Pavesi from Donegal, DL, IE

3rd echo from New Orleans, LA

Elspeth from Belfast, IE

The Talismen from Saint Paul, MN

Keywest from Dublin, D, IE

Paper Tongues from Charlotte, N C

The Line of Fire from Gloucester, UK

The PondHawks from Chicago, IL

The Coronas from Dublin, IE

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Gaelic Storm is one of the busiest bands we know. They are on the road again. Check the schedule below and if they coming to your area, mark your calendar and get yourself to their show. Treat yourself to a great evening out.

FEBRUARY

2/02 Tullahoma, TN South Jackson Civic Center
2/03 Knoxville, TN The Square Room
2/04 Asheville, NC Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
2/11 Clinton Twp., MI Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
2/14 Five Flags Theatre Dubuque, IA
2/15 Eau Claire, WI State Theatre
2/16 Iowa City, IA Englert Theatre
2/17 Madison, WI Wisconsin Union Theatre
2/18 Dekalb, IL Egyptian Theatre
2/20 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection
2/23 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s
2/24 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
2/25 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
2/28 North Tonawanda, NY Riviera Theatre
2/29 Greensburg, PA The Palace Theatre

MARCH

3/01 Wilkes Barre, PA Kirby Center
3/02 Wilmington, DE The Grand Opera House
3/03 Alexandria, VA Birchmere Music Hall
3/04 Alexandria, VA Birchmere Music Hall
3/06 Champaign, IL Virginia Theatre
3/08 Brainerd, MN Central Lakes College
3/09 St. Paul, MN Fitzgerald Theatre
3/10 Des Moines, IA Val Air Ballroom
3/11 Green Bay, WI Meyer Theatre
3/12 Calumet, MI Camulet Theatre
3/15 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
3/16 Chicago, IL The Riviera
3/17 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater
3/21 Ithaca, NY State Theatre
3/22 Albany, NY The Egg
3/23 Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre
3/27 Annapolis, MD Rams Head *Storyteller Show*
3/28 Annapolis, MD Rams Head
3/30 Wallingford, CT Paul Mellon Arts Center

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Price of a Pint sets the tone for the whole wonderful album. Jimmie Lassie, like so many whiskey soaked philosophers, points out the obvious truths that sober people fail to see. No Place Like Home is a rousing tribute to County Tyrone. Ballad of John Barleycorn is a love song that is proof positive that chivalry is not dead (but is probably on life support). Drinking with God is my kind of hymn. The album is full of brilliant songs. My favorite might be Misty Morning Night but I am going to keep listening just to be sure. I highly recommend this one for lovers of fun, irreverent and incredibly good music. If you like the Saw Doctors and SIR REG, you’ll love The Logues.

Song List

1. Price of a Pint
2. Jimmy Lassie
3. No Place Like Home
4. Broomstick Boogie
5. Ballad of John Barleycorn
6. Drinkin’ with God
7. Music of the Night
8. Misty Morning Night
9. Tales of the Road
10. Poitin Valley
11. Last Orders

You can find The Logues at Facebook here and listen to some more of their songs at MySpace here The album is available at gigs, Itunes and through cdbaby.

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Last week, I sat down with Michael Londra to chat and gather some information about his upcoming tour. The very first thing you’re aware of when meeting Michael is how instantly comfortable you feel being in his company. No pretense, no airs, no demands and no phony star attitude. He had just returned to Chicago five days earlier from West Coast shows and appearances spanning two months. Michael says he’s happy to be home and sleeping in his own bed for a while. He’s enjoying the simple things like shopping Trader Joe’s, whipping up special meals for friends and other such enjoyable diversions during his down time, after the hustle and bustle of staging a show and performing in it as well.

Fanrealm:  What is the difference between Beyond Celtic and Celtic Fire?

“…when it comes to PBS, it turns into this monster of a machine and the show Beyond Celtic was designed specifically for PBS and did really well. It aired like 300 times which for a new artist is very unusual and strange.” He said, “I just sang it live and it worked.”

“But, in the meantime, I had already kind of set up the Celtic Fire show which is a more traditional show. You know, it hasn’t got the violins or the orchestra. I don’t sing the more orchestral songs, I sing more traditional songs. Also, there’s more of a dance focus because I’m obsessed with Irish dancing and with being an Irish dancer because I was the worst Irish dancer in the world. If you’re coming to Aurora, you’ll hear me talk about it. And, you’ll see a few people you haven’t seen before, a few of my band with me from Riverdance and dancers scattered from all over the place.”

“I hire musicians that I have a good time with off-stage ’cause you’re on the road with them all the time and you can hire the best musicians in the world and they can be completely miserable when you walk off stage. And, frankly, I’m too long in the tooth to be putting up with that nonsense. So I only work with nice people and I have lovely dancers and a lovely band and I wouldn’t swap them for the world. So, when I get good ones, I keep them.”

Fanrealm:  That young man, the dancer (Owen Barrington), how old is he?

“Owen? He’s 27, nearly. He’s a baby face. He’s world champion though, and also the nicest chap in the world, and from Alaska.”

Owen Barrington is the 2008 Senior Men’s Irish World Dance champion and a Riverdance alumnae.

Fanrealm: Is he Irish?

“Well, he has Irish descent, but no, it’s a very loose connection. That’s very often the case with Irish dancers now. A lot of the best dancers will be from the U.S. or Australia or now, Japan. Because Riverdance is so successful, you’ve all these dancers. Like in Riverdance now, you’ve Japanese dancers, you have African-American, Australian and that’s fantastic.”

Fanrealm:  Does Celtic Fire tour by bus?

“No. It depends. For example in March. See, again it’s not like a rock and roll tour which is what Celtic Thunder does. A show my size, which actually is a fairly big show, our tour is what’s called a performing arts tour. Which is, we arrive en masse and the theater builds around us. Different. It’s a different way of doing it.”

Kathleen Keane, one of the most popular Celtic performers (fiddle and whistle) in the U.S. today, will be performing with Michael throughout his spring tour, along with the renowned bodhran player, Jackie Moran. Unfortunately, Jackie will not be appearing in the February 10th launch of the spring leg Beyond Celtic/Celtic Fire shows.

Fanrealm:  Is there anything you want to tell your fans?

“All I say is it’s very difficult to be a singer. It’s a difficult job to maintain that and keep it moving forward and I think that fans don’t really get that. They don’t understand how badly we need them and it’s very difficult to… (pause) I don’t think the fans realize how important they are to artists. I don’t think that they realize that. You know fans put us up on a pedestal and really while that’s great and it’s lovely to have that, it’s really very nice and it feels like your work is worth something. But, I don’t think the fans realize how important they are to the whole mix. See, I kind of understand it because it’s a very emotional experience to like somebody’s music so if you come to something bigger, at a certain point you realize how important you are to people. With that there’s a big responsibility and I get a little bit worried about that sometimes. You know I’ll be upset for people. Like certain fans will kind of travel for hundreds of miles to see you and you can only see them for half an hour after the gig and you feel bad. So I get upset with things like that.”

Fanrealm:  At some point, they’re going to be all around you and you might not be able to acknowledge every one of them.

“It’s usually very organized so you can do that. Some people do get a little bit “handzy.” Oh, yes! Oh, yah! YAH! I mean I laugh over that so much but it was so uncomfortable. Like… you came for a photo! OK!! It’s funny! It’s like some fans are so extreme.”

“The fans are just the most important thing to me and that’s why after every concert, after every single show, I’ll be in the lobby. Every single one, to say thank you. It’s so important to me.”

Michael Londra is a brilliant, award winning Irish tenor and a really nice guy. With every song he sings, he speaks to the hearts of those listening. He treasures the people filling the seats at his performances, his fans.

Beyond Celtic/Celtic Fire begins a three month tour around the U.S. starting on February 10, 2012 at the Paramount Arts Center in Aurora, IL. If one of his shows is scheduled for your city or close by, DON’T miss it! Michael Londra is one of those rare singers you will never forget.

Check Beyond Celtic/Celtic Fire’s Tour Schedule here.

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The Jane Bradfords ~ from the upcoming album 100 Miles of Broken Pavement

In honor of Australia Day yesterday, my favorite Aussie ~ The Mad Pride

The fantastic Ghost Trains. You can download their music from their website here.

