CeiliA Publication of the Southwest Celtic Music Association Ceili exclusive: Cathie Ryan Editor’s Note: After a lengthy used to call us kids; it means “my wait between new record- child” in Irish. I loved hearing ings, Cathie Ryan, one of the her say it; there was such affec- North Texas Irish Festival’s tion in her voice. When I was most popular performers, will choosing a name for my label, release a new album, “Through I thought of it. And a CD does Wind and Rain,” on Sept. 12 feel like giving birth to a child in on her brand new label – Mo many respects … so it fit. Leanbh Records (available The advantage to putting out now through her website – the record on my own is I own cathieryan.com, as well as on the recordings; and it means a lot Amazon and iTunes). to me. I won’t have to buy my Ryan, a Detroit-area na- CDs from a record company now, tive, first gained recognition or feel resentful that I am not as America’s top female Irish making any royalties on sales! singer with Cherish The Ladies, The disadvantages are that it and then as a solo artist since is a lot of work to be a record 1999. She has performed be- company – and that’s where CD fore hundreds of thousands of SCMA photo by Perry Smith Baby comes in. They send the fans in the U.S. and throughout Songstress Cathie Ryan, shown from a memorable 2011 CDs to Amazon and iTunes, etc., Europe and the United King- North Texas Irish Festival performance at Dallas’ Fair dom. Her NTIF performances Park, will release her new CD on Sept. 12. See RYAN, pg. 30 are held in front of standing room-only crowds. going between Ireland, North America Ryan’s original works have been and Europe, so there was no time to think Sept.- recorded by other great Irish singers, about new music. including Frances Black and Mary I can’t write, or collect, songs on the Oct., Black. She has been selected as one of road. When I’m on the road, I’m on the the Top 100 Irish Americans by “Irish road; I’m in charge of everything – the 2012 America Magazine,” Chicago’s “Irish travel arrangements, dealing with present- Vol. 31, No. 5 American News” named her as Irish ers, sound folk, all of it. And it all passed Female Vocalist of the Decade, and the so quickly … then when I had time, I had In this issue Los Angeles Times called her, “one of to face some things in my personal life the leading voices in Celtic music.” that were difficult for me. O’Flaherty Retreat.....................................2 Cathie lives her life by the belief, I got through that and the economy President’s Letter.......................................3 “Don’t quit five minutes before the was in a bad place; it added up to seven Toss the Feathers.........................................4 miracle,” and the proof rests within years. But there is an old Irish expression: Music and Chat...........................................6 her new work. Here she is interviewed Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir – “time is a Keltic Dead Music........................................7 exclusively by Ceili Editor Chuck good storyteller.” I think there are a lot of From the editor.........................................10 Bloom. good stories on this CD. I couldn’t have Top Scottish movies.................................12 It’s been seven years between done it sooner. CD reviews..................................................14 albums; the obvious question is You’re releasing this album on Irish Music Youth Camp photos..........16 “why so long?” your own label – Mo Leanbh Re- Celtic Calendar.........................................18 When “The Farthest Wave” came out, cords; why this move? The advan- Activities, Dance Floor...................20, 22 it just took off; I toured on the basis of tages … and disadvantages? Letters to editor........................................27 that music for nearly four years. We were “Mo leanbh” is what my grandmother Céilí September-October 2011 1 Yearning for learning O’Flaherty Music Retreat Oct. 26-28 in Waxahachie The ninth annual O’Flaherty Irish Music Tuition (for three days, includes con- Retreat will be held Friday-Sunday, October certs, but not housing, meals or campus 26-28, at the Lakeview Camp and Confer- access wrist bands) is $225 for adults and ence Center in Waxahachie, Texas, some 30 $135 for youth ages 11-18. minutes south of Dallas. For non-student guests wanting tickets A series of classes for beginners, called for the evening concert series (Friday, Satur- “Basics,” are for students who are just learn- day and Sunday), cost is $15 per person and ing, or wanting to learn, Irish music and also $9 for students 18-years-old and younger. play at a beginner’s level on their instru- Children ages 6-and-under are free (no ments. If the Basics classes are not challeng- ticket required). Tickets can be purchased ing enough, there are