Eoin's Blog

.. and now, the end is near, it's time to face, the final curtain ...

daa dee ... daa dee dee dum ...

So, the last furlong, the final lap, nearly time to wash the shovels!! Here we are, back in Chicago again.

Well, before we got to Chicago, we stopped off in Celtic Crossings Bar, in Memphis for a gig. DJ is the main man there. This is where we hooked up with our new man, Dave Fahy, from Galway (living in New York) ... so, twas all excitement .. new man, first gig .. all went great, and Dave had a GREAT night!! (nod, wink!)

After that, we headed straight for Champaign, IL .. we had a house concert there in Dean's place. Another great night. The house concerts are great, small group, small venue, no "plugging in" and it's nice and relaxed.

So, after that, batteries charged, we headed for town.

Along the way, we pulled in for grub and Mairt found this lovely sign post .. collage? We did have a smashing picture with all 4 of us at this lovely .... signs ... but, SOMEONE pressed the wrong button. In fact, you have to press 2 buttons to delete a picture, and THIS PERSON managed to do that, unknownst to HIMSELF!!

I don't like to single people out. So I'll just drop it. BRIAN is a member of the band. BRIAN was traveling in the van with us. BRIAN likes to press buttons ...

.. my lips are sealed!!

Now, here's a rare shot of us practicing!! Note I'm not, and Mairt is drinking tea!

See, it's really only Briany who needs the practice! I think this picture is in Dean's house, just before the house concert. Oh, the nerves!!

Anyhew, we got to Chicago on the Friday, our first gig was Saturday at 1pm!!An ungodly hour, I know!!

So, we said we'ld go out for some light refreshments!! Of course, we had our man in Chicago, TJ, to look after us!!! Well, if there's one thing (well, I suppose he is a person!!) I'll miss, it's TJ! (band band ...)

And, of course, with any light refreshments comes the funny faces! Here we have a rare "early in the night" shot. Poor Dave is just getting into things .. still unsure of us.

Now, alot of time (.. and refreshments!!) passed between when the first picture was taken, and when this beauty was taken!! Now, if this was a mens only dating site, I'm sure this would be a perfectly normal picture ... however, this is a snapshot of our state, late on Friday night!!

I think this is before the manager of the hotel came up to ... tuck us in and make sure we had everything!!??

Well, now you can see things are hotting up!! Briany, the master that he is, is really turning on the style. You wouldn't think to look at them, that they had a gig in a few hours!!!

Well, I must say, we had a great night. The lads! Langers!! Not a bother on us ...

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And you wouldn't think that this picture was taken only a few minutes later!! We got a little "arty" here .. with the black and white business .. I kinda like it! The 2 lads ... serious, is it!! And only for the window behind them, they'ld fall down!!

Anyway, our night was cut short .. not that we probably had enough .. so we off'd to bed, we had to be up and in the lobby to meet Mairt at 10am, drive down to the grounds and check our stuff in!! All go!!

So, after a few phone calls ... we eventually meet Mairt in the lobby at 11:30!!

So, we played the gig .. all went grand. Davey broke a string alright, but that's why he brought the second guitar!!

After the gig, we went to a "signing tent" ... where people could queue up and get us to sign their CDs!!??

I like this picture for 2 reasons!! One, to display how busy we were with "all the signing" ... and two, Briany really displays how we felt all that day, it really captures the mood we were in. See Mairt looks nice and happy ... and Briany ...

So, we struggled through the day anyhew ... and eventually we left and went back to the hotel for a snooze. See, we had another gig that night .. in a bar across from Rigley Field!! The Cubby Bear, man ... what I could only describe as "a typical all American sports bar!" ... and we're to play Irish trad music there ... well, the craic!!

So, before we went to the bar, we were wondering how we'ld go down. Dave was all excited .. he wanted a smoke machine, disco ball, base bins, lights .. the works, and we were laughing ... little did we know!

