Celtic Thunder Cruise

Well, I am home after quite the wonderful week of cruising, boozing and absolutely no snoozing. I am completely and utterly exhausted. The week was a roller coaster of good times, touching moments, learning experiences and most of all, laughter.


I had no expectations on boarding the ship that brought us out to the Caribbean. Arriving in Miami to find a gorgeous suite in the Intercontinental waiting for me, I realised that Entertainment Cruise Professionals meant business. I was vaguely familiar with Carnival Cruises but really was not expecting too much from them. What I found on boarding surprised and delighted me.


The boat was dated, for sure but i was really surprised at how much i liked it. My very spacious suite with the lovely veranda was like something 1972 had brought as a gift complete with plastic couch which i am guessing is in case I had an incontinence issue. Still, i found the bed comfortable, the cabin very spacious with all mod cons. In fact, I grew to love the comfort and solace it gave me as I soon found out, no matter what time
of day you left that cocoon, you entered a mad and crazy kingdom, the land of the thunderhead!!!!!!!

Being honest, i was worried whether you thunderheads would enjoy my music as it is different from the guys. I know some of you have seen my as competition, in the past when it couldn't be further from the truth. We are all friends and we have nothing but regard for each other's success. Anyways, it worked it out and I felt nothing but the love from the minute i started singing.

A LOT of you asked me on board, if I would perform with Thunder or indeed eventually become a member of the show. That will simply not happen. While I admire the guy's talent and Sharon's skill as a manager, it is not for me. I like being a solo artist and I get to make my own decisions, follow my own path.

Back to the boat......My senses were overwhelmed walking around that boat on the first day. We had a deadline for rehearsal as we were on stage for 2 shows on that very first night. however, even the walk from my room to the theater was full with hellos, hugs, picture taking and general loveliness from fans.

The theater, was spectacular for the audience I thought. Full of color and great for access to the artist. I was amazed at the size of it, given we were on a boat. After a rather panicked rehearsal we got on with our first show. Frankly, we killed. I, despite the rather frenetic tech rehearsal and lack of prep time never sang better.  The band and dancers were on fire and we just enjoyed both performances from start to finish.



It was a treat for us to do stuff we have never sang before. I really enjoyed singing I Cant Make You Love Me and Tomorrow's Child.  We had a lot more new material ready but ran out of time as we had to get in 2 shows in one night. The reaction was immediate. The first audience lapped it up and we could not have been happier. 





Our second show, I figured would be another step up but i think the long day of boarding and waiting for pic with Celtic Thunder took it's toll on the punters. I could tell everyone was tired. I still knew though that you all had a wonderful time and we had found some new fans.

So, at the end of day one, we were done....and we had barely left port. I think the band and I were genuinely dissappointed that we didn't get to perform more but that is reality of cruise entertainment. There is only so much time.



The rest of my week involved filling my days with the gym to ward off the evils of the great food in the buffet. I have to say the food and service was spectacular. I loved dinner every night and the midnight pizza after a few beers was so welcome. The staff however, I thought were second to none. Amazing friendly service that I have rarely witnessed before.

My favorite thing was hanging out with my lovely band. They are just awesome to work with but we never get to just hang out.

Jamaica was a bit dodgy and not my cuppa tea at all. but I loved getting to spend the day in Cayman, especially given that we had lunchtime drinks in the rather gorgeous Ritz Carlton.

I loved the wine tasting on the last day as I got to have longer conversations with people and we got to talk about my favorite thing in the world, VINO!!!!!

Lastly I showed up for a Meet n Greet and autograph signing for an hour. It lasted 2 hours as so many showed up. I was thrilled getting to do photos, sign your cds and posters and just chat with fans who I've only met online. I still can't quite grasp what my music means to people so hearing stories of how my songs help people is so encouraging. Everyone was taken aback that I wanted to meet and talk to everyone. Why wouldn't I? You are the people who gave me this incredible life.

Thanks so much for all the incredible gifts you brought. I will be drinking Starbucks non stop!!!!!



My body was in complete shutdown after it all. I am a bit of a light weight so I was not able for the pace. I crawled off the boat and boarded the flight home for a few days before the madness of the Christmas dates begin.

Overall I would say that the whole experience was just wonderful. I got to hang out with friends, make new ones, perform for fans who have been so loyal to me and celebrate everything that music has brought to my life.

I hope to do another cruise as soon as possible. LOVED IT.

So now I am getting ready for some Christmas dates. Really looking forward to them. There is an extra date in Saint Louis area on December 8. You could go to the matinee of the lads ABC show and head over to my show that features other great Broadway artists. Details to follow.

Cerritos Center, Los Angeles Dec 06
St. Louis, Dec 08 Details TBA.
Foxwoods, CT Dec 10
SFSC Avon Park, FL Dec 16
Lakeland Center, FL Dec 17
Festival Hall, Greensboro, GA Dec 18

For all the new fans asking about my recordings, here are some links

For all info go to www.michaellondra.com

and one last thing PLEASE LIKE my official facebook page for new music and dates............
You are probably already friends with me but this page will give you the music you want to hear.

