“St. Brigid was a light in the darkest of times, a peacemaker, a woman who provided sustenance and a safe haven for all,”” notes Ivers, a Grammy Award-winning Irish American fiddler. “I’m thrilled to be joining other female artists as part of a livestream concert honoring this beloved Irish saint. May the perpetual flame that St. Brigid ignited so long ago, which still burns in Kildare Town’s Market Square today, live in our hearts and shine through the gift of music and community.” The livestream concert can be viewed on The Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals’ Facebook page.

Along with Ivers and Madden, a flutist and tin whistle player who has been at the helm of the New York-based all-female Irish music ensemble Cherish the Ladies since its inception in 1985, the following artists will be showcasing their musical talents:

The Bowtides (a trio of fiddlers who spent 14 cumulative years – never at the same time – in Gaelic Storm), Ashley Davis (an eclectic American singer-songwriter), Goitse (a multi-award-winning traditional Irish ensemble), Dani Larkin (a singer-songwriter and folk musician from the Armagh-Monaghan border whose music is inspired by the folktales she was raised with, intertwined with elements of traditional melodies and rhythms from around the world in a timeless tradition), Susan O’Neill (SON, an enigmatic singer-songwriter who fuses traditional Irish folk with rock, soul, gospel and blues), Cathie Ryan (an award-winning Irish-American vocalist and songwriter who was the original lead singer with Cherish the Ladies), Clare Sands (a versatile Cork-born fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer-songwriter with deep family roots in Northern Ireland and County Wexford, whose sound is rooted in Irish traditional music), and Aoife Scott (a Dublin-based folksinger-songwriter who is part of the legendary Black Family).

The Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals (AICF) is a collective of more than 170 festivals throughout The United States and Canada that aims to bring the Irish culture – via music, education, food and dance – to those not in Ireland in the hopes that those traditions are never lost. Referring to the concert as “a celebration of the female spirit,” Erin O’Rourke from Indy Irish Fest in Indianapolis and an AICF executive board member, said: “We hope that by highlighting this Irish patron saint and her holiday and stories, we can entertain and educate audiences with a program that celebrates her, and some of the best female Irish musicians and dancers across the world.” More information about the St. Brigid’s Day Concert and AICF may be found at irishcelticfestivals.org.

Born on December 24, 1939, Robin Morton grew up in Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. His dad was a jazz enthusiast and turned him on to jazz as a child. Morton tried to play the cornet during his youth and also developed an interest in skiffle music before The Liverpool Spinners, among others, began to spark his interest in folk music around 1959. He regularly watched the weekly Hootennny TV show that emanated from Edinburgh, Scotland and featured such folk artists as Martin Carthy and Archie Fisher. While living briefly in Manchester, he also picked up the guitar around that time.

After returning home to Portadown, he began frequenting a nearby pub, where he’d occasionally sing traditional songs during singer sessions. Later, while at Queens University in Belfast studying social work, Morton became involved in the Glee Club led by Phil Coulter, in whose shows he performed a few times (primarily Woody Guthrie songs). He also launched a folk society there in 1963, although he left it and the university after a year to continue his studies at London School of Economics. While in London, he befriended Ewan MacColl, who helped to spur his interest in collecting traditional folk songs.

Upon returning to Belfast, Morton worked in child psychiatry for a while and also helped to launch the Ulster Folk Music Society. He sought to pair music and song together, rather than just separate instrumental and singing sessions, as was the norm. It was through the folk music society that Morton met Cathal McConnell and Tommy Gunn. The three would launch the traditional Irish folk group Boys of the Lough, named after a reel that they enjoyed playing, in 1967. MacColl and Peggy Seeger arranged the band’s first tour. Morton performed and toured with the seminal band, through various personnel changes, for a dozen years.

Morton also collected songs from Ulster and compiled them in a book entitled Folk Songs Sung in Ulster that was published in 1970, along with two albums featuring recordings of traditional singers. Late that year, he moved to Edinburgh.

