The seeds for this album Hidden Gems were sown when The Zombies were inducted to the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in March 2019 in New York City. Due to this achievement widespread interest has grown in the band members individual projects which include ARGENT, Colin Blunstone and The Chris White Experience.
Francie and Chris have a longstanding musical relationship since the 80’s and Francie is featured on three of the albums from The Chris White Experience; these songs are also included on Hidden Gems.
Hidden Gems is a feelgood rock album with some outstanding performances from many iconic musicians, including:
Tim Renwick (Pink Floyd), Russ Ballard (ARGENT), Russ also wrote many classic songs including God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You, Since You’ve Been Gone, plus so many more… John Verity (ARGENT), Jim Rodford (ARGENT/The Kinks), Bob Henrit (ARGENT) , Vivienne Boucherat & Chris White (The Zombies), Jan Akkerman (FOCUS), Christy Dignam (Aslan), Finbar Furey (The Fureys), Gerry O’Connor (Joe Bonamassa/The Dublin Legends), Keith Donald & Matt Kelleghan (Moving Hearts) plus many more..
One of the hidden gems is a first recording of a new song written by Paul Williams, Oscar and Grammy award winning songwriter, with Keith Donald and arranged by Fiachra Trench.
A hidden gem from the archives, a live recording from a TV show in RTÉ Dublin 1974, when Francie was just a kid!!
On Tuesday December 1stMinding Creative Minds’ (MCM) in association with EPIC Working Group, Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), MCD Productions and The Cowshed will hold its first online meeting. The MCM Meet and GreetSession will commence at 7pm and members of the music and live events sectors are invited to attend, but advance registration is necessary as numbers are limited. Just click here and follow the instructions; https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkdu-hqjkiGN2CYfA_tLtKyNUx0sx4lFPh
The aim of our MCM Meet and GreetSession is to enable attendees to share their experiences, share advice with each other and have a conversation with their peers as we strive to get our sector back to full health. By holding a MCM Meet and GreetSession, Minding Creative Minds wants to help in building resources and facilitate an atmosphere of help and support for all and encourage an open conversation within our community. Some may wish to tell their story, others may have questions, some may wish to attend, leave their cameras in the off position and just listen. Whatever works for you in attending, works for us.
In this first meeting hosted by Stuart Clarke of Hot Press, we are privileged to confirm Psychotherapist and author, Siobhán Murray (https://www.twistingthejar.com/) and Podcast Host and Mindfulness Based Therapist,Niall Breslin (Bressie) as special guests. Stuart will chat with Siobhan about her work, and in a wider realm her advice to our sector. We anticipate the meeting will initially last a little over an hour. To start meetings will be online, however, once Covid-19 restrictions are loosened we will be able to eventually meet in person! When registering for the event, you are also welcome (if you wish) to submit a question for Niall (Bressie). Time should allow for ten questions to be answered. If you prefer, your question can be anonymous, just follow the instructions to enable this when registering.
This first meeting is very much an introductory event and will rely on feedback from attendees in order to gauge the format of and scope of future events as we strive to get the balance right between information offered and enabling people to contribute and speak openly.
The effects of Covid 19 have hit all sectors in Ireland, however, we know first-hand how severe our music and live event sectors have suffered. For some the mental health repercussions has created a greater sense of isolation and of course we are not on our own; the entire industry is going through this trauma at this time. However, our individual stories impact us all in different ways. There is not a one size fits all fix.
In this time of deep personal struggle for many, it’s become more obvious how important music and the arts are to the well-being of our society, and I don’t doubt that there will be a renewed appreciation for the arts as a result. It’s very encouraging that Minding Creative Minds Meet and Greet sessions will enable our music industry community to come together to support each other and share valuable information. By helping each other our artistic community can emerge from this period stronger, wiser, and more unified. I’m really looking forward to meeting, and being inspired by, colleagues, friends and peers at MCM’s first Meet and Greet on December 1st. – Ann Marie Shields, Minding Creative Minds and Head of Careers, Industry Liaison and Events at BIMM Collage.
The music sector supports two million jobs and contributes €81.9 billion annually to the economy across the 27 EU Member States and the UK (EU28), according to The Economic Impact of Music in Europe, an in-depth study by Oxford Economics that was commissioned by IFPI.
The study, using 2018 data, found that music’s annual economic contributions to the EU28 include:
Supporting two million jobs;
Contributing €81.9 billion in gross value added to GDP; and
Exporting €9.7 billion worth of goods and services to countries outside the EU28.
