Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??

Subject: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 May 01 - 06:37 PM

Bill Delaney, a band mate of mine, was at Jackfrost Mountain fore the Irish fest this past week end. He tells me that a high wind or tornado took apart the main tent at the same time our friend Seamus would have been performing. Many people were hurt, some airlifted to area hospitals. But Bill hasn't heard from Seamus and we hope all is well.

So Seamus, let us know all is well with you so The Flyin' Column at least can stop worrying after you.

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 May 01 - 06:40 PM

Wow.....I mean Seamus can really kick up a storm but, uh..........Seriously, I hope someone has news.

We love you Seamus.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Jimmy C
Date: 28 May 01 - 07:03 PM

Come in Seamus, Come in Seamus for God's sake and put our minds at ease.

Thought about you while I was running around your old stomping grounds in Belfast last week.

Hope all is well with you.

Jimmy

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 01 - 07:07 PM

I hope we hear from him, soon. Seamus, good thoughts coming your way for safety and ease.

Thanks, Don, for letting us know about this.

kat

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: kendall
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:00 PM

Keep your fingers crossed.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:03 PM

Somewhere over the rainbow...

C'mon Seamus! I don't want a tragedy to throw a wet blanket on all the fun we had this weekend.

Everything will be fine, everything will be fine, everything will be fine...

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:04 PM

prayers for our Seamus and all the others ...

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:49 PM

Damn it all!!!! I need to hear something..........C'mon old buddy...........where did I put that friggin telephone number.......Shit!!!

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 May 01 - 09:33 PM

The number for Jack Frost Mountain, for reservations and information is 1.800.468.2442. No one is there right now, obviously, but one can leave a message or call back, tomorrow.

I did some searching of AP and the Weather Channel and couldn't find anything about this area in the headlines, etc. although the weather outlook for there, this coming week, seems to be full of thunderstorms, etc.

I have just sent a note of inquiry to his agent, or at least the one who is listed on his website. Hope we hear something soon.

luvyaSeamus...kat

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 May 01 - 10:44 PM

Don't we have any Mudcaters in the Poconos and Eastern Penn area. Southern tier NY even that can give us dome info on this area. Storms of this type type can be highly localized. It could have been a wind sheer or a micro burst and do the same kind of damage. Bill Delaney said from his vantage point he could see storm damage for miles in length but only 1,000 yards and less wide. Interestingly Gael Force was on the same bill. The Day Brothers and The Balladeers were also there on the weekend.

Don

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 May 01 - 11:21 PM

You've probably seen the story by now- reports are that 25 people were injured in a crowd of nearly 300. The most severe injury, it said, was that of a 4-year-old girl who was medivaced out.

At this point, it appears to have been a tornado.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 29 May 01 - 01:08 AM

Hi guys! Thanks for the good thoughts. I'm OK. Now send a few out to the people who were injured. One gentleman had a heart attack, another had a leg broken by a flying tent pole, the little girl had a neck injury - I saw her in a neck-brace - and many assorted cuts, bruises and other ailments. All in all, we came out of it very lightly indeed. The unfortunate vendors lost a lot of merchandise. Have you ever seen assorted products swirling up into the sky forming a cloud of debris? I was on stage in the tent at Jack Frost - singing Concrete Roads (The New Jersey Turnpike song) when it hit. First the tent just billowed up, and then it started to pull out of the ground. Six and seven-foot long poles/pegs were riped out and were flying around on the end of guy-ropes like matchsticks. The tent tore in two in front of the stage area, and some of the main support poles started to fall. As the tent tore and people started to rush out, I took my guitar off and started to look for the exit (tent-flap) behind me. The lead singer of the band coming on after me (Gael Force!!) Pat O'Kane, said to me "Tell the people to come back this way and get out, rather than all stampede out the same way." So I went back and took the mike, and told the folks to head towards our exit, while he held the tent-flap up for them and ushered them out. He was a very cool head in a lethal situation. SO everybody got out reasonably unscathed, and headed into the indoor facility, where the festival continued. I feel for the injured and for the vendors who lost a lot of their wares, but it could have been much worse. Debbie O'Carroll, the wonderful children's performer who was in a smalla tent behind our big one, realized immediately what was happening, and evacuated her audience very efficiently indeed. Hope it doesn't happen next year! All he best.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: alison
Date: 29 May 01 - 01:12 AM

wow.... glad to hear you are OK Seamus..... gives a whole new meaning to "bringing the house down"!!!

