North Texas Irish Festival?

Subject: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Sharon G
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 02:35 PM

Hi -
Wondering who else will at the North Texas Irish Festival?

My band, Round the House, is performing this year (one of the "featured" (i.e. non-headliner) groups.

We're also going to be playing at two pubs while we're there- the Tipperary Inn and Trinity Hall.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:30 PM

Used to be a great festival but in recent years it's gotten to be too full of itself and a lot less friendlier than it used to be. But don't let that stop you for you don't know what you're missing.
Go on out and have a wonderful weekend.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:32 PM

Do you have a link with the dates, times, maps, etc.?

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:40 PM

We're going to try to make it this year.

Try www.ntif.org

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Sharon G
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:03 PM

The web site is:
http://www.ntif.org

It's next weekend, March 2-4

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Jed sans cookie (again)
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:14 PM

and who's that handsome devil at the bottom of the list?

;-)

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:19 PM

I look forward to seeing y'all there, Sharon.

You too, Wes?? SRS?

It should be a great festival. I always enjoy Tommy and The Makem Brothers. Cathy Ryan too is one of my favorites. I'm sure I'll get to play some with Brian McNeill and hopefuy John Taylor.

And I be playing all my shows with Tom Leighton, Karen Mal and my son Jaime. Shold be too much fun!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 08:24 PM

We'll be there both Saturday and Sunday. Maybe Friday night, too.

I'll be dispensing beer on behalf of the festival sponsors, the Southwest Celtic Music Association. I got my TABC certificate up-to-date this past weekend so I'm ready to go. I don't know exactly when and where I'll be pouring yet.

Michelle will be selling Round the House and Jed Marum CDs at the big booth at the Shamrock stage where she can listen to music at the same time. Clever girl. I don't know what her schedule is yet either.
- Phil





Southwest Celtic Music Association

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 09:22 PM

We have to go to meet some folks there this time around, haven't booked a Motel but I guess its the same old Dallas, go few miles out of town and everything is for sale.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 09:48 PM

I've heard that's the one to aim for. Wish I could join yous!
Cheers!
Jim

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Sharon G.
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 10:35 PM

Looking forward to seeing you too Jed.

See you then, and hope to meet some of the other mudcat denizens...
Sharon

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:46 AM

Good to see that Tommy Makim is there. I hope that his health has improved!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:50 AM

Drift: I spoke with Tommy a couple of weeks ago and his sons last week and they all say he is feeling very good.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:53 AM

Sounds like a great program! It all depends on what the kiddos are doing that weekend. I'll pin them down now so I can make plans.

SRS

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:41 PM

Come and get a LONESTAR STOUT Tee shirt!

;-)

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:53 PM

Lonestar: You have done this everywhere but in the "Shameless Promotion" thread.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Ooops - Jed No Cookie
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:56 PM

That GUEST comment was me without my cookie. Sorry.

No the link above is just to a picture, for now. The site isn't operational yet (being developed). But the image is used for the Tee Shirts. I'll have one for ever Mudcatter I see at NTIF.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:00 PM

Sorry: what i meant to say was... "Lonestar: You have done this everywhere but in the "Shameless Promotion" thread WHERE IT BELONGS"!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:03 PM

Sorry to have offended you, Jim. Perhaps we should keep quiet about this event entirely.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:09 PM

This event. Selling T-Shirts or am I missing something?

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Marion
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:09 PM

Hi Jim Lad.

It's perfectly in keeping with Mudcat etiquette to promote your own shows or products outside of the "Shameless Promotion, as long as it's relevant and in moderation.

Marion (who, in the interests of full disclosure, has a pro-Lonestar bias)

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:19 PM

So, you are selling T-Shirts then. My apologies, I thought you were just selling T-Shirts. Will you have them at the North Texas Irish Festival?

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:27 PM

Jim - I am performing at the festial. I'll have new CDs and Tee Shirts (an unusual thing for me to sell) at the festival. The new album is officially released at NTIF - hence the Tee Shirts. We don't normally see many Mudcatters at this festival, but it's one of my favorites - so I am always happy to see Mudcat discussion on it.