So, we got all of it! We had a laugh! They had 2 sound guys, house and monitors and a lighting guy! The lights guy really got into it ... we were asking him for smoke, spots, he got in the rhythm ... great craic!!

Mairt even got into the "show band" mode, holding the mic and singing seductively! Now, when I say seductively ... it would probably only be seductive to an 80 year old woman from the 1930's at home in West Cork!!

I mean, look at this picture for example!! Sure how could you take yourself seriously!! Having said that, we all do look pretty serious, but it was probably just the one moment where we took a break from smiling cuz we were recked from it!!

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This was gas ... for one of the slower songs, Mairt sat down on the drum riser and did the "deep, thoughtful" number!! Very funny, I must say ... and we've seen some funny sh..tuff!!

So, we had our usual Chicago crowd ... TJ. This time, he brought support. His dinger of a cousin, Nora and her boyfriend Tony. And a whole bunch of buddies.

One of the numbers we hadn't done since Davey joined us, was the Joyce Country .. one of TJ's favourites .. and Dave didn't know it .. so we got TJ to jump up and play it with us, along with whoever else had an instrument in the place!!

So, all in all, it was a great night ... so, after TJ & Co were all going out on the town, seeing as it was Saturday night .. but we said we'ld have an early one, considering our tardiness that morning. So TJ and crew all went out, and I forgot that TJ had my camera ... so, the next series of pictures is what happened after we (the band) went home and TJ and gang went out.

There's a theme running though the pictures, that I can't quite put my finger on!! I think they were trying to tell me something, because I didn't go out that night with them!! So, here's a bunch of TJ's friends and relations ( and a few strangers!!) ... with a message for me!!

Oh, and the last picture is us (the following day), after our last gig in America, with Bridget (Ryan, from Gaelic Storm, 's girlfriend)

Now, after Jackson ... we had a quick spin down to New Orleans!! Paddy Keenan and John Walsh were playing in a house concert down there, so that's what we were going to see. Also, Briany was never in New Orleans and I hadn't been there in about 8 years ... and sure how many excuses do we need! Aren't we grown men!!??

Don't answer that!!

Anyhew, here we are on the famous Burbon Street. We strolled down the street, and even popped into a lovely restaurant and had a smashing meal ... didn't we, Briany!! Hmmm?? What's that?? You didn't like it, is it!!??

So, the place is pretty run down .. still alot of damaged buildings there, very strange to see it, to think that this can happen in America!! Anyway, I won't get political ... I'll move on!!

So we went to the house gig ... Paddy and John were there, we got there just in time to hear the lads start!! They were probably as shook, if not a slight biteen more shook, than ourselves!!

Paddy asked us to sit in a play a few tunes in the 2nd half, which we were only too delighted to do!

Here's a picture of Paddy, playing Briany's banjo.

Briany had been upset with Paddy, up until this night, because he didn't get a chance to "play tunes with Paddy Keenan" ... anyway, after this night, Paddy went back up in his estimation, so the child .. I mean, Briany was happy again!!

Mairtin then wanted to get a picture of him playing Paddy's pipes ... and when I say, playing, I of course mean, strap them on and make some noise!! Again, that sentence could be taken out of context, but I know you won't do that!! :)

All I can say here is, lucky the picture don't capture the sound!!

And finally ... if ever a few lads were to look recked!! Worn out!! The 3 boys on the left ... well, their mothers would be proud!! At this stage now, tis only that fact that we've our arms around each other that's keeping us up!

I'm at home a week now at this stage, and I still haven't recovered!!

But, you won't find me complaining!! Our's is not to reason why ...

Jackson, the 3rd run, three times a charm, 3rd time lucky, the 3 muskateers, the 3 stooges? the 3 wise men ... sure, any one will do.

