Tommy Makem
On Wednesday, August 1, 2007, the world lost a brilliant Ambassador of Music and Country; from his native Keady, South Armagh, in the North of Ireland to Dover, New Hampshire, USA. Tommy Makem was called home to his maker.
Tommy Makem has written many powerful songs that will be sung for eons; songs of justice and injustice, immigration, love, and longing. Probably his most famous song is 'Four Green Fields'; yet there is 'Gentle Annie' and 'Peace and Justice'. Thank God he lived to see peace come to the North of Ireland; justice still awaits.
From an aspiring actor to a world renowned singer, song writer and entertainer, Tommy Makem has endeared many. He was a marvelously interesting man with whom to converse.
A few years back I participated in his 'Festival of Song' trip to Armagh. It was a wonderful experience meeting so many interesting people, enjoying the wide range of talent he assembled to entertain us for the week and seeing the absolutely beautiful sites in the North of Ireland. A memory that will last me a lifetime!
With the songs of Tommy Makem and his sons, Shane, Conor and Rory as the Makem Brothers, he will live on in our memories forever.
May we all remember the beauty and poetry of this man; how he has filled our souls with music and song, laughter and tears, justice and equality. May God be good to Tommy Makem and keep him by his side, always and forever.
God Bless Tommy Makem. May his sons continue the tradition all the days of their lives that we, the public, have come to love and adore.
Labels: Tommy Makem
posted by Diane.Byrnes@verizon.net @ 10:20 PM
1 Comments:
I wanted to let you know that on Saturday, August 11, The 2007 ICONS Festival will host a tribute to world-acclaimed Irish Singer Tommy Makem, who passed away earlier this week. The tribute will take place at 8:00 PM at the Abbey Stage on the festival grounds in Canton, Massachusetts.
Makem was originally listed as part of the line-up for the 2007 ICONS Festival, which celebrates the Irish culture through music, dance, literature, sports and much more, but because of poor health, he had to withdraw from the lineup several weeks ago. Now,
noted Irish musician and recording artist Mick Moloney and Irish Echo columnist Earle Hitchner will host the tribute which will feature performances from Irish singers Niamh Parsons, Jimmy Crowley, Heidi Talbot of the group Cherish the Ladies, and Cathy Jordan of the Sligo-based band Dervish.
If you are interested in attending the tribute and the ICONS festival, please visit our website at www.iconsfestival.com for more details.
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