I'm not actually too good at promotion, self or otherwise - so I'm not always graceful - but this was pertainent to the discussion - I think I know all off these folks personally ...

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:13 PM

See now! There! You've answered all my questions. The Link told me none of that (except for the T-Shirts)
Thank You
and
Sorry
Jim
p.s. "think I know all off these folks personally ..." not all of us, I'm afraid.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:33 PM

Jim, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here instead of just telling you to ..... you get the drift.

Jed Marum is a stellar performer, and songwriter. He also has exceptional good looks, and the only persons I know better looking are his fellow Beef Brothers.

He has been a proud spokesperson for the North Texas Irish Festival for a long time.

As a full time, working musician, he needs to promote his gigs and that is what he is doing here.

I have determined that you need to show up at this festival with checkbook in hand and pickup a couple of his CD's and buy a teeshirt. You will benefit greatly and probably go online and buy the rest of his CD's. The songs he writes are of exceptional quality, and his choice of backup singers proves he is a musical tour de force and a man of rare good taste.

Ask anyone around here. You don't want the Big Mick pissed at you. Take care of this matter immediately.

Love,

Mick

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:36 PM

The Mick has SPOKEN !!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:56 PM

Well, he's right. The 'shameless promotion' thread was started because someone (you, Jim Lad?) felt guilty about posting info that's perfectly reasonable here, and didn't want to put it in the 'Mudcatters' CDs' or 'What's On' threads. (Prolly didn't know about them.) Don't fee guilty about telling us about your CDs or gigs, and please don't try to make others feel guilty. If Jed turns into Mr Commercial, I'll kick his ass. I'd need a ladder and I'll probably get into trouble, but I think it would be fun. Anyway, this thread will likely run until a bit after the festival, then disappear.

I think Jed was saying he knew everyone on the bill with him. I've heard a couple of your MP3s Jim. You'd do well in that bunch. If I were independently wealthy, had a private jet and a staff...

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 06:01 PM

Big Mick: I apologized already for the misunderstanding. You however, wouldn't stand a chance! So take it somewhere else!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 06:20 PM

Anybody giving odds? I wanna get a piece a da akshun!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 06:43 PM

The man who can apologize unreservedly and without provocation, as I did, has absolutely no need for "Big" nicknames.
I wonder if "Big Mick" is capable of the same.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 07:44 PM

Jim, I thought you were joking around with the 'you wouldn't stand a chance comment' after his 'take care of this immediately' comment. Sorry I misinterpreted your mood. I didn't realize you were really upset - I keep forgetting how seriously people can take things here sometimes. I'm done.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Marion
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:11 PM

Seeing as Jim didn't know at first that "Lonestar" was one of the performers at this festival, it was quite reasonable for him to think that an anonymous voice selling Tee-shirts was inappropriate to this thread. When he learned that it was Jed posting, he apologized and withdrew his objection. So, no further need to pick on Jim that I can see...

Have a great festival, Jed; I wish I could be there.

Jim, where are your MP3s? We can always use more Cape Breton music around here.

Marion

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:11 PM

Jeri: Sorry about that. I should probably have paid more attention to your intervention.
As for the other...
Anyone foolish enough to try to intimidate any Scotsman, no matter what the forum, deserves what he gets.
"You don't want the Big Mick pissed at you." is as the red flag to the bull. No place for that kind of talk, anywhere.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:12 PM

I'm into ladies underwear! (all sizes) Care to place an order?

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:31 PM

Jim is probably busy trying on different sizes of lacy things, so here's his website. Him gooood!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:39 PM

I have two reasons for eavesdropping on this thread:
1) The festival's reputation.
2) I am hoping someone will shed a little more light on Mr. Makem's
   health and specifically don't want to see a thread started on
   that subject. (given the need for privacy at such a time) The
   subject did come up but little was said.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: wlisk
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:00 PM

Several of us from NW Arkansas are going. Looking forward to another great festival this year!
Bill Lisk

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:26 PM

Well heck, Jed, there's no trick to good promotion. You just have to be sure your promotional materials are where people will see them. At an Irish festival, for example, you could be sure that the fellow pouring the beer is wearing a Lonestar Stout t-shirt. Just a random, hypothetical example, of course.
- Phil

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Marion
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:33 PM

Or better yet, the girl pouring the beer.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:53 PM

Can't argue with that, Marion, even though you may have just cost me a t-shirt.
- Phil

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:47 PM

Jim, when you've only been around the place for five or six weeks, it is always a good idea to lurk for a while and figure out who is who. Otherwise you're bound to end up with egg on your face. That was a whopper of an omelet you cooked up!

