Here is some more music to celebrate with. This is a bit folkier than last week’s as we mellow out after partying all week. All very well worth a listen. Enjoy!

The Mary K Burke Band from Glasgow, UK

Craig Herbertson from Witten, DE

Marc Gunn from Birmingham, AL

SWITCHBACK® from Chicago, IL

Lynn Hollyfield from Accokeek, MD

Gareth Brannigan from Belfast, UK

Eilis Phillips from Belfast, UK

Mckinley Black from Berlin, DE

Donna Fullman from Brighton, UK

Mickey Coleman from Tyrone, IE

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Not only a timely and relevant piece of music, Pat O’Donnell Shell to Sea is well written and skillfully performed with Mickey’s usual passion and pointed honesty. More polished than the first raw cut sung by Mickey outside Castlerea Prison where Pat O’Donnell was imprisoned for protesting, the song tells the story of a Co. Mayo fisherman’s struggle to protect the land and sea where he and generations of his family have made their living and called home. The release coincides with the Shell to Sea Day of Action on September 23, 2011.

I’ve had the good fortune to hear this one and without hesitation can say it’s a winner for sure! If this song is an example of Mickey’s future direction both lyrically and musically, the best is yet to come.

Pat O’Donnell Shell to Sea is now available for download at cdbaby. Click here to go download the song.

http://www.mickeycoleman.com/

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 Currently appearing on the hit TV show, The Glee Project, Damian has matured into a charming, talented gentleman over the last four years. Fanrealm wishes him much success with Glee and his bright future. 

 “There’s something in me that comes out and pushes me to do this, my own personal journey dedicated to those we have loved and lost to suicide.” ~ Bebe Johnston

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There isn’t better way to take in a lot of music for one low ticket price. It’s is more important than ever that we support our local festivals if we want them to continue. In times like this sponsors drop off and venue rents shoot up leaving the festivals in a real financial bind. So make plans to attend as many as you can and get involved. Volunteer at your local festival. You’ll make new friends and have more fun than anyone has a right to have under the guise of work. Here are some of the festivals taking place next month. If you know of one that should be included here please send me the details and link and I’ll be happy to add it.

Go and enjoy these festivals. The music will be top notch and it’s even possible you will find beer and/or Irish whiskey to enhance the experience. Designated driver rule should apply. The festival will want you to attend next year too.

Colorado Irish Festival July 8-10 Littleton CO Musical guests include The Indulgers, Seven Nations, Barleyjuice, Albannach, Runa, Potcheen, Mythica, Mondragon, McPeake, Hounds of Finn, Enter the Haggis, Colcannon and more. For more details check the festival’s website: http://www.coloradoirishfestival.org/

25th Annual Irish American Heritage Festival July 9 -11 Irish American Heritage Center Chicago IL Musical guests include Baal Tinne, Gaelic Storm, The Avondale Ramblers, Paddy Homan, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Larkin and Moran Brothers, McPeake, Makem and Spain Brothers, Scythian, The Sandcarvers, Switchback, The Tossers, Ciara Walton and many, many more. Check the website for more detials. http://irishfestchicago.com/

18th Annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival Saturday, July 16, 2010 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Look Park, 300 North Main St, Florence (Northampton), MA This is a benefit festival for Human Resources Unlimited. Musical guests – ENTER THE HAGGIS, Boston Blackthorne, Charlie Zahm, Stephen Bushway, Max Cohen
The Bell Family http://www.glasgowlands.org/

Portland Highland Games July 16, Mt Hood Community College, Gresham OR Musical Guests include Men of Worth, Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer with Peter Willis, Beltaine and Cathy Speer http://www.phga.org/

The 12th Annual Adams County Irish Festival Saturday, July 16, 2011
Noon- 5pm Gettysburg, PA This is another festival that has fallen victim to the economy so they will be holding a save the festival concert this year instead of a full fesitival. It’s vital that you do your part to help so turn out and support the concert. Music by Irishtown Road, Poor Paddy and more Check the website for more details http://www.adamscountyirishfestival.com


Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival July 22-24 At the Fairgrounds Musical guests include Girsa, Glengarry Bhoys, Mickey Finns, Slide, High Kings, Scythian, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, The Dublin City Ramblers, Seven Nations, Cherish The Ladies, The Screaming Orphans, Brigid’s Cross, The Kreellers, Tommy Fleming and many, many more. Check the website for full line up and other details. http://www.clevelandirish.org/

Great American Irish Festival July 29-31 Herkimer Ct Fairgrounds Frankfort, NY Musical Guests include Enter the Haggis, The Elders, High Kings, Seven Nations, Slide, Hair of the Dog, The Prodigals, The Makem Brothers with Mickey and Liam Spain, Searson, Barleyjuice, Coyote Run, Burning Bridget Cleary, Emish and many, many more. Check their website for more details http://www.gaif.us/

Dayton Celtic Festival July 29 – 31 RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton Dayton OH Musical guests include Gaelic Storm, The Fuchsia Band, The Elders (Friday night only) Scythian, Enter the Haggis, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Homeland, Dulahan and many more, Check the website for details http://www.unitedirishofdayton.org/Festival/

Keltic Hooley July 10-11 Clan Ree Complex Letterkenny Co Donegal IE
Guests will include Shane MacGowan and his band, Goats Don’t Shave, Cara Dillon, Eleanor McEvoy, Juliet Turner, Bagatelle, Bluemoose, j- 90, Big Generator, Keltic Storm, Irish Brigade, Mick Hanly, Arty McGlynn, Paul Casey, The Wolfe Tones Derek Warfield, The Dublin City Ramblers, Inchequin, The Kilkennys, The Wakes (Scotland), Pat McManus, Squealin Pigs, Brush Shiels, Claymore, The Druids, The Logues, Fiddler Adam, Skeeryvore, Liam Byrne, Blackthorn, The Waxies, Parcels of Rogues, Chasin’ Hooley, Mickey Coleman, Keltic Kaos, Niamh McGlinchey, Kopy Kats, Paul Hull, David Oliver, Colleen Gormley, Jacqui Sharkey, Paddywagon, The Grim, The Boogiemen For more details please check their website http://www.jwpromos.com/keltichooley2010.htm

Glasgowbury Music Festival July 23 Eagle’s Rock Draperstown NI Musical Guests are Cashier No. 9, The Answer, Mojo Fury, LaFaro, Phil Kieran, Foy Vance, More Than Conquerors, Rainy Boy Sleep, Furlo, Axis Of, Boxcutter, The Wonder Villains, The Rupture Dogs, Silhouette, Rams’ Pocket Radio, Swanee River, Deep Fried Funk DJs, Girls Names, We Are Knuckle Dragger, Event Horses, Darkest Era, Dolbro Dan, Rachel Austin, Jason Clarke, Allie Bradley, John D’Arcy, Paddy Nash, Aaron Shanley, Phoenix Fire, The 1930s, Pat Dam Smyth, Elspeth, Paul Shevlin, Katie & The Carnival, Team Fresh, Pocket Billiards, Fred, Le Galaxie, A Plastic Rose, The Bonnevilles, Preacher’s Son, Kowalski, Sweet Jane, Seven Summits, Intermission, Gascan Ruckus, Kasper Rosa, Dead Til Friday, Colly Strings, The Plea…& special guests There will also be a comedy stage headlined by Joe Rooney also appearing are John Colleary, Colin Geddis, Micky Bartlett, Adam Laughlin, Ruaidhri Ward, Shane Todd and Sean Hegarty. For more details please check their website http://www.glasgowbury.com

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The Mary K Burke Band from Glasgow, UK

You can find The Mary K Burke Band at Facebook here or at their own website here

Doghouse Roses is a folk duet also from Glasgow, UK

You can find them at Facebook here and at their own website here

Siobhan Day is a singer/songwriter from Belfast, UK

You can find Siobhan at Facebook here and MySpace here You can read more about her here at Fanrealm here.

