News and Notes 8-1-2000
Arizona Irish Music Society
www.azirishmusic.comGeorge L. O'Brien
Before getting into the news, I have a personal comment. As a number of people know, my mother went into the hospital on Thursday for a mastectomy and the results came back that there was no cancer in the lymph nodes. She was released on Saturday and is progressing fairly well. She is able to get around using a walker and is on schedule for her recovery.
I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. It means a lot to us.
My mother was feeling well enough that I felt free to spend a few hours at the Phoenix Feis Fundraiser. The attendance was good and the crowd seemed to be having a very good time. John Adler (Co-Chair of the Phoenix Irish Feis) told me that the attendance was high all day and they did well financially.
Extra special thanks should be given to Paul and Caitlyn Schmidt (Knight) for running the stage, the sound, and performing as part of Molly Malone.
Many thanks are in order for all the people who helped to make this event a success starting with the bands: Molly Malone, One Eyed Fiona, The Bringers, Round the House, and Seanachie. Round the House deserves special thanks for driving all the way up from Tucson.
Equally important is the support from all the dance schools: Bracken, McElligott, and McTeggart. The programs I saw were quite elaborate and well performed.
I will leave it to the Feis Co-Chairs (Jim Daugherty and John Adler) to thank all of the Feis committee volunteers, but I will add my thanks to the AIMS volunteers who pitched in such as Peter McAvinney, Don Boch, and Michael Perkins. I am sure I've missed some people because I wasn't there very long.
We have a new section on the web site - a list of Irish music and instrument teachers under the "Music" section. We will be adding more instructors as soon as they give us the information. Jerica Turner is in charge of this program and people interested in being listed should e-mail her at celticmusic1@juno.com.
A number of weeks ago, I mentioned some e-mail correspondence I had with Mike Farragher, columnist for the IRISH VOICE out of New York. He wrote this for the June28 - July 4 edition:
"While scrounging the Internet for good Irish music websites, I found a great area that promotes our culture in the Southwest. Their emphasis has been to build an audience for local performers. Apart from having difficulty finding water in the parched desert, it is also hard to promote Irish music due to a lack of the traditional Irish neighborhoods. They're using the internet to advance the music with a calendar and "News and Notes." Which is sent out weekl. Their web site is www.azirishmusic.com and is maintained by local Irish music fanatic George L. O'Brien."
Fanatic? Gee, I don't know about that.
Their web site is http://www.irishvoice.com/
Last week marked the first birthday of Merrick Schmidt (son of Paul and Caitlyn). It seems only yesterday when Caitlyn had the baby only a few days after helping on last year's Phoenix Feis fundraiser and ALMOST brought Merrick to the Bandersnatch seisiun.
This got me thinking about the growth of Wednesday seisiun. A year ago, it fit fairly comfortably around the two long tables in Bandersnatch. Now, it is outside on the patio, even with the heat, because it has grown so much. (The misters help on the heat, but are not the best for the fiddles and guitars).
One of the big pluses with having the seisiun out on the patio is that it gives the dancers from ASU room to dance. Carrie Haney has done a great job of bringing dancers to seisiun and it really adds a lot.
One of the other pluses of being outside is that the seisiuns seem to start a little earlier.
Speaking of Bandersnatch, I am told that I missed an improptu uillian pipe concert.by Caven Clark last Friday evening. Caven has been holding Uillian pipe seisiuns every Monday at the Bandersnatch.
While I am at it, I want to repeat my thanks to Joe Mocca, owner of Bandersnatch and part owner of FastQ communications for their complementary web hosting of the AIMS site. I have been pleased with their work and I personally use their services for my personal account (it comes out as obiewan@sd.amug.org because this used to be the host for the Apple Macintosh Users Group web hosting) and can be reached at http://www.fastq.com/
Friday night I took my sister, Belinda, to one of the pre-opening parties at Rula Bula. Unfortunately, Seanachie had just finished but we did get a chance to see the place. It is really beautiful. Several people raved about the Guiness.
They hope to get their paperwork this week to open, but the real deal will be on the Aug 24-26th period. The bar manager (Gerald McGuiness) was at the Feis fundraiser to get a chance to scout some of the bands.)
Later we dropped by the Blarney Stone to see One Eyed Fiona. They had a very responsive crowd that was "into" the music. My sister came away raving about how impressed she is with Jerica's fiddle playing. She listens to Thistle and Shamrock every week, so she is used to listening to outstanding fiddle playing. (Our nephew has started to learn how to play the fiddle and I think Belinda is catching the bug).
National Celtic Radio Chart(c) for July 2000. This chart reflects an average of the most popular Celtic albums being played solely on Celtic radio programs across the country. Thanks to all DJ's who sent us their playlists.
In this chart: Danu holds strong, second month in a row at the #1 spot; Dolores Keane represented by two albums; and Liz Carroll stays in the top 5 for the 6th consecutive month!!