Well, Jackson is like a retreat for us. Of all the festivals (are ye listening, other festivals!!??), Jackson is "the bid-ness!". It's relaxed, no rock n rolly plastic Irishy stuff, good music, craic and sure the people are sound. We've been trying to get Mick to go to this festival for the last 3 years, he'll have to give up work ... but anyway, I'll say no more .. the feckers will only get a big head!!

Now, we arrived in on a Thursday, I think ... damn days, they all run into one!! One of our first jobeens was to go on the telly.

Now, Jackson is the place where Borat did that TV interview, where he kept shaking hands with the weather guy, so after Mairtin found out, he tried out the line on a few people ... "Halo, my name eh Borat!" Got a few nervous laughs only.

Anyhew, the 2 lads managed to read the news and display the Culture Ireland sign at the same time ... now, if that's not advertising ...

So, we played a tune or two anyway. We got Don 'The Doctor' ('the director!') Penzein to help us out. I think this was the 1st time this Summer we played without Mick. And we'ld have to get used to it, we've no Mick for Chicago the following week either!!

Anyhew, 'twas grand. So, we played on Friday at the festival .. fierce crowd! Great to see a big crowd in the place

And here's Mairtin and Briany furiously signing at our "table" outside after the gig. Mitra came with us this time too, her first spin in the tour bus .. lucky girl! Paddy Keenan played after us, and I went in to listen to him. He had a few funny lines ... "it's nice to see some of the crowd staying here to listen .. I suppose the rest are out following 'that band'!!" .. and his other line was ... "I've a few CD's for sale outside in the merch tent. I don't have any special table or anything ..."

Nice dig ... I'ld've done the same myself Paddy!!!

So, this year we had the help of Kevin Kiley, and also the help of Don Penzein and then the help of them both (both came on stage at same time!!). We also had to endure another crazy shirt from Mairtin. Now, we're afraid this craze is gonna continue, and the worry is .. where is it going!!?? Now, I'm all for an alternative shirt, but anything more frilly and bright, and I'm gonna start to get worried!!

Anyhew, here's the current incarnation! I took this one, as one of the "culture Ireland" pictures to send to them .. but I dunno about the shirt, I suppose I could photoshop it out!

Anyhew, the gigs went great and the crowds were good ... and sure we had a drink or two for the weekend that was in it!!

Later, on the Saturday night, the big Ceili started. I dunno have I seen such an interest in ceili dancing even at home!! (when I say 'home', I of course mean .. The Island!)

Now, another difference is the bleedin heat! It was real muggy hot on Saturday night, in fact it's kinda always like that in Jackson (and America, as far as I can see!!) Basically, what I'm getting at is ... what follows here is a bunch of sweaty pictures!!

Of course, the familiar "funny face" epidemic rears it's humorous head again.

And here's a fine example!! Briany has "developed" this new funny face, which seems to be his new standard, when asked to "do a funny face!".

Chris, on the other hand, seems to be a little out of practice ... and we know he can do better ... oh his face can be quite "funny"!!!!

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So, here comes a list of pictures ... too many to comment on them all, but sure I'll try anyway ... sure I've nothing else to do!! I'm at home now, and I should be looking for a job .. but sure, I'll wait another bit!!!

Now, here's Mairtin and Mitra, mid dance ... at this stage, the funny face is "on"!! In fact, I think it might be at the point where whenever we see a camera ..

At the ceili, they have 3 groups of musicians ... so the 1st lot go on for an hour, or so, then the 2nd ... etc. We were in the 2nd lot, so we had a little time for some light refreshments, such that by the time we're called on, we're pumped and ready to rock out!!!

Here's me trying to steal Briany's look ... not a patch on the master!!

In between dances, there were a few breaks while the caller tried to teach the punters the new dance ... which gave us the much deserved break to have some light refreshments!!

Poor Chris was so thirsty, he tried to like his fiddle!! Now, that sentence taken in any other context could confuse a person!!!

Anyway, at least he's getting into the swing of things.

