North Texas Irish Festival 2003

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: GUEST,toribw who should be working
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 10:37 AM

Wow! Had a great time at the festival and Jed's new material is certainly cob-worthy, Mick. Jed's solo and collaborative shows were top notch and wanted to tell you that your voice sounds wonderful, Jed. Playing's not too shabby, either. *G*

The crowds were good, weather balmy and I had the rare opportunity to see a trap drum set made completely of bodhrans created by the possibly mad Albert Alfonso. An Ed Miller show is something I never want to miss if I can help it, he's got such a great way with the crowd. Bohola does create an amazing sound, and I was happy to hear them. Cathie Ryan's warm and beautiful voice nearly makes me cry every time I hear her, so of course had to take in two shows. Lunasa was inspiring, Glengharry Boys exhilirating and all in all a superb music weekend. Cluan, a relatively new band from Austin, also made a great showing. They're definitely worth watching.

For everyone who couldn't make it, mark your calendars for next year. This is a well-run, friendly festival that is a treat to attend year after year.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 08:26 AM

I am going to come to this festival next year........need to have a bit of a ramble down in those parts anyway....

Yeah, Jed, Bohola may be the finest band of its type that I have ever seen/heard. I am not exaggerating when I say that the last band that got to me this way was The Bothy Band. I know that may sound like heresy to some of you, but I am telling you that they have that much quality in their style and presentation. You owe it to yourself to hear them when you get the chance. This trio is one of those rare groups where it all came together.

In fairness, I must admit that Pat Broaders of this band is one of my close friends. But I make my comments in spite of this.............hahahahaha. Pat is an incredible Uilleann Piper, one of the finest. The instrument he plays that Jed refers to as a bouzouki is actually called a Dordan. It is like a bouzouki on steroids. It actually is a bouzouki scale, but the sound box is 1/3 again deeper and also wider and longer. I believe Pat tunes it C - G - C - G. He is up against a fiddle played by Sean Cleland and a Piano Accordian played by Jimmy Keene. And he comes right through. A wonderful grouping of three of the most respected instrumentalists around. And you haven't lived until you have heard Pat sing "The Storm is on the Ocean". Now............enough with the compliments to my friend......hahahaha

Thanks for the update, Jed. By the way, I want to hear that song you sing with the chorus en Espanol. The lyric is so beautiful that I just may be forced to cob it from you.

We need a Beef Brothers reunion concert.

Mick

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 12:36 AM

I wish--and can only say that third time will be the charm! (I just coughed up $590 for plumbing repairs last week--I'll be running on fumes until a couple of more child support checks come through!) Third time, that is, that you let us know you'll be performing in the area. I'm in Fort Worth, and was *this* close to hearing you last time. Except for the fact that I had to take a child to the emergency room that afternoon, I could have gotten there very easily. Please keep us posted!

SRS

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 10:18 PM

... OK now I know some of you Texas area Mudcatters were there, so speak up!

Mick - I spoke briefly to Pat from Bohola, but didn;t get to chat much. I really have to say they were my favorite this year - just a damn good, refined sound, and that bouzouki of Pat's is damn cannon! I think it's got a bigger voice then my Larrivee!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 10:15 PM

Froze your ass off last year?? And this from a guy who tours Alaska in the winter on purpose?

I just got home. It was a great festival - but we missed you Seamus! All the stages were indoors this year (except for the rock tent - we kept those bastards outdoors under a very large tent).

They had a great turnout. Great crowds yesterday. My 6PM show had 800 people. Danu was on just before me and they had quite a few more.

I enjoyed very much Lunhasa, Bohola, Cathy Ryan, Patrick Ball, Danny Doyle and Jim Flanagan. I have to say that Bohola just kicked ass! What a sound. Just three of 'em, but truly fine players all, and a great selection of music.

Ed Miller was terrific. I saw two halves of his shows, and played one with him. We sang a few Irish/Texas/Mexico stories - we had a good crowd - and I enjoyed the show as much as anyone in the room. Ed's a treat to work with. We had a great response from the show ans a lot of requests to consider repeating it. I hope we'll get the chance to do it again.

Except for us missing Seamus Kennedy this year; it was a fine festival!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 11:57 AM

Lasst 2 posts were beauties, Jed.
Ice storm got to your fingers, eh?
Hope it isn't as cold as last year; I nearly froze my ass off playing in the tent outdoors. Good luck, please give my best to the festival volunteers and tell Ed Miller I said Hi.
Have a real good one, Jed.

Seamus

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 09:11 AM

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:57 PM

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 06:00 PM

Wish y'all be here too, Chance. I'll be doing more a few immigrant story/songs - No Whiskey in the Jar this year.

I've written a couple new ones since I got back for these shows. Should be fun!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: Fortunato
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 10:31 AM

I wish I could come, Jed. Will you sing Kilgerry Mountain?

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 09:29 AM

Weather Be Damned!

The Music is Indoors This Year!

Hope to see y'all there.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: GUEST,sorefigners
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 07:55 AM

This looks like it could be a great weekend!

I have a hard time with Dallas, not the air, the size of the city ..I tend to get lost and arrested for being stupid..

Lately learning how to correctly press the strings my numb and bleeding fingers are not such an eyesore, mind you they are very handy for breaking up cocrete slabs, and so I save a lot of money on demolition jobs. Among the things I demolish are, Blu (Dog) Blues, Fishin in a Flowerpot, It's A Long Way To The Bar, and You Are Not My Sunshine Dude.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 10:36 PM

Lets hope this weeks ice storm is over by the time the festival comes around. We don't need a repeat of last years weather.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 11:46 AM

Yep - I'm really looking forward to the festival. I've written a few new songs for it. The set I'm doing with Ed Miller will be especially fun. We'll be flying by the seat our pants - but that makes it fun, eh?? I have a brand new English/Spanish song from earlt Tejas history to play for this set. I'll be doing a TV show this week to help promote the show to the hispanic community (Telemundo).

I hope to see a lotta Mudcatters there ...

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: MMario
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 10:20 AM

just looked at the schedule - Jed you are going to be BUSY!!!!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: GUEST,toribw who should be working
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 10:16 AM

I'm really looking forward to this one, and I'll see you there, Jed. I got the schedule from the site and have already mapped out my music adventures for the weekend.

This is a good one!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: MMario
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 08:23 AM

Another one on my "wish list"

*sigh* so many festivals - so few vacation days.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 01:28 AM

Jed, the link doesn't seem to be working.

Subject: North Texas Irish Festival 2003
From: JedMarum
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 10:10 PM

March 1 and 2 at the Texas State Fair grounds is the location for the 2003 North Texas Irish Festival.

This is the USA's second biggest Irish Festival, and arguably the best! There are a number of indoor stages, and some of the world's best music. If you live within a day's drive, or so of Dallas - please think about coming out and attending. You'll be glad you did.

;-)