That was the week that was!

Sunday morning. Nameless random Nashville hotel.

OK, it's the Marriott. I am lying here in the quiet. Just finished watching the political shows that consume my every Sunday morning. I really should be at mass and while I am catholic, for some reason my addiction to social and political dialogue seems to hold more attention than the ramblings of a nameless catholic priest in a church I don't know. God forgive me.

I've had quite the week. It started in Long Island where I had 2 sold out shows at The Patchogue Theater. Those folks were in the mood for a good time. Somehow people seem to be more involved in my concerts than they used to be. They laugh and sing more. They clap louder. I suspect it is because they need to have more of a good time than they used to. Life is more stressful these days. People havent as much funds in their pockets. A night out does the world of good. We had 1100 on both nights and they were determined to have a great night out.

Once we finished the shows I headed into New York. I have a storage unit there since I left a few years ago. I actually was based in New York for about 15 years total. It is my spiritual home. The day I arrived as a kid in 1989 I knew I belonged there. I remember everything about that day. It was the start of my love affair with the Big Apple. We have had many ups and downs and indeed divorced( well, separated) in 2008 but really I will never leave my town. Do you ever forget your first love? I know the city better than anywhere in the world including Wexford. Once I get back in town, things just seem to fall into place.

I was hugely busy but had some priorities. I wanted to spend time with some people I hadn't seen. NYC makes it difficult to get together with people but I got to spend time with my lovely friend Phyl who I stayed with, hang with Jean Clancy(Celtic Thunder General Manager) and my long time friend and Riverdance Company Manager Thom Clay. Much mayhem ensued.

With Phyl, I got to go to Becco, one of my favorite spots on restaurant row. I always enjoy the Pasta Symphony there, a highly recommended fresh homemade pasta. The service was impeccable and the NYC vibe was perfect. I love talking to the waitstaff on restaurant row as they are Broadway performers waiting for the break. Most are full of dreams and anticipation, some bitter as hell. Both serve a table with a story to tell that I want to hear.

Phyl is an amazing cabaret artist with a remarkable career to show for it and one of the most magnetic performers I have ever seen. She has been family and friend to me for 20 years. When we get together we laugh more than anything really. Noone, and I mean noone, has a more hilarious approach to life than she. She gave me the quintessential New York evening with pasta, vino and fall of yer chair laughs.

Of course that didn't satisfy me. I simply had to continue into the night once Phyllis sensibly decided she would retire for the evening. I headed out to Jean's wine bar, Claret. I love the place. It has a gorgeous food and wine menu. Jean is the most accomplished person I know. She speaks French and Italian, knows random facts about every food known to mankind, can cook up a storm, is a wine uberkind, runs Celtic Thunder with lazer precision and is loyal to a fault. We have been great friends for a long time now.

I remember the day we got that first CT CD mailed to us. Sharon Browne asked us to take it to Irish America like we had done with Celtic Woman. We didn't know that day what the Celtic Thunder show would achieve. I remember listening to Keith and thinking "star potential" so i am feeling a lil bit psychic with my predictions. The new release is out in a month and I am hearing AMAZING things from people in the industry not connected to Thunder. Keith is making waves and it couldn't happen to a nicer fella.

Anyways, jean and I talked about the music business which we are both fairly obsessed with. I love hearing her talk about Thunder. Sharon and Jean are so proud of what has happened and how the show is progressing. I know i learned a lot from both of them as a producer and am inspired by their achievements. The show simply would not exist without them. Anyways, we talked and talked but i got sense and got out of there before it got too late.

Midweek, I met Thom Clay, my old boss in Riverdance on Broadway. He is now company manager of Nice Work If You Can Get It. We met for lunch but he invited me to come to see the show that night. I knew Kelli O Hara was in the show. I had asked Kelli to be in my first PBS special but she was busy in the Kennedy Center at the same time so it didn't happen. I love her voice. You will recognise her from her performances in South Pacific and Light In the Piazza.

So I went to the show and laughed my head off. I wanted to hear Kelli sing some more serious songs but ultimately I had a complete ball and howled through the whole evening. Judy Kaye is hilarious and indeed won a Tony for it. The chandelier scene is just hysterical. Kelli and her partner on stage Matthew Broderick have a great chemistry and seemed to enjoy the whole performance so that made me love them both.

I went back to Kelli's dressing room after and she graciously invited me to have a glass of wine. In walks Matthew Broderick, Chris Sullivan and a few more cast members and we had an impromptu cocktail party full of showbiz stories, inside jokes and everyone in the room attempting an Irish accent. I was rather impressed that they all spoke highly about Wexford Cheese and Wexford Ale....didnt have the heart to tell them it isn't brewed at home but it is a County Wexford recipe.