So, after our turn was up ... we headed for some light refreshments .. it was, after all, a very warm night ... and what better to cool ones jets, than a cool creamy pint!!

Here's Val .. now, that sign is either ... Val giving herself the "peace" sign? There's only 2 more kegs, so hurry up? Or some other expletive that I'm sure I don't understand!! Sure I'm just a box player!!

So, here's Mairt and Mitra again .. looking like 2 people who have been seriously affected by some terrible virus!! Or indeed, like 2 people who've had one refreshment too many, which, of course, couldn't be further from the truth!!

But, 10 out of 10 for funny face-ism!!??

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And see, here's me again ... trying to steal Briany's face! Not a patch, but I suppose I do have a form of tenacity!! Some steely reserve!! Some dogged determination!! Or, a few light refreshments too many!!??

Spot doesn't seem too worried .. or perhaps he's paralyzed with fear.

I'm waffling now ... loosing interest ...

Anyhew, after that we all headed back to the hotel ... for "the session" as it is known to me ... from this point ... onwards.

Basically, a big melee of musicians.

Now, I've a bunch more pictures and I can't be commenting on them all, so I'm just gonna put em up ... I"ve enough done!!

Sure I've to go look for a bleedin job like!!

So, here we are again ... where it all began! 3 years ago ... I'ld say there's a song in that somewhere!!

So, this was a big reunion again. I came in from Chicago, Mairtin was in Kansas City and the 2 lads were at home all along, so they arrived in from Shannon.

It was also a reunion for all of us with our tour bus .. I just realised we never named her!! The White Witch? Wanderly Wagon? The Fuchsia-mobile? The Fuchsia Bus? I give up ..

I'll also take this chance again to thank Anne and Harold for all their help with the bus (and everything else), and ask that people support the http://www.jenniferirelandfoundation.com/

So our first outing anyhew, was a TV show at some ungodly hour on Friday morning! See, we're not used to the early mornings! But sure, ours is thankless job!! Everyone thinks it's all sex, drugs and rock n roll!! It's more like "talk, no sleep and loads of burgers!"

Anyhew, we setup our gear outside the TV station, all the traffic passing by wondering what the hell was going on!!

Then, while we were bored, we swapped instruments just to see how it looked. I reckon we all look pretty damn natural!! Luckily the pictures don't capture the sound!!

We had Eddie's apron on too, shameless advertising for Cafe & (45th and State Line, Kansas City!!)

Anyhew, after the TV, we had to go do a radio thingy ... we had Pat O'Neill showing us the way .. so, of course we got lost first!! Anyway, found the station, went in and hat our chat, played a few tunes, took a picture and headed straight back to bed!!

See, we had to get some rest ... we had our first gig that evening at the fest. See, think if it like our working day just starts a little later than most. So, while you're at home in bed at midnight, say .. we're up working!!

So, we went to the Boulavard Stage, as it's known. Was in a new place this year, pushed back further to cater for bigger crowds I suppose. As you can see from the picture, the crowd was massive as we setup!

But sure, we prefer to play to the smaller crowd!

So, we had a booth at this fest too .. sharing with the mighty http://www.eddiedelahunt.com. So, there were a few other Cork men around too, John Spillane and Jimmy Crowley. Here we all are, with Mitra, outside our stall.

Here's a bunch of hard working individuals!! The 2 "cowboys" playing up to the camera!!

Then there's the other larry's ... working hard in the stall .. I mean, just look at them, the steely determination to be the best damn sales men in the bidness!! Makes me proud!!

Anyhew, that was the Friday. Saturday was a big day ... Mick was doing a new type of workshop. "Learn a tune with Mick", was the title ... so the idea was, bring any instrument, Mick will teach you a tune on it, then you get to come up on stage with us on the Sunday gig!!