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: “Music is an essential part of Europe, its identity and culture. In so many ways music’s value is incalculable, it thrills us and heals us. Even beyond that, as Oxford Economics’ first-of-its-kind report demonstrates, music makes a vital economic contribution to the European Union and UK – supporting jobs, boosting gross domestic product and tax payments, and driving exports.
“At the heart of this contribution are the EU’s 7,400 record companies. In addition to employing nearly 45,000 people across the EU, they invest significantly in other parts of the music sector and make a major contribution to Europe’s exports.
“For music’s essential contribution to Europe to be sustainable for the long term, fair value must be returned to those who create and invest in music. To enable this, the sector needs a fair legal and policy environment in Europe, and we continue to work with policymakers to achieve this.”
Pete Collings, Director of Economic Impact Consulting, Europe & Middle East, at Oxford Economics, said: “By investigating how the music sector interacts with the rest of the economy, our study maps how it stimulates economic activity, supports jobs and generates tax revenues throughout the whole of Europe. In doing so, we highlight how the music sector—an ecosystem of large and small firms undertaking a wide variety of activities—directly accounts for a sizable contribution to the European economy, comparable to the entire economies of several Member States.
“However, the sector’s economic footprint extends far beyond its own activities. The purchases it makes from firms throughout Europe support lengthy pan-European supply chains. These multiplier effects reach every part of the European economy, further sustaining employment, delivering tax revenues, and generating GDP throughout the continent.”
The Economic Impact of Music in Europe also examines the music sector’s total impact on employment, finding that it supported two million jobs in the EU28, meaning that one in every 119 jobs depended on it.
The study also found that European music exports (including exports from the UK) generated €9.7 billion in revenues – of which record companies, music publishers, and audio streaming services generated almost half (€4.7 billion).
The music sector also played a vital role in generating tax revenues, supporting €31 billion in tax receipts in the EU28 in 2018. This was equivalent to 19.4% of the entire EU budget in the same year.
The Economic Impact of Music in Europe is available here.
From the depths of lockdown, We March announce the launch of their debut studio album ‘Fight or Flight’ on Friday 20th November 2020. The dark and beautiful lead single ‘Bones’ provides a preview to the depths on offer from this truly exceptional band with a real international edge. The album will be available online on Spotify, Apple music, Bandcamp and to purchase from Tower Records, Dublin and MusicZone, Cork.
“Everything fell apart, we had to leave our home and people were dying”, remembers songwriter John Paul FitzGerald about the troubled time during the previous financial crash, where the loss of loved ones and emigration went hand in hand. This was the context in which ‘Fight or Flight’ was written. “Isolation, illness, loss of identity and death are never far away in these songs.”
For John Paul, “Song writing is a means of confronting the uncomfortable challenges that life throws at you and a way to find an emotional release. I don’t find writing songs easy or enjoyable; it is more a need to get to the emotional core of what I am feeling. It takes a great deal of time and effort, but ultimately it is worth it to produce something beautiful and to have that burden lifted”.
In a time when nations are putting up borders, and racism and misogyny leap off the front pages, We March stands out for their inclusivity, with female Italian lead vocalist Debora Calzaccia and a truly multicultural line up. “The coming together of We March was really like capturing lighting in a bottle, with all these unique elements falling into place. It was more than luck to have Debora’s Italian vocals, Mo Siala’s Arabic violin, Gael Robillard’s French cello, and Cathal Dennehy’s percussion and vibraphone all come together as a unit. This enabled the cinematic sound of the songs to be realised in ways far exceeding what I had envisaged”, recalls John Paul.
The album “Fight or Flight” was recorded in a burst of creativity over a three-day period, bringing a punk edge and an emotional intensity to the tracks. “We were running on adrenaline. There was so much we wanted to achieve. Our ambition drove us, and I think you can hear that on the tracks.” The album’s eleven tracks impress with their variety, presenting a gothic blend of cabaret, jazz, folk, Italian opera, baroque, lieder, Arabic folk, and even 60s girl-band pop. The use of numerous instruments adds to the album’s character: pianos, organ, Arabic violin, Indian harmonium, cello, acoustic guitar, vibraphone, tubular bells, drums and percussion.
The album, split in two distinct halves, represents the Darwinian struggle between aggression and defence, violence and peace, denial and acceptance. “I am very influenced by albums like ‘Hounds of Love’ and ‘Rain Dogs’ which have very distinct sides to them. The more I listened to these songs, the more apparent it became that they represented two sides of this personal struggle.”