Here is the past month's chart........
The National Celtic Radio Chart(c) - July 2000
Artist "Album" Record Label (Previous chart position)1. Danu "Think Before You Think" Shanachie (1)
2. Liz Carroll "Lost in the Loop" Green Linnet (3)
3. Malinky "Last Leaves" Greentrax (7)
4. Catriona MacDonald "Bold" Compass (5)
5. The Poozies "Raise Your Head: A Retrospective" Compass (2)
6. Dolores Keane "There Was a Maid" Claddagh/Atlantic (R)
7. Shantalla "Shantalla" Green Linnet (13)
8. Altan "Another Sky" Narada (11)
9. Beginnish "Beginnish" Tara
10. Dolores Keane "Night Owl" Alula (6)
11. Various Artists "Nua Teorainn" Green Linnet (15)
12. Various Artists "Celtic Divas" Claddagh/Atlantic (12)
13. The Chieftains "Water from the Well" RCA Victor (9)
14. Tim O'Brien "The Crossing" Alula
15. Kila "Lemonade & Buns" Green Linnet (1)A (N) after an album indicates that this is the album's debut on the chart. A (R) after an album indicates that the album is a re-entry July 2000 Chart compiled from 54 separate playlists.
Thanks for reading the chart! Till next month......
Cheers,
Patrick J. Brady
Intercultural Niche Strategies
11 Broadway, Suite 1063
New York, NY 10004
Phone#212-248-5900
Fax#212-747-1820
patrick@nichestrategies.com
www.arsdata.com/ins
Last week I included a blurb from the Arizona Music Scene web site people, http://www.ArizonaMusicScene.Com who are linking to the AIMS site for Irish coverage and using some of the material for their site. On Sunday, they sent a couple of "music reviewers" to the Feis Fundraiser. They told me they really enjoyed themselves.
The Arizona Music Forum included my write-up about the new pop-Irish group CJA in their weekly newsletter. Unfortunately, they reprinted an error I made. Joanne (the mother) was born in New Zealand not Ireland. It was her grandparents that came to New Zealand from Ireland.
Their newsletter also had a nice write-up promoting last Sunday's Feis Fundraiser.
For more information about the Arizona Music Forum,
"What is AzMF? Arizona Music Forum is a non-profit organization. It's mission is to support the music community of Arizona. AzMF provides an opportunity for individuals who are involved with Arizona's music community to network and share ideas."
AzMF contact information:
Mail: P.O. Box 206, Tempe, AZ 85280
Email: liz@azmf.org
Newsletter information: tinamk@note-worthy.com
Hotline: 602-735-6840
www.azmf.orgBy the way, congratulations are in order for Liz Nowak who was elected President of AzMF. Liz has a strong Irish heritage and is the main reason AIMS will be running the VIP tent stage at the AzMF Music Festival in November. Liz is a real dynamo and is great to work with.
The other officers are:
Vice President: Maria Vassett
Secretary: Mark Sperber
Treasurer: Tina Koestner(Tina also does a fine job with their newsletter).
AZCENTRAL.COM HOSTS LOCAL ARTISTS
AmMF has a partner in trying to bring local music into the national spotlight. http://www.azcentral.com/rep/mp3/
azcentral.com, the Web site of The Arizona Republic, invites all Arizona bands and solo artists to have their music to appear within a new locals-only MP3 area of the site. More than 60 Arizona artists have already signed up, and you can check out the site at http://www.azcentral.com/rep/mp3.
Artists can submit up to four tracks for inclusion on the site, and are also encouraged to post other information -- such as bio, purchase information and copyright notice -- on a special page that is set up for each participating artist. Posting your music on azcentral.com costs nothing; it's free exposure for your music on Arizona's most popular local site. Why will this site succeed compared to other local music download sites?
Because azcentral.com gets more traffic than any other local site in Arizona, plus it has the marketing power of The Arizona Republic and The Rep behind it. In just the first two weeks, more than 25,000 tracks by Arizona artists were downloaded!
To participate, bands must submit a one-page contract, a one-page questionnaire and two copies of each CD that contains music an artist wants posted on the site. Artists can download forms by going to the MP3 site and clicking on the "add your band" link. If you have trouble downloading the forms, or have questions, call Mike Coleman at (602) 444-8074 or email him at mcoleman@azcentral.com
Visit http://www.azcentral.com/ Check out http://www.arizonarepublic.com
Here is another note from the AZ Music Forum:
Here is an interesting opportunity for AzMF musicians... "LITTLE NICKY" -- ADAM SANDLER MOVIE COULD BE BREAK FOR MUSICIAN
(Los Angeles-AP) -- If you're a musician or band just waiting for your big break, this may be it. New Line Cinema has teamed up with www.garageband.com to give an undiscovered artist a chance to have his or her song included in Adam Sandler's new comedy," Little Nicky." Throughout the month, bands are invited to upload entries onto garageband.com website.
