American expat Bernie O'Connor in Sydney

Subject: American expat Bernie O'Connor in Sydney
From: PoppaGator
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 11:07 PM

This is a shot-in-the-dark query, seeking an old schoolmate from New Jersey who moved to Australia and is a reportedly a Celtic-music multi-instrumentalist of some note.

After 36+ years in New Orleans, I've been living in exile at my childhood home in New Jersey since September. This has given me the opportunity to reestablish some long-dormant friendships, which has been pretty interesting.

Last week I met with some high school classmates and got into a conversation with a fellow from another class, slightly younger, who asked if I were still playing folk guitar. I was taken by surprise, because I only started playing during my final two years of school and didn't make a serious effort at performing until several years later, after finishing college. However, I did play a couple of numbers once at a school talent show before graduating, and somebody ~ this one fellow. at least ~ actually remembers!

Anyway ~ my new/old friend asked if I remembered one Bernie O'Connor, and I do (although NOT as a fellow musician-wannabe). Bernie apparently took up the fiddle and a few other instruments at some point in time, and also relocated from the US to Sydney, Australia, where he reportedly plays in an Irish/Celtic band.

It occurred to me that some of our OZ correspondants might know Bernie, or even that he himself might be a member. Perhaps he's someone I already "know" under a fake Mudacat name; stranger things have happened!

So, Bernie O'Connor, class of '66, St. Joe's of Metuchen, NJ ~ or anyone who knows him ~ please send me a PM if you're out there. This is Tom Henehan, SJHS 1965. Sorry, I didn't catch the name of our common acquantance, but I will be able to get that information from the other characters who were there that evening.

PS to elfs/clones ~ I wasn't sure whether or not to start my subject line with the "BS" prefix. Please feel free to add the prefix and post this message "downstairs" if appropriate...

Subject: RE: American expat Bernie O'Connor in Sydney
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 02:50 AM

Poppagator - half of Sydney's folkies are at various festivals at the moment, so you might have to wait a few days (after 36years!)

I'll also send your request to a few folks who aren't Mudcatters

sandra

Subject: RE: American expat Bernie O'Connor in Sydney
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 03:52 PM

Thanks ~ I'm not really expecting a connection to happen, but thought it would certainly be worth a try.

It just dawns on me that it's summertime in Oz; hadn't figured that the season would affect Mudcat readership, but now I can that might be the case.

I'll check back in a week or two and maybe refresh

Subject: RE: American expat Bernie O'Connor in Sydney
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 07:36 AM

Poppagator - I've had no luck with my Celtic muso contacts, so I've posted your request on our Oz wide folk lists.

sandra

Subject: RE: American expat Bernie O'Connor in Sydney
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:09 PM

G'day Poppagator,

Sandra's postings ought to pick up any Sydney contacts for your old friend ... if he's still in Sydney. I might be able to contact a few people heavily involved in the "Irish" scene (which I'm not ... ) if there's no immediate response from the "Ausfolk" and "FOLKaustralia" boards.

I'll give it until the classical local restart for the year: "... after Australia Day [January 26] ...". That's just about dead midsummer here - but we have to struggle back into harness, after the 'festive season' ... sometime!

Regards,

Bob