Old News and Hearsay

April 2, 2003

Ray McAreavey informs me the surviving members of the Wolfhound are getting together on April 12th and 13th to play 2 memorial gigs for Danny Burns. According to Ray, It will be the last ever re-union. Gogie is coming from Greeenland, Kieran from England, Malcolm Rodgers is coming from London and a host of guest performers will also be there. The 2 shows sold out in a couple of days through word of mouth only. We could have held them in a much bigger place, but the venue is the Andersonstown Social Club, where we played all the time.

Derek Warfield is still creating controversy after all of the years. An Ulster Unionist politician complained to Aer Lingus for spotlighting Derek as part of their in-flight entertainment. The following is from Breaking News.ie: As a result of that complaint, the Irish State airline, with flights from Ireland to major American cities, has taken the music of Derek Warfield of the Wolfetones off the in flight channel that has played his music for almost three years. Irish state airline Aer Lingus has pandered to the sensibilities of unionist politicians and removed rebel and republican songs from its in-flight entertainment on trans-Atlantic flight, it was revealed tonight.

Aer Lingus Customer Relations
Email: customer@aerlingus.com
Ireland Tel: 00353 1 8863200

The Fureys (George and Eddie) and Davey Arthur are in the midst of their 25th Anniversary celebration tour which includes a series of concerts throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Absent are brothers Paul, who died in June 2002 and Finbar who declined the invitation to join the tour. Augmenting the band are musicians Derek McCormack, Stephen Leech and Monty Mooney.

For more on Finbar visit his website.

Paddy Sweeney and Shay Kavanagh both left the Dublin City Ramblers in 2002. Paddy was replaced by their new singer Pierce McAllorum and keyboard player, Paul Conway was enlisted after Shays departure. I believe Paddy is touring solo; but I havent heard what Shay is doing. For more information on the Ramblers, bookings and their latest (soon to be released) CD, "Ireland My Ireland" visit their website , or contact their manager, John Ryan for US bookings at (407) 366 1605 or via email at nyorkers@aol.com.

January 15, 2003

The Dubliners celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2002 with a tour (including appearances by both Ronnie Drew and Jim McCann), as well as the release of 2 CDs and a video/DVD.

Unfortunately, Jim McCann was forced to leave the tour due to very serious health problems. Visit Terje ye's Dubliners' site for Jims press releases. I would like to wish Jim a very speedy and full recovery.

On the subject of the Dubliners, I recently tracked down a copy of the documentary "Luke". A brilliant film and a must see for anyone with an interest of Irish folk music—(in my opinion, as someone already took exception with my opinion).
Try Claddagh Records for a copy.