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This is the current list of cities, venues and dates for the fall Celtic Thunder tour. More dates may be added. While it seems a bit early to post dates for a fall tour, tickets for this tour are currently available through the PBS stations in the cities listed. PBS has the best tickets which are used as thank you gifts to donors during their pledge drives. If you want to get a really good seat, PBS is the way to go. If the pledge amount is beyond your means, in these recessionary times, they generally have a pre-sale date for fans before the date tickets officially go on sale. I can’t confirm a date for the pre-sale yet but as soon as it is announced I will post the dates and the code word. It will probably be at the end of this month. There will be matinee shows also on many of the weekend dates.

It should be noted that this is not a concert and Celtic Thunder is not a group. It is a show more akin to Riverdance than a concert performed by singing groups you may be more used to. You can catch bits of the show they will be touring on PBS this month. They will also be adding Irish songs to the first act which, I have to admit, appeals to me much more than their tribute to music throughout the 20th century that is apparently the idea behind It’s Entertainment According to the cast members who were doing promos at my PBS station last week, the Irish songs they will be doing will be released on cd before the tour.

Celtic Thunder will appear on QVC’s St Patrick’s Day special which begins just after midnight March 16 and runs till midnight March 17 so you can catch them several times throughout the day there. They will be providing a musical interlude between all the merino sweaters and Connemara Marble. Their cds and dvds will most likely be for sale also.

Sep 24, 2010 — (City not listed on their website) Casino Rama
Sep 25, 2010 — Buffalo, NY Shea’s
Sep 28, 2010 — Baltimore, MD Hippodrome
Sep 29, 2010 — Pittsburgh, PA Benedum Center
Oct 1, 2010 — New York City, NY Radio City Music Hall
Oct 2, 2010 — Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
Oct 3, 2010 — Hartford, CT Mortensen Center
Oct 4, 2010 — Manchester, NH Verizon Arena
Oct 6, 2010 — Springfield, MA Symphony Hall
Oct 8, 2010 — West Point, NY West Point Academy
Oct 9, 2010 — Boston, MA Citi PerformingArts Center
Oct 10, 2010 — Reading, PA Sovereign Center
Oct 13, 2010 — Hershey, PA Hershey Theater
Oct 14, 2010 — Wilkes-Barre, PA Kirby Theater
Oct 16, 2010 — Norfolk, VA Chrysler Theater
Oct 17, 2010 — Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center
Oct 19, 2010 — Indianapolis, IN Murat Theater
Oct 21, 2010 — Kansas City, MO Independence Events Center
Oct 22, 2010 — St. Louis, MO Fox Theater
Oct 23, 2010 — Chicago, IL Chicago Theater
Oct 24, 2010 — Minneapolis, MN State Theater
Oct 26, 2010 — Denver, CO First Bank Center
Oct 28, 2010 — San Francisco, CA Warfield Theater
Oct 29, 2010 — Eugene, OR Hult Center
Oct 30, 2010 — Everett, WA (Seattle) Comcast Arena
Nov 1, 2010 — Portland, OR Theater Of The Clouds
Nov 2, 2010 — Spokane, WA INB Theater
Nov 4, 2010 — Sacramento, CA Memorial Auditorium
Nov 5, 2010 — San Diego, CA San Diego Civic Center
Nov 6, 2010 — Anaheim, CA The Grove
Nov 7, 2010 — Anaheim, CA The Grove
Nov 7, 2010 — Anaheim, CA The Grove (Matinee)
Nov 8, 2010 — Thousand Oaks, CA Fred Cavali Theater
Nov 10, 2010 — Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater
Nov 12, 2010 — Dallas, TX Nokia Theater
Nov 13, 2010 — Houston, TX Verizon
Nov 14, 2010 — Fort Smith, AK Arkansas Best PAC
Nov 17, 2010 — Durham, NC Durham PAC
Nov 20, 2010 — Atlanta GA Fox Theater
Nov 21, 2010 — Jacksonville, FL Fox Theater
Nov 23, 2010 — Clearwater FL Ruth Eckard Hall

The above dates are the ones on their official website which is not always completely up to date. I have seen other cities on other lists and at PBS station websites so they may be added to this schedule in the future. I will update as needed.