Side 1, titled ‘Fight’, represents the more direct, harder and up-tempo side to the album. The hits you will get from Side 1 are more emotional and physical than commercial. The opening track “We March” is a chest-beating battle cry announcing the band’s arrival (come one, come all!). Beautiful ballads like “Beyond the Pale” bring a stately feel and elegance to the album.
“The title track ‘Fight or Flight’ references my obsession with old gothic horror movies. It has distinctly creepy overtones to the verse, with a physical assault for the chorus. This was a song that took me by surprise. It was only after I had completed the lyric and played it for the band that I realised that the tension, nightmares and horror expressed in the song were the physical manifestations of anxiety that I had felt at stressful times in my life.”
Side 2, titled ‘Flight’, takes a distinctly sombre tone. The tryptic of ‘Destitute and Dying’, ‘Laid to Rest’ and the lead single ‘Bones’ were all written in the aftermath of the chronic and terminal illness of loved ones. Addressing themes of aging, isolation, illness and death, there is powerful emotional weight in the songs and their arrangements, with tempo and key changes that leave you disoriented but resolving to a climactic finale. “Bones is a song for the Covid 19 times we live in, where the population is dealing with similar themes of illness and distress. As a songwriter, I tried to find catharsis in dealing with these themes head on, and hopefully the listeners will find the same relief that I did.”
‘The Dumb Angel’ concludes the album with a lullaby, offering reprieve but no clear solution, leaving it in the listeners hands as to the direction that life should take.
Hailing from Ireland, singer/songwriter Dave Peyton was raised in the small midlands town of Daingean after he and his family moved from Dublin in the early ‘80s. Peyton became a household name when his band, Dave’s Radio, made it to the finals of RTE’s You’re a Star in 2005, performing their original song 100 Ways at the Helix in Dublin. Soon after, the band demoed new material with producer Gareth Mannix at Kila Studios in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, leading to a one album deal with Polydor Records UK. The band achieved three Top 20 singles in the Irish Charts after working with legendary producer Steve Osborne, and shared the stage with many notable musicians, including The Frames, The Blizzards, Avril Lavigne, Editors, The Pogues, Sister Sledge, and many more. However, in 2008, the band’s Polydor journey ended when MD Colin Barlow (responsible for signing Dave’s Radio), left the company for a presidency role at RCA. With this, Peyton called an end to Dave’s Radio, and started an all-new solo project.
Dave Peyton recorded his debut solo album (Couch Lovers) in the summer of 2010 at Dockside Studios, Louisiana, host to acts such as BB King, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Knopler, and many more. The album was co-produced and mixed by Gareth Mannix (Damien Dempsey / Jack L), and mastered by Bruce Barielle.
After a decade away from music to focus on his family and raise two kids, Dave Peyton now returns with his much-anticipated single, “Baby Come On”.
IMRO welcomes the publication of “LIFE WORTH LIVING”, a report by the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce which was brought to Cabinet this morning by Catherine Martin T.D. – Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.
The Taskforce which was formed in September, is Chaired by IMRO board member Clare Duignan and also includes IMRO Chairperson Eleanor McEvoy, has warned that there is real risk that Ireland will emerge from COVID-19 to find its arts, culture and events sectors decimated, with some venues closed for good, many businesses folded, large numbers of skilled and talented performers and workers gone to other careers, and much of the experience and creativity of the sectors gone unless decisive action is taken by government to support the long-term recovery of the creative sector.
Among the measures recommended by the Taskforce include a three-year pilot programme of a “universal basic income” (UBI) for the creative community in Ireland. It is envisaged that such a scheme could involve an unconditional state payment paid at the level of National Minimum wage (€10.20 per hour from January 2021). This payment would be in lieu of an alternative primary weekly social welfare payment. All other income would then be earned separately and subject to taxation at the marginal rate. Secondary social welfare payments currently held on the basis of needs, e.g. rent supplement, or non-weekly payments (such as child benefit or domiciliary care allowance) would also be retained. It is also recommended that the scheme should be suitable for both employed and self-employed workers in the sector.
Speaking at the launch of the Report at Government Buildings this afternoon Catherine Martin T.D. – Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht said, “I very much welcome the report “LIFE WORTH LIVING” submitted by the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce and thank each and every member of the Taskforce for their time, expertise and commitment in this hugely difficult time. I met with the Taskforce at the start of its work and was struck both by the members’ dedication and also the seriousness of the situation facing the Arts and Culture sector.”
“The Taskforce has produced a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector includes the arts, culture, the audio-visual industry, live entertainment and the events industry.”
