So many journeys since the last time I looked in here to write a few words..among the highlights a performance back in April at Clonter Opera, (an amazing venue in rural Cheshire), and a performance with the inspirational Spoken Dance Company for President Michael D. Higgins in Newcastle West.
Sultan, seated on photo left, was hit by a shell in Afghanistan when he was two years old. He has defied adversity to become a dancer with Lisa (left) and Mary (middle) and I had the privilege of singing "Fresh Bread" for their dance, "Getting to Know You" in one of the most moving performances that I've ever been involved in. They are based in Limerick where Sultan studies, I'm looking forward to more gigs together in the times ahead.
Sultan, seated on photo left, was hit by a shell in Afghanistan when he was two years old. He has defied adversity to become a dancer with Lisa (left) and Mary (middle) and I had the privilege of singing "Fresh Bread" for their dance, "Getting to Know You" in one of the most moving performances that I've ever been involved in. They are based in Limerick where Sultan studies, I'm looking forward to more gigs together in the times ahead.
Then there were a couple of great festivals in Priddy (near Bristol) and Mission (near Vancouver) where many musicians and festival goers came to the conclusion that 2012 could be remembered as the year of the wellington boot! But fine music and sunshine came through the clouds and there was even time to take a close up look and pic of one very powerful grizzly up in Grouse mountain.
Many more gigs to look forward to as I head out this weekend with Sands Family on nine concert dates to celebrate 40 years on the road. Among the radio interviews to help spread the word, an appearance on RTE's John Murray show (left) and BBC Radio Ulster on Your Place and Mine and with Gerry Kelly. We've already had memorable gigs this summer at Fiddlers Green Festival in Rostrevor and the All Ireland Fleadh in Cavan last weekend. Hoping to see many of you along the way!
Thanks for looking in for the latest news, as you'll see in top pic, I'm finding time to enjoy some fresh air between the showers these days in the garden at home in Rostrevor...if that green gate in the background looks vaguely familiar it's because it's the very same gate which inspired Colum McEvoy's fine painting on my March Ditch album cover. The farmer who owned it (just up the road from where I live) was widening the entrance to his field and, thanks to my good neighbour Liam Baxter, the old gate is now in the garden here at home. Happy to say that after keeping sheep in a field for 100 years or so, the green gate now helps to save the vegetables from our four healthy free range hens who live behind it in what is possibly Europe's most compact farmyard!
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