Celtic Thunder Website Tour Page

Declan O’Rourke began his career on the Dublin singer-songwriter circuit in 2000 and released his debut album under an independent Irish record label in late 2004.  Since Kyabram went straight in at fifth position on the Irish charts and very soon achieved Gold, Platinum and then double-Platinum status.  Even now, more than five years after its release, it continues to sell steadily.

His songs have gained him much interest with a number of the industry’s top names both in Ireland and abroad. Declan supported Snow Patrol on their 2006 European tour where he played Wembly Stadium and the Odyssey Arena among others.  He has also made a number of special guest appearances on stage with the band. 

In 2006, when asked by Q Magazine which song from the past twenty years he most wished he’d written, Paul Weller chose Galileo, a song from Since Kyabram.  Jonathan Ross, Britain’s top chat show host and foremost radio DJ, plays Declan regularly on his Saturday morning show.  Declan’s songs have been recorded by a number of artists, including Brian Kennedy and Maura O’Connell.  Eddi Reader’s latest studio album, released in April, 2009, covers Declan’s Love Is The Way, and is also the album’s title.

Declan’s long awaited and critically acclaimed second album, Big Bad Beautiful World was released in September, 2007, and reached fourth position in the Irish charts. In April 2007/08, Declan toured the recording, including a small Australian tour in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with great success. He returned to Australia for an extended tour of New South Wales and Victoria throughout March, 2009. Declan plans a more extensive tour of Australia in spring 2010.

He has also toured in England and mainland Europe, supporting such notable names as Paul Weller, The Cardigans, Paulo Nuttini, Paul Brady, The Beautiful South, and Nizlopi while appearing on the same bills as Planxty and Bob Dylan. In February 2009, he shared a Belfast stage with Nancy Griffith and in October/November 2009, supported New York songwriter Ari Hest on a nationwide U.S. tour.

Declan recently sang with Swedish singer Peter Jöback on a cover of R.E.M’s Everybody Hurts.  The Scandinavian sensation has also covered Declan’s song I Can See A Little Something and both songs are included in Peter’s newest album, East Side Stories, released in October 2009. This past December, Declan performed with Peter in Sweden and Norway in their largest indoor arenas to sell out audiences. Declan recently wrote a song with Midnight Oil veteran Jim Moginee.

Declan is praised for his heartfelt, intimate performances as well as his larger, energetic concerts.  His popularity continues to grow steadily, with a vast amount of sell-out performances in Ireland’s most prestigious venues. A third studio album is in the works and a Spring 2010 release is anticipated.

Currently touring in Ireland, check Declan’s website  for appearance dates and locations:  http://www.declanorourke.com/news.php

 Listen to Declan at his Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/declanorourke

Since Kyabram and Big Bad Beautiful World are available for download at:

Gareth Brannigan sent this to be added to his Bio.  It was record­ed at the Pur­ple Ses­sions, Droghe­da, Co Louth. It is his cover of Falling Slowly by Swell Season.

I will add this to Gareth’s biography next week but it is a nice video to do as a stand alone piece this weekend to kick off your St Pat’s celebration. To learn more about this talented Irishman click here  to read his bio. He is one to keep your eye on for sure.

Falling Slowly (by The Swell Season)