During the late 1970s, Morton, who had previously worked as a producer for Topic Records, opened a recording studio and established Temple Records, a label devoted to acoustic Scottish (and some Irish) traditional music. Based in a converted church in the village of Temple, near Edinburgh, the label’s mission is “to release music that reflects a great, proud, timeless tradition.” Its first album was Alison Kinnaird’s The Harp Key (1978). Temple Records has released a number of classic, groundbreaking and seminal recordings over the years by such artists as Marie Ni Chathasaigh, John McCusker, Brian McNeill, Flora McNeill, and Christine Primrose. But, perhaps, the most notable act on its roster is Battlefield Band, a group that Morton also managed for more than 40 years — until his passing.

Founded in 1969 and performing under the banner “Forward with Scotland’s Past,” Battlefield Band performs an inspired mix of ancient and modern traditional music and songs. “What the internationally renowned Irish band, the Chieftains, have done for traditional Irish music, Battlefield Band are doing for the music of Scotland,” according to Billboard magazine.

Robin Morton was a passionate champion for the music that he loved. Through the years, in many different capacities (including a short stint as director of the Edinburgh Folk Festival from 1986-1988), he did so much to preserve, produce and promote traditional Scottish folk music – and, more broadly, traditional Celtic music. He left an indelible mark and will be sorely missed.

Billed as the largest free Celtic festival in North America, the Celtic Classic has drawn nearly 300,000 people in past years. Now in its 34th year, the festival did not take place in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Celtic Cultural Alliance is adhering to all federal and state guidelines with respect to the pandemic this year. Festival hours are 4-10 p.m. EST on Sept 24, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 25, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 26.

Artists slated to perform include Barleyjuice, Blackwater, Celtic Aire (the U.S. Air Force’s Celtic band), Chambless & Muse, Chivalrous Crickets, Emish, Fig for a Kiss, House of Hamill, Seamus Kennedy, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Kilmaine Saints, Moxie Strings, Rogue Diplomats, RUNA, and Gerry Timlin.

Other musical attractions during the weekend include pipe band, fiddle and drum major competitions. Irish dancers from the O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance also will take part in the festivities.

North America’s largest highland games take place during the Celtic Classic for the 14th time. The U.S. National Highland Athletic Championships feature events that trace their origins back to medieval Scotland; these include the lifting of heavy stone, throwing 16 and 22-pound hammers, and sheaf and caber tossing. Border collie exhibitions, The Showing of the Tartan parade; a Haggis Bowl (in which whoever eats one pound of Scotland’s national dish wins); a Celtic Heritage Hollow featuring children’s activities, Celtic societies and clans tents, blacksmith demonstrations, and cultural competitions; and a Celtic marketplace featuring crafts, merchandise and collectibles also are on tap.

More information on one of the most popular events in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, including daily schedules, may be found at celticfest.org.

As was the case last August, American, Canadian, Irish and Scottish artists will be featured in what Cheryl Prashker, the festival’s artistic director and general manager envisions will be “a magical online experience.” There will be interviews and music from The Bookends, Dave Curley, The Ennis Sisters,Daoirí Farrell, Fàrsan, Emily Flack, The Gilberts, Jane & Kyle, Seán Keane, Mélissandre Tremblay-Bourassa & Alexis Chartrand, Dave Woods, and Ryan Young.

An Emerging Artist Showcase with Acts from Around the World to Debut

For the first time, the festival also will include an emerging artist showcase named for festival founders Eleanor and Warren Robinson and featuring 10 artists/acts from around the world.
Participating in the inaugural Robinson Emerging Artist Showcase are 3 on the Bund (Ireland), Clíodhna Ní Aodáin (Ireland/Switzerland), Daridel (Italy), Harmundi (Brazil), Isla Ratcliff (Scotland), Kinnfolk (USA), Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps (Canada), Miguel Girão (Portugal), Mosquera Celtic Band (Spain), and O’Jizo (Japan). The online audience will help select two who will be invited back to play the festival’s main stage in 2022 and will be mentored monthly throughout the year leading up to it. They will also be invited to participate in virtual artist development workshops and the weeklong Celtic College preceding next year’s festival as they seek to advance their musical careers.

