The Kirk Avenue Music Hall in Roanoke, VA is a wonderful intimate venue. It obviously started off life as a downtown storefront that lost business to malls and a more suburban lifestyle. But it has been reborn as a small theater that hosts live entertainment and helps breath life into the downtown area which is enjoying a rebirth.

Last night the little concert hall was rocking with the music of Celtrock band Coyote Run. Their show was set up as a voyage through the ancient Celtic year beginning in the spring. The songs performed reflected each season. There was a fabulous eclectic selection of music styles throughout the show. There are drum solos, trombone solos and naturally bagpipes. And if you are suffering under the delusion that a didgeridoo is not a Celtic instrument you desperately need to get to a Coyote Run show.

The show is narrated by founder and former professor David Doersch (on the right above) and there is plenty of banter among the band and with the audience involving everyone in the show and making for a wonderful evening. I highly recommend this band. David along with Doug, Mike, Paul and the driving beat of Catherine, the drummer, make the evening just fly by. My only complaints were that it ended way too soon and that the stage was too small for Doug to dance . Maybe next time.

Here is a sample of Coyote Run for you to enjoy.

They are currently working on their 8th CD. Their CDs may be purchased at shows, via their website www.coyoterun.com/ and through Amazon.

Friend them at facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Coyote-Run-Friends/43578213184 and myspace www.myspace.com/coyoterunband and follow them on twitter http://twitter.com/coyoterunband

For general info check www.gaelicstorm.com

Check out this page for some great background music: http://www.fanrealm.com/celtic-podcasts/

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:

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

Kells Irish Festival – Portland, OR. This festival is an annual event and runs all week. For more info click here

Tir Na Nog – Raleigh, NC Lots of festivities plannned. 7 Nations performs March 14 along with many other local favorites.

SONORA CELTIC FAIRE March 12-14 Motherload Fairgrounds, Sonora, CA http://www.sonoracelticfaire.com/

Libby Irish Fair March 13 Memorial Center Libby MT http://www.libbyirishfair.org/

Shamrockfest March 13 1 PM-9 PM RFK Stadium Washington DC http://www.shamrockfest.com/2010/

Irish Fest 2010 March 13-14 Meyer Amphitheater West Palm Beach FL http://www.irishflorida.org/

New Dublin Irish Fest March 15 – 20 ‘New Dublin’ (New London), Wisconsin http://www.newdublin.com/schedule.htm

Mother Grove

FRIDAY 3/12 : 9pm – 11pm
University of Dayton Irish Club
@ the Pub in the Kennedy Union Center on University of Dayton Campus
www.udayton.edu/visiting_ud.php
Cover: $5 cover for non members and $3 for members
Age: 18 to get in and 21 to drink

SATURDAY 3/13 : 5pm – 8pm
O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers EAST (2nd Lafayette location)
3520 St Rd 38 E
Lafayette, In 47905
765-447-0999
*No Cover*
Age Limit: 18+ @ 5PM, 21+ after 11PM
www.nineirishbrothers.com

WEDNESDAY 3/17 St. Patrick’s Day!
9 – 10 AM
LIVE on air performance on INStyle
WISH TV Channel 8 in Indianapolis
We’ll be performing songs a couple of times throughout the hour.

Noon – 5 (Exact time TBA)
Claddagh Indy downtown – Under the tent
234 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone: (317) 822-6274
www.claddaghirishpubs.com

8p – 11pm
Whiskey Business (formerly Sidelines)
11915 Pendleton Pike (near Oaklandon near Watson’s)
Indianapolis, IN 46236-9703

Update from Blaggards

FRIDAY @ FADÓ

It’s “St. Practice Weekend” at Fadó. Trust us, they know what they’re doing.

Friday, March 12
Fadó Irish Pub, 10 PM
214 W 4th St
Austin, TX 78701
512-457-0172

SATURDAY @ MOLLY MALONE’S IN SPRING

We return to Malone’s for a St. Paddy’s Warmup. Don’t miss the best wings in Texas!

Saturday, March 13
Molly Malone’s, 10 PM
7824 Louetta Rd
Spring, TX 77379
281-370-4949

SUNDAY @ OLDE CITY PUB

Sunday, we’ll play OCP in conjunction with the 32nd Annual 1960 St. Paddy’s Day Parade.

Sunday, March 14
Olde City Pub, 7 PM
14124 Stuebner Airline Road
Houston, TX 77069
832-249-6167

ST. PADDY’S DAY @ THE CONTINENTAL CLUB IN HOUSTON

Join us Wednesday, March 17 at the Continental Club in Houston for the 1st Annual
St. Paddy’s Day Bash with special guests the Allen Oldies Band and the Mighty Orq.

Early show @ 4 PM, Late show @ 8 PM.

Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 at the door.