The night ended in a nameless Broadway bar with crew from various shows gathered around a table to talk showbusiness. I lapped it all up like soup.

I left New York because I felt like I had graduated. It was time. But, it will always have a hold of me. I get to have the best of both worlds so I am there quite a lot. This week reminded me why I am part of it. I understand it and it certainly understands me.

A quick flight to Chicago to make sure my house is still standing had to happen. Honestly, I have spent about 2 months there this year but I guess it is what I signed up for.

I flew to Nashville 2 days ago to start a week of projects. I went straight from the airport to the studio where I starting demoing songs. I wasn't in the best of voice from the flight i think so I am not at all happy with what we cut so i will go in again on Tuesday to go again. Marcus Hummon, Bernie Herms and I wrote a song called East Of You, West Of Me a few weeks back. I love everything about it not least the fact that I am writing with these legends but spending time with inspiring people is what I live for. Anyways, my first go does not do the song justice. I am nothing if not a perfectionist so I start again this week.

The rest of this week involves meeting Outback Concerts to finally decide on route and dates for Christmas. Yes, I know it is not far away and I know I need to get this out to you guys soon but once we get it routed this week I should have the information soon. Right now I have only about 10 dates iron clad but we will add a lot more this week. The tour officially starts in the Zeiterion, New Bedford, MA on November 24. Tix not released yet. As for the show we have some major guests including the current world Irish dance champion Michael Holland , gorgeous newly written holiday songs, new musicians and a GUARANTEED great night out for the holidays. It is hands down my favorite tour.

I've been invited to visit the Grammy Nashville Offices this week so I am going to drop in to see if some of that magic rubs off on me. If you don't know by now, I am obsessed with country music so getting to call in on the center of it all will be a treat. I am also going to a red carpet event. Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics filmed a documentary called The Blackbird Diaries and the Ringmaster General about the making of his new Nashville album with Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, Alison Kraus etc etc and there is a fancy launch party on Wednesday. I promise to sneak some party photos to you guys on twitter. The question is how do I get to talk to Stevie. Will work on that.

The rest of this week involved planning 2013 with my manager Robert. He has some great unusual plans so we will see what pans out. Right now the rest of the year is fairly mapped out but know this. I have 2 separate recording projects. I head back to New York in late September to knock out the first and then I will be back and forth to Nashville over the coming 6 months for the second one.

Thanks for the cards and letters....and the starbucks treats.....but most of all for that level of support which holds me up and moves me forward.

Love ye for it.
m

March Madness and a Dream Fulfilled.

Last day of March after what was the mildest winter in Chicago history. No such thing as climate change? Please! Anyways, I am grateful for it. Usually i find January and February an opportune time to get out of town to sunnier shores but this time I managed to stay home. I love Chicago. Funnily enough, I don't get to spend too much time here so I always feel new in town even though it has been my address for 10 years.

I do have big news...well,for me it is big news. You will wonder what the fuss is about but I got to fulfill a dream of mine this week, more important to me than singing.....yes, that is saying something. You can read about it below but for now let's touch on March madness as Irish performers worldwide call it, it was a blast. It was the most arduous but funnest tour ever. I had 15 or so out on the road with me and we hit every corner of the US. It was hectic but hilarious. I have a lot of fun with my band and dancers who deal with tough circumstance with a sense of humor and joie du vivre.
Click here for an example of that humor.

A rainbow from my hotel room in Oregon on Saint Patrick's Day morning. Tis Glocca Morra - Faith n Begorrah! I always get a bit homesick on St. Patrick's Day but this year's tour was so fun that it didn't drag me down at all.

I cannot tell you how many miles we covered but we had standing ovations in many states, sold out in many cities and the reaction was the same; we give the audience a great night out. This audience in Wenatchee Toyota Arena has still to show up obviously but when they did, they certainly were the loudest on the tour. Awesome night.

Rob Schneider here is obviously endorsing our show.



I've a few bits of news for you. We have a few new people on board to help spread the word. First I got a new agent to get me out there. Parallel 49 is a brand new agency out of Santa Monica. A division of S. L. Feldman in Canada they are an incredible team who will compliment the work done by Harmony Artists. They've got great artists on their books like The Canadian Tenors who I think are just brilliant and the likes of Tracey Morgan. What a mix!

I signed a new manager in Nashville. Robert Williams is a veteran in the field. He manages John Oates (as in Hall & Oates) and Guitar Legend Larry Carlton. I met with lots of management over the past few months but I liked this guy a lot. He makes me laugh and has a proven record over the years so I am excited to work with him and his team.

