What a wonderful question. Let me try to answer this. I grew up in the 50's and 60's when music was "IT" for me. In some respeect I guess the emergence of rock-n-roll as a musical force in the 50's changed my life first in that it lead me to desire to play an instrument and sing.

Then the Beatles came along and changed rock-and-roll into pop and I discovered that social change could be had through music. Then there
was Dylan, Phil Ochs and all the folkies in the world to teach me that you can sing what needs to be said and really move some folks through music - as well as piss some others off.

Then came the Byrds, Poco and Buffalo Springfield, all of whom taught me that country music was, "just alright." Then came disco, and that changed my life because most of the folk rooms closed up and changed to lighted dance floors with disc jockeys - and I learned that "s--t happens."

But I guess that the music that changed my life most was the music from "Riverdance." This, because Riverdance came to America about the time I was in the middle of my first year as a folksinger and I was immediately taken by the Celtic sound. I still can't play Celtic tunes, but, Riverdance sent me in search of them and along the way I discovered Makem & Clancy, Andy Stewart, Dougie MacLean and a host of other Irish and Scottish folkies and now I perform at Celtic festivals in several states on a regular basis - and damned if I don't make a living at it. Well, at least I call it a living.
As my good friend from County Cork, folksinger Jim Flanagan said the other day - we don't do this for fame and fortune; we sing these songs because they must be sung. How about you? Cheers.