Archive for the 'Irish Music, Past and Present' Category

New Book Singings Added

Sunday, June 11th, 2006

Festival Legends Soaring!

Festival Legends: Songs & Stories, the biographical look at modern Irish music legends, is now available for purchase.  Featuring such folk and Irish music greats as Tommy Makem, Danny Doyle, Liam Clancy, Johnny McEvoy, The Dublin City Ramblers, Brendan Shine, Dennis Doyle, Batt Burns, Tom Sweeney, The Makem & Spain Brothers, Barleycorn, and […]

Grip & Greet

Sunday, June 11th, 2006

 

I’m gonna brag a but, so c’est la vie…
I had such an interesting day today.
I stopped by the Borders at 9565 Mentor Avenue, Mentor on my way to the B. Dalton Signing, to drop off some posters and promo material, for the signing there in 2 weeks, on Saturday the 24th.  They had my book, […]

New Barleycorn CD Released

Thursday, June 1st, 2006

It’s Good to See You, New Barleycorn’s new Cd is an absolute smash! Featuring 12 tracks that vary from old favorites to new original tunes written by the boys themselves, the CD takes you right to a live show, full of toe tapping, hand clapping music and great ballads, sung and arranged beautifully.
John’s version of […]

Radio Animal;

Thursday, June 1st, 2006

I did another radio show today to promote the book - it is the first one I’ve done that was prerecorded, i.e. we recorded it today, but it will air Thursday nite, 8:00 - 10:00 on WAPS FM 91.3.  This show is called the Akron Hibernian Connection, out of Akron Ohio (Hibernians are an Irish […]

Song: Grandfather’s Immigrant Eyes

Friday, May 26th, 2006

Imagine leaving your home, your country, often having never seen a building taller than a few stories, now going to America - to New York, Chicago or Boston, only for want of a job, any job, and some food.  Just wanting a chance to make your own way.  Many, many of my friends have lived […]

New Book Signings Coming Up - Hope you can make one…

Monday, May 22nd, 2006

Festival Legends: Songs & Stories Book Signings (to date):  Please check www.songsandstories.net for up to date signings and appearances.
Saturday, May 27th 2:00 - 4:00
Borders Express, Summit Mall
(3265 W. Market Street, Akron)

Saturday, June 10th 1:00 - 3:00
B. Dalton Booksellers
(Great Lakes Mall)

Monday, June 12th,
East Side Irish-American Club
(22770 Lakeshore Blvd.  Euclid)
after the 8:00 General Meeting

Thursday, June 15th […]

Song: City of Chicago

Sunday, May 21st, 2006

This song was written by  Barry Moore, who took the stage name Luka Bloom (Luka after the song Luka by Suzanne Vega and Bloom, from James Joyce’s Ulysses), to make his own path, outside of his famous brother, Chrisy Moore, who, ironically, had a much bigger hit with his own recording of Luka’s song.
It talks […]

Song: Hand Me Down Me Bible

Sunday, May 21st, 2006

Hand Me Down Me Bible
This song was written by legendary pianist, composer, producer, singer . and so much more, Phil Coulter.  I first heard it sung by a man who is often called the best ballad singer to ever walk the earth, Luke Kelly.  Luke did a very funny intro, saying the first part of […]

Brigid’s Cross 10th Anniversary Party

Sunday, May 21st, 2006

Brigid’s Cross 10th Anniversary party
Had a fantastic night last night.  Brigid’s Cross had their 10th Anniversary party at the WSIA.  I volunteer there a lot and cooked for a couple of hours before watching the show.  If you’ve never heard Brigid’s Cross, check them out. Brigid’s Cross on MySpace - they are in my Top […]

Song: Flight of the Earls

Thursday, May 18th, 2006

The Flight of the Earls refers to the emigration of Irelands best and brightest leaders,
in 1607, after defeat in a long running battle.  The vacuum left by this flight was felt
for centuries after.  In the 1980s, when unemployment soared again, many if the best
and brightest left Ireland again, not in fear of death or famine, […]