“As I have stressed on numerous occasions, the Arts and Culture sector was the first to shut and will in many cases be the last to re-open. This report will be hugely beneficial to me and to my colleagues in Government as we examine ways to help the Arts and Culture sector emerge from the very difficult position in which it finds itself. I note in particular the Taskforce’s assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both existing livelihoods within the sector but also people’s future prospects, not just financially but in areas such as wellbeing and maintaining existing skill sets. I am under no illusions about the scale of the challenge and the many competing priorities facing Government. Nonetheless, I am delighted that as a Government we have been able so far to respond to date on many of the issues highlighted within this report. We can always strive to do better and that is what I aim to do.”
Clare Duignan, Chairperson of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, added: “I am delighted that the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce has completed our work and submitted the report “LIFE WORTH LIVING” to the Minister. I must give a huge thanks and praise to my colleagues on the Taskforce. They have committed so much time and energy in helping to craft and shape the report that is now available for all to read. I would also like to thank all those who made submissions during the consultation stage ensuring that this report is a fact driven, balanced document.
“As I say in the report; almost all activity has stopped in the Arts and Culture sector. The survival, recovery and sustainability of this sector is dependent on economic policy and decision-making in the short and long-term. I strongly believe that this report gives the Government the information required to help the sector by ensuring its recovery, building on its resilience and strengthening it for the future.”
Eleanor McEvoy, Chairperson of IMRO said “Every sector of the arts has come together for this Taskforce and we have united behind the recommendations in this report at this unprecedented time in the lives of Ireland’s creative community. Our focus has been to find a way for artists to recover from this crisis and to get the livelihoods of people right across the fields of art, music, audio visual and live entertainment up and running again. These recommendations are absolutely essential for our artists and for those who work behind the scenes, to survive and thrive into the future.”
Victor Finn, IMRO Chief Executive added, “The Taskforce has accurately assessed the devastating impact on all individuals working in the creative and performing arts. Sustaining careers in the industry is the key priority over the next eighteen months. The recommendations can provide a lifeline to artistic careers, providing a realistic platform to re-generate their creative livelihoods. Full implementation is vital to allow us all to fully experience again the wealth of talent within Ireland .”
Other financial supports are also recommended, including amendments to the Tax Code, supports for the Arts Budgets of Local Authorities, the immediate transposition into Irish law of the European Union (EU) Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, and particular supports for Live Event Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) currently excluded from the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme operated by the Department of Business, Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Summary of Report Recommendations
Issue
Recommendation
Protecting Livelihoods and Careers: Measures taken to supress Covid-19 have effectively shut down much of the creative sector. Limitations on indoor and outdoor events, social distancing and travel restrictions have had a severe impact on the arts, culture, live entertainment and events, with grave consequences for those working in these sectors and for the public who enjoy and support that work.
Pilot a universal basic income scheme for a three-year period in the arts, culture, audio visual and live performance and events sectors.
Mitigating Income Loss: There are significant income challenges facing people who work in the arts, culture, live entertainment and events sector. For many businesses and workers in this sector, economic precariousness is an endemic issue, but it has been considerably exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Establish a new VAT Compensation Scheme for artists and for freelance arts, live entertainment and events workers and companies.
Ensuring Fair Pay for the Makers of Creative Content: The prolonged cessation of all live cultural presentation and entertainment has led to significant growth in the generation and consumption of on-line creative content. An increased presence in the digital space should bring artists and creatives greater opportunity to earn income via copyright at a time when normal sources of income have dried up.
Transpose the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market into Irish Law without adjustment or dilution of the intention of the directive as it relates to rightsholders.
Securing the Viability of the Live Events Industry: The Events sector – comprising multiple successful and fundamentally viable SMEs – has been completely shut down by COVID-19. Across the country, indoors and out, in all seasons and weathers, and from small-size to international-scale, it produces and presents exhibitions, trade shows, sporting and cultural occasions, conferences, festivals, promotions and a myriad of events.
Introduce a Business Supports Grant Scheme for SMEs in the events industry that are excluded from the COVID-19 restrictions support scheme (CRSS).
Sustaining Local Authority Capacity to Support Arts, Culture, Live Entertainment and Events: For more than forty years local authorities have supported the arts in all parts of Ireland. Through capital investment, designated staff, and annual programme budgets, local government has become central to provision countrywide of venues, festivals, events, public art, artists’ studios, programmes for young people, socially engaged arts practice, bursaries, commissions, exhibitions and collections. This provision complements local authority library services and heritage programmes.
Government should commit to continue its provision of financial support to local authorities to offset any loss of income they experience in 2021 so as to enable them to maintain their investment in arts, culture and events at 2020 levels.