Wednesday, March 17
The Continental Club
3700 Main St
Houston, TX 77006

Update from Screaming Orphans

March 13, we will be playing at a great
fundraising event in New York City. The Friends of the Fighting 69th
has once again invited us to play at their 4th Annual International
Corned Beef Challenge featuring an Evening of Irish Music. We’ll be
playing along such great musicians as Pierce Turner, Gael Force,
Seanchai & the Unity Squad and the Cunningham Brothers. Doors open at
3 p.m. and the event starts at 4 p.m. and we will play at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets are $24.95 and you can buy them online at
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ScreamingOrphans/0bd637eb8f/a0336ead8c/3137b9d9f4
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ScreamingOrphans/0bd637eb8f/a0336ead8c/99dab8305a.
Proceeds will benefit The Fighting 69th Memorial Scholarship Fund.
69th Regiment Armory is located on Lexington Avenue at 26th Street in
New York City.

And we will be back to play at the Armory on St. Patrick’s Day as
well, so we hope to see many of our New York City friends at one of
these two gigs.

Then on March 18, we will be playing at the Penn State in York, Pa in
the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. So come on out
and continue your St. Patrick’s Day celebration with us at this free
concert!

Wicked Tinkers

March 13 – 14
24th Annual SONORA CELTIC FAIRE
Sorona, CA – http://www.sonoracelticfaire.com

March 20
ANCHORAGE CELTIC SPRING FESTIVAL
Anchorage Alaska

March 27
TUCSON EVENING CONCERT
Tucson AZ

Celtic Thunder

Saturday, March 13th they will appear on CBS Saturday
Monday, March 15th appearance on Canada AM
March 16th starting at midnight till midnight on March 17th on QVC’s St Patrick’s Day celebration. They will perform six songs at various times throughout the course of the 24 hours. They will also be featured on many of the PBS spring pledge drives this month. Consult your local listings.

Claymore For our Canadian readers:

Friday night, Claymore kicks off the St. Paddy’s celebrations at “The Willy/Okotoks Inn” in Okotoks, starting at 9:30.

On Saturday night, we are performing at Murdoch’s Pub in Calgary, starting at 9 PM.

On Sunday, Claymore is proud to be hosting an unplugged session, as part of the “Jams For Cans” events being held across Calgary. This is in support of the Calgary Inter-faith Foodbank http://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/ and is being held at Muldoon’s Irish Ale House, starting at 3 o’clock and is open to ALL-AGES. Please come out and support this very important cause.

On Wednesday, March 17th, Claymore is performing from 4 PM to 2 AM at The Shamrock!!!!! This is Calgary’s original party place for St. Paddys, and we are proud to be celebrating this event at The Shammy!

Enter the Haggis Click here
Gaelic Storm Click here
Barley Juice Click here
Seven Nations Click here
The Tossers Click here

Seamus Stout The name of this band caught my eye while I was browsing at cdbaby a year or two ago. The samples lived up to the promise of that great band name so I ordered and have been enjoying them ever since. They are from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and play a lot locally. You can also catch them on the festival circuit. They have 4 cds on cdbaby You can also purchase their music at Itunes

Website: http://www.seamusstout.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/seamusstout

THE KILLDARES are a Celtrock band out of Dallas, Texas. They gig a lot in Texas but can also be seen on the festival circuit. This band blends 100% Celtic with 100% rock and throws in a taste of pop which adds up to well over 200% entertainment value. Their cd The Killdares SECRETS OF THE DAY, along with 2 others are on sale at amazon and Itunes

Website: http://killdares.com/site/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/killdares

Needfire is another Celtrock band from Dallas. This is a very high energy band. I love their song Young, Free and Celtic This is a must see band. Their gig schedule is on their myspace page. If they cone to your area, don’t miss them. They currently have 4 cds out. All of them can be purchased through their website http://www.needfire.com, myspace page http://www.myspace.com/needfiremusic or ITunes

Murder the Stout bill themselves as First Ever (Modified) Celtic Boy Band!! They are a Houston based band that is all about having fun and not taking anything too seriously. They blend Scottish and Irish traditional music with good old down home Texan rhythm section creating a sound that is uniquely their own. Their self titled cd Murder the Stout is available through cdbaby

Website http://www.murderthestout.com/
My Space http://www.myspace.com/mtsband

Blaggards are another Houston band. They call what they do Stout Irish Rock and you can’t argue with that description. They gig mainly in the Texas area but a doing a brief tour of Ireland later this month. Their cd Standards is available at cdbaby.

Website: http://blaggards.com/
My Space: http://www.myspace.com/blaggards

The Rogues also call Houston home. If you want heavy pipes in your Celtic Rock music the Rogues are the band for you. They have an impressive discography of 8 albums. Their music is available at both cdbaby and ITunes.

Itunes cdbaby

Website:http://www.therogues.com/fr_index.cfm
My Space: http://www.myspace.com/houstonrogues

This is a MUST SEE band.

“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