Gareth | MySpace Music Videos

Gareth Brannigan bought his first guitar after receiving some money on his 12th birthday. After his father showed him a few chords he was off and running eventually learning lead guitar, playing on occasion’s guest lead guitar in his father blues band. On hearing music from Damien Rice, Declan O’Rourke, Ray LaMontagne to name but a few he turned to writing his on songs, this led to him accomplishing semi-finalist status in the UK Songwriters Contest competition 2008 with “Sunrise”. In late 2008 Gareth entered the recording studio to lay down four self penned songs that was to become his first EP entitled “Walk with me”. Gareth teamed up with experienced musicians, notably John Leighton on keyboards and Elaine Sokanovic backing vocals. What resulted from these performances and Gareth’s production is a collection of songs that well surpassed all expectations of a singer songwriter so young, Gareth was 19 at the time. In 2009 he was a finalist the Newtownards Guitar Singer Song writers competition. He is now currently promoting his EP as a solo artist in various venues around the country and has recently performed live on Dublin FM’s “On the verge” www.ontheverge.ie with Brendan Hickey, also appearing on U105 with Lisa Flavelle.
He is currently writing new songs and hopes to go into the studio again in the near future.

“Walk With Me” is currently available as download from ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Rhapsody…….

You can hear samples at Gareth’s music at his myspace page: www.myspace.com/garethbranniganmusic

Conor Mason, born August 27, 1981, is a singer-songwriter from Derry. Having learned classical piano from the age of 8, Conor soon progressed to a variety of other instruments including Guitar, drums and harmonica.

Conor followed a music production course at a local college where he began playing in bands and learning the art of recording. It was around this time that Conor played in a band called Gentle Ben. Soon after they split, Conor began recording songs for his first solo project.

It wasn’t long before people were taking notice of Conor’s music. His song ‘Circles’, was one of ten songs of the year in the BBC Across the line show in N. Ireland. More recently, Conor has also won both the XFM Unsigned competition and the monthy ’Your Sound’ showdown at the legendary King Tuts venue in Glasgow. This lead to a slot at the Hydro Connect Music Festival this year, where Conor played alongside artists like Elbow, Sigur Ros, the Coral and Gomez. At the end of last year, Conor released his debut album, ‘When it’s over’, on Antimatter music.

Conor is back in Derry working on his new album, and playing with a new live band, which he hopes to tour with after the summer. With his songwriting consistency, and the sheer warmth of every performance, we look forward to hearing (and seeing) what Conor does next.

Next Gig: IMRO Tour 2010 @ Masons, Derry – 15th April

When It’s Over is available through ITunes (click on album cover to go to ITunes) and also at the Antimatter shop http://www.antimattermusic.co.uk/shop.html

Visit Conor at:
his myspace page http://www.myspace.com/conormason
his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conor-Mason/119434200227
his twitter page http://twitter.com/conor_mason
his Lastfm pagehttp://www.last.fm/music/Conor+Mason

 “Hope to see some of ye in the very near future folks. Slan..”

The Druids are a four-piece Irish REBEL band made up of three Kildare men and a Wexford man… Paddy Mangan from Johnstown Bridge on banjo, mandolin and vocals; Gary Lawlor from Clane on acoustic guitar and lead vocals; newest recruit Darren Egan also from Clane on bass, a great musician, he will also be singing when he gets settled in; and the one and only Mick O’Brien originally from Wexford but now living in Newbridge on five string banjo, bodhran, tin whistle and vocals. The group has recently taken onboard a manager, Adrian Moran from County Westmeath, who aims to take them “to the highest point of their careers.”

The Druids played their first gig on 9th May 2009 and since then have toured Ireland and Scotland where they play again in April. They are supporting the Celtic band Charlie and the Bhoys in the famous Barrowlands Glasgow to a sellout crowd of 2000 Celtic fans and returning  to the Brazen Head in Glasgow where they perform on regular occasions. On St.Patricks Day The Druids are playing in Belgium and have ten dates in Santa Ponsa in Spain for the annual Celtic Convention in May. Over 30,000 Celtic supporters will be there. They have had enquiries for American and Australian tours for late 2010 and early 2011. Currently they are working on their second album which should be available in early March, 2010. Writers as well as singers and musicians, The Druids have already written four of their own Rebel songs.