Chris Keys is another singer/songwriter from Belfast, UK

You can find Chris at Facebook here and at his own website here

Craig Herbertson is a singer/songwriter originally from Edinburgh now living in Witten, DE

You can find Craig at Facebook here and at his own website here

Mary Gauthier is a singer/songwriter originally from the US but now living in London, UK

Mary is currently touring in the US you can find her tourdates at her website here. You can connect with her on Facebook here

Doug Folkins is a singer/songwriter from Campbell River, BC, CA

You can find Doug at Facebook here and at his own website here You can purchase his music at cdbaby here

Mickey Coleman is a singer/songwriter from County Tyrone IE who is starting to make a name for himself here in the US

You can find Mickey at facebook here and at his own website here. You can also read more about Mickey here at Fanrealm. There are several articles here.

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Gareth Brannigan

You can get the EP containing these song Say It Anyway at cdbaby.

Gareth’s first EP Walk With Me is also available.

Paul Shevlin

John D’Arcy

Andrew Fairfowl

Ludwig O’Neill

Mickey Coleman

Both of Mickey’s cds are available at cdbaby

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Mickey Coleman traveled for the first time to Chicago to participate in the Irish American Heritage Center’s 2nd Annual iBAM! Celebration. He also appeared in a Chicago pub the night before and while reviewing a second appearance a day later may seem repetitive, these two performances were absolutely nothing like each other. Having only Nancy Spain and Mickey Coleman in common; their settings, their song lists and their audience were as different as night and day. Mickey’s concert for iBAM! was all about his songs, his lyrics, his music and pleasing his audience. And please them he did!!!

Mickey’s seated concert has an intimate feeling, a bit like being in the family room with a friend strumming a guitar and explaining the lyrics he’s about to sing. While he once again opened the show with Nancy Spain, the majority of the playlist this evening were Mickey’s own self penned songs, many from his albums but several new ones that will be included in his next album, as yet without a release date. He’s certainly raised the bar to the next level with these new songs, the melodies and lyrics blending perfectly, giving deep meaning and emotion to his narrative. The new album will surely be a great success.

It seems Mickey always has a story to weave about the inspiration for writing his songs. Culdaff is no exception, and before singing this touchingly sad song, he explained about thinking of all those folks leaving long ago never to return, regretting their decision and aching for home.

Mickey also previewed a new and as yet unnamed song about emigration and forever leaving home, family and friends to reunite only “in heavens room.” The melody and poignant lyrics blend together perfectly, bringing the story to life. He explained his inspiration for this one was his own family leaving Tyrone for America around 1900 and knowing they were leaving forever.   

He next spoke of sitting with a blind man 70 years old who explained how he loved to sleep and dream because in those dreams he could still see the colors of his wife’s eyes and her smile. The man’s story inspired Mickey to write Blind Man’s Dream. A video of this performance follows below, its lyrics telling the blind mans story perfectly.

At the conclusion of the concert, Mickey sang one of my very favorites from Carefully Crafted, Soldier Soldier, to honor a young soldier he met earlier in the evening. He was in uniform and in a wheelchair, wounded and just back from Afghanistan. A touching and wonderful conclusion to Mickey’s most outstanding concert.  

I can say without hesitation that Mickey Coleman delivers an exceptional evenings entertainment in concert and although he’s heading home soon, he will be back. When he returns, don’t miss him in concert. It is a very special evening.

You can purchase Mickey’s cds at cdbaby.

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The Sixpenny hosts great local Irish entertainment most weekends. Having an outstanding Tyrone singer/songwriter direct from home performing is less common and most certainly was a very special couple hours for those gathered round the bar and tables last Friday night. Having flown in earlier that day and fresh from an appearance the night before at Plough and Stars in Philadelphia, Mickey Coleman took to the stage at 10:00pm and for the next two hours dazzled his audience with both self penned songs and covers; some fun, some sweet, some sad and some with a few bawdy raucous lyrics thrown in to take the shows second hour up a notch or two. 