Spend more time lurking. You'll fit in, you've been singing for a while (I read some of your early entries and I listened to some of your songs--very nice!). This one is marvelous for the verses and the explanation. We need this kind of contribution at Mudcat. I don't know if this is the accepted version of the story (I haven't read all of those other threads yet myself) but your analysis is sound, and many traditional songs need a special historic lens to make them clear. You provided one. Anyway, relax a little. If you're curious about the bona fides of someone you're chatting with (bearing in mind that we all accidentally end up as "GUEST" if our cookies crumble) then click on the name beside the blue From: in each post. That'll take you to all of their Mudcat posts (as the qualifier says: "Enjoy!") We have some mudcatters who amount to the colonial version of "royalty." If you want a good look at the solid musicians and researchers who most of us will defend here at Mudcat, then you must start with Rick Fielding. Another would be Jean Ritchie (Mudcatter "Kytrad"). And a personal favorite of mine from Seattle is Don Firth.

A belated welcome to you to Mudcat. Are you on this North Texas Irish Festival thread because you'll be in the area?

Stilly River Sage (An Irish-American daughter of a folksinger, and a native Pacific Northwesterner -Seattle, Everett, Bellingham- who now lives in Texas)

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 12:54 AM

I was following an interesting thread when "Guest" jumped in with an unrelated commercial. I treated "Guest" as though he/she was pushing Viagra and when "Guest" signed in properly and cleared things up, I apologized immediately. I was uncharacteristically, quick to anger at some fairly aggressive comments and even quicker to apologize. As a matter of fact, I had apologized before the rude comments.

As for omelets?
I use three eggs(Omegas), a dash of milk, sliced bacon, chanterelle mushrooms, thinly sliced or grated Cougar Gold cheese (2 year old Balderson's is a reasonable substitute) and 2 or 3 shallots all cooked over gas. It's comfort food. Although not so easy on the belt line. Can't really teach it to you on this medium but if you ever get the chance to lurk around while I'm making one, I'm sure you'll learn a lot.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 08:50 AM

As for apologies - no worries. I apologize for jumping in head first, with no intro (I've been traveling, and so I don't always notice I am not logged in when I get back home). The NTIF thread is normally a very small group of folks, most of whom I know - so when my enthusiasm for a new cd or tee shirt boils over into the thread, folks reading are "more forgiving" and recognize my motivation is pure joy, not commercial enteprise!

As beer pouring in a Tee Shirt; it would be my pleasure! And of course that is very useful marketing! So I'll be sure you and yours have a tee shirt (and a CD) - and thanks!

Marion will you be here this year? You need to stop and say hello, if so.

SRS - I forgot you were from Seattle. I have a festival and had another date booked for that area this summer. The other date has shifted - so I"ll be looking for a few more to take its place. Any ideas? I'll in Tacoma are (actually in Graham) on June 23 - but have dates around it open. ...
As for Tommy's health; the boys told me a few months back that although Tommy was sick, he was insisting he felt fine. I know the festival folks thought it was touch and go about Tommy actually making it for NTIF, but I see they've committed to it now. I presume Tommy is well enough to be here and give it a go, and hopefully even better. I'll let you know more after the festival.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 10:11 AM

Jed, They've been finding the house concerts a nice way to go for performances. Stewart has done them, and Bob Nelson is getting set for a concert soon. I think all you need to do is start a "Concert Venues in Seattle?" thread and they'll all jump in with suggestions.

If I get over there next week I'll be sure to come by for a t-shirt. And the suggestion to put them on a few of the beer vendors is a great idea!

Meanwhile, back at Mudcat, I can see that it is prickly times ahead with our new member. That happens.

