JigTime

I did two videocasts today. Some of it was for a real audience and others was just testing some techy stuff. I enjoyed both a lot. But doing a live show, playing the music I love which is performed by the people I admire most is a lot of fun.

I also spoke to Paul Rodden today in France. Paul is my cousin and we have played music together for many years. He was the first to get me interested in bluegrass music and then traditional Irish music. Talking to Paul in France is a big event. He likes to be prepared to talk, with a cigarette and a glass of wine handy. There are no short chats with Paul and it is refreshing sometimes to have long talks with a lot of laughing. The means of communication between all the Pyros is a strange and wonderful thing. I am amazed we manage to get a whole gig together once a year. But with Michael Gallanagh at the organizational helm we usually create an entertaining show.

I have been playing a lot more bass in recent days too. At my age the fingers are not as nimble as they once were and so I have to have them ready for some of the manic stuff we play in the band. I will be bringing bandaids just in case.

The press stuff has started to heat up. Sue Doherty who is in charge of all PR work is so good at this and has taken the level of press coverage to a new level. I do little bits and pieces to get the word out on this side of the Atlantic and hopefully we will hear a few American accents at home in March but Sue knows how to get the word out to the people who matter and she is so much fun to work with too.

Here is a short version of the latest videocast which has some more news from the Ar Ais Aris festival.

Stay well til next time