The Druids can be seen and heard at:

BEBO:   www.bebo.com/druids32

MySpace:  www.myspace.com/thedruidsirishrebelband.com

Youtube:  www.youtube.com/thedruidsband

In celebration of St Patrick’s Day this month we will be showcasing as many Irish performers as we can. Everyone is Irish this month so we’d like to introduce you to your cousins from the old country. Ireland has long been the home of great music and stories. This country nurtures the creative soul which is evident in the great number of singers, songwriters and other artists who live there. It is difficult for young artists, and even not so young artists, to get a foot in the door in Ireland as it is the world over. If we, as fans, don’t help them out where will tomorrow’s music come from? So let’s bypass all the powers that be and give a listen to them. We featured Siobhan Day yesterday and today we will shine the spotlight on another young artist that we featured a while back.

Chris Keys is a singer-songwriter from Belfast. We posted his bio earlier but here is a little more info and a sample of his great music. Chris is 26 years old and has been featured in the film Imagine while busking in his home town. He is currently working on his second album. Listen to his songs then friend him on myspace http://www.myspace.com/chrisjkeys and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-keys/52820986217 You can also see videos of his work at his youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/chriskeysofficial

Two more dates have been announced by the Saw Doctors so we will plug them into the tour schedule as we now know it.

May 7 The Magic Bag in Detroit Ticket info call 248 544 3030 or http://www.themagicbag.com
May 8 Celtic Fest Chicago in Millennium Park of Chicago as part of the Chicago Celtic Festival.
http://www.celticfestchicago.us
May 9 Cleveland House of Blues
May 13 The Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA) in Philadelphia call 215 9202 1011 or http://www.livenation.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com
May 14 Irving Plaza in New York City
May 15 House of Blues Club in Boston http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/418767 or http://www.ticketmaster.com
May 16 The Music Hall in Portsmouth NH

We will update as more cities are announced.

Irish singer-songwriter Siobhan Day was born in Belfast into a musical family. Growing up she would be surrounded by a wide range of musical tastes from Irish Traditional to Guns N Roses to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. At a very early age Siobhan learnt to play the keyboard and tin whistle, but she first picked up the guitar at the age of 13 which would be the beginnings of a very clear and exciting path into music.

Having music as a way for Siobhan to cope with events in her life was a cathartic release; writing about love and loss, hope and growing up, memories and dreams. The music is a mixture of contemporary folk and acoustic rock, drawing influences from her childhood experience and her current musical tastes.

Siobhan has recently started gigging and is currently working on getting into the studio to record her first EP with a lot of positive interest in her work and exciting plans for the year ahead.

You can catch her live in coffee shops, singer-songwriter nights and even busking in and around Belfast city centre.

Website: http://www.myspace.com/siobhanday
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sizeborg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Siobhan-Day/180952197211

Siobhan also offers a free download of her song Outside at: http://www.nichart.com/downloads.html It’s under SSS

Timeless Traditions, released in February 2009, is Malachi Cush’s fourth album and follows successes with his debut album Malachi, New Day and Celtic Heartbeat. It is an exceptional collection of traditional Celtic songs enhanced by Malachi’s effortless laid back style and smooth mellow voice.

A favorite of mine is County Tyrone. I listen and my minds eye sees those vividly green high holy hills.                 The Donaghmore Exile, another favorite, is a perfect example of Malachi’s expertise at storytelling.
Peggy Gordon is beautifully done as a duet featuring Deirdre Bonner. Her lovely voice compliments Malachi’s and reminds me of Mary Black’s Anachie Gordon. They also join voices to sing Ned of the Hill.

Mention should be made of the considerably talented artists and musicians Plunkett McGartland, Brendan Monaghan, Davey Muldrew and Declan Magee who so ably contribute backup. I would highly recommend this album to anyone and find myself listening over and over again. The songs  are each a little different from the other and are well done and enjoyable listening. I just wonder how this one slipped past me when it first came out. It’s a winner for sure!