“It has been a dream of mine to bring such a showcase to Goderich since this festival and the college have always been about showcasing young talent,” Prashker told AcousticMusicScene.com. She cited the long-running Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in upstate New York as the inspiration behind it and expressed thanks to Michael Patrick Farrell from Toronto-based Dolmen Entertainment Group “who had a great deal to do with helping put this together.”

In all, nearly eight hours of pre-recorded music made especially for the festival will be viewable via the festival’s website (CelticFestival.ca), as well as its Facebook page (https://facebook.com/goderichceltic).

From its humble beginnings as one-time memorial concert in 1993, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is now the oldest pan-Celtic festival in North America. In addition to a three-day outdoor festival showcasing some of the world’s best Celtic musicians, dancers and artists, it has grown/evolved to include a weeklong Celtic College and a Celtic Kids Camp, as well as a series of rural outreach mini-concerts.

A Series of ‘Conversations with ..”-Style Online workshops Precede the Virtual Festival

“During the week prior to the virtual festival, which would have been our Celtic College week, we are offering six different 90-minute workshops, which are more like ‘Conversations with …’,” said Prashker. These ticketed events will take place via Zoom – Monday, Aug. 2 – Thursday, Aug. 5 — and all proceeds will go directly to the artists leading them. With the exception of a knot-work drawing workshop led by David Rankine — which will follow a more hands-on, step-by-step instructional format — instructors will generally spend the first 50 minutes or so sharing music and information about their areas of expertise, while engaging in Q & A and discussion with workshop participants for the last 40 minutes or so.

The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival –- whose physical location is surrounded by the Irish and Scottish heritage reflected in the nearby communities of Belfast, Dublin, Kincardine, Lucknow and Seaforth — was founded on the spirit of community and connecting people with Celtic roots and exploring new Celtic expressions. It generally features more than 60 hours of live musical performances by dozens of artists and acts on five stages, ranging from small intimate ones to a high-powered main stage.

Prashker -– who is also part of the Celtic roots group RUNA and a ‘percussionist to the folkies’ — noted that when she assumed her position with the festival three years ago it was her “secret hope to put the beautiful small town of Goderich on the world map … and now it will again be on the world stage virtually.” As in 2020, she noted that “Although the musicians will have pre-recorded music especially for us, the hosts, will be live all weekend long — and each musician will be Zooming in before their slot happens so we can all interact with the audiences watching.” Prashker, who first taught at the Celtic College and played the festival with RUNA in 2011, expressed hope that the virtual festival experience will give viewers a small glimpse of the spirit and beauty of Goderich that drew her there.

“With sad hearts, the family of Liam Reilly, musician, songwriter and frontman of Bagatelle, wish to confirm that he passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home on January 1st,” his family said in a statement. “We know that his many friends and countless fans around the world will share in our grief as we mourn his loss, but celebrate the extraordinary talent of the man whose songs meant so much to so many.”

Reilly, who hailed from Dundalk, Ireland –- where he was born on January 29, 1955 — but moved to Savannah, Georgia in the mid-1980s, wrote such songs as “Flight of the Earls,” “The Streets of New York,” “Second Violin,” and Bagatelle’s signature hit “Summer in Dublin.” He formed Bagatelle in 1978, along with drummer Walter (Wally) McConville, bass player Ken Doyle and guitarist John O’Brien. “Summer in Dublin,” its best-known song, appeared on the band’s 1980 debut album.

Here’s a link to view a video of Liam Reilly performing “Summer in Dublin” on Irish television:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLOnh4h-Og

Reilly, who was also Bagatelle’s keyboardist, left the band in the mid-1980s to pursue a solo career. Representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990, Reilly took second place with his performance of “Somewhere in Europe.”

Here’s a link to view a video of Liam Reilly performing “Somewhere in Europe” at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ijcjpcHOHqI

Besides writing songs for Bagatelle and his own recordings, Reilly composed songs for others and such artists as Phil Coulter, James Galway, Paddy Reilly, and The Wolfe Tones, among many others, have covered his songs. The Wolfe Tones had a big hit with their rendition of “The Streets of New York,” Reilly’s song about Irish emigration. Here’s a link to view a lyric video for The Wolfe Tones’ rendition of “The Streets of New York:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvgo1rv40bA

In social media posts following his death, The Wolfe Tones described him as a “master songwriter.” U2 frontman Bono previously cited Reilly and Bagatelle as early influences.

