Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest

Subject: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: JedMarum
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 10:26 AM

At the risk of attracting comments from the Flamer, Trolls and Wipers of Other People's Noses, I have posted a link to some photos from the recent North Texas Irish Festival (NTIF).

This was a real treat to play, I was lucky enough to catch some really wonderful music there. I have been to many Irish Fests, and this is definately one of the best. The newspaper reported that NTIF attraced over 50,000 people this year and it sure looked it. Altan was one of the headliners, and put on some great shows. Our own Seamus Kennedy, another headliner, was probably the festival's best. He and Ed Miller played one of the large performance stages, and kept their audience entralled with humor, stories and wonderful music. And the best band performance was from a Canadian group of youngsters from St John way. They were called Cullin (pronounced Cool in). They played some wonderful traditional Scot and Folk tunes that eventually evolved into rockin' tunes that would shake the fillings outta yer teeth! Great stuff.

Great fest. I hope y'all keep it in mind for next year. Good place to perform too, for those of you outta towners who may wish to consider. Good perfomer perks. Reasonable pay.

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: bbelle
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 08:46 PM

I arrived too late to hear Eammon's Kitchen perform, but had a great time that night at their house ... they are all such talented performers! Hospitality is bountiful in Dallas!!!! I heard a bit of several groups, including Altan, which were all very good. The overall festival was very good. I was a bit taken aback at the presence of the FBI. To those of you who have been to Irish festivals and venues, you probably wouldn't have had a second thought, but, for me, it was a suprise ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 May 00 - 10:40 AM

Ya moonchild! I am sorry you missed the Kitchen show at NTIF, but I am glad you got at least a glimpse of the festival, and the post festival jam at Kitchen's 'roomy' living room! And I am really glad I got to meet you. It's great meeting Mudcatters in real life! I wish I had a chance to sing more with you. You have a great voice; maybe on your next trip through TX.

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 May 00 - 11:07 AM

Moonchild - I was there this year. What's all this about the FBI ? As in Federal Bueau of Investigation?? Why on earth would they be there?

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: bbelle
Date: 01 May 00 - 06:40 PM

Wesley ... that was exactly my question to Jed and Rene! The answer was very succinct ... IRA

Jed ... me too you! I've heard many singer/songwriters over the years and there's not much distinguishable between them. But you, and Rick Fielding, have "something" ... it's a quality that makes me stop and listen ... and pings at my heart ... much the same reaction I've always had to Tom Paxton. I'm not saying there aren't other good mudcat songwriters ... it just boils down to personal preference ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 May 00 - 11:54 PM

... ah, thank you kindly, moonbaby!

I must say, though; I thought Rene was joking about the IRA and the FBI? Ya never know with Rene, he's got a warped sense of humor!

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 02 May 00 - 02:00 AM

Thanks again for the kind words, Jed. Ed is a dear friend and a joy to work with, and his new CD "Lowlander" produced by Brian McNeill is excellent. I enjoyed your fine picking with Eammon's Kitchen. Great sound! Moonchild, I have no idea what you mean about the FBI. If you saw some people wearing t-shirts or caps with the letters FBI on them, they are very common at Irish/Celtic festivals. It stands for Full-Blooded Irishman!
All the best
Seamus

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: bbelle
Date: 03 May 00 - 12:44 AM

Well ... perhaps Rene was kidding ... since I've never been one for wearing my heritage emblazoned on a tshirt, it was an honest question ... and if the FBI or IRA or CIA or NRA or any other organization that uses three letters as their identifying mark, was there, I really don't care ... I was there for the music ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: Jed at Work
Date: 03 May 00 - 05:42 PM

moonchild - I believe Rene was having you on ... that long haired evil minded SOB!! ;-) I hope you get to come out again next year. I'll figure some better accommodations, and we'll get you a weekend pass, etc ... maybe even a guest spot for a song - at least a spot at some of the post festival jams!

Seamus - I have told my wife about you and your show. She and I have both enjoyed Ed, his humor and his music. I would very much like to bring her to one of your shows, so please let me know when you'll be in our area again.

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: Áine
Date: 03 May 00 - 06:33 PM

A Sheamuis,

Me too! If you're near enough for Jed to come see you, you're near enough for me to find a way to come out too. I would have loved to see you at the Fest, but it couldn't be helped -- That's what I get for not volunteering at the Conradh booth this year!

Le meas, Áine

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: Jed at Work
Date: 04 May 00 - 01:10 PM

Áine -

The trick is; next year sign up to run the sound for Seamus's show. Best of both worlds!

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: bbelle
Date: 04 May 00 - 09:35 PM

Jed ... I'd like that ... this year it was convoluted because I had to head to San Antonio on Sunday. Seamus Kennedy certainly jumped right down my throat without knowing me, or my political bents, at all, which is fine because I don't know him either. Whatever ... The bottom line is I loved the time I did get to spend at the festival and loved meeting you, and that devil, Rene, and the whole group later that evening. So ... I would like to repeat the experience! I've been very fortunate in the last couple of years to have the time to play and sing and kibbitz with a particular cadre of mudcatters, most of them, more than once. I'm a strong, opinionated woman with definite likes and dislikes, and I don't harbor wishy-washy relationships. This cadre are the best of the best. Yes ... I am a lucky woman. BTW, Seamus ... I am a 99% Irish-Jew ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 May 00 - 10:29 PM

moon baby - I hope we can get ya out here for the next NTIF or some other time ... especially if ya can meet Seamus (jumped down yer throat?? wadda ya mean?) ... Seamus'll possibly have an Irish Catholic tale or two for ya (eg., the time Paddy found his way into the little booth at the church next to the Pub where he;d spent the day drinkin' and when the little door in the wall slid open and a voice asked "Can help you, son" Paddy answered, "Ah, yes Father, do ya have any paper on that side?"

Subject: RE: Eammons Kitchen at NTx Irish Fest
From: bbelle
Date: 04 May 00 - 11:24 PM

I would enjoy meeting Seamus ... perhaps it's the O'Neal in me coming out! A scrappy bunch we are, the O'Neals! Do love Irish humor ... no matter what the words, it always comes out funny and cute ... not vulgar ... moonchild