SRS

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 10:21 AM

SRS - I do hope to see you at NTIF. And thanks for the "Concert Venues in Seattle?" idea. I'll give that a go next week and see what turns up. And Jim's comments were OK. I do forget myself sometimes and just speak up without a thought!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 11:55 AM

Thanks Jed:
          Thank You also for the update on the man's health. That's as much as any of us need to know. Will run across you sooner or later.
Regards
Jim

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: LukeKellylives (Chris)
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 03:51 PM

Aww, leave Jim alone.

*glomps Jim*

Anyways....Yeah, Tommy Makem is coming to the festival I'm playing at, too. I can't wait. Unfortunately, I have to for about nine months. *groan*

Hey, if anyone goes and Murder the Stout is playing there, tell them I said hey! I miss those guys.

I might beg my parents to take me.

Slan,

Christian S. Chavez.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 05:09 PM

Looks to me as if Jim and Jed handled this like gentlemen and didn't need anyone to step in with threats, get-acquainted suggestions or anything else to stir the pot. Well done, Jim and Jed!

kat

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 12:23 AM

Jim needs to take a pill. If he can't recognize the tongue in cheek nature of that post then a size larger underwear are definitely in order.

There was a time on the Mudcat when folks recognized this. These days it just seems like someone is always spoiling for a fight. It's why the old joint ain't what it used to be.

Jim, follow SRS's advice and hang out for a bit before jumping in. What you will find if you check my posts is that I am more than capable of, and have many times, apologized unreservedly when I realized I was wrong. I was attempting a bit of humor, obviously it wasn't received that way. I am sorry about that.

Mick

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 01:41 AM

Now then, about the Makem Bros. beside Tommy's 3 offspring you have the 2 Spain bros that now (& have been for awhile) have been playing with them for some time. They were all friends who played & sang together for years at different places, parties, singing sesions etc. Both sets of Brothers played for many years apart first. Most of you probably know the Makem boys well enugh so I'll leave them alone for once & not tease them. The Spains, Mickey & Liam are both very good musicians espicially Liam who's great on a few different instruments & both are very good singers espicially Mickey whose voice is quite a treat & both have wide repertoires in trad & contemp & not just with Irish. So hopefully you who are going, enjoy them & enjoy Jed he's a thrill to hear too, his playing abilities are matched by his fine voice & excellent songwriting skills, really, he's not to be missed. If you see the Bros tell 'em I said hi & that they can mail the PR check to my home.

Barry

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:31 AM

Barry,

Thanks for outlining the membership in that group. I wondered how many of them might actually be Tommy's sons.

SRS

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:18 AM

The entire Dublin crowd ( has beens ) will be there this year.

Think one of the Dixie Chicks got hithed to a gamblin Dub, that would explain the attractiun. Course that's not saying some of the old foagies that are comming would be that stupid, but ya never know.

We will be hanging around the Workshops at the Automobile Museum, sans Instruments OC 'cause such things get stolen so easily.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:35 AM

has beens ? Dixie Chicks ? old foagies?

I don't get it.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:51 AM

He doesn't, either. :)

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Marion
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 01:19 AM

Unfortunately, Jed, the idea of a girl pouring beer in a Lonestar shirt was a suggestion, not an offer. I plan to be too busy pouring the meds.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:26 PM

Tommy Makum 1950's phoagy ... now I don't get that?

Old hairy hippyy pipers and fiddlers spakin with Dub accents, nor that.

For the uninitiated, the Dubs have been long moved into, and established, in Dallas. Dubs are people from Dublin who speak with a funny Irish accent, sorta like a New York drawl but the Irish kind. Also the Dubs don't mix well with Irish country folks - Culchies.

Dixie Chicks are not playing at the Irish Festival BTW.

Jed I ain't slaggin you am I? besides I like your music.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 10:54 AM

My wife and I are going to NTIF because she wants to hear Tommy Makum. I don't know anything about Irish music. Are there any other "Must See" acts? Do you have any personal favorites to recommend? Thank you in advance for your help.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 06:25 PM

Sorry to say that Tommy will NOT make the festival. He is poorly again and in hospital. I just got the news today.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 06:28 PM

Must see?