So now to my big news....yesterday, I experienced the proudest moment of my career in entertainment when I signed a publishing deal with Shapiro Bernstein, one of the biggest, most renowned music publishers in the business. I like being a singer but being acknowledged as a writer is fulfillment of a dream for me. I get to work with some of the best songwriters there is, write songs for other artists and I get great songs sent to me. What's not to love? Anyways, in May I head to Nashville for a month to work with some of those great writers. It makes me feel like a grown up! I may also end up like I did last Sunday, walking up and down the streets of Nashville listening to amazing talent in all those honky tonks. LOVE THAT TOWN!

I ended up celebrating that and more by heading out to The Girl and the Goat. Love it there. It really was the proudest day for me, bigger than Riverdance on Broadway or my PBS Special. This was fulfilling a dream I had in my twenties that I thought would never happen; someone who knows what they are doing, saying that I am a good writer and should be writing great songs. AWESOME FEELING!

So what's next? Well, the winter tour dates are coming in hard and fast. A bigger tour and a bigger show. I won't announce dates until mid summer probably but it looks like we will hit every corner of the US again, ending on December 23 with a shuffle up to Buffalo. I will record some more new material. We have a a lot finished but I am looking for new songs to reflect my new place in the world. This year I feel like mixing it up a little.

By the way, I've been getting emails asking me if I am going country. Nashville is the heart of country yes, but it is also the heart of the music publishing business and the center of where it is all happening in entertainment these days. Aside from everything else, I like the place. I love country music, but I am certainly not going country. You just might see some influences in the next recordings.

I go to Ireland late April to see everyone in Wexford and when I am there I will do a concert on May 5 with some great guests like Daniel Furlong who I think is a huge addition to Celtic Thunder's new show. Have to say I love the new special. The arrangements for the new songs are fantastic and seeing Neil up front is great too. Emmet had big shoes to fill replacing Paul but his voice is stunningly clear and he's doing a fine job. The one to watch in the future in my opinion. Anyway's Wexford will be a lot of fun. I've also got Niall O Sullivan on board. He's an amazing trumpet player from Dublin who is destined for great things internationally, in my humble opinion.



Joining me on the night will be Brenda Brooks, an incredible singer/actress. One of my former singing partners in musical theater, she was always a lot of fun to work with. It will be fun to sing showtunes again and to hear her amazing voice live for the first time in many years. The night promises to be special.

Anyways, that is it for now. I will send you all a report from Ireland and lots more news from Nashville.

Thanks to everyone who sent me presents for Saint Patricks Day. The messages, cakes and Starbuck's cards are always a treat!

Big love

Michael

Damien, Wexford and more.......

So tonight, Monday September 19 at 7pm Central,we are having a webinar to chat to fans. I am hosting a tour to Ireland next May and we want to answer questions fans have about the tour. I am excited to host a group not only travelling around Ireland but also in my home town, Wexford. You have heard me at the concerts talk about how great the place is and now you can come with me to see it for yourself. To register for the webinar click on Wexford

Proud to tell you that Damien McGinty, formerly of my friends in Celtic Thunder who has gone on to great things in Hollywood, getting into the cast of Glee.....is now a supporter not only of Concern Worldwide but also a supporter of Haiti with a new program called Your Dollar, Our Future.




My link to Haiti and Concern

Your Dollar, Our Future: Michael Londra with Concern in Haiti from Concern Communications on Vimeo.

I am very happy to announce that after debuting on the PBS network nationally in August, Michael Londra's Beyond Celtic, my exciting production involving a cast of the finest Celtic musicians and dancers will begin touring North America in November. We have aired over 250 times nationally with more airings and live pledges for tickets coming in September through December. We begin touring in late fall and are currently looking at 50 dates nationally through 2012 so far. Phew, I am exhausted even saying it.

The pledges last week on the West Coast were a lot of fun with stops in Seattle and San Bernardino.....and a few days in the Hollywood Hills by a pool! Shout out to the Celtic Thunder fans who called in to the station to say hello and to the lovely lady who made me scones.

This summer has been thrilling, tiring and fun. It was just wonderful to get the reaction from people to the show. I feel like I am at journey's end and have such a sense of satisfaction but the funny thing is that it is only beginning. It will be great just to get going. I have asked some fantastic musicians to join me including the great Steve Holloway and Tony Steele from the band of Riverdance on Broadway. Also joining me along the way in various ports will be Caitlin Warbelow, Jackie Moran, Kathleen Keane, Mellad Abeid, David Schulz and a lovely orchestra. With guest artists Sephira joining us occasionally and World Champion Irish Dancer Owen Barrington plus a troupe of dancers, this all adds up to be a great night out. Amazing to me to get to work with these brilliant people on and off stage in my own show.

The album and dvd are available now for preorder on Amazon with an Oct 11 release date on the Razor and Tie label. Along with those releases is a new studio album featuring studio versions of some of the songs from the show along with some previously unreleased tracks of covers and originals including a nice new version of my tribute to my friend Eoin Colfer's great character Artemis Fowl and a cover of U2's classic Ground Beneath Her Feet. The Road Not Taken has the same release date: October 11. So all you people out in blog world can be the first to know that we have had our first meeting to talk about Beyond Celtic 2. We've decided on a date in Spring 2012 and on a general direction. Details to follow but it is certainly exciting. Onwards - Upwards!

