News? We meet a lot of good people in our travels and have a lot of fun. Here's where you can share in our ongoing quest for tunes and fun. We'll try to check in every once and a while to fill you in on what we've been up to, and who we've met, where we've played, and ate and drank. We'll also try to give you a heads up about where we're going next, what tunes we're enjoying, recordings that pass between us and more of such inconsequential and egotistical ramblings.

Hello and welcome to the new improved rough deal website!! Many thanks to the tireless efforts of web designer Nora Artola for her crafty webwizardry.

Its been a long time since we’ve updated the news, and we can’t fit it all in so, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet.

What’s new besides the website??

At the run up to Christmas we got to work on a new CD. Once again we worked with our long trusted engineer Al Cowan, albeit in a new location. We enlisted the help of friend and musical legend Jim Rooney to help in the production of the final product. Having such expert ears and valuable experience on our side sure eased the process. The finished product should be available soon, so keep checking the site. In an unprecedented move towards the world of Sho Bidness, we’ve decided to give this (our fourth) CD a title: ‘Get Yer Fill’. We hope this doesn’t put anyone off.

The past year and a bit has brought us around to some of our favourite haunts, and quite a few new ones as well. The A1 Festival of Music and Dance, the fantastic Open House festival in Belfast, the Longford Banjo Fest, The Ulster American Folk Park, The great gathering of old time music lovers (Friends of American Music and Dance) at Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, Kilkenny’s Rhythm and Roots festival, and in our own fair city; a few visits to St Stephen’s Green, a spot at Farmleigh House, and a great gig at the Airfield Trust. We also had some good times at our local session at the Cobblestone in Smithfield with many welcome visitors.

We tend to hibernate a bit during the colder months, but this year’s season is off to a good start, and we’ve been enjoying the good weather. Once again the Airfield Trust proved to be a quality venue for music, with a welcoming crowd and lovely surroundings. The sun parted the clouds for our first visit to St Stephen’s Green this year, and we’re looking forward to the two more visits. There’s lots more on as the summer/autumn roll in, so check the dates page for where and when.