Ensuring the Wellbeing of Ireland’s Creative and Cultural Community: The Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020 – 2021 Plan for Living with COVID-19 states that the pandemic and its consequences have created significant challenges for everyone, generating an ongoing level of stress and worry. The Plan places a focus on supporting physical and mental wellbeing which aligns closely with other Government priorities such as the recently launched Keep Well campaign which places emphasis on empowering people and communities to keep physically and mentally well.
Establish a programme that provides wellbeing supports to the creative sector. Allocate funding in 2021 for the provision of wellbeing supports to artists, creative practitioners and event workers, addressing their common and distinctive needs.
Building sectoral capacity through upskilling and professional development: The immediate effect of COVID-19 on the sectors has been devastating. First to shut and last to open is the common mantra. The challenge now is to ensure that impact is neither long-term nor defining. Measures taken already and further ones recommended in this report will aid survival. But survival must grow into recovery and that recovery must be sustained. Central to realising that objective is the provision of support to the sector’s large workforce with its wide range of skills and unique experience.
Establish a capacity building and upskilling scheme for artists and creative workers aimed at recovery and renewal through professional development.
Making Space for Arts & Live Entertainment to Contribute to National Recovery: Arts and live entertainment events of all kinds are critical to Ireland’s recovery from COVID-19 and its many negative consequences for the fabric of our lives as individuals, families, communities. As a people, we have an inherent love of socialisation in cultural settings, formal and informal.
The treatment of cultural activities and venues under the various levels of the Resilience and Recovery 2020- 2021 Plan for Living With COVID-19 requires urgent review to better reflect actual circumstances and the particular behaviours of artists, audiences and venue staffs in this area of Irish life.
Providing more Outdoor Public Spaces for Cultural Events: Outdoor public spaces – in both the built and natural environment – are especially conducive to realising the Government’s ambition to make the arts more accessible and inclusive to everyone.
Establish ‘Re-imagining our Public Spaces’: a capital improvement programme.
Addressing the Environmental Impact of Arts, Cultural and Event Activities: Climate disruption is already having multiple and wide-ranging impacts on Ireland’s environment, natural resources, economy and society. Radical transformation is required to address the consequences of these impacts. The new National Economic Plan has sustainability at its core, and commits to Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy.
Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Uncategorised.
“We’ll have a Corona Christmas in the year 2020. Practice social distance all around the family tree. Even sanitize the Santa hangin’ from the old chimney, on this Corona Christmas, staying healthy as can be”.
Pandemics are not the usual stuff of catchy Christmas songs, but Grammy nominated songwriter Brett Perkins of Pawnshop Preachers fame is no stranger to using light hearted arrangements to convey a deeper message. Liva September Riis Perkins, Brett’s 11 year old daughter, who also sings on the track, contributed several lyric ideas which emanated from a discussion on how to prevent the pandemic, and necessary precautions, from disrupting their family’s gratitude for the blessings of each new day and the holiday season.
The result is an uptempo, feel good, toe tapping, humour infused Country/Pop offering which also pays serious tribute to the many lives lost, as well as the front line workers who continue to tirelessly battle the outbreak.
Perkins is joined on the recording by Denmark’s Grammy winning, reigning queen of Country Tamra Rosanes, who brings her warm, mature voice and youthful energy to the duet. Tamra’s son Noah Rosanes produced the single and played multiple instruments, backed by the Preachers rythmn section of Troels Alsted (bass) and Jakob Rønlov (drums).
‘Corona Christmas’ is a tale of two generations of American expats, doing what they can to address and correct the destructive actions of the soon to be former US president, in a scenario reminiscent of a Charles Dickens story.
Sunday 15th November 2020 | 21:30 UTC | TG4 | Available worldwide on the TG4 player – www.tg4.tv
Paddy Keenan is one of the finest exponents in the art of Uilleann Piping in the world today.
In the first of a new series of five, one hour long, programmes on TG4, this revealing documentary tells his story.
In this documentary Paddy reveals what it was like to grow up with a foot in both the travelling and settled communities and explains what it is that made him the man and musician he is today. With contributions from former Bothy Band colleague Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, former RTE broadcaster Peter Browne, Dublin flute player Eamonn De Barra, Belfast pipers John McSherry & Francis McIlduff & Sligo songsmith Seamie O’Dowd we get a glimpse into Paddy’s life and times in this intriguing and beguiling snapshot. We witness Paddy in full flow in what might be described as his musical spiritual home, De Barra’s folk club in Clonakilty and we see why he has enraptured audiences the world over with his charm, mystique and raw power and passion.