San Francisco

Hey....I am flying...for a change


Well San Francisco was everything I wanted it to be....and some more.


Arriving there puts in me a good mood. The town has the feel of Europe....with an American accent. I love the predictable fog and the hills. I love the houses sloped against the right angle roads. I love that 30 minutes walking replaces cardio in the gym.. I love that I can taste every nations food in a 5 minute walk. I like hearing the gulls remind me of home. Now I have a new love....well, an old love.

AT&T Park, despite the corporate name is a wonder. An arena full of the American dream. I guess I had no idea how many people would be there. Sold out the sign read as I arrived to sing the National Anthem for the Giants / Astros games. I then read that all 64 games this season sold out. With the average ticket at $100 and 42,000 seats sold, someone is making a lot of money.

The publicist for my shows in San Francisco and his partner met me at the corporate entrance and we were escorted into the bowels of the building only to surface right behind home plate. I was awestruck and immediately fell in love. The atmosphere was buzzing. The Giants had won the night before and you could feel it. Optimism everywhere. So I waited to walk onto the diamond. I was in no way nervous. It felt like I was about to get on a fairground ride. I was escorted to the microphone and after a short introduction began singing. I started in a key lower than I was used to and as soon as I finished the first sentence and began the second, I heard the first sentence coming back at me in a strange auditory backslap. It was hugely disconcerting but I sang through it and indeed reached the end without messing up the words(nod to Christina Aguilera) or hitting a bum note(hat tip to Rosanne Barr). The song is difficult but if you approach it's simplicity and offer no theatrics , it all becomes easier. I don't think the song should be performed....just honored.

As the roar went up toward the last sentence I felt that instant in slow motion. All at once I was on that plane 20 years ago when I first arrived in the US. I had no idea then that I would make a small mark, my mark. There, on Saturday at a ball game, I realised that I have achieved what I set out to do all those years ago. I am fulfilled and happy. I have made myself a part of the US. At the same time, I am making people wonder where I come from, who my parents are and wonder whether they will ever get to Ireland.I indeed am part of two worlds.

The Giants people asked me with little notice to sing the 7th inning stretch. I said I would be happy to but then quietly asked "what is the 7th inning stretch". I was then sent a clip of Take Me out to the Ballgame". I was led up to where the videotron is at the park and there, with the backing of a 40,000 piece choir, I sang the song....well it isn't a song you sing, as roar in a bawdy singsong kind of way. I finished and the walk to the exit was filled with fathers and son's, kids, frat guys and grandmothers giving me backslaps, high fives,hugs and photo ops. I felt the love and the respect. People were grateful I came along. "hey Irish, you sang good"!

I got a car home to my hotel and decided I should celebrate by heading to the rooftop bar overlooking the city. I ordered a lovely red zin from Lodi, not far from the city. Savoring the vino and the moment I looked across the city. The fog had settled in and it still looked stunning.

My calm was ruined by a group of young professionals. I realised they had been at the Ann Coulter appearance in the theater nearby. They began talking about her and I heard that they idolised her. They had drank the coolaid that even Ann Coulter doesn't drink, even though she makes it. I have never heard such hatred disguised as humor and the fact that it came from seemingly educated go getters made it all the more horrific. There was jokes and put downs about people with AIDS, about muslims, about President Obama....it was endless. I couldn't take anymore. I left the bar and as I was going , one of the loud women of the group said to me "Hey handsome, did we make you move...sorry about the noise!" She laughed and I replied "it wasn't the noise or your politics, it was the vitriol". I left.

On Sunday I boarded the on/off bus. I saw The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Nob Hill, The Castro, Haight Ashbury, Alcatraz, The Bay. It was a day off to savor. I loved it from start to finish. I have said it before - If only San Francisco wasn't so far West. I want to live there.

I will be back to perform Dec 12 - Jan 2. Tickets are available NOW

Home for 10 days and then back to the West Coast for Live Pledges in Seattle KCTS 9 Sept 12 and San Bernardino KVCR Sept 13

Its finally here!

Hey Everyone

Well it is all getting a little frenetic in Camp Beyond Celtic this week as we start to promo for Michael Londra Beyond Celtic on PBS. Pledges start next week nationwide and with that begins the journey to many of those local stations. My first stop is NYC to view the show with friends on WNET New York / New Jersey on Sunday August 7 at 4.30pm Planning a mini viewing party in a wine bar. I am not planning on watching it but will be meeting everyone there once they've watched it. I can't look at my own shows. Anyways, it will be fun to see my friends and watch their reactions to it.

I then fly to San Francisco to do my first pledges on August 11 and on to Baltimore on Aug 13 . There will be lots of exciting news that week including details of a contest for choirs to perform with me and the first tickets available for our December tour and the Beyond Celtic tour beginning in Feb 2012.