And here’s a link to watch Liam Reilly perform “The Flight of Earls:”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U-TgjKp5QgY

Local, national and international touring artists whose performances are slated to stream @ https://facebook.com/michiganirish over the extended weekend include (in alphabetical order) The Alt, An Dro, Blackthorn, Ruth and Max Bloomquist, Bohola, Daimh, Doolin’, Ian Gould, Shane Hennessey, Seamus Kennedy, The Kreelers, One for the Foxes, Peat in the Creel, RUNA, Scythian, Sharon Shannon, Trout Steak Revival, and Uneven Ground. Singer-Songwriter Ashley Davis will host a songwriters circle featuring Dave Curley, Doolin’, Colin Farrell, and Shane Hennessey, while Shannon Lambert-Ryan, RUNA’s lead vocalist, will host a family-friendly presentation on “Baking with Babies.”

The schedule for the virtual festival appears below. Videos may also be posted on the festival’s Facebook page for replay later if you miss or want to see any of the acts again.

Thursday
5-7 pm Sounds Like Ireland Radio Program
8 pm Runa
9 pm Seamus Kennedy
10 pm An Dro

Friday
6 – 9 am Michael Patrick Shiels The Big Show radio show broadcast live from downtown Muskegon
5 pm Ruth and Max Bloomquist
6 pm Ian Gould
6:30 pm Songwriters Circle with Ashley Davis (featuring Colin Farrell and Dave Curley)
7 pm Dave Curley
7:50 pm Five Farms
8 pm Best of Scythian on Dan’s Wedding Day!
9 pm Shane Hennessy
10 pm The Kreellers

Saturday
12 pm Conklin Ceili Band
1 pm Peat in the Creel
1:30 pm Cathy Jo Smith Storyteller – Seanín the Piper
2 pm Kennedy’s Kitchen
2:30 Bob Harke with Kennedy’s Kitchen
3 pm Baking with Babies
4 pm Songwriters Circle with Ashley Davis (featuring Doolan’)
5 pm the Alt
5:30 pm Cathy Jo Smith – Questions about the Irish Wake
6 pm Friel Sisters
7 pm One for the Foxes
8 pm Daimh
9 pm Doolin’
10 pm CrossBow

Sunday
11 am Uneven Ground
11:30 am Deb O’Carroll’s Irish Magic Show
12 pm Runa featuring Eamonn and Cormac de Barra
1 pm Songwriters Circle with Ashely Davis (featuring Shane Hennessy)
2 pm Trout Steak Revival
3 pm Bohola
4 pm Best of Sharon Shannon
5 pm Blackthorn

American, Canadian, Irish and Scottish artists will be featured in what Cheryl Prashker, the festival’s artistic director and general manager; hopes will be “a magical online experience.” Nearly eight hours of pre-recorded music made especially for the festival will be viewable via the festival’s website (CelticFestival.ca), as well as its Facebook page (https://facebook.com/goderichceltic) and YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/channel/UCHRa3SZ8Y1wn88xYtNvR4Lg/featured?view_as=subscriber). FolkMusicNotebook.com, a 24/7 online music channel, will also stream the festival on its website.

From its humble beginnings as one-time memorial concert in 1993, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is now the oldest pan-Celtic festival in North America. In addition to a three-day outdoor festival showcasing some of the world’s best Celtic musicians, dancers and artists, it has grown/evolved to include a weeklong Celtic College and a Celtic Kids Camp, as well as a series of rural outreach mini-concerts,

The festival –- whose physical location is surrounded by the Irish and Scottish heritage reflected in the nearby communities of Belfast, Dublin, Kincardine, Lucknow and Seaforth — was founded on the spirit of community and connecting people with Celtic roots and exploring new Celtic expressions. It generally features more than 60 hours of live musical performances by dozens of artists and acts on five stages, ranging from small intimate ones to a high-powered main stage.