Paddy’s flowing, open-fingered style of playing can be traced directly from the style of such great Travelling pipers as Johnny Doran. A founder of the iconic Bothy Band, an ensemble that helped to bring Irish music to the world stage throughout the 70sand a global ambassador for Irish music, Paddy Keenan was born in Trim, Co. Meath, to John Keenan, Sr. of Westmeath and the former Mary Bravender of Co. Cavan. The Keenans were a Traveller family steeped in traditional music; both Paddy’s father and grandfather were Uilleann pipers. Paddy himself took up the pipes at the age of ten, playing his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, when he was 14. He later played with the rest of his family in a group called The Pavees.
Paddy was one of the Bothy Band’s founding members, and his virtuosity on the pipes combined with the ferocity of his playing made him, in the opinion of many, its driving force. The Bothy Band forever changed the face of Irish traditional music, merging a driving rhythm section with traditional Irish tunes in ways that had never been heard before.
He has brought traditional music to audiences around the globe, playing at festivals including the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, CeltFest Cuba in Havana, and concert tours across Japan, Europe, Australia, and North America. He is featured on the soundtrack of “Traveller”, starring Bill Paxton and Mark Wahlberg, for which he composed and arranged two pieces of music. Paddy’s contributions to traditional Irish music were honoured in 2002, when he received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year award, which is presented to musical heroes of the modern age, and in 2011 by the Irish Music Association, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
‘Sé mo Laoch Series 11
A new series of ‘Sé Mo Laoch which casts an eye on some of Irish traditional music’s heroes.
Sunday 15th November – Paddy Keenan
This programme looks at the life and career of world renowned Uilleann Piper Paddy Keenan. A founder member of the iconic group The Bothy Band and a leading exponent of the ‘travelling style’ of Uilleann Piping . We take a look at his life and music with guests such as Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Peter Browne, John McSherry, Eamonn De Barra, Francis McIlduff & Seamie O’Dowd.
Sunday 22nd November – Seamus Begley
This programme looks at the life and career of accordion player and singer Séamus Begley from Baile na bPoc in West Kerry. By the age of fourteen he was playing accordion at local dances. In 1972 he recorded his first album, An Ciarraíoch Mallaithe, with his sister Máire. Begley is an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out music for dancers with an energy that is sometimes alarming. He has toured extensively with performers such as Steve Cooney, Téada and Mary Black. He was awarded the 2013 TG4 Singer of the Year in recognition of his major contribution to Irish traditional singing.
Sunday 29th November – Geraldine & Eamonn Cotter
This programme looks at the life and career of Co. Clare siblings Eamonn & Geraldine Cotter. Flute player Eamonn Cotter has played and toured with The Shaskeeen & The Tulla Céilí Bands. He has recorded a number of solo CDs and is renowned as very fine maker of the traditional concert wooden flute.
Geraldine Cotter is a tin whistle and piano player, teacher, researcher and lecturer. A member of the Boruma Trio she has performed with Tulla, Shaskeen and Kilfenora Ceili Bands and has recorded on over 20 albums. Here Eamonn & Geraldine tell us their story with Andrew McNamara, Eileen O’Brien, Neil O’Loughlin, Jack Talty, Blackie O’Connell, Frank Kilkelly, Denis Liddy, Charlie Harris, Maeve Donnelly, Áine Hensey & Kieran Hanrahan.
Sunday 6th December – Nollaig Casey & Máire Ní Chathasaigh
This programme looks at the life and career of Nollaig Casey & Máire Ní Chathasaigh, sisters who grew up in a West Cork household steeped in traditional music and song. Máire is the doyenne of Irish harp players and one of Ireland’s most important and influential traditional musicians. Nollaig has recorded and toured with Planxty, Coolfin, Cherish the Ladies & Arty McGlynn. In this documentary they tell their story in their own words. With Arty McGlynn, Chris Newman, Mairéad Ní Chathasaigh, John Dwyer & Seán Dwyer.
Sunday 13th December – Gabriel McArdle
This programme looks at the life and career of singer and concertina Gabriel McArdle from Kinawley in County Fermanagh. Gabriel is considered one of the finest exponents of the Ulster traditional singing style and has recorded and toured with Dog Big Dog Little, Jig Away the Donkey & Na Draiodóirí. We take a look at his life and music in the company of Cathal McConnell, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Gary Hastings, Gerry O’Connor, Martin Quinn, Fintan McManus, Ben Lennon, Seamus Quinn & Ciarán Curran
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize will return in 2021 and continue its principal role in championing Irish music. Key dates for 2021’s event were announced today on RTÉ 2FM’s Tracy Clifford Show with previous RTÉ Choice Music Prize nominee, Sorcha Richardson.
