The entire band… is leaving on a Celtic adventure… leaving myself & Philip behind… to hold down the fort... so to speak… without all the “Boys”.

It’s times like these… that make me look close… at the band, their individual inputs and the treasured value each member holds to me - in “the Boys of County O’Cean”

We’ll be - without Bob… our steady rhythm guitar and octave mandolin… who’s always able to apparently land on his feet when he gets thrown under the bus, (and HEY… I only DO that - cause I like him!) haha… Bob can figure out any key quickly… and often gives me these big - raised eyebrow looks = (non-verbal questions, usually during a tune) that I somehow understand… but he never complains…

Without Lyn.. the percussive heart beat of the band - who remembers ALL the stuff I seem to forget, (including lyrics) always has a bag of musical toys for children who are near… (egg shakers are her specialty)… and who’s always on ‘the watch’... for without her - OOf!!! I can’t even imagine…

Without Rich… and his cheerful banjo tunes, his honest approach to music, his sideways and often wry humor… not to mention his songs that I often make him laugh -during… (what IS a ‘blunderbuss’ ANYWAY Rich?) and his ever watchful eye and sensing.

Without Frank… our sweet, whistling boy from County Lietrum… with his cute accent, his fine songs, whistle and flute playing, his great insights to Celtic traditions that always make us smile, his quick wit and humor… ah… our dear, unorganized Frank…
And I know it’s not just when our dear ‘boys’ are going to be away - that I recognize their real value to us as a band… no. I am always cognizant of how incredibly fortunate we are. I see it, at each gig, each week… what a wonderful bond, blend & connection we have with each other. How we come in to support each other and blend to compliment the tunes…

It’s always humbling for me - to have the honor of playing music with such fine musicians… and have them as such wonderful friends. It’s so amazing that each one of us… play tunes – to make each other sound as best as we can... Not one of us tries to out play the others… or take over… or be louder, (except for Phil on the ‘louder’ part… but he can’t help it really… he plays the Uilleann pipes) But even with that kind of teasing…I know Phil has the same level of sensitivity.

So I’m excited to welcome Eileen McIntyre back to Session while the “Boys” are away. She plays a beautiful Celtic Harp… and we’ve had the pleasure to play a few weddings with her – and it’s always a joy to play tunes with Eileen!

We will also – I think… will have Eric Pedrotty coming by to sing and play Octive Mandolin and a bit of drum. Eric hails from the wonderful band - “The Bantry Boys” - and sometimes comes to sit in with us - on Tuesday nights… His powerful singing voice – and amazing command of his songs is breath taking… and he plays an aerobic octive mando - with amazing - energy.

So this session… should be REALLY interesting! Don’t miss it! Tuesday evening… January 31, 2012… St. Stephen’s Green Public House – 7 to 10 pm!

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I know it's been a while since I've updated the "Tunes to Share" section here on my website.. But I'm hoping to change some things in this new year.... and be more diligent with updating things more...

I post it here, because no one would expect the new tunes, since I've been so slow with posting them.
Here's a set of tunes we learned from one of our co-session leaders
at St. Stephen's Green Public House - our own - Rich Braughtigam...

Rich - always delights the house when he kicks off this set on his Banjo... It's a lively, happy, toe tapping Americana kinda set. To me... it has that real flag waiving... "God Bless America" feel to it... Check the other tunes I've added in the "Tunes to Share" section here... ---------->

The first tune is "The Girl I left Behind"... and goes into "Rakes of Mallow"... which... at the time I recorded it... couldn't remember the name... Girl I Left Behind + Rakes of Mallow Read More...

The East was getting hit with - yet again – more raw, wet weather this week... and in the bone chilling dampness of the day – I found myself rushing in anticipation - to get a toasty fire going in the wood stove, as the dark day drew to a close. The warmth of the blaze, quickly took the chill off the house... and it was WAY too easy to draw up a big, comphy rocker up by the fire, grab my fiddle... and settle in for the night - right there.

Then... I heard a little 'ratt-a-tatt-tatt" at my door... and found my dear friend Bonnie, after she'd had a long, weary week as well. She was clasping her harp in hand... and had her dulcimer tucked under her arm.

We rode out the raging storm – as it pelted the windows with driving sleet (huh?! In October?!?!) and bitter cold, blustery gusts... but it didn't seem to matter much... for we sat by the fire, filling the night with our music - till it brimmed over with tunes, that cheerfully drifted in the air.... and it was all, generously mixed with a combination of laughter, chatting, and a wee bit of wine!

We are working on a few harp & fiddle duets, and a fiddle/Mt Dulcimer duet… for "Music by the Bay" next weekend... Bonnie Leigh & I will both be teaching there... Bonnie's teaching Mountain Dulcimer workshops, and I'll be teaching a couple Fiddle workshops... I just hope we can get these duets down for the concert... cause we can't seem to stay out of mischief long enough to really focus!!! That's what happens I guess… when two Scandinavian, wild women get together! Look OUT! LOL!
It was a wonderful evening!
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The fifth annual Music By the Bay – has come around all ready and it seems it's gonna be better than EVER!!!

Last year was awesome... lots of music, laughter... old friends and new friends... it was wonderful!