Andy Hearn

Building Pictures aka John Gribbin

Conor Mason

Paul Shevlin ~ Paul has recently joined a band called Hologram. Eagerly looking forward to hear what they do.

Paul Casey from his upcoming album

Ludwig O’ Neill songs from his upcoming album and a few other goodies

Captain Kennedy ~ Fantastic Band

The Saw Doctors From their latest album. They will be touring the US in Feb and March Click here for the tour schedule. Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

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December Moon is their fourth album and is a wonderful blend of styles from Irish Traditional, to bluegrass to jazzy swing with a touch of Brittany thrown into the mix. Aside from the amazing variety on this album, the thing that stands out is the beautiful harmonies that are the trademark of this band. With songs like the easy paced Fool’s Gold and the outstanding title song December Moon, the Henry Girls will get your complete attention and never let it go. They do absolutely fantastic versions of Rain and Snow and Watching the Detectives. It would be hard to pick a favorite here but I think the beautiful Sweet Dreams would have to be mine.

This whole album is very high quality and one you MUST HAVE in your collection. I know it’s already a favorite of mine. You’ll be hearing a lot more about the massively talented Henry Girls in the future. If there was ever a band primed to break out, it’s this one. Keep your eye on them.

Song List

1. Sing my Sister Down
2. December Moon
3. Moonstruck
4. Rain and Snow
5. The Long Road
6. Watching the Detectives
7. Stop Saying Forever
8. Sweet Dreams
9. Aisling
10. When Will I See You Again
11. Fools Gold
12. Ol Cook Pot
13. Farewell
14. Couldn’t Ask For More

December Moon is available through ITunes here and at their website . You can hear samples at both sites. They are at Facebook here.

The Henry Girls are currently on tour in Ireland. Check the poster below for dates and venues.

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The Kreellers have announced tour dates for 2012. This is a fantastic Celtic Rock band you will not want to miss. Check the schedule below and if they are going to be in your area, mark your calendar now!

2012 Tour Dates

Jan 27, 2012
Friday 9:00 PM
Sully’s Irish Pub
Medina, OH

Feb 3, 2012
Friday 9:30 PM
PJ McIntyres Irish Pub
Cleveland, OH

Feb 17, 2012
Friday 9:00 PM
Logans Irish Pub
Findlay, OH

Feb 18, 2012
Saturday 9:30 PM
Quinn & Tuites Irish Pub
Grand Rapids, MI

Feb 24, 2012
Friday 8:30 PM
Cowleys Irish Pub
Farmington, MI

Feb 25, 2012
Saturday TBA
Eastside Irish American Club
Euclid, OH

Feb 26, 2012
Sunday TBA
Majestic Theater/The Magic Stick
Detroit, MI
Concert performance benefiting the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Mar 9, 2012
Friday TBA
Michigan Irish Festival St. Patrick’s Day Party
Muskegon, MI

Mar 10, 2012
Saturday TBA
Michigan Irish Festival St. Patrick’s Day Party
Muskegon, MI

Mar 11, 2012
Sunday TBA
Corktown Tavern
Detroit, MI
Beer Tent – Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Mar 16, 2012
Friday 9:00 PM
Moerlein Lager House St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Cincinnati, OH
St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration held outdoors in the heated beer garden

Mar 17, 2012
Saturday 7:30 PM
Irish on Ionia 2012 St Patrick’s Day Bash
Grand Rapids, MI

Mar 30, 2012
Friday 9:00 PM
Sully’s Irish Pub
Medina, OH

Mar 31, 2012
Saturday 9:30 PM
PJ McIntyres Irish Pub
Cleveland, OH

Apr 20, 2012
Friday 9:00 PM
Logans Irish Pub
Findlay, OH

Apr 27, 2012
Friday 9:00 PM
Cowleys Irish Pub
Farmington, MI

May 12, 2012
Saturday 9:30 PM
Conor O’Neill’s
Ann Arbor, MI

Jun 1, 2012
Friday TBA
Motor City Irish Fest 2012
Detroit, MI

Jun 2, 2012
Saturday TBA
Motor City Irish Fest 2012
Detroit, MI

Jun 3, 2012
Sunday TBA
Motor City Irish Fest 2012
Detroit, MI

Jun 15, 2012
Friday TBA
Chicago Highland Games
Chicago, IL

Jun 16, 2012
Saturday TBA
Chicago Highland Games
Chicago, IL

Jul 17, 2012
Tuesday 7:15 PM
Huntington Woods Summer Concert Series
Huntington Woods, MI