So this weekend we had the best time in Ohio. I was invited by the Lancaster Festival to come perform with the Symphony. Naturally I brought a great band including Bodhran player Jackie Moran, the brilliant Kathleen Keane on fiddle and whistle plus the boys of An Dochas and a group of dancers lead by Riverdance lead, Joe Moriarty. The symphony was stunning and I felt like I was cradled in the arms of angels while performing with such a huge orchestra, not forgetting my 4000 or so backing singers in the audience. Althoguh I am completely wrecked after an exhausting weekend's work I have to say that it a magical night. Livin the dream! Photos from the Performance

So I have recently partnered with the Visit Wexford campaign to be rolled out over the coming year. Historically Wexford, an amazing part of Ireland seen as THE vacation destination for the Irish has been overlooked by international tourists. There is so much to offer visitors to Wexford from its beaches to it's viking origins, from it's Opera Festival to Dunbrody Famine Ship, from the Irish National Heritage Park to Johnstown Castle. It's a happening part of Ireland with a huge focus on the arts. In every blog from now on I will highlight a wonderful event,locale or festival from my area that I know will intrigue people worldwide.

Sorry we havent given you details of the 2012 Beyond Celtic tour yet but are we adding dates so fast. Soon...I promise. I can say we added The Grove in Anaheim and Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

Right...here are some airings nationally for you. It is nowhere near the final list so don't complain if your city isn't on there.As I get more details I will add airings accordingly. Please spread the word for me.

New York/New Jersey
WNET 8/7/11 4:30 PM

New York / Long Island
WLIW 8/27/11 4:30 PM

San Francisco
KQED 8/11/11 7:30 PM LIVE
KQED
8/11/11 7:30 PM
8/12/11 1:30 AM
8/14/11 5:30 PM
8/15/11 10:30 PM
8/16/11 4:30 AM
8/16/11 1:00 PM
8/18/11 10:30 PM
8/19/11 4:30 AM
8/8/11 7:00 PM
8/11/11 7:30 PM
8/12/11 1:30 AM
8/14/11 5:30 PM
8/15/11 10:30 PM
8/16/11 4:30 AM
8/18/11 10:30 PM
8/19/11 4:30 AM
8/11/11 7:30 PM
8/12/11 1:30 AM
8/14/11 5:30 PM
8/15/11 10:30 PM
8/16/11 4:30 AM
8/16/11 1:00 PM
8/18/11 10:30 PM
8/19/11 4:30 AM
8/11/11 7:30 PM
8/12/11 1:30 AM
8/14/11 5:30 PM
8/15/11 10:30 PM
8/16/11 4:30 AM
8/18/11 10:30 PM
8/19/11 4:30 AM

Maryland
MPT 8/13/11 LIVE

South Carolina
SCETV 8/24/11 Live

Gainsville North Central Florida
WUFT 8/19/11 8:00 PM

Detroit
WTVSDT 6/16/11 9:30 PM

Washington State and British Columbia
KCTS 9/12/11 TBD

Spokane
KSPS 9/13, 7 PM
WSPS 9/15/11 8:30 PM

Pittsburgh
WQED 8/11/11 7:30 PM
WQED 8/12/11 1:30 AM
WQED 8/14/11 5:30 PM
WQED 8/15/11 10:30 PM
WQED 8/16/11 4:30 AM
WQED 8/16/11 1:00 PM
WCETDT 8/7/11 10:00 PM

Cincinnatti
WPTODT5 8/6/11 6:30 PM
WPTODT 8/6/11 6:30 PM

Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota
WUSF
8/17/11 3:00 PM
8/7/11 3:00 PM
8/9/11 2:00 AM
8/10/11 2:00 AM
8/6/11 11:30 AM
8/18/11 10:30 AM

Philadelphia
WHYY 8/7/11 10.30pm

Mississippi / Alabama
WMABDT 8/20/11 11:00 PM

Washington DC
WFPT 8/13/11 6:00 PM
WFPT 8/14/11 1:00 PM

Boston

WGBH
8/14/11 1:30 AM
8/19/11 1:00 AM

Chicago
Lakeshore 8/27/11 12:30 AM

AUGUSTA
WEBA 8/25/11 8:00 PM

Arizona
EIGHT ARIZONA PBS
8/8/11 8.30pm
8/8/11 11.30pm

Nashville
WNPT
8/7/11 5:30 PM
8/9/11 10:00 PM
8/14/11 1:30 PM

Myrtle Beach
WHMC 8/25/11 8:00 PM

Charlotte
WITVDT 8/25/11 8:00 PM
WITVDT 8/28/11 1:00 PM
WITVDT2 8/27/11 10:00 AM
WITVDT2 8/28/11 10:00 AM


New Orleans
WYESDT 8/14/11 2:00 PM
WYESDT 8/14/11 11:00 PM


Gainsville
WUFTDT 8/15/11 10:00 PM
8/19/11 8:00 PM

West Palm Beach
WXEL 8/13/11 7pm

Jacksonville
WJCT 8/14/11 2pm

Fort Myers
WGCU 8/14/11 5pm

Fresno
Valley Public TV 8/20/11 6pm

Chattanooga
WTCI 8/14/11 4.30pm

Quad Cities
WQPT
8/7/11 9.30pm
8/8/11 4.30pm

Monterey / Salinas / Santa Cruz
KQET
8/11/11 7:30 PM
8/12/11 1:30 AM
8/14/11 5:30 PM