And next month, visitors to the site will get to review and rate all of the submitted tracks and narrow down the field to the top ten. And then the director of "Little Nicky" will pick the winner. Submitted by:
Michelle Foy
Marketing Coordinator, Todd McFarlane Productions
Also from Az Music Forum is information about a local internet broadcasting operation that will be started soon. (I have talked to them and they are definitely interested in including Irish music).
KnotRadio.org Needs Music
KnotRadio.org, a new Internet radio station based in Tempe, AZ, needs music!
"We are excepting from all genres, the only thing we do not want is major label music. So all of you Indy bands and labels out there send your press packets in today!"
Please send all submissions to:
KnotRadio.org
c/o Knot Known Records
PMB 100
717 S. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Submitted by:
Hotchy Kiene, KnotRadio.org
SEEKING ARIZONA BANDS FOR COMPILATION CD
Sound Logic Studio is sponsoring a compilation CD entitled "Arizona Underground." All AzMF artists are welcome. A music festival will be held in the fall to raise money for the cost of the CD. This is a great chance to promote your AzMF band both live and recorded! For more details, please call Roze at 602-454-1306 or email killtaboo2@aol.com Submitted by Sahar Mitchell.
The next meeting of AIMS will be on Sunday, August 13th at 8:00 PM at the Dubliner.
This weekend on Friday and Saturday features the return of music at O'Connor's with the return of Seanachie, Wander the Earth will be at the Blarney Stone, and Mike Donovan at Seamus McCaffrey's. Tony Cummins will be back at the Dubliner Thursday through Saturday. In Tucson, on Saturday, the Mollys will be at Boondocks.
George L. O'Brien
www.azirishmusic.comCALENDAR
1. PHOENIX AREA
Bandersnatch Brew Pub 125 E. 5th St. Tempe 480-966-4438
8/ 2/00 Wed 9:00 PM Seisuin With Clare Voyants
8/ 7/00 Mon 8:30 PM Arizona Uilleann Piper's Society Seisiun
8/ 9/00 Wed 9:00 PM Seisuin With Clare Voyants
8/14/00 Mon 8:30 PM Arizona Uilleann Piper's Society Seisiun
8/16/00 Wed 9:00 PM Seisuin With Clare VoyantsBlarney Stone 4341 N. 75th St Scottsdale 480-424-7100
8/ 2/00 Wed 8:00 PM Shay Veno
8/ 3/00 Thu 8:00 PM Open Mike with Frank Mackey
8/ 4/00 Fri 8:00 PM Wander the Earth
8/ 5/00 Sat 8:00 PM Wander the Earth
8/ 9/00 Wed 8:00 PM Shay Veno
8/11/00 Fri 8:00 PM Wander the Earth
8/12/00 Sat 8:00 PM Wander the Earth
8/13/00 Sun 8:00 PM Open Mike with Frank Mackey
8/16/00 Wed 8:00 PM Shay VenoBorder's Books - Mesa 1361 S Alma School Mesa
8/12/00 Sat 1:00 PM Rossettistone
Coffee Plantation (Tempe) 680 S. Mill Ave Tempe 480-829-7878
8/13/00 Sun 7:00 PM Wander the Earth
Dubliner Irish Pub 3841 E. Thunderbird Rd. Phoenix 602-867-0984
8/ 3/00 Thu 8:00 PM Tony Cummins
8/ 4/00 Fri 8:00 PM Tony Cummins
8/ 5/00 Sat 8:00 PM Tony Cummins
8/ 6/00 Sun 9:00 PM Traditional Irish Seisiun
8/10/00 Thu 8:00 PM Tony Cummins
8/11/00 Fri 8:00 PM Tony Cummins
8/12/00 Sat 8:00 PM Tony Cummins
8/13/00 Sun 8:00 PM AIMS Monthly Meeting
8/13/00 Sun 9:00 PM Traditional Irish SeisiunO'Connor's Pub 2601 W. Dunlap Phoenix 602-997-7714
8/ 4/00 Fri 8:00 PM Seanachie
8/ 5/00 Sat 8:00 PM Seanachie
8/11/00 Fri 8:00 PM Seanachie
8/12/00 Sat 8:00 PM SeanachieSeamus Mc Caffrey's 18 W. Monroe Phoenix 602-253-6081
8/ 4/00 Fri 8:00 PM Mike Donovan
8/ 5/00 Sat 8:00 PM Mike Donovan
8/11/00 Fri 8:00 PM Mike Donovan
8/12/00 Sat 8:00 PM Mike Donovan2. TUCSON AREA
Boondocks 3306 N.1st & Ft. Lowell Tucson 520-690-0991
8/ 5/00 Sat 8:00 PM The Mollys
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