešáci 25 Live, Firma 6P, 1993
* Dokud můžem, Firma 6P, 1994
* Fešáci: 30 let, Monitor, 1997
* Fešáci - Gold, Popron, 1997
* Fešáci u klokanů, AB Studio, 1998
* Fešáci v kristových letech, Monitor EMI, 2000
* Fešáci: 35 let, Venkow/Universal, 2002
* Fešáci / Bluegrass Hoppers, Supraphon, 2004
* Fešáci v Lucerně (DVD), Supraphon, 2004
* Fešáci: Je nám 40, Vaško Music, 2007

Hits:
* Vánoční čas
* Lámat skály
* Fešácký song
* Radio
* Paní má se má
* Sundej z hodin závaží
* Dívka z Rocky Moutain
* Prodavač
* Od ní
* Kamaráde, pusť ten kolotoč
* Strašidelný vlak
* Pojedou
* Ohio
* Osud
* Jaro
* Náš vůz
* Matterhorn
* Svítá ve tvých tvářích
* Lojza a Líza
* Poslední veřejné oběšení v Západní Virginii
* Dialog 2000
* Co na Fešáky neplatí
* Zas mě volá Georgia
* Šéfe
* Duhové znamení
* Komedianti nestárnou
* Country bál
* Hvězda Countryon
* Dnes beru
* Jsi pojem
* Bílý hrob
* Deprese
* Konec smutku
* Jak se mám



Paní má se má


Dnes beru


Jaro