Old News and Hearsay

Sunday, June 27, 2004

As many of you may know, Jim was diagnosed with throat cancer almost two yearseffectively ending his singing career. This latest CD, Seems Like a Long Time a Jim McCann Retrospective, is a compilation of tracks from two of Jims (very rare) LPs from the early 70s. In addition, Jim has written another letter to fans, posted on Terje Oeyes Dubliners site. I had the pleasure of seeing Jim McCann on many, many occasions in the early 80s at Irish Pub in San Diego and he remains to this day among my very favorites(I hope to have his discography up soon). All the best, Jim. Visit Jim McCanns new website for details on the release of his new CD.

Tuesday, February 3, 2004
I regret to post the news of the death of Irish singer, Derek McCormack. Derek died, very suddenly, Friday, January 30, 2004, on board the Costa Mediterrania. Derek was one of the best ballad singers of the last 20 years, who never received the recognition that he really deserved. In addition to his solo work, Derek was a one-time member of the Barleycorn and has toured with the Fureys for last several years.

There is a nice posting on the Tommy Makem discussion board, by Kevin W. (a man who was on the cruise), and a tribute to Derek on Patsy Watchorns site.

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Unfortunately, I have more sad news…
The great Scots fiddler, Johnny Cunningham, passed away on the evening of December 15^th 2003. He died at home from a heart attack. Johnny was only 46 years old.

I had the pleasure of seeing Johnny and his brother Phil in the early 80's at a very small venue in Southern California. It was a great night, watching and listening to the brothers in action. My condolences to Phil and their family.

Nick

Wednesday, November 19, 2003

It is with great sadness and regret that I inform you of the passing of my friend and inspiration, Walt Conley. Walt was a great man and a true gentleman and I will miss him.

Nick

Note (December 31, 2006)—some of the “Tributes to Walt” links are gone, therefore I am posting the piece from 9News:

Denver folk music legend, Walt Conley

DENVER - People in the Denver entertainment scene are mourning the death of a musical giant. Walt Conley was a fixture in Denver music for four decades.

Conley died last Sunday, Nov. 16 at the age of 74. This week, we spent some time with his son and his widow talking about old memories. Conley may not have considered himself a legend. But he was. He loved music…and people.

"He was just an honest person, just a really nice person," said Conleys wife Joan Holden.

It was the early 50s when Conley met Pete Seeger, and got his first guitar lesson. Conley tried throughout his life to achieve stardom. His voice was clear, his music strong, but fame was elusive.

He performed with Judy Collins. As manager of the Satire Club, he gave the Smothers Brothers their Denver start.

He booked or opened for many of the big names of the 60s; the Kingston Trio, Mama Cass Elliot, and the Highwaymen.

Conley owned a small house at 17th and Williams. Starving performers coming through town knew the door was always unlocked. Many of the soon-to-be famous slept there. But according to his wife, Conley once threw out Bob Dylan, after catching the folksinger swiping some records.

Conley was 10 years older than others in the folk music scene and sensitive about his age. When fans asked him to autograph his album, Conley first scratched out his birth date, printed against his will, on the cover. It's a rare Walt Conley album that still has that birth date.

Conley had a few small parts in some Hollywood movies; Six Million Dollar Man, Diehard II, The Longest Yard.

It was Conleys voice on the Indian's Lord's Prayer, when Denver TV signed off at night, that prompted a letter from President Nixon. Still, national fame was just outside Conleys grasp.

Still, if success is measured not in fame, but friends, then Conley achieved it all. Walt Conley's farewell party will be at 3 p.m. on Nov. 28th and 1600 south Pearl Street.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

(Copyright 2003 by 9NEWS KUSA-TV. All Rights Reserved)

Friday, November 7, 2003

RYAN’S FANCY Named Recipient of ECMA’s (East Coast Music Association) Lifetime Achievement Award for 2004

(St. John’s, NL) - During a press conference held today (Nov 5^th 2003) at the Delta St. John’s Hotel and Conference Centre, the East Coast Music Association proudly announced Newfoundland supergroup RYAN’S FANCY as the recipient of the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award for 2004. This award recognizes an individual or group who has had a profound and lasting effect on the Atlantic Canadian music industry. The Board of Directors of the ECMA determines the recipient of this award.

“Ryan’s Fancy has been a bridge connecting generations, musical styles and cultures. They have given the region a rich musical contribution and have created in the process a deserved legacy," says ECMA Vice-Chair and Newfoundland and Labrador board member Robert Buck. "They adopted the culture they found here, reveled in it and took an active role in uncovering the rich tapestry of poems and music created by the people of Atlantic Canada.”

In addition to recording several successful albums, Ryan’s Fancy also hosted regional, national and international television broadcasts that took the music of the East Coast across Canada and around the world. Their on-location shoots took the band to dozens of communities in every province on the East Coast.

Ryan’s Fancy will be honoured at the East Coast Music Gala Awards Show on Sunday, February 15, 2004, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Gala is broadcast nationally on CBC Television and simulcast on CBC Radio Two. Tickets for the Awards Gala are $39.50 and will go on sale, November 20, 2003 at Mile One Stadium, St. John’s.

I’m very happy to see Ryan’s Fancy received this well deserved recognition and that they have not been forgotten. I’m also very happy to say that this information was sent to me by Fergus O’Byrne, himself (founding member of Ryan’s Fancy), who is still going strong. Check out these other Ryan’s Fancy related links.
Fergus O’Bryne biography and recent releases
Ryan’s Fancy fan site

Monday, July 7, 2003

Rita Watchorn (webmaster for the Irish Band Brog) sent sad news of the passing of Eamonn ORourke. Eamonn had been a familiar face on the Dublin ballad scene for many years—with stints in the Jolly Beggarmen, Moonshine and (his last) 2 years with Patsy Watchcorn. He had spent time in Canada and his brother, Dennis, was a member of the Barleycorn. Eamonn died of cancer and was only in his 50s. Our condolences go out to Eamonn's family.

Thanks to Peter from www.patsywatchorn.com for the additional information. Photo courtesy of Rita Watchorn—left to right Patsy Watchcorn, Bertie Ahern (Irish PM), Eamonn O'Rourke and Paul Watchorn