Kevin Donleavy’s emails are so charming and informative that I just can’t resist posting them in their original form. Here, he discusses some history of traditional Irish music and his plans to play Tom Mulligan’s Cobblestone recordings on his upcoming radio show. Anyone can tune in on April 6 by using the Internet (see below).
Hiya again, Shannon,
Whoa, thanks for sending along the Cobblestone recording. I’m just in the door tonight, and will have a chance to play it tomorrow. I recognize some of the musicianers’ names, but others are known only to their local fellow-players, I betcha.
The entire growth of Irish trad music the past 4 decades is pretty astonishing, as you might already know.
Local and private music teachers in loads of communities took a big cue from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the country-wide music and dance organization which was founded about 50 years ago. Comhaltas lined up the best of fiddlers, uilleann pipers, concertina, and flute players (and loads more besides) to expand the circle of their students. The overall result is that there are probably 100,000 people in Ireland who play trad music — just my guess, but it probably is close to real. It is the “in” thing for lots of kids — especially if either another family member or a peer plays an instrument. And they all learn by ear, an astonishing thing. A coupla years ago somebody estimated that a new trad CD is issued somewhere in Ireland or the States every 3 days. Much more successful growth of Irish folk music than the folk movement in the US.
Enough. Beddyby time.
Thanks again,
Kevin
Here are Kevin’s instructions for tuning in:
Shannon, hiya —
Hope this e-mail addy is good for ya.
I listened to the Cobblestone CD today, and heard some great stuff. More uilleann pipers than I would have imagined would be included — a good sign. Have already chosen 4 cuts for the April 6 (Saturday) radio show on-line, so can you let Tom know the date, please ? Also that the show is called ATLANTIC WEEKLY PART TWO, and is found at www.wtju.net, and that it will be broadcast in Ireland from 3 to 5 pm that day. He and some of the musicianers might wanna have a listen. Since the program is archived for 2 weeks afterward, they can also listen in later at the Vault spot at the website.
Mike Heivly rang today, and I’ll go share muffins and coffee with him tomorrow morning. He wants to yammer about setting up his photo-art display at the big Comhaltas convention in D.C. in early April.
All for the now,
Kevo
Ireland by Chance 