A masterful idea!! Of course, we were all hoping for more exotic instruments! Things like, stones, sticks, plastic bags ... Gabe wanted to bring a wheel and a blow torch!! Anyway, turns out it was just regular instruments! Here's Mick with the class, and Briany lending a critical ear!

Mairtin then did a "learn a few words of Irish" workshop. He had all the material too, loads of cards and golf tags and information, all as gaeilge .. and he had a fine crowd too, as you can see from this picture!

He said his trick was to keep talking, incase someone from Ireland asked a question and he'ld have to answer it!! I'm joking ... or am I!!??

Soo, after that ... ceili time. It's always good craic doing the ceili, between laughing at the "dancing" and spotting the talent (musical and dancing talent we're talking about here people, please!!!!)

So, there was plenty of that ... see we even managed to get a picture with the Culture Ireland poster in the background!! That feckin poster!! Surely it's more trouble than it's worth!!

Now, as Mairtin would say, we're coming into the bonus tracks!! The evening progresses, after a hard days work, the boys start the light refreshment treatment!!

I had to throw in this picture ... he's like a cross between Garth Brooks and Pat Short!! And, the picture of health ...

.. at this stage, I'ld say he hardly had his whistle wet!!

Again, I have to wire some rubbish here ... blah blah

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So, from here it was back to the hotel ... for the craic, the session, whatever ... here's a fine picture of the 4 horsemen of the apocolyse!! 4 Lads for Cork ... Pat Murphy (Gaelic Storm), John Spilane, Jimmy Crowley and Mairtin

More pictures here ... must I comment on them all ..

So, here's more pics of that saturday night .. got a nice one here of Pete Pervis, what a legend!!

Pete plays with http://gaelicstorm.musiccitynetworks.com/

So, next day .. here's Comasc playing in the morning, I think this is Sunday morning, only reason I'm up taking this picture is we were up playing music for mass!!

Dave Fahy, John Redmond and P.O. on the banjo. Great group, playing outta New York. Dave will be featuring more on this blog, we're after recruiting him to play with us in Chicago in 2 weeks time ...

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So, later on ... when the sun was at it's bleedin hottest, we jumped up on stage!! Tough gig, getting up in between Beoga and Solas!!! Pressure is it!!

Mairtin put on that lovely shirt again ... ohh, that one makes us smile!! Had a nice crowd too, even got a few dancers up.

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So, we had another big night that night ... Mick was to fly home to d'Island the following day and the rest of us were gonna head down south, start making our way to Jackson.

So, last of the pictures here ... Mitra and Mairtin with Mitra's uncle Jim and her Granny.

Then there 2 pics of Dave ... 1 with the usual pose of a broken string, and the other with the unusual pose of playing a guitar with 6 strings!!

So, back to Chicago again ... to home base. Good ole TJ!! AS he now calls us, "my Irish cousins" .. it's easier than explaining that I'm a friend of his cousin, etc ...

At this stage, TJ is as good a family to me and Georgie anyhew. In fact, I'm even thinking of including him in my Will!! Oh, I can hear the laughter now ..

.. but as the old proverb goes, "blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall not be disappointed!" .. did that benefit me, or just prove ...

Anyway, this was the shopping trip .. here's Georgie after the first day ... fierce upset, only 2 bags! Anyway, we made up for it the net few days.

This place is where Opra does her shows!! Had to take a picture of this place! We could have jumped out and stood in front of it, but we were on our way to a smashing restaurant and we were hungry, so we didn't bother!

Last 2 pictures here of our last night in Chicago! TJ getting cosy with Georgie, and Georgie with a bottle of pop.

We had a great time in Merica, no small thanks to TJ!! Course, we'll be returning the favor when he comes over to d'island some time in the near future!! We'll bring him to all the cool places at home!! HA!!

So, the following day we got a cab to the airport .. George was flying back to Shannon and I was heading down to Kansas City for another festival. So, my nearly 2 weeks with George was up, not gonna see her again now for another 3 weeks! And looking forward to it already!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!