Liz Carroll, the much-honored Irish fiddler and composer, is happy to have fellow Chicagoan Robbie Fulks as a guest for this concert. With the Irish Fest´s emphasis on the connection between Irish and American bluegrass music, Robbie is a natural choice. From his beginnings with the Special Consensus bluegrass band (he played on their Grammy-nominated 1989 album "A Hole In My Heart"), Robbie, who´s had a varied career in country, folk and rock, has recently returned to his bluegrass roots. Chicago itself has long had a tradition of country music, and has often been at the intersection of folk and bluegrass collaborations, starting with the WLS Radio National Barn Dance program in the 1920s and 30s, to the work of Steve Goodman with mandolin legend, Jethro Burns in the 70s and 80s. Liz and Robbie, along with pianist Cormac McCarthy from Cork, will explore some shared influences, along with some tasty licks between Robbie´s guitar and Liz´s fiddle.