Jul 20, 2012
Friday TBA
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Berea, OH

Jul 21, 2012
Saturday TBA
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Berea, OH

Jul 22, 2012
Sunday TBA
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Berea, OH

Aug 24, 2012
Friday 7:00 PM
Rythmz in Riley Park
Farmington, MI

Sep 1, 2012
Saturday TBA
Guinness Oyster Festival
Cincinnati, OH

Sep 14, 2012
Friday TBA
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Muskegon, MI

Sep 15, 2012
Saturday TBA
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Muskegon, MI

Sep 29, 2012
Saturday TBA
Cincinnati Celtic Festival
Cincinnati, OH

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WHEN: Saturday, February 4th – 6:30 PM
WHERE: Alberta Street Public House
WHERE: 1036 NE Alberta Street – Portland, OR
ADMISSION: $5 at the door

We are proud to announce that Beltaine will be performing at the Alberta Street Public House on Saturday, February 4th at 6:30 PM.

Beltaine showcases the best of Acoustic Celtic Fusion in their music. Kris, Brian, Jamie, and John bring years of experience in ethnic, folk, rock and jazz music to their interpretations of traditional and tunes. Their new compositions and a new collection of traditional music brings together the best of old and new. So sit back, enjoy, and Slainte!

“I loved this album. It’s so easy to listen to, and the choice of songs so compelling, that I could hardly think otherwise. Lovers of the Celtic tune, take notice. This is a project you should acquire, and once having done so, spend time with. Lots of time. Delightful.” John C. McClure

Beltaine performs throughout the Northwest at many events including; The Highland Stillhouse, Irishtown, Portland Highland Games, The Bite of Oregon, Portland Rose Festival, Newport Celtic Music Festival, Yachats Celtic Music Festival, Tryon Creek State Park Summer Concert Series, Scappoose Concerts in the Park, Pittock Mansion Holiday Music Program, and many other local venues.

For More information please visit www.beltainemusic.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beltaine/248366435593

Alberta Street Public House – Come in any night for a wide selection of drinks and house specialties from the kitchen on the bar side. And, come out and enjoy live music most nights of the week. For more information please visit http://www.albertastreetpub.com/

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Chris’s smooth voice, easy acoustic style and songwriting skill make this album a delight. He has included You & I and City Lights on the EP, both songs have been favorites of mine since I first heard them. All six of these songs are strong and the title song New Day is really outstanding. I suspect Chris is a poet at heart but he has achieved a perfect balance of lyrics and music with this album and neither overshadows the other. You’ll definitely find yourself singing along with these songs, which, to me, is the mark of a song that really connects with the listener. This is an EP you will want in your collection.

Song List

You & I
City Lights
New Day
Shadows
There For You
Daydreams

New Day is available on ITunes here and at Amazon here. You can learn more about Chris at his website here and at facebook here

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Whether you consider yourself a conservative, a progressive, a liberal, a libertarian or anything else we can all unite in our agreement that this is a complete government overreach and must be stopped. Instead of targeting serious pirates in one part of the world, this blankets the entire world and what anyone can see of do on the internet. This would go after any indie artist who did a cover of a song that a record company had the rights to. This would shut down any site who linked to the video – like this one.

If you think the government should stay the hell out of the business of policing the internet you need to let them know about it. Petitions do get their attention. Please sign this one. Since it affects the entire world I don’t see why you would need to be a US Citizen to sign. The more signatures the louder the united voice we speak in, will be to Congress.

Please sign this petition to send them the message loud and clear that you oppose this legislation Click here to sign

While we are at it let’s send a message to the president to veto it, should it pass. Click here to sign this petition

Update:

From the Associated Press:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he was postponing a test vote set for Tuesday “in light of recent events.”

WE are the recent events. This looks good but keep signing. Send the strongest message possible about this.

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