“Brush” Shiels Went From Skid Row Frontman To A full Solo Career
December 15, 2020 No Responses

“Brush” Shiels Went From Skid Row Frontman To A full Solo Career

Irish musician Brendan Francis “Brush” Shiels from County Dublin, is best known for being the front man of Gary Moore‘s first band, Skid Row. An Irish blues rocker of the late ’60s and early ’70s, it was based in Dublin and fronted by bass...
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Late “White Christmas” Star Rosemary Clooney’s Seasonal Revival
December 15, 2020 No Responses

Late “White Christmas” Star Rosemary Clooney’s Seasonal Revival

With the holiday season in mind, the song and film White Christmas is also ever-present. That and the fact that her nephew George is starring in a new film, the late Rosemary Clooney makes her presence know once again. In...
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Recollections of Late Singer Sean Dunphy Who Went from Dublin to Nashville and Back
December 15, 2020 No Responses

Recollections of Late Singer Sean Dunphy Who Went from Dublin to Nashville and Back

Memories by Paddy McCarthy I had the pleasure of meeting the late Sean Dunphy on my own travels in the music business. Memories of him have come to mind but, that was quite a while ago. In the late ’70s,...
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Twist On The Holidays — Celebrating Chubby Checker
December 8, 2020 No Responses

Twist On The Holidays — Celebrating Chubby Checker

Music Notes by Paddy McCarthy I’m especially hoping you’re getting ready for the holiday season. So here we go with a blast from the past to enhance the celebration. Who remembers Chubby Checker? Or better yet, the Twist? The American rock...
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Irish Folk Legend Jim McCann Remembered
December 8, 2020 No Responses

Irish Folk Legend Jim McCann Remembered

Recollection by Paddy McCarthy Although a solo artist for most of his career, Irish entertainer and folk musician James McCann was a member of The Dubliners from 1974 until ’79. Later he appeared with them in their 2002 reunion and their...
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The Wild Atlantic Fleadh Debuts St. Patrick’s Week 2021 in The United States
December 3, 2020 No Responses

The Wild Atlantic Fleadh Debuts St. Patrick’s Week 2021 in The United States

Chole Agnew & Nathan Carter [photo: Brad Balfour} A newcomer to the United States Irish festival scene, the Wild Atlantic Fleadh debuts during St. Patrick’s Week 2021. Running from March 13th to 17th, the Fleadh is a virtual five-day celebration...
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Director Julien Temple Tells a Tale of Shane MacGowan Worthy of A Film
December 1, 2020 No Responses

Director Julien Temple Tells a Tale of Shane MacGowan Worthy of A Film

Interview by Brad Balfour Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan Director: Julien Temple Opens December 4th, 2020 When veteran director Julien Temple made Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, he offered a deep dive...
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The Late John R. Cash — a Son of Ireland and Still One of the Most Famous Singers in the World
November 30, 2020 No Responses

The Late John R. Cash — a Son of Ireland and Still One of the Most Famous Singers in the World

Musing while in lock down, Johnny Cash came to mind. An American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor, Cash’s music often addressed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially during later career stages. With his deep, calm bass-b...
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November 18, 2020 No Responses

Smashed Plastic’s Andy Weber Keeps A Music Tradition Alive In A Chicago Suburb

              Interview by Brad Balfour While everyone thinks of Los Angeles and New York as centers of music creation, Chicago, Illinois, has been a major hub for music as well. There in the Midwest,...
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Rocker Daniel Gallagher Does His Best to Keep Alive Uncle Rory Gallagher’s Blues Music Legacy
November 4, 2020 No Responses

Rocker Daniel Gallagher Does His Best to Keep Alive Uncle Rory Gallagher’s Blues Music Legacy

Interview by Brad Balfour & Paddy McCarthy Hard-core blues is rarely associated with Ireland. But if anyone did the job in making the blues a crucial genre for an Irish musician to adopt it was the late Rory Gallagher. Donegal-born,...
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