other classes if space online, or at the Retreat Booth. is available. Housing costs vary according to differing Guest instructors will be Angelina levels (hotel, cabins, RV sites to tents). A Carberry (banjo), Brian Conway (fiddle), $75 deposit will hold a reservation for any Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Dave Curley (sing- one of them. Check-in will be at 3 p.m. and ing), Jackie Daly (C#/D button accordion), check-out is Monday at noon. Fionán de Barra (standard guitar), Mairtin Reserved hotel rooms or cabin beds at de Cogain (bodhran), Colm Delaney (anglo the retreat location will find meals (three concertina), Grainne Hambly (harp), James per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Kelly (fiddle), Oisin McAuley (fiddle), The late Jim O’Flaherty included in the lodging packages. Conal O’Grada (flute) and John Whelan (B/C For RV, tent campers and people not lodg- button accordion). ing at the camp, meals can be ordered online with enrollment at Regional instructors will include Kevin Alewine (Irish guitar the following prices – $9 for breakfast, $10 for lunch or dinner. fundamentals), Russ Alvey (sound production), Bill Cummings Children 6-12 accompanied by a paid parent are charged half- (introduction to Music Theory for Irish Players and Melodies for price per meal, and those under age 6 eat free. bodhran), Janis Deane (basic tin whistle and flute), Travis Ener Breakfast will NOT be served on Monday morning at the din- (sound production), Donna Fitch (workshop tracing Irish songs in ing hall. Instead, muffins, fruit, coffee and juice will be for sale America), Ken Fleming (Irish tunes played slow), Peggy Fleming “a la carte” at the retreat booth. (melodies for Irish guitar fundamentals), Susan and Michael Har- The “meet-and-greet” barbecue on Thursday, Oct. 25, is not rison (Lone Star Ceili – Saturday night), David Mehalko (work- included in the lodging-meal packages and must be purchased shop – introduction to Irish fiddle for classical violinists), John separately for $10. Liestman (mandolin), Valerie Plested (basic fiddle), Linda Relph Those interested in the retreat can obtain complete information (melodies for standard guitar), Rick Roberts (learning ABCs) and on the retreat’s website, or by contacting organizers via e-mail Eric Ryan-Johnson (basic fiddle). at [email protected], or by calling retreat director Ken Fleming at (972) 798-7890. For enrollment and lodging questions, contact Rick Roberts at [email protected]. For online registration soft- ware questions, e-mail Glenn Standefer at glenn_standefer@ hotmail.com. To get on the mailing list, send an e-mail to info@oflahertyre- treat.org and request to be added. History The first O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat was held on Oct. 30- 31, 2004, at the Springhill Retreat Center in Richardson. More than 140 students of all ages gathered to learn traditional Irish music on different instruments, taught by teachers (mostly from the Dallas area). The enrollment was higher than expected, and demonstrated the strong interest in Irish music throughout Texas and the Southwest region. SCMA photo by Phil Wirth For many years, Irish music has been played in Dallas pubs Performing during one of the 2011 concerts were gui- and festivals. But unlike other major American cities, the music tarist Jeff Moore (left) and fiddler Martin Hayes. See O'FLAHERTY, pg. 29 = page 2 2 September-October September-October 2011 2012 Céilí Ceili = Southwest Celtic Music Association From the 2528 Elm Street, Suite B Dallas, TX 75226 (972) 943-4616 president's SCMA: www.scmatx.org/ NTIF: www.ntif.org/ Mail: 1920 Abrams Parkway #382, Dallas, TX 75214 desk Board of Trustees By Sheri Bush Officers SCMA President President: Sheri Bush s usual it’s been a hot summer here in Texas. For Vice-President: John Hebley Secretary: Lybo Buchanan a change, it’s also been a hot summer all over the Treasurer: Floyd Harris U.S.! I don’t think anyone has escaped the heat this year.A I thought a lot about trying to morph into a penguin and Trustee Board: Hazel Greene Richard Jones head for Antarctica – bet it was at least cooler there! Hope you Jeanne Eishen Stefan Eishen all survived and thrived through it all. Most of the people who are aware that SCMA exists are also Jim Stinson Steve Monroe aware of us because of the North Texas Irish Festival (NTIF). Barry Knight Katie Gibbs For those of us a little closer to the heart of SCMA, the festival Assoc. Trustees: Betsy Cummings, Connie Ener, Lee is a wonderful and entertaining means to an end. The festival Kelton allows us to create the necessary funds to not only produce a Membership: Lybo Buchanan world class festival every year, but to also present concerts … and, very importantly, sponsor other organizations that are also Céilí Staff fulfilling our mission statement.