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 May 01 - 01:28 AM

gadzooks!! Glad that no one was killed- sounds like all in all, everyone is lucky to be alive. Put this one into your memory book, Seamus.- not every musician has this kind of experience!

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Amergin
Date: 29 May 01 - 02:05 AM

Well, glad to know you're ok, Seamus....I really enjoy that cd BTW....it is awesome...

My thoughts though will be with the folks of that little girl....may she be ok...

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 May 01 - 04:30 AM

And a good job on your part too Seamus. Best thoughts for all those injured and happy you're not one of them!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: alison
Date: 29 May 01 - 05:04 AM

I just did a search for Seamus and found this real player thingy (sound & pics) of him in concert.... brilliant!!!

Seamus in concert

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Naemanson
Date: 29 May 01 - 05:08 AM

Whew! Good story. If you see any of those injured let them know we are thinking of them.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 May 01 - 07:38 AM

Thanks Seamus, I'll pass it along to Bill. Glad you are well and at least somewhat heroic. A true musician would think of his helpless instrument first :-)

Labor day 2 1/2 years ago I lost nearly half my house to such winds, I'd have cowered in fear and tried to get inside my banjo case.

Glad you are well, sorry for those who are not so well. And I hope all will be well and mended soon.

Don

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 May 01 - 07:40 AM

Seamus,

We do we see your reply to the "Change your underware " thread.

Don :-)))

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: InOBU
Date: 29 May 01 - 07:41 AM

Well, I think we need to institute a Mudcat medal of honnor for coolness under ... well not fire, under screwy, terrifing conditions? Here's to ya Seamus, well done. Larry

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: jeffp
Date: 29 May 01 - 08:08 AM

So, would this go under the Gigs from Hell thread?

All kidding aside, well done Seamus! You undoubtedly helped to prevent further injury. Glad things weren't worse up there.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 May 01 - 08:35 AM

"The house began to pitch
The room to twitch"...Glad you're OK. Prayers for those who were hurt.
Mary

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Dharmabum
Date: 29 May 01 - 08:42 AM

Glad to hear you're OK Seamus. Best wishes to those who were injured.

I was at one of those festivals at Big Boulder a few years back,when a storm hit. They can be pretty severe in the Poconos.

DB.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: GUEST,MMario in Dallas
Date: 29 May 01 - 08:43 AM

WHEW! Glad to hear Seamus is okay! and come thimk of it, shouldn't the lead singer of a group name "GAEL FORCE" have experience in high winds?

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: JedMarum
Date: 29 May 01 - 09:01 AM

we're gald you're OK, Seamus, and hope the others get well quickly.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: kendall
Date: 29 May 01 - 09:08 AM

You cant leave yet Seamus, we havn't met! Seriously, we are all very relieved that you are ok.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 May 01 - 09:15 AM

And, I just received this email, this morning:

Seamus is fine and leaves for Ireland today. Thanks for your concern,
McShane

Ah, well, better to hear directly from the musician's mouth anyway! So very grateful that you are okay, Seamus, and I'll be sending good thoughts for those who were injured.

Safe journey,

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 29 May 01 - 11:13 AM

All the best to you Seamus!

Dan

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Jimmy C
Date: 29 May 01 - 11:39 AM

Seamus, Glad to hear you are ok, sorry about the others. Hope all will be fine in the end.

Have a great time at home, we had almost 2 glorious weeks of sunshine from 10th May to 25th May. The Antrim coast on a sunny day has to be the loveliest coastal drive in Europe if not the world.

PS: Watch out for the prices.

Slan

Jimmy

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Clifton53
Date: 29 May 01 - 02:02 PM

When will they ever learn? One has to be verrry, verrrrrry careful when singing about New Jersey!!

