In My Opinion

There are some good things coming up on Echoes of Erin over the next month. First of all, on Sunday, February 26th I will have a telephone interview with Mickey Coleman, a very talented Folk Singer, musician, and songwriter from County Tyrone in the North of Ireland.

The summer of 2011 one of Mickey's fans sent me his CD entitled "Carefully Crafted" - well it is a quite good recording and Mickey wrote the songs which are really good as well. We will have a nice chat next week.

Then on March 4th I have another telephone interview with Ryan Kelly of Celtic Thunder. It is just under one year when Ryan and I last talked on the phone; CT is just back from their Australian Tour and will soon be touring the USA. Ryan's solo recording "In Time" has done quite well plus Ryan has won in his category "Best Solo Performer in Concert" with American Music Association. This young man has done quite well.

I am simply amazed at the loyalty displayed by the fans of Celtic Thunder and Ryan Kelly!! Just Amazing!! And I might add, it is quite good for the group and individuals.

Talking with Mickey and Ryan will make for very interesting conversations and of course, I'll be airing their individual music.

Another interesting interview will be with James Gourlay, Musical Director of the River City Brass on March 18th. James will be my guest in the studio along with fellow musician Paul Evans also with the River City Brass, a member of the AOH Division 4 in the North Hills, and a good friend of mine. James is an internationally renowned Tuba player which he will have with him in the WEDO studio and Paul will bring his Bodhran; the two of them will make for some interesting music.

The River City Brass is one of the sponsors of our St. Patrick's Day Parade which takes place on Saturday, March 17th. I met James at a fundraiser for the Parade and was quite impressed. James is originally from Scotland and his takes his Scottish and Celtic roots quite seriously. He was so impressive, I thought he was quite accommodating at this event, he even wore a shamrock tie; that was really nice!

James Gourlay has been Musical Director of the River City Brass for about 18 months. He seems to be quite creative and assertive in his mission.

Make sure you tune in on Sunday, March 18th for James Gourlay and Paul Evans.


Congratualtions go our to Pittsburgh's 2012 Grand Marshall of our St. Patrick's Day Parade, Jim Green. Jim is currently Allegheny County Board AOH President; he has also served in the role as Pennsylvania AOH State President, many officer roles in his AOH Division 1, South Hills, and he is a member of the Irish Society for Education & Charity, the umbrella organization that hosts the parade.

Congratulations also goes out to our Hibernian of the Year, Patrick O'Brien with AOH Division 4 in the North Hills. Patrick is the St. Patrick's Day Parade Chairman. Pat is very organized in his work and although it is a tremendous amount of work being at the helm of the parade, he has an excellent team on the various committees that will ensure the parade goes off without a hitch. Right Patrick!!


That's it for now. Hopefully I can post a bit next week or sooner.

Regards,
Diane