February 10, 2007 -

After numerous false starts here is the long awaited Modern Bard update. This update will most likely take place over several days as there is so much to do and so much to add. There is a great deal of exciting news to deliver, so read on!

     Award News - The Renaissance  Festival Music  
     Podcast has announced the 2007 Renaissance Festival  
     Awards, the "Rennies." Congratulations to the Bedlam 
     Bards who were the number one musical group and had 
     the number one CD release, "On the Drift."  Other      
     musical group winners were Bocca Musica, the 
     Rouges, Bounding Main and Marooned.

     Congratulations  also go to Craig of Farrington who 
     was honored as the top musical  soloist. Other artists 
     honored were Owain Phyfe, Darcy Nair, Heather 
     Alexander and Joni Minstrel.

     Recording News - Modern Bard is thrilled to 
     announce the release of two new Charley MacGowan
     CDs. As many of you know, Charley's passing and the 
     loss of the material he was working on inspired the
     Modern Bard project. Thanks to the hard work of 
     recording artist Dennis Gilmore and Charley's family 
     these recordings have finally seen the light of day.
     
     The First CD, "Although I'm gone", is in general release 
     and is available to the public. The second CD,  
     "After Hours" is only in limited release to friends and 
     family.
     
     Modern Bard is proud to have played a small part in
     the recovery of these materials and are glad that 
     Charley's voice can once more be heard, with new
     material.

     Recording News - Empty Hats have long been
     supportive of attempts by their fans to get their hands
     on the out of print recordings of Double Indemnity.
     Now, for the first time, those three albums are readily 
     available for download via Modern Bard. We are pleased
     to be able to be able to take this step to prevent this
     music from vanishing forever. To download these CDs
     you can click on the links below or click on the 
     download link in each album's listings. We hope that
     other artists will follow this lead and make their music
     available to their fans, rather than let it be lost
     forever.

     Cows in the Castle  
     Songs That Get You in the Heart
     Soul of the Wild Seed 
      

     Recording News - Marooned is preparing to release a 
     new CD, "From the Bilge", recorded live in 2000. They
     are also at work on a new studio album.

     Artist News - Modern Bard is pleased to welcome our 
     450th Artist, Natasha Collette. Songs from Natasha's 
     latest CD, "Vida", can be heard on the Renaissance 
     Festival Music Podcast and more information 
     can be found at her website. Look for reviews of her
     CDs in coming days.

Modern Bard now has listings for 462 artists and has 1,172 listed recordings!

     Added Artist - Barley Juice   
     Added Artist - Benson, Ali   
     Added Artist - Brewer, Kyf   
     Added Artist - Collette, Natasha   
     Added Artist - Concentio Agnorum   
     Added Artist - Ded Bob   
     Added Artist - Emerald Rose   
     Added Artist - Joni Minstrel    
     Added Artist - Maidens IV   
     Added Artist - Margaret & Kristoph   
     Added Artist - Porter & Stout
     Added Artist - Rhianon      
     Added Artist - Smith, Lyndsay   
     Added Artist - Stonhenj Players    
     Added Artist - Uisge Beatha    
     Updated Artist - Crannog    
     Updated Artist - Curtis & Loretta   
     Updated Artist - Djilia Phralengo    
     Updated Artist - Double Indemnity    
     Updated Artist - Gilmore, Dennis    
     Updated Artist - Hote, Ky    
     Updated Artist - Klein, Kenny   
     Updated Artist - Ky Hote & Owl   
     Updated Artist - MacGowan, Charley    
     Updated Artist - Maidens III    
     Updated Artist - Marooned    
     Updated Artist - Merry Mischief    
     Updated Artist - Pandora Celtica      
     Updated Artist - Peregrine    
     Updated Artist - Sarabande    
     Updated Artist - Schwarz, Matt