Seriously though Seamus, I'm glad you came out unscathed and I'm sure the other people are grateful for your cool head.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: death by whisky
Date: 29 May 01 - 04:31 PM

Well done Seamus.Good man yerself.We can talk about over a pint later in the year.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: CarolC
Date: 29 May 01 - 06:02 PM

Glad you're ok, Seamus.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Chicken Charlie
Date: 29 May 01 - 06:46 PM

Seamus--

Glad you are safe.

CC

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Morticia
Date: 29 May 01 - 07:51 PM

Regarding this hurricane: Everyone's a critic, huh? Hope you have a good time at home, Seamus, and Very glad you are okay.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 11:47 AM

Whew!

~S~

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 11:58 AM

One of those unfortunate events that contains a blessing in disguise: It makes a great story you can tell the rest of your life! Glad you survived Seamus!

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Haruo
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 06:51 PM

Seamus Kennedy just sent me three of his CDs and one of them (Seamus Kennedy On the Rocks contains

• 8. Intro to the New Jersey Set 1:50


• 9. God is from New Jersey (the tornado song)


• 10. Concrete Road 3:17

I highly recommend the whole set. In fact, the whole CD. In fact, all three CDs (the others were Sailing Ships and Sailing Men—I particularly enjoyed "The Calabar" and "Báidin Fheidhlimidh"—and Party Pieces—especially "Back in the Clydesdale", "The Spaniard Who Blighted My Life", "Abdul Abulbul Ameer", and "The Water Is Wide"). Thanks, Seamus!

"God is from New Jersey" was written directly about, as well as inspired by, the tornado referred to in the thread title, and according to the Intro, "Concrete Road" was part of what had ticked the Almighty off.

Haruo

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 06:52 PM

It's a GREAT CD. Thanks for reminding me, Haruo.

~S~

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: JedMarum
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:07 PM

Great stuff, Haruo, especially "God is from New Jersey!" I couldn't wait to play it for my son who lives in Jersey City. I popped the CD in the car stereo for the ride from Newark Airport to his home.

Thanks for reminding us!

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: GUEST,Paddy
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 04:31 AM

Why does Seamus wear a kilt? I thought he was Irish.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: gnu
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 04:45 AM

Oh my!

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 05:18 AM

Cuz he's got nice knee's. Geeze, I thought everyone knew that.

Barry

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: artbrooks
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 06:32 AM

He keeps hoping a couple of young ladies will happen by as he is sleeping one off under a tree.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: gnu
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 07:13 AM

With a blue ribbon?

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: artbrooks
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 07:59 AM

ey-uh

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: gnu
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 08:35 AM

BTW... I have read a few pages of "Clean Cabbage in the Bucket" (won in the Mudcat auction and signed by Seamus) many nights at bedtime. Not every night, as I wanted to savour it. I am nearing the end and I wish there was more.

Thanks again, Seamus.

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: GUEST,Paddy
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 12:04 PM

Seriously, though, has Seamus Scottish blood or does he wear the kilt for purely commercial reasons?

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: Haruo
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 02:28 PM

He's from Belfast. How many from Belfast, if they're both honest and well-informed, haven't any Scottish blood? In any event there's nothing whatsoever unirish about a kilt, though generally an Irish kilt is of a solid colour (and no, not necessarily green) rather than plaid.

Haruo

Subject: RE: Seamus Kennedy-Hit By Tornado??
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 09:02 PM

GUEST Paddy - Scottish blood in an Irishman must be a very common thing. But many performers who work in the Festival environment wear kilts and often find appropriate tartans - whether their Irish or not.

My father's family all came from Ireland and my mother's family from England, Scotland and Ireland. In addition to Irish festivals, I play a lot of Scottish events, or "Celtic" events. There is some pressure for performers to wear kilts. I recently chose to wear the Confederate Memorial Tartan, since I have a great interest in US Civil War history, live in Texas (a one-time, Confederate state) and since I retell the stories in song of the Irish and Scottish immigrants who fought that war.