Well the 2009 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Winