Music is served … - Irish American News

January 2006 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 21“Music is Served” Monday’s on 90.9 FM‘Blarney Boys’ Bill Margeson and Shay Clarke on the air 7 pm. to 9 pm.Shay ClarkeI was born in Dublin in the 50sand as my column in Irish AmericanNews states I was “Raised on Songsand Stories”.I remember the first song thatmade me cry. I was seven or eightat the time and in my grandparent’shouse in Kells, Co. Meath. The songwas Kevin Barry and was sung acappella by George Heery, a visitorto the house that night.There was always music in thehouse of both my grandparents.There was always a button box accordionor a tin whistle.But if the soul of Ireland is in ourmusic then surely the heart of Irelandis in our songs. It’s always been aboutthe songs for me. I called my daughterSaoirse after a beautiful piece ofmusic by Sean O’Riada.The music and styles came in quicksuccession from the Clancy Brothers,The Dubliners and the Wolfe Tones.In the 70s we had the Furey Brothers,Emmet Spiceland, The Bothy Bandand Planxty. These were great timesindeed, but I had been seduced byrock-and-roll and played guitar in arock band for a while.My return to the fold came withHorslips, the first Celtic rock band.St. Margaretof Scotland’sSouthside SaintPatrick’s Day partyfundraiserCome share the memories ofSt. Margaret’s of Scotland onFebruary 26th. Since 1988 St.Margaret’s Parish has been in avery difficult financial situation.Although the situation is a littlebetter now it never ends. Ratherthan just soliciting the funds bymail we offer you a great ”OldFashioned” St. Patrick’s Dayparty in the “Old Neighborhood”.The evening will start with a6:00pm mass and will continuewith a variety of special guestsincluding Govoner Vaughn, oneof the top players in Globetrotterhistory. Come listen to DeidreReilly, Irish Americans “CountryColleen”, and Frank O’Haraand his “Right Material Band”,among others.The donation of $20 includescorned beef buffet, beer, softdrinks and entertainment. There’splenty of free parking. For ticketinformation call Dan or Brian(708) 636-8827 weekends orweekday evenings.The drummer Eamonn Carr was mycousin and his father before himwas a Ceili band drummer with theSilver Star Ceili Band in Kells Co.Meath. Horslips were and still are thebenchmark for Celtic rock and theirmusic broke all the traditions whileattracting a whole new generation ofCeltic music fans.I was a nightclub disc jockey from15 years of age to 37, besides my realjobs in the travel, and fashion industryin Dublin. I ran a nightclub onDublin’s famous Leeson St., MaxwellPlums before I came to America.I came to America in 1987 and becamea citizen 8 years later. I have oftensaid that I only became Irish whenI came to Chicago. I have promotedCeltic music through radio, festivals,Irish American News, concerts andpub gigs and I am fiercely proud ofthe wealth of Irish musical talent wehave in this city and country.Along with my buddy Bill Margeson,I promise you the most broadbasedCeltic music show on radio.Please join us every Monday nighton 90.9FM from 7-9 for BlarneyOn The Air.Bill MargesonBill is a native Chicagoan, andgrew up in La Grange, IL. He graduatedfrom Northern Illinois Universityin 1968 with a major in Speech. Hepaid his way through college workingas a studio musician on a number ofinstruments, including guitar andharmonica. He was also a memberof several rhythm and blues groups.Having married Maggie Watson in1974, he found himself being theson-in-law of legendary Dennis Watson.Dennis was one of the leadingChicago Irish musicians of the 1920sand 30s. Originally from Curraghboy,Co. Roscommon in Ireland, he wasa widely admired wooden flute anduillean pipes player. Bill remembers,When I would go out to his home inthe 1970’s on a Saturday morning,you could never tell who might bethere playing and discussing music,as well as learning tunes from him.One or two of The Chieftains mightdrop by when they were in own, plusgreat musicians like piper TommyKeane, whistle player Mary BerginYoung musicians come together to play Irish Music...and have a great time too!The Academy of Irish Music students meet once a week at the Irish-AmericanHeritage Center in Chicago. Students are divided into beginner, intermediate, andsenior groups based on ability and experience. The children come from all overthe the Metropolitan area. Most of them participate in school bands andorchestras; many are Suzuki trained. These kids enjoy playing Irish music andmaking new friends.GROUP LESSONS & PRIVATE CLASSESFlute | Whistle | Bodhran | Fiddle | Viola | CelloFor more information contact: Noel Rice, Director(773) 725-0300 • nrice@interaccess.comwww.academyofirishmusic.orgat the Irish American Heritage Center | 4626 North Knox Ave., Chicago, ILRByaised On Songsand StoriesShay Clarkeor fiddler Liz Carroll. It seemed asif there were hundreds!.Actually, Bill’s interest in Irishmusic was re-awakened at that time,but he had spent years in the 60’splaying for Irish dances in Chicagoat the now long gone BoulevardBallroom and other venues such asthe Keyman’s Club. For the last 15years, he has serve as the traditionalIrish music critic for Chicago’s IrishAmerican News. He also reviewsnew, traditional albums on theworld’s largest Irish music website,LiveIreland.com based out of Dublin,Ireland. In addition, Bill is also afrequent contributor to Irish MusicMagazine, also based out of Dublin.Through this international exposure,Bill is now the most widely read writerin the world on Irish traditionalmusic.” It seems,” says Bill with alaugh, “that all those musicians whowere at my father-in-law’s home arenow at mine. And we love it!”Bill and Shay can’t wait to bringthe best in Celtic music to listenersand they will have a ball doing it!Robert J. Sheehy & SonsBrothers James M. Sheehy and Robert J. Sheehy Jr.continue the family business established in 1913Dignity, Compassion, Caring ServiceFrom Our Family To Your FamilyRobert J. Sheehy & Sons hastended to the needs of families intheir time of grief since 1913. Theirservice to the south and southwestneighborhoods of Chicago andSuburbs has continued at their currentlocation at 4950 W. 79th Streetin Burbank since 1982.This rich heritage continues withthe opening of the second RobertJ. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home inOrland Park. The facility is locatedat 9000 W. 151st Street and can beconveniently accessed by manymajor streets and highways. Spaciousparking is available as well as manyother amenities. A walkout patio,smoking area and large coffee roomare provided to make our visitingfamilies and friends as comfortableas possible in their time of loss.Perhaps, most importantly, Bob andRobert J. Sheehy & Sons4950 W. 79th St.Burbank, IL 60459Jim Sheehy will provide that personalservice which only involved and concernedproprietors can offer.For three generations, The SheehyFamily has prided itself in theservice it has rendered to familiesin one of their most difficult times.As Bob Sheehy has said - “Manyfamilies tell us that they never realizedthat so much was involved. Deathis overwhelming for many peopleand they need time to deal withtheir grief. They put their trust in us tohelp them.”Put your trust in Robert J. Sheehy& Sons. You will be pleased with thedetailed and sympathetic attentionto every specific need.For more information regardingour services or convenient pre-planningarrangements, please call us at1-708-857-7878.(708) 857-7878Robert J. Sheehy & Sons9000 W. 151st StOrland Park, IL 60462