Starting Friday evening – November 4th – and running through Sunday afternoon, November 6th… there will be endless fun things to do for just about everyone!

Phil will be teaching a few Irish Whistle workshops geared towards novice – intermediate players.

Jennifer will be teaching a couple Irish fiddle workshops – also geared towards novice – to intermediate players… or anyone who has a basic understanding of the instrument. She will give you the basic tune – in small pieces… and build piece by piece until the tune is learned… adding in embellishments and bowing techniques as the tune is grasped by the class. She’s planning on teaching a set of reels, and a set of jigs per class.

An audio recording device is recommended for the workshops… so you can take the tunes home with you.

Of course, there’s an assortment of music workshops - Mountain dulcimer, Hammered dulcimer, mandolin, bodhran… as well as artistic workshops and nature walks, basketry things and some awesome vendors as well.

There will be the legendary Bing Futch coming in from down south – to teach some hoppin’ mt. dulcimer workshops, and our favorite, hometown girl - also teaching mountain dulcimer… Bonnie Leigh.

Now... rumor has it... Bonnie & Jennifer are planning on doing a few duets for the concert... harp & fiddle... if they can get through tunes without raising a ruckus or causing too much mischief that is!!!

There’s also a concert on Friday evening after dinner, followed by a jam session… And an awards ceremony for one of our local musicians on Saturday, followed by a concert and another jam! Should be a FUN weekend… set in the beautiful scenic pinelands along the waters of the Barnegat Bay!

For more information, visit the website: for Music by the Bay

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We started to play music around 11:00 am - to an eager, busy, happy, enthusiastic group of Fall festival goers – who had come out to enjoy the absolutely magnificent weather – on a most perfect afternoon… at the historic site of Kirby's Mill.
It seemed as if the crisp, cool, sunny Autumn day - just wrapped it’s fingers around you.

The breeze was light and hinted with the warm scent of cinnamon, apples, carmel, popcorn, pies, donuts and cider… mixed with that old smell of fall leaves and earth… Mmmm – it’s one of those smells you never forget... There was a hint of distant, antique tractor motors - that whirled and popped… that traveled gingerly - down the middle of the street… drawing a big wooden cart of fresh apples behind it.

Children danced to our music… women broke free of their 'Mom' roles – and lightly moved - to their remembered childhood dances… reveling in the pure joy of the day, sunshine, music and atmosphere.

Cyclists strolled by, wheeling their bikes… pausing to listen… to enjoy the music, people, sunshine - and the day… and the hours, and the gentle, joyful activity... just rolled on.

So the afternoon flew by as if Autumn’s magic… had cast a spell on everyone – in a plethora of color… orange, reds, sage greens… and gold.
It was one of those perfect kind of days… One that you will always look back upon… and remember… but probably not be able to quite recall the exact year… or the precise age… but it WILL be marked - as one of those memorable points in time… A wonderful fall day… full of memories… but in an unrecalled year… vague… but so vibrant… in the colors of our mind’s eye... and that recall... will guarantee - a smile.

A special thanks to my wonderful and talented fiddle student Shaun… who handled the merchandise table with Phili this year. I could NOT have done it without you… And I was really proud to get you up with the band - and hear you play so boldly and strong - despite your pounding heart! Good JOB Shaun!!!

Then - Ohhh... the night came on... darkness ensued... and it was onto Mill Race Villiage – and their annual Witch’s Ball…… and Ohhhhhhh MYYYYYY…

I went with my favorite haunter… after getting dressed up for the ball… Here I am with my beloved & charming “Magenta”… (Original Abbie) who most graciously escorted us through the huge crowds of Mill Race Villiage… and got us – through the most transformed – magical setting you can imagine in the villiage… Pausing briefly – for a photo op – with the famous “Mona” – (pictured: "Magenta", me & 'the Vicar")

We meandered through the crowded streets that were crawling with all sorts of strange creatures... ranging from centaurs, to goblins... dragons & fairies... and.. mmm I'm not quite sure what this guy was... but "it" was creepy!!!

We saw a welcoming door and stopped briefly by "Jersey Made" which had Holly hopping with customers... THEN... we set out to find - “Pinelands Folk Music & Basketry Center” where my dear friend Mary awaited us… with a big smile and warm hearty hug… and she brought us into her shop which was richly scented with woodsy, delightful candles... and stocked with every instrument imaginable... Exactly a place where a crazy musician (like me) can get LOST in delightful... but often drooling, unabandoned lust - over any and all - of the fine musical instruments for sale there!!!!

So we played a string of tunes with Rich Carty - as he cheerfully pattered away on a Hammered Dulcimer… I strung along on fiddle… Phil, was leaping between Irish whistle, and a bodhran - which he pulled down off the wall… and even though we’d already played for a good 4+ hours at the Apple Festival... It was still fun & wonderful - to get to play more tunes with Rich at the shop... there in the transformed, apparitional and dark - heavenly hours - of the Witch's Ball!

Thank you - so very much - to all of the fans and friends who came out to support the band on this wonderful afternoon and evening… OH! This was just the BEST year yet… and I appreciate all the love and support! We have the BEST fans - EVER! xoxo


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