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize Event will be celebrated in an exclusive live broadcast on RTÉ 2FM on Thursday 4th March, along with a TV-special on RTÉ2. Further details will be announced once final decisions have been made.
Other RTÉ Choice Music Prize key dates include:
Irish Album of the Year 2020 Shortlist Announcement – Wednesday 6th January 2021
Irish Song of the Year 2020 Shortlist Announcement – Wednesday 27th January 2021
The Irish Album and Song of the Year 2020 will be announced on Thursday 4th March live on RTÉ 2FM.
Adrian Lynch, Director Audiences, Channels and Marketing at RTÉ, said:“Through our successful partnership with the Choice Music Prize over the past three years RTÉ has combined our television, radio and online platforms to great effect to promote nominated artists and support Irish music talent. This support is more important now than ever and in a very difficult year for Irish artists, it is essential that, through this year’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize, we continue to do our part to celebrate the music and the artists who have continued to reach great heights in 2020.”
Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said:“Despite unprecedented challenges for the music industry, Irish artists, emerging and established, have produced some incredible, inspiring music this year. Giving airplay to this great Irish talent is at the very core of what we do at 2FM and our RTÉ Choice Music Prize All-Irish music days, which celebrate Irish music and artists, have become one of the most popular features on the station. Everyone in 2FM is looking forward to again getting right behind the RTÉ Choice Music Prize and celebrating Irish artists and their music.”
RTÉ Choice Music Prize ‘Conversations’ will return on Thursday 4th March 2021. ‘Conversations’ is an international music forum designed to encourage frank exchanges amongst panellists and with the audiences to challenge and elucidate the biggest prevailing issues confronting artists and industry professionals.
RTÉ Choice Music Prize will once again celebrate the best in Irish recorded music. The Prize has become one of the music-industry highlights of the year since its inception in 2005. The Irish Album of the Year award is chosen from a shortlist of ten albums by a panel of eleven Irish music media professionals and industry experts.
The winning act will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).
“RTÉ Choice Music Prize recognises and champions some of our finest songwriters and IMRO is delighted to continue its longstanding association with this prestigious music prize. Irish music continues to push new boundaries and this Prize provides a great platform for new music to resonate so strongly with audiences in Ireland and important overseas markets” – Keith Johnson, Director of Marketing & Membership IMRO.
“IRMA is once again delighted to support the RTE Choice Music Prize, particularly in this difficult period affecting the music industry. An event such as the RTE Choice Music Prize shines a light on great new Irish music and serves as a beacon of hope for artists who have had their livelihoods seriously disrupted by the pandemic. The RTE Choice Music Prize rewards artists who have continued to create new and innovative recordings and who have found a way to rise above the difficulties which they face at this time”. – Willie Kavanagh, Chairman of IRMA.
All shortlisted acts will receive a specially commissioned award.
RAAP, Culture Ireland, FMC and Minding Creative Minds are also official project partners of the RTE Choice Music Prize.
Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, has announced recipients of the €5 million in funding to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the coming months, with a total of 58 organisations benefitting from the scheme.
The main objective of this pilot scheme is to provide employment opportunities to artists in this uncertain time and allow commercial organisers of live performances to commence preparations immediately and productions to go ahead with either a live audience or to share content through streaming.
Recipients of this funding allocation range from small to large venues, producers and promoters and grants range from €10,000 to €400,000.
The funds will support a variety of live events planned including concerts, pantomimes, theatre productions, festivals, outdoor performances and comedy events.
The exceptional demand for this pilot scheme contributed to Minister Martin’s decision to ensure a much larger package would be available to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters next year as part of Budget 2021 funding.
Minister Martin said: “I am very conscious of the unprecedented nature of the challenge facing the live performance sector, not least from a financial point of view and accordingly I’m very pleased to announce this funding allocation which I’m sure will greatly assist in the employment of performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff across the sector.
“I was also delighted to recently announce €50 million in support for the sector in Budget 2021 – which will encompass a range of supports for live entertainment events to take place in venues next year across the country, and other measures to support music, and a new grant scheme for equipment.
“This scheme, designed after consultation with the sector, helps to de-risk the costs of running productions that may be postponed, cancelled or curtailed due to restrictions to safeguard public health. The live events sector was one of the first to close and I want to ensure that it will be supported and there once again for musicians, artists and performers.”