Postponing the 28th edition of the Goodrich Celtic Roots Festival to August 2-8, 2021
“was a really emotionally hard decision to make,” Prashker acknowledged, ”but we’re going all out with this virtual one.” Prashker -– who is also part of the Celtic roots group RUNA and a ‘percussionist to the folkies’ — noted that when she assumed her position with the festival two years ago it was her “secret hope to put the beautiful small town of Goderich on the world map … and now it will be on the world stage virtually.”

Here’s a link to view a short commercial for the festival:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_fcUWQrzE0

The virtual Goderich Celtic Roots Festival 27.5 will feature pre-recorded performances by Ariko (Canada), Bourque Emissaires (Canada), Cherish The Ladies (U.S.), Shane Cook (Canada)), Joe Crookston (U.S.), The deBarra Brothers (U.S. & Ireland), Flack (Canada), Eve Goldberg (Canada), Joe Jencks (U.S.), Kruger Brothers (U.S. & Ireland), Emory Lester (Canada), Malinky (Scotland), North Atlantic Drift (Canada), Brian O’Headhra & Fiona MacKenzie (Scotland), One for the Foxes (Ireland & U.S.), Reynolds, Robinson & Lodge (Canada), and RUNA (U.S. & Canada).

“We returned to the festival the following year and, by that time, I had absolutely fallen in love with the town and the people, not to mention the beach at Lake Huron,” said Prashker. Noting that “There is an energy here that many say is what keeps them coming back time and time again,” she continued, “Each year after that, even if RUNA was not booked at the festival, I would come back anyway and teach at the Celtic College.” That led to her spending more and more time in Goderich — visiting and eventually moving there and assuming her current dream job. “It reads like a fairy tale (at least to me it does.), and I am so honored to be here,” she added, expressing hope that online festival viewers will get a small glimpse of the spirit and beauty of Goderich that drew her there.

The annual Celtic Roots Festival is run under the auspices of the Goodrich Celtic Folk Society — a charitable nonprofit organization that produces events designed to foster awareness, participation, and education in the world of traditional Celtic culture. Although admission to the virtual festival is free, there will be a virtual tip jar (celticfestival.ca/donate) and all contributions will go to the participating artists.

Boulder, Colorado-based singer-songwriter Rebecca Folsom’s “Better Times” was February’s most-played song, edging out Burning Bridget Cleary’s “Madam I’m a Darling,” January’s top song.

The February 2016 FOLKDJ-L charts are based on 13,220 airplays from 143 different DJs. Label and release date appear in brackets below, while the number of reported spins is shown in parentheses. The charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission.