Amarillo
KENW 8/10/11 7pm

Rhode Island
WSBE TBD

WETPDT
8/6/11 10:00 PM
8/12/11 8:30 PM


Knoxville
WKOPDT 8/6/11 10:00PM

New Mexico
KNME 8/14/11 7:00PM


Tennessee Valley
WTCIDT 8/14/11 4:30 PM


South Bend/ Michigan/Indiana
WNIT 8/7/11 4:00 PM

Richmond
WCVE 8/11/11 8pm

Salisbury
WDPB 8/7/11 10.30pm

Duluth/Superior
WDSEDT 8/14/11 8:30 PM
WRPTDT 8/14/11 8:30 PM

Columbia, MO
KMOSDT 8/11/11 12:00 AM


West Texas / New Mexico
KRWGDT 8/14/11 3:00 PM
KRWGDT2 8/14/11 3:00 PM

Dakotas
KFMEDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KFMEDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM

Cleveland/Akron/Canton, Ohio
Western Reserve Public Media 8/15/11 9.30pm

Dakotas
KJREDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KJREDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM

Dakotas
KCGEDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KCGEDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KCGEDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KCGEDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KFMEDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KFMEDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KJREDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KJREDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KMDEDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KMDEDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KMDEDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KMDEDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KMOSDT 8/11/11 12:00 AM
KBMEDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KBMEDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KDSEDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KDSEDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KSREDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KSREDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KWSEDT 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KWSEDT 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KBMEDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KBMEDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM


Kansas State
KDSEDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KDSEDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KSREDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KSREDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM
KWSEDT2 8/11/11 9:00 PM
KWSEDT2 8/13/11 3:00 AM


West Tenessee
WLJTDT3 8/9/11 7:00 PM

Jackson
WLJTDT3 8/9/11 7:00 PM
WLJTDT3 8/14/11 5:00 PM

not your average week

Hi Everyone


Today is a good day. It's lunchtime on Sunday June 19.

I was out last night on the Southside of Chicago at the Beverly Arts Center. My friends were performing down there so I went along and had the best time. Hung out with Jimmy Keane(best accordian on the planet) Sean Cleland, Jackie Moran(who will join me in Lancaster to play bodhran at performance on July 23. Met Brian Cunningham who presented his new show Atlantic Steps. He is a sean nos dancer with enthusiasm out the wazoo. I had a great time indeed ending with a few pints. Lovely.

So I went Detroit on Thursday to film the pledge breaks to air nationally thru August. It was overwhelming, fun and scary. I arrived after a short flight to find my super agent Adrienne Crane Ross, Maya Fiallos from International Media and the team from my new record company Razor and Tie

Everyone worked on making the taping go well. The lovely team at Detroit Public TV made me feel very welcome and the taping went well....i think.

ON the subject of Razor and Tie, I couldn't be happier to be working with this company. I've admired their business model for many years and always wanted to work with them'It is amazing to be on a roster with people like Joan Baez, Vanessa Carlton, Dave Stewart aaaaand wait for it...Kidzbop! They have exciting plans for the album and dvd. REtail release is not announced yet and the Beyond Celtic cd and dvd will be available exclusively on PBS for the next few months.

We are planning the national pbs station visits for August. I will see a lot of the US in August. So far we have San Bernardino, Seattle, San Fran, Maryland, Atlanta, and South Carolina, as well as most likely Lehigh Valley and Pittsburg. We have many more and will get details out to you asap.

It's early days so far but as for airings, here are a few stations locked in.

Seattle www.kcts9.org
Maryland www.mpt.org/
South Dakota: www.sdpb.org
Milwaukee www.mptv.org
San Francisco www.kqed.org
Atlanta www.pba.org
Baltimore www.mpt.org
San Bernardino www.kvcr.org

Plenty more to follow.............

Most exciting news of the year so far is I am heading to Ireland tomorrow. Lots going on but the best thing is that it is my mom's 70th birthday on Tuesday. I arrive at home on Tuesday morning so it will be a fun day.

On Thursday I head to a posh event in Dublin to celebrate the launch of the Wexford Ambassadors strategy to develop interest in all things Wexford. Hosted by my long time friend Brendan Howlin, the Minister of Public Expenditure, the event will celebrate all things Wexford and honor the first of Wexford's ambassadors Colm Toibin, Kevin Doyle, Gordon Darcy and my friend Eoin Colfer. I am looking forward to spending time with old friends and a posh night out in Dublin.