The list of successful applicants under this pilot Live Performance Support Scheme is available here:
Applicant
Location of performances
Type of event
Specifics
Recommended Grant
Deeramber Ltd
Arts Centres/ Theatres nationwide
Theatrical Production – live
Theatrical Production at a number of art centres nationwide
€66,000
Una Molloy/Pearse Doherty/Peter Kelly
Clare
Music Performances – live
Music Performances in Doolin
€140,000
Hotel Doolin
Clare
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€48,640
Seclusion Properties
Cork
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances
€100,000
Curve Management Limited
Cork
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances at Mitchelstown Caves
€76,000
Ehawa Ltd
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€48,640
Sams Music House Ltd
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Robert & Eileen Blackwell
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Coughlans Bar
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Brookview Taverns Ltd
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Crane Lane
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€48,640
Levis Corner House
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Sin é
Cork
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Robert Murphy
Dublin
Community Panto – live
Panto at Civic Theatre
€20,000
Body & Soul Events Creations Ltd
Dublin
Variety performance – live
Variety performances with musician, spoken word, dance.
€100,000
Onhand Booking & Events Ltd
Dublin
Outdoor performances – live
A number of live outdoor performances
€40,000
Pod Festivals
Dublin
Festival with live streaming
Festival with live streaming of performances
€90,000
Eden Quay Theatre Ltd
Dublin
Comedy performances – live
A number of live performances at the Laughter Lounge
€34,305
Whelans live DAC
Dublin
Music Performance – live
A number of live performances at Whelans
€140,000
Willogrove Limited
Dublin
Music Performance – live
A number of live performances
€48,640
Pat Egan Sound Limited
Dublin
Pantomime – live
Pantomime at the Olympia Theatre
€300,000
Aiken Promotions (Ireland)
Dublin
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances at Vicar Street
€400,000
Verdant Productions
Dublin
Pantomime – live
Pantomime at the Draíocht Theatre
€141,140
Olympia Theatre UC
Dublin
Christmas performances at Olympia – live
performances at the Olympia Theatre
€300,000
TheatreworX Productions
Dublin
Pantomime – live
Pantomime at the Helix Theatre
€60,000
Noyfield Limited
Dublin
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€57,760
The Sound House
Dublin
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€48,640
The Grand Social
Dublin
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€57,760
Workman’s Club
Dublin
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€57,760
Ten feet Tall Promotions
Dublin, Kilkenny, Galway
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances
€100,000
Róisín Dubh Pub LTD
Galway
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€57,760
Black Gate
Galway
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Gleneagle Hotel Killarney
Kerry
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances at the INEC
€400,000
O’Connors Public House
Kerry
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
Langton Hotel Ltd
Kilkenny
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€57,760
Aragon Beverages Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€38,760
The Wrens Nest Ltd
Laois
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€48,640
Jendagi Ltd
Limerick
Pantomime – live
Pantomime at the University Concert Hall
€400,000
Michael & Valerie Dolan
Limerick
Music Performances – live
Music Performances – live
€57,760
Drogheda Theatre Company
Louth
Community Panto – live
Panto at Drogheda Theatre
€20,000
Spirit Store Ltd
Louth
Music Performances – live/online
Music Performances – live
€48,640
CM Bard Tavern Ltd.
Mayo
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances
€38,760
TF Productions Ltd
Mayo
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances in County Mayo
€13,000
Conor Jacob Ltd t/a
Meath
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances in County Meath
€17,000
MPI Bands Ltd
Nationwide
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances nationwide
€140,000
Lisa Richards Ltd
Nationwide
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances nationwide
€28,000
Mike Fallon, Will Carty, Elizabeth Fallon
Nationwide
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances nationwide
€61,000
The Short comedy Theatre Co. Ltd.
Nationwide
Comedy performances – live
A number of live performances nationwide
€80,000
Special Eye Entertainment Ltd
Nationwide
Comedy performances – live
A number of live performances nationwide
€75,000
Cherrycool Ltd
Offaly
Outdoor performances – live
A number of outdoor entertainment shows/livestream
€200,000
Kieran Quinn Promotions
Sligo
Music Performance – live
Music Performances in Hawks Well Theatre
€20,000
Sligoville Ltd
Sligo
Music Performances – live
A number of live performances in County Sligo
€35,000
PPJ Ltd & CWB Ltd
Tipperary
Outdoor performances – live
Outdoor performances at Birdhill Co Tipperary
€71,200
Cat Laughs Limited
Various venues around Kilkenny
Comedy performances – live
A number of live performances at various venues in the city