Top Albums of February 2016

1: All These Years, Solas [solasmusic.com, 2/16] (93)
2: The Hazel And Alice Sessions, Laurie Lewis And The Right Hands [Spruce And Maple, 1/16] (75)
3: Roses And Victory, Honor Finnegan [Frock, 2/16] (63)
4: These Are The Days, Burning Bridget Cleary [burningbridgetcleary.com, 11/15] (56)
5: Extraordinary Days, Rebecca Folsom [rebeccafolsom.com, 1/16] (55)
5: The K.O.A. Tapes (Vol. 1), Kate Campbell [Large River, 1/16] (55)
5: Live From Blue Rock, Moors And McCumber [moorsandmccumber.bandcamp.com, new] (55)
8: Dori Freeman, Dori Freeman [Free Dirt, 2/16] (53)
9: Didn’t We Waltz, Amy White with Al Petteway [Fairewood, new] (50)
10: Ladies And Gentlemen, Infamous Stringdusters [Compass, 1/16] (48)
11: Weighted Mind, Sierra Hull [Rounder, 1/16] (47)
12: Where I Belong, Lauren Heintz [Gatorbone, 2015] (46)
13: Traveling Circus, No Fuss And Feathers [Roadshow, 1/16] (45)
14: Foxhounds, Kathy Kallick Band [Live Oak, 11/15] (41)
15: Big Sky Country, Sofia Talvik [Makaki, 4/15] (38)
15: Folkest, Denise Jordan Finley [Dome Island, new] (38)
17: Beyond The Ash And Steel, Judy Kass [judykassmusic.com, 1/16] (33)
17: Folk Art, The Robert Bobby Duo [I Likemike, new] (33)
19: Beyond The Rain, Quiles And Cloud [Compass, 1/16] (32)
19: Real Midnight, Birds Of Chicago [5 Head, new] (32)
21: The Both, Eli West [Self, new] (30)
21: Please Come Home, The Debutones [debutones.com, 8/15] (30)
23: Less Is More, Gordie Tentrees [tentrees.ca, 4/15] (29)
23: You’re Dreaming, Cactus Blossoms [Red House, 2/16] (29)
25: Love You Strong, Terri Hendrix [Wilory, new] (28)
26: The Back Of Winter, Adrianna Ciccone [adriannaciccone.com, 9/15] (26)
26: Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams, Corin Raymond [Local Rascal, new] (26)
26: Lola, Carrie Rodriguez [Luz, new] (26)
29: Above The Prairie, The Pines [Red House, new] (24)
29: The Guest House, Ellis [Singing Crow, 2/16] (24)
29: Subcontinental Drift, Sultans Of String with Anwar Khurshid [McK, 9/15] (24)
32: Crow The Dawn, Jon Shain And Joe Newberry [Flyin, new] (23)
32: Pompadour, Tim O’Brien [Howdy Skies, 10/15] (23)
32: So Lucky, The Lucky Sisters [Patio, 12/15] (23)
35: The Ghosts Of Highway 20, Lucinda Williams [Highway 20, new] (22)
35: The Jeremiahs, The Jeremiahs [Self, 2014] (22)
37: C&O Canal, Eric Brace And Peter Cooper [Red Beet, new] (21)
37: Charm City Junction, Charm City Junction [Patuxent, 6/15] (21)
37: Love, Guns And Money, Bianca De Leon [Self, 2011] (21)
40: A Congress Of Treasons, Grant Peeples And The Peeples Republik [Gatorbone, new] (20)
41: City Painted Gold, The Brothers Comatose [Swamp Jam, new] (19)
41: Crimson, Kirsten Maxwell [Self, 4/15] (19)
41: Simon Linsteadt, Simon Linsteadt [Stormy Deep, 2/15] (19)
41: Traveling Roots, Matt Flinner Trio [Compass, 1/16] (19)
45: God Don’t Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson, Various Artists [Alligator, new] (18)
45: In The Magic Hour, Aoife O’Donovan [Yep Roc, 1/16] (18)
45: Meridian Rising, Paul Burch [Plowboy, new] (18)
45: Through Many A Land, Eden MacAdam-Somer And Larry Unger [Black Socks, 11/15] (18)
49: Domestic Eccentric, Old Man Luedecke [True North, 7/15] (17)
49: Fine Bloom, Free The Honey [freethehoney.com, 9/15] (17)
51: Beg And Borrow, Battlefield Band [Temple, 8/15] (16)
51: I’ll Take You Home, Steve Brooks [Frog, new] (16)
51: Joy Of Living: A Tribute To Ewan MacColl, Various Artists [Compass, 10/15] (16)
51: Something More Than Free, Jason Isbell [Southeastern, 7/15] (16)
51: Sorrows And Glories, Red Moon Road [redmoonroad.com, 9/15] (16)
51: Too Big World, Bumper Jacksons [bumperjacksons.com, 6/15] (16)
57: Blues And Ballads: A Folksinger’s Songbook, Volumes I & II, Luther Dickinson [New West, 2/16] (15)
57: Cayamo Sessions At Sea, Buddy Miller And Friends [New West, new] (15)
57: Experienced, Larry Keel [Keel Fish, 2/16] (15)
57: Nashville Obsolete, Dave Rawlings Machine [Acony, 9/15] (15)
61: Ain’t We Brothers, Sam Gleaves [Community, 11/15] (14)
61: Another Black Hole, Malcolm Holcombe [Gypsy Eyes, new] (14)
61: Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn [Rounder, 2014] (14)
61: So Familiar, Steve Martin And Edie Brickell [Rounder, 10/15] (14)
65: At Peace With One’s Ghosts, The Paperboys [paperboys.com, 2014] (13)
65: Dreams And Ghosts: A Family Album, Avery Hill [averyhilltunes.com, 7/15] (13)
65: The Fiddle Preacher, Otter Creek [ottercreekduo.com, 8/15] (13)
65: Just For The Love Of It, Happy Traum [happytraum.com, 7/15] (13)
65: The Tennessee Sessions, The Swamp Brothers [Itchy Sabot, 7/15] (13)
65: A Wanderer I’ll Stay, Pharis And Jason Romero [Lula, 3/15] (13)