Cathy Ryan
Makem Brothers
Brian McNeill
Ed Miller
and me!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 06:28 PM

And another Mudcat group - ROUND THE HOUSE from Tucson ... gotta see them and say a Mudcat hello!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Sharon G
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 06:40 PM

Thanks Jed-
We're practically counting the hours...

And if you come to one of our sets, we have these really cool green mini-frisbees this year that have our new logo on them.

See you ... Friday or Saturday?

Sharon

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 09:46 PM

I'll look forward to saying hello sometime over the weekend, Sharon. I'll check the shedule to see where you're at ... maybe at the hotel?

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 07:18 AM

After talking to my folks I'll be watching out for one of Ireland's top fidders and best kept secret, Matt Cranitch. He also is the author of the first authorative book on Irish dance fiddling since John Roach's work way back in the 1900's.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 08:54 AM

Matt is with Sliabh Notes?

Another must see fir NTIF this year.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Sharon G
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:44 AM

Very sad to see that Tommy Makem won't be at the festival...that would have been very special.

FYI the schedule has been updated, and Round the House (my band) will be on the Trinity Stage at 1 pm Sunday as well as the Pub Stage 11 am Sat and Claire Zucker will be teaching a clogging workshop 1 pm Sat, with Round the House backing her up.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 11:02 AM

Thanks Sharon. I'll come to one of the shows.

I'm on Trinity at 8:30 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.

I'm on the Star & Harp Pub Stage on Saturday at 8.

I'm leaving shortly to pick up Tom Leighton at the airport - and the festival begins for me. I have Karen Mall coming in today too, and my son Jaime so we'll be working tonight on the music at the hotel (I know, I know, rehearsing is cheating, right?). And tomorrow I have a TV spot in the AM and then our last rehearsal. I still have to find an amp for Tom's piano - and get materials to the festival grounds ... it'll be a full weekend ... and I am looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 11:08 AM

What's the TV spot ? Perhaps my 6 year old might let us watch something other than Higgley Town Heros.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 11:44 AM

I'll be on the NBC 5 morning program, between 10 and 11 AM. Probably a "teaser" or two and 3 minute spot at 1030 or so - but I don;t know, so you'll have to watch and see.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 04:38 PM

refresh for the weekend

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 12:00 PM

Beautiful weather for a festival in Texas this Sunday morning. There's still plenty of great music to go including Round the House at 1:00 and Jed Marum on the same stage at 3:00.
- Phil

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 10:22 PM

All was well with our trip, except on hearing the weather for Saturday AM, cold weather, we elected to stay with friends, about hour and a half south of Dallas, on Friday night and stayed until late morning. It was bitter cold for us, used to S Texas. Arrived around 2PM to a traffic jam all over the Fair Park Complex. There was two other events going on at the same location and time as the NTIF!

Very very bad planning there!

It took us nearly an hour to get the last 2 miles and parking about half a mile away from the activities. About an hour before we entered the traffic jam our friend called and was a little worried. Not to worry sez I - not knowing how well Dallas FP managed to screw up access to the NTIF - we'll be there in no time. Yeah right!

Never been to this venue before and was shocked to see the mass of people there. Also to add salt to the soup, they mixed up the workshops and stages and stalls in a big malee of people, some well on the way to being drunk while in a crowded place. But happily such merry souls could not get a hold of an electric guitar which is what I have seen before in such surroundings.

Because everything was higgledy piggledy one could scarcely hear what was happening even over the loudspeakers. So if one wanted to hear a band perform - we went to see Sliabh Notes 7PM Sat Trinity Stage - sitting near the front was the only option.

Generall impression, for those who have worked in a modern mechanical plant where there is radio over the PA, the experience was about the same. Some you could hear some you could not. The noise was horrendous, people were shouting sometimes AT one another.

We stood not three feet from a fine Irish Piper ( not on the roster of
booked artists ) playing without an amplifier, and we could barely hear what he was doing - ie regulator, decoration etc.

A very bad arrangement all the way around.