Mickey’s opening song of the evening, a cover of Christy Moore’s Nancy Spain, is the first song I ever heard Mickey perform live. Then and now, Mickey’s version is equal at the very least to Christy’s. (OK, I don’t claim to be unbiased.)  Mickey followed up with his own song, Culdaff, one of those sad, pull at your heartstrings songs and, in my opinion, one of his very best to date. Mickey’s Holylands Belfast and Christy’s Viva La Quinta Brigada were another two upbeat and memorable hand clapping, sing along offerings.  Oh, and Mickey, I’ve gained a new fondness and respect for the Old Ardboe Lament. After hearing its poignant lyrics live, it’s definitely gone to the “favored” playlist on my iPod. 

Recently, Mickey has been performing Beeswing, a huge hit written by Richard Thompson, another brilliant singer/songwriter and the master of British Folk Rock. Beeswing was on the song list Friday night and Mickey rendered his exceptional version for the crowd.  

I think of all the songs Mickey performed last Friday, the most remarkable number for me was his version of Lisdoonvarna, a signature tune of Christy Moore’s. I’ve been told that other performers seldom, if ever, cover this one because it is so identified with Christy no one can do it justice.  Mickey’s version in no way attempted to emulate the song as Christy does it, he added a different spin and delivery to the lyrics and in doing so, created a totally unique and great version. Way to go, Mickey, yours rocked! 

I’ve seen Mickey Coleman perform in a bar setting before but not like this. His Sixpenny show was outstanding and I am thrilled to have had the chance to be a part of it. If Mickey appears in a pub in your area, don’t let anything keep you from being there. This man is a skilled performer who genuinely cares about pleasing his audience. He does that effortlessly…..  

And, if you find yourself on the North side of Chicago some time, stop by The Sixpenny Bit for a pint and a serving of genuine Irish hospitality.

You can purchase both of Mickey’s cds at cdbaby.

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Some of the people who began the journey with us have moved onto other things but we have a core group of writers who are very dedicated to finding and posting info about Celtic, Irish and Indie music, the people who play it and the people who enjoy it. I think there are a lot of people who love this genre, many who have yet to find us but for those who already have this is your party too. To celebrate we are posting the ReverbNation widgets for many of the bands who have made this year the success it was and also as a representation of the types of music we love. There are a few we would like to have added who do not have ReverbNation widgets. We have already badgered two of these bands into getting them and if you don’t have one – you could be next.

So sit back, grab some virtual stout (or a real one from your own fridge) and party with us till the cows come home. Silly hats are optional but you know you would look truly awesome in one so go ahead a wear one. We won’t tell. A wise Blaggard told me that all birthday celebrations were to start on Friday and last for a week. Sounds good to me. To year two!

Oracle

Blaggards

The Banshee

The Druids

Mickey Coleman

The Rogues

Gareth Brannigan

Siobhan Day

Ghost Trains

Paddy Nash & the Happy Enchiladas

The Saw Doctors

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Listen to and enjoy all the music. They are posted in no particular order although I did put Oracle first because some horrid woman badgered David McClean into giving up a couple hours of his Sunday to set this page up in ReverbNation so I could use his widget for this post. I don’t know who that woman could have been, possibly my evil twin. There are actually some other singers/bands I would have liked to have included but they didn’t have a widgets. These widgets are great ways to have your music go viral so if you are a band that doesn’t have one, you should really get one. It only takes an hour or so to sign up at ReverbNation and set a page. It will really help your music get exposure and avoid a possible badgering from some horrid woman…..just sayin’….

Anyway now on to the fun stuff. To Arthur!

Oracle

You can purchase Oracle’s music at ITunes here A hard copy cd can be ordered at their myspace page here

Gareth Brannigan

You now get Gareth’s new EP in digital format at cdbaby here. The hard copy cd is still being produced and will be available soon. His first EP is also available in both formats here

Mickey Coleman

You can get Mickey’s current cd here. His first cd is also available here.

Exit

You can purchase Exit’s music on their website here

The Plea

You can get The Plea’s EP here

Siobhan Day

You can purchase Siobhan’s songs through her ReverbNation page here

Conor Mason

You can get Conor’s music at Itunes, Amazon UK or here at lastfm

Paddy Nash & the Happy Enchiladas

You can get Paddy’s cd here

Chris Keys

You can find Chris’s songs at lastfm here

Colenso Parade

The Coronas

The Coronas’ CDs can be purchased here

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