January 30, 2017

Back in Vermont after a surprise trip to Dublin Ireland at the beginning of the New Year! Played lots of music with Silas Hamilton, Gypsyreel's youthful bassist who was wailing on DADGAD guitar with me on banjo at O'Donoghue's Pub near St. Stephen's Green. I was there way back when I was first learning Irish music in 1979.Silas' Dad Mark joined us on fiddle, and we played some old-time American music. What fun! Also got to visit with pals Orla McGovern, who plays keyboard with Gypsyreel whenever she's in Vermont, and Triona NiDhomhnaill, my Touchstone bandmate. Visited the IrishTraditional Music Archive in Merrion Square, and was delighted to see a cd on display that contained one of my original songs! The band RUNA released a live double cd, and as is their custom, they ended the set with my song Jealousy. Another exciting day was spent at the National Gallery of Art, seeing some vivid paintings depicting Irish history with some shocking themes, like a Connemara funeral for a child during the famine, and British recruiters snapping up two brothers in the Connaught Rangers. 
Lots of different music presentations coming up for me. Will be playing in Burlington VT at the wild Irish pub RiRa with Reagh Greenleaf Jr and Graham Parker of Gypsyreel. Also doing a couple nights and the new pub in Killington VT, O'Dwyer's at the Summit Inn, with Reagh and Dan Brown. Doing some contradances with Mark and Silas Hamilton. Getting together with Adam Sweet and Jim Bunting for a Celticado gig at a party. Got our usual Gypsy Reel St.Patrick's Day bashes in Ludlow VT, and I have a couple solo appearances leading up to that. And, starting February 26, I'll be resuming my teaching of fretted instruments at Connecticut Academy of Irish Music in Wethersfield CT. Also doing a couple sessions in CT, and the weekly Thursday night session at Killarney in Ludlow VT. Singing ever Monday night with the Mount Holly Folk Club (MoHoFo). So, check out my schedule, and I hope to see you at one of the events! Thank you for your continued support. And special blessings on those of you who still purchase our cds!! Feel free to contact me for bookings, lessons, studio info, or with your comments. Be kind to one another. Music heals!

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