Nonetheless for specialist vendors, other Celtic activities eg Scottish Clans, it was a great event. Lots and lots of sales! Some were roping the dollars in by the thousands. No kidding!

Since the Sunday weather forecast more cold on the way, we moved on Saturday night around 9.0 PM, and driving south back through Fort Worth were soon laid out relaxing with refreshments in our friends warm house. We played a few tunes on some TWs brought from Ireland by our Irish friends. Very very nice! real Irish whistles ...yummm yummm.

Seen some mighty custom Bodhrawns, loved to take one home but could not afford.

Recommend next year but not to listen to music, more like a good weekend to test your appetite for beer and other things.

Noisy but interesting, shame about the nasty crowds- bad planning? - and bad luck with a near 30s wind chill.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 11:24 PM

Record crowds, lovely weather, great music on all stages.

I particularly loved Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman - but Grada and The Makems were wonderful. Didn't see/hear much of Cathy Ryan, since I was opposite her for my shows - but spent some time with Ed Miller and Brian McNeill, on and off stage.

One of the very best non-headline acts was Tin Smith [Link Fairy]. A very very fine band from the DC area - a real treat.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 12:22 AM

Here's that link.

Sorry I didn't make it over, various reasons, none great, but pressing nonetheless. (Also, the cold wind kills my eyes--dry eye is a bitch.) I suspect I'd have been gnashing my teeth over the traffic--the main reason I rarely drive to Dallas (45 miles away). I think the train to the bus would be an excellent option if the train between Fort Worth and Dallas ran later in the evening than it does.

I'm glad to read that Jed and sorefingers had a good time. I don't know about the recommendation, though, sorefingers--if you can't hear the music, that's bad enough, but to go hang out in a crowd of people, many of them drunk Texans?

SRS

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 11:54 AM

http://www.nbc5i.com/community/10992678/detail.html Link Leprechaun

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 12:29 PM

Hey hey - cool. Thank guest.

Ya think I'd have at least combed my hair!!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 12:43 PM

You have a head, it least. I was starting to wonder.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 01:01 PM

LOL!

You know ya just can't have too much.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 06:38 PM

Forgot to mention most of the stuff was inside of big barn type buildings so there wasn't that much outside in the cold wind.

Never seen anything like it anywhere- in the world - ever in 50 years of Irish festivals!

I think a lot of noisy drunks were inside this year because it was so cold outside. And that is what ruined our trip. And mentioning drunks, it was great business for the Dubliner owned bars of Dallas and their services at the festival. Odd too when I consider that south of the Mason Dixon line anything stronger than root-beer is nearly criminal in most places and criminal in quite a few. So much for Southern Evangelical influence. This NTIF was a drinking convention with a live music for wallpaper and craft stores for entertainment.

Next time - if there is one - we will be shopping and sipping the beer instead of trying to do the concert thing.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:26 PM

Sorefingers, I find it interesting you've talked so much about the drunks ruining the entertainment. I had apologized to Jed in an off-board communication not too long ago about leaving a pub show of his early because the drunks started drowning out his songs (and requesting songs that aren't the kind of thing I'd want to hear from someone of Jed's genre). I told him that's why I preferred festivals and shows of that type because the drunks didn't interfere with the music. I guess that's not true in all cases.
SC

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 01:55 AM

My son was browsing the vendors behind an older Irish couple. Her cellular telephone dropped out of her purse. My son picked it up, caught up with them, and returned the telephone to her. She thanked him, then reached into her purse and pulled on a rather nice blue leather cell phone case. Instead of putting the telephone in the case she shook it in her husband's face – "See now, I've almost lost my mobile and it's all the fault of your bloody teeth!"

Snapshots of some of the people, places, and things from this thread can be viewed
here
- Phil

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 08:57 AM

For all the talk about drunks at NTIF, and out 50,000 people there have been some; I didn't see any. Not one.

I love the pics, Phil.

If you wanted to sit and listen to music, on the main stages - there were few distractions. The stages and audience areas are pretty well organized. Each seats about 800 with standing room for half again that number - while festival traffic can pass in view and within sound - beyond the seating.

