the first professional bodhrán player

Subject: the first professional bodhrán player
From: Felipa
Date: 15 Jan 17 - 03:50 PM

Mel Mercier produced and presented an intensely interesting radio documentary about his father Peadar Mercier, who played bodhrán with Ceoltóirí Chualann, the Chieftains and even with John Cage. The programme was broadcast on Irish radio station RTÉ tonight and is available on line at http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 15 Jan 17 - 05:12 PM

Thanks. A lovely programme.

Also on SoundCloud
https://m.soundcloud.com/doc-on-one/peadar-mercier

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 Jan 17 - 01:19 PM

Is this grouping a direct connection to Sean O Riada?

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: GUEST,Stephen Harvey
Date: 16 Jan 17 - 01:49 PM

Thanks for posting the links. An affectionate and fascinating look at Peadar Mercier.

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jan 17 - 02:03 PM

Lovely! Thanks.

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 16 Jan 17 - 04:38 PM

keberoxu

Yes. A number of Ceoltóirí Chualan members, led by piper Paddy Maloney, went on to form The Chieftains.

Regards

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Jan 17 - 11:37 AM

Wiki on the Cheiftans

It may be nit picking but wasn't Seán Ó Riada giving recitals in the 50's and is credited with putting the bodhran into the accepted cannon. He is credited with a band start date one year before the Chieftans had Peadar Mercier.

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Jan 17 - 07:13 PM

Thanks, Felipa and Freddie. That's interesting.

Subject: RE: the first professional bodhrán player
From: Felipa
Date: 18 Jan 17 - 07:06 PM

Mr Red - Peadar Mercier played with Ceoltóirí Chualann, a group started by Seán O Riada. And Mercier wasnt the first bodhrán player with the Chieftains, but he was with the Chieftains at the time they gave up their day jobs and went professional as a band. And that is all covered in the radio documentary.