Top Songs of February 2016

RUNA, a Philadelphia, PA-based contemporary Celtic vocal and instrumental ensemble whose repertoire features traditional and more recently composed music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the Untied States and includes both high-energy and more graceful acoustic melodies, was named both Top Group and Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival or Concert. Keith Harkin, a singer-songwriter from County Derry, Northern Ireland, who also is a principal singer with the popular vocal group Celtic Thunder, won two awards for Top Solo Performer in Concert and Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue.

“We are unbelievably excited and honored to be recognized with so many incredible artists,” said Shannon Lambert-Ryan, who fronts RUNA with her rich, vibrant vocals. “We are so grateful to all of our fans (our spectacular RUNAtics) for their unending support and for voting for us,” she continued, expressing thanks also to the Irish Music Association for its support of Irish music and culture. The five-member group, which previously won an award for Best Song in the World Traditional category in the 12th annual Independent Music Awards, is set to release its fourth album this spring.

Phil Coulter, a popular musician, songwriter and producer, who also hails from Derry, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award., while the Tommy Makem Award went to The Dubliners, an Irish folk band that played its final concerts last month, following a career that spanned more than 50 years.

A complete list of Irish Music Award recipients follows:
Top Solo Performer in Concert: Keith Harkin
Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue: Keith Harkin
Top Duo in Pub, Festival, and Concert: Ryan Kelly & Neil Byrne
Top Group: RUNA
Best New Irish Music Artist(s): Gothard Sisters
Top Celtic Rock Band: The Fighting Jamesons
Best Irish Tenor (individual): Emmet Cahill
Best Female Vocalist (individual/traditional): Meav
Best Sean-nos Singer: Brid Ni Mhaoilchiaran
Top Traditional Performance Show: The Chieftains
Top Traditional Group – In Festival, Pub & Concert: RUNA
Tommy Makem Award: The Dubliners
Top Harpist: Moya Brennan
Top Uilleann Piper: Kieran O’Hare
Top Fiddle/Violin: Cora Smyth
Top Button Accordion: Danny O’Mahony
Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Coulter

The Irish Music Association produces, promotes and perpetuates Irish music through sponsored events, festivals, concerts, pub shows, and an annual network production, according to its website.

Artists slated to perform include Barleyjuice, Blackwater, Brownpenny, Burning Bridget Cleary, Dublin 5, The Elders, Emish, Four Leaf Clovers, Full Set, Glengarry Bhoys, Jamison, Seamus Kennedy, Kilmaine Saints, Long Time Courting, Makem & Spain Brothers, Carl Peterson, Piper’s Request, Poor Angus, RUNA, Slainte, Craig Thatcher & Nyk VanDyk, and Timlin & Kane. Other musical attractions during the weekend include pipe band, fiddle and drum major competitions. Irish dancers from the Irish Stars School of Irish Dance and the O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance also will take part in the festivities, as will several Irish and Irish-American comedians.

North America’s largest highland games take place during the Celtic Classic. The U.S. National Highland Athletic Championships will include the lifting of heavy stone, throwing 16 and 22-pound hammers, and tossing of the sheaf and caber. Border collie exhibitions, a “Showing of the Tartan” parade, a Guinness “Pour a Perfect Pint” contest, a new children’s tent, instructional contra and ceili dancing, clan tents, and a Celtic marketplace featuring crafts, merchandise and collectibles also are on tap.

The festival grounds are located along the banks of Monocracy Creek and adjacent to downtown Bethlehem’s Main Street shopping area. More information on one of the most popular events in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, including daily schedules, may be found at www.celticfest.org.