On Friday I have 2 events:

1. I am a guest for Gossip Girls I am a bit afraid to be surrounded by women armed with questions about my opinions on everything and lots of cocktails. A few of those women know my darkest secrets so I am afraid....very afraid.

2. Once the talk show is done we head across town to attend the event of the year...my mother's 70th Birthday party. I cannot wait to see all the family together and lots of moms friends from over the years.

We are building the tour for late 2011 and on into 2012. We have about 50 dates so far which is astounding. Details on the tour dates, lots of which will be available for sale on PBS over the coming months. We will post those dates asap.

Big love to everyone

M

May News

Hi Everyone


Hello from deepest Missouri!

I am planning the next month and thought I would let you know where we are and what is happening as I have had a few emails.

So....the past 4 weeks have been quite a wild ride. We have been looking at what we filmed in San Bernardino and to be honest I am simply blown away by how good the show is. Sephira and De Dannan are simply brilliant. The choir and orchestra sound fantastic, the audience are gorgeous lookin and I am ....well....a little over-emotional as you will see once it is released. The team at Mindfox have been doing a great job editing to remove all of my stupid mistakes and making it all look pristine. Steve Skinner has been mixing it and it will be coming at you in surround sound which really makes a huge difference.

To get picked up for distribution by PBS National is something we really hadn't expected and indeed it happens to VERY FEW specials filmed for public TV. The next step is to announce our launch station which will happen in the coming week. I head to the PBS conference in Orlando next month to meet all the stations from around the country with our PBS guru Gustavo Sagastume from International Media. I will then start planning those station visits around the country during summer/fall pledges.
Now everyone is asking about the tour. We will start announcing plans for a large spring 2012 tour soon. I am VERY excited about the details of that and cant wait to announce who we are working with.So, I ask your patience. Putting together a big tour involves so many moving parts and I guess the whole thing is growing faster than we realised so we are playing catch up.

Our first big PBS related tour dates however happen at Christmas. I am heading to San Francisco for a residency at the Marine's Memorial Theater for 18 dates starting Dec 13. Tickets will be available very soon. The team connected to the theater are AMAZING. The artists coming up there include Linda Eder and Glee's Darren Criss There are very exciting events happening attached to that including a spot singing at the Giants game in August. I spent a month in San Fran 10 years ago with Riverdance and it was a very special time in my life with my visiting family and friends. To get to go back to the same town with my own show in a renowned San Francisco theater is just thrilling and makes me grateful beyond belief. It will be a very big Christmas show with a BIG cast. How lucky I am!

So recording news....the cd and dvd of Beyond Celtic does not have a release date quite yet but as soon as we are allowed, I will announce our record company. I have wanted to work with this company for years. I spoke to several labels and noone excited me like these guys.

For now, I head home to Chicago to start planning...then it's Ireland for my mam's 70th birthday and some well deserved pints of Guinness.

China

So I just got back from China. Beijing is polluted beyond belief and anytime you raise this with Beijingers, they reply that it is fog which is funny. I like the town. It is stately in places, crazy and frenetic in others. I stayed in the cool Sanlitun area so safe to say I had a Starbucks on my doorstep. I did eat pretty amazing food including exotic dishes like Ox Tendon....interesting. I had Peking Duck with the addition of Goose. Have to say it was delicious. I may or may not have sampled Beijing nightlife including a funny speakeasy at the Workers Stadium. The trip was a big success now I am suffering the worst jetlag ever.
Recommendation for hotel http://www.theoppositehouse.com/

SO now begins the holiday tour which as usual should be great fun. Sad to say my trusted friend and guitarist Mellad wont be with us as his wife is having a baby. I do want to let you know that the lovely Caitlin Warbelow will be out with us on this tour. She is fun and brilliant on the fiddle, http://www.myspace.com/caityanna/blog/495758035
Preperation is underway for the PBS special to be recorded in San Bernardinos California Theater on March 18. We will be running a contest for free tickets to the taping in the New Year. I am delighted to say our first guest artist will be Frankie Gavin and De Dannan. I love trad and these are just the best there is. Frankie is a legend and I am honored to have them on board. We have one more exciting guest to announce but that wont happen until the New Year.

We go into the studio this week to record new material for the album to accompany the PBS dvd. So excited to get the earphones on and start singing. I love being in a studio as much as being on stage , if not more. We have a greatv new original song to record and much more.

Just when I thought I would focus on being a producer along came a chance to sing some more so the decision was made for me. I am excited about 2011 and in this week of thanksgiving, I am so grateful that I have this gift which allows me to do amazing things around the world.

Thanks for all your lovely emails. I just love to get them

Happy Thanksgiving.
ML
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