It is less then an ideal, concert sort of environment - but managed pretty well for an indoor facility and a very large crowd.

Most people attending enjoyed the event, braved the crush of the crowd patiently and saw some great music.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,Claire, RTH
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 02:26 PM

NTIF was wonderful. Big coodoos to the fabulous volunteers that make this happen every year. The music is definitely the featured element of this festival, not the beer. And even though there are tons of vendors, the music, dance, workshops really are the pride of the event. Probably the most rewarding part of this festival for me (besides performing) is hearing other bands and having a chance to talk about our mutual efforts in the music business.

Jed - I can't believe I only saw you for 10 seconds, and that was when I was rushing around doing the band business thing. Next time we cross paths, we will have to make some time to talk.

Phil, it was great to meet you. And the photos are great, though you caught me when I was in another world with that song. It is interesting to see how intense I look when singing those solo pieces.

All the best,

Claire

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 05:43 PM

" it was like a Bluegrass Festival in the middle of a busy Interstate intersection "

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 05:46 PM

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed the clip. Thank you for recommending some good acts to see. Shit howdy, the festival was fun, what with the drinking and all. My drunken Texan moma and drunken Texan wife shopped at all the booths. They were the ones with cow horns and beer holders on the baby stroller. My drunken Texan kids played with all the other drunken Texan kids at the Urchin area. I just hung around the stages, drinking and bothering people. Then we all piled back into the truck, with my drunken Texan moma and drunken Texan dogs passed out in the back, and weaved on down the road playing all our new cds way too loud and tried to find the ranch. Took us two days.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: nosluap57
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 11:00 PM

Maybe sorefingers was totally p*ss*d about the traffic getting to Fair Park, in part caused by other events being held simultaneously? And that set the tone for his entire NTIF experience?

I'm sorry if that is the case, but the SCMA has no control over Dallas traffic, much less what other events are happening at Fair Park. I hope he decides to give it another try next year, because NTIF is one helluva festival. Take the shuttle bus from the hotel next year, it may not be any quicker, but it sure will be less stressful, and you might end up making a new friend or two on the way.


The sound technicians did a great job, considering the stages are setup in what are basically warehouses with concrete floors. I had no trouble at all hearing the bands on the big stages (Trinity and Shamrock).

I've attended NTIF for 21 years, and have never seen an obnoxious drunk. Pretty remarkable when you consider the numbers of people that attend.

Sorefingers, I hope you do decide to return next year, and for many more after that. That way NTIF could take on another entirely different quality for you as it has for me - it has become an annual "family reunion". I see friends there from all over the country that I only see that one time a year. Whether they be other volunteers or musicians, it is always such a treat to catch up on old times and renew those friendships.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: GUEST,CN
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 02:42 PM

Just got back from the weekend in Dallas - a great event organised by a terrific bunch of people. I wasn't aware of any excessive drinking, and have nothing but praise for the sound people who do pretty well in a difficult situation.

I was surprised to see so many people in period dress of different types - very much along the renaissance fair model. There were an awful lot of dogs there too, many of whom were also in fancy dress of various types.

A great event nonetheless.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:34 AM

Uncle Phil snapped a few pics and I've added them to a quick slide show here.

Thanks Phil!

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:57 PM

Hey, Jed.

I tried viewing the slide show and it says I have to log in (as you) to view (and edit, upload, etc.). Am I doing something wrong?

BTW, did you get my last letter/package of info?

SC
(Wayne Anderson)

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:27 PM

Well I have 'em running on my website now.

Yes - your package came while I was out of town. I've just gotten back today, so I haven't but looked through it, yet. Thanks kindly. I'll have a few days to review the material the next few days. I appreciate you thinking of me with this info.

Subject: RE: North Texas Irish Festival?
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:39 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply. Took a quick look just now.

Be sure to get back to me either PM, e-mail or on here with more info on your Jackson Crossroads Reeanactment appearance in late April. I'm going to try to make the Saturday event but I'd like to know when you'll be appearing so I can be sure to be there at the right time. The venue website doesn't really have much info on the event features except for the reenactments and the reenactors-only portions.

Thanks again,
SC

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