Timeless Traditions Song list:

Young Matt Hyland
Lover’s Heart
Ned of the Hill
Step it out Mary
The Wild Goose
The Donaghmore Exile
Spanish Lady
I Wish my Love was a Red Red Rose
Peggy Gordon
The Creel
County Tyrone
A Soldier’s Farewell
 

Timeless Traditions

Available at iTunes:

Visit Malachi Cush at:

Myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/malachicush

Website:  http://malachicush.net/

Fansite:  http://www.malachimad.com/

I came across this band first at the NI Charts site and then at myspace. They are a great band remind me a bit of the Saw Doctors in that they sing to and about real people and real experiences. Paddy sent this bio and we will review their cd when it comes out.

Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas @ Glasgowbury Festival 09

After a fantastic performance at Glasgowbury 09 and gigs in Derry, Draperstown, Limavady and beyond. Here are just some of the things people have been saying about them.

Glasgowbury 09

Eamonn McCann – Hot Press

For more info and samples of their music check out their website www.paddynash.co.uk and their myspace page www.myspace.com/paddynash Their are free downloads at their website!

I was actually planning to do this post later in the week but since there is some news I thought I would bump this up a few days. The band has tweeted that they are doing a radio interview on Feb 17 between 8 and 9 AM GMT which means fans in the US will need to be up with the chickens to catch it. This is the link for the broadcast http://www.todayfm.com/Home.aspx There is also a great interview on RTE that was done several years ago when the Cure was released. It can be heard here http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0228/rattlebag.html

It occurred to me that the only people who aren’t fans of the Saw Doctors are the people who haven’t heard them. I think the best way to rectify that is to grab their widget from ReverbNation so here it is. Give them a listen and join us as fans of this great band. They will be touring Australia in March and the US in May and June. We will update the US tour as we get more confirmed dates. In the meantime, enjoy!

Last fall Mickey Coleman and Plunkett McGartland sat down with Malachi Cush on his Sunday Morning Jukebox radio program and discussed Mickey’s newest song and upcoming album, A Mothers Lullaby. During a lighter moment and as friends do, Malachi poked fun at Mickey about being referred to as the “next Irish folk sensation.” Obviously self-conscious about the reference, Mickey responded without hesitation; “talkin the talks one thing, but walkin the walks another.” Prophetic words…. With his A Mothers Lullaby, Mickey most certainly is “walkin the walk” in the footprints of the likes of Christy Moore and Bob Dylan. Mickey advocates for powerless abused children, innocent casualties of war having no escape from the devastation, loved ones left to cope with suicide, the end of political corruptness, the unemployed and those unfortunates caught up in the associated turmoil. For this album, Mickey has written lyrics guided by his conscience and from his heart. His fine voice lending so much power to the words they take your breath away. Having Plunkett McGartland accompanying Mickey on some of these songs is the perfect compliment to the richness and clean clear sound of the new songs.

A Mothers Lullaby is the next step in Mickey’s journey up the road to becoming one of the great folk singers both in Ireland and here in the states. He’s surely “walkin the walk” with A Mothers Lullaby!      Brilliant Mickey, just brilliant!!!

The reasons why Mickey wrote Mothers Lullaby have been explained eloquently by Mickey himself and would be diminished by any synopsis I could pen here. Visit his MySpace page and read his blog: Mothers Lullaby (why I wrote this song). http://www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1

Locked Gates, a narrative written by Patricia Campbell, draws not so subtle parallels between County Tyrone’s recent past and present day Gaza. It is brilliant in its simplicity. Agree or disagree with Mickey’s recitation, where and when he spent his formative years makes him uniquely qualified to give voice to these words.

With Brighter Day Mickey describes the strife occurring in present day Ireland, both the Republic and the North. In three short verses Mickey covers dissention and hope for reconciliation, unemployment, alcoholism, corrupt politicians, poor or non existent services, wasteful excess and child abuse. Plunkett McGartland gives added depth to this piece with his considerable talents at the piano.

Mickey wrote Miss You More Than Words Can Say for a mother who had lost her 22 year old son to suicide. It has been included in a charity album, From The Heart, and performed by Mickey during a benefit concert last July to raise the profile of the Suicide Awareness campaign.  This song is beautiful and it’s great to see him share it with a wider audience.

Pillow of Tears gives a voice to faceless closeted children abused by clergy. The stark honesty of Mickey’s words strongly illustrate the almost unbearable pain suffered from these ugliest of acts.

This man writes, sings and plays from his heart whatever the topic. Don’t let his more serious songs overshadow the other touching, more traditional songs penned by Mickey for this album.

Writing, singing and playing from the heart is clearly illustrated  with Culdaff. (a village in Donegal on the Inishowen peninsula). In this one Mickey tells the sad story of high hopes, disappointment and resignation over what will never be, and almost unbearable loneliness for home.

Stranger in the City weaves a tale of youthful exploration, immaturity of decisions made and the wisdom of realizing what’s important in life.

Your Love Pulled Me In and Can Always Count on You are most obviously written for a special person. The first song is the story of finding love at the exact right time, the second a confirmation of love and commitment to a present and future together.

Judgement Day is a genuinely happy tune that’s unashamed by its tilt toward good old fashioned country and western. It’s a toe tapping sing along song that will bring a great big smile to your face. Hard to choose which is more fun, Mickey’s words or Plunkett’s honky-tonk piano style in this one.

A Mothers Lullaby song list:

Mothers Lullaby

Locked Gates

Brighter Day

Your Love Pulled Me In

Miss You More Than Words

Pillow of Tears

Can Always Count On You

Judgement Day

Stranger in the City

Culdaff

Purchase A Mothers Lullaby on Mickey’s website: http://mickeycoleman.com/index.html

Now available at: and

Singer/songwriter Mickey Coleman, from the shores of Lough Neagh, County Tyrone Ireland is on his way to becoming the latest sensation to hit the Irish music folk scene.

Mickey who has been writing, singing and playing music from an early age completed his critically acclaimed debut album Carefully Crafted, consisting of all original material, a short 18 months ago. And, since its debut has been sharing the stage with artists such as The Chieftains, Cara Dillon, Francis Black, Liam Reilly, Steve Cooney and many more.

His talent for penning songs that in some way or another have shaped his life and which have captured the hearts of many in his live performances has been well documented in songs such as The Brantry Boy, The Holylands Belfast, My Coalisland Girl and Kilkeel Fisherman.

Drawing influences from Christy Moore, Bob Dylan and Luke Kelly, Mickey has developed his own identity saying; “I am like myself. I don’t think I sound like anyone” in an interview with popular folk artist and producer Column Sands.

James McGarrity from JW Promotions says; “Mickey Coleman is another example of the class and caliber of new musicians in the Province. This talented singer/songwriter produced a sensational debut album and is set for great things.”

Mickey is currently writing with some of Ireland’s finest and adding the finishing touches to his brand new album, Mothers Lullaby. Scheduled to launch on 29-Jan-2010, it is now available for purchase and pre-order on his website:   www.mickeycoleman.com

Listen to some of Mickey’s songs now at: www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1   

Become a fan and follow Mickey on Facebook at: 

Mickey Coleman Folk Singer/Songwriter: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=156313743038

Another great singer/songwriter I found on MySpace is Chris Keys. You have to go give him a listen too. We will be reviewing his EP when it comes out and it will be available at ITunes and cdbaby soon also.

Chris Keys 27 year old singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist, had a passion for music from a young age and taught himself to play guitar, bass and piano. He was filmed busking in Belfast and was featured in the ‘Imagine’ best European cultural city promo video. In 2006 Chris won ‘pubstar’ and recently came runner up in the ‘Freedom live’ competition to support the Script at the Spring & Airbreak Belfast, organised by Cool fm /Northern bank. He has supported LA singer/songwriter ‘Ricky Warwick’ and is currently giging on the road with the ‘Chris keys duo’. Chris has just finished his second Ep ‘Shadows’ and at present is targeting radio stations and record labels.

You can hear Chris’s music at his website, YouTube and on his myspace page and become a fan on facebook.
http://www.chriskeys.com
http://www.youtube.com/chriskeysofficial
http://www.myspace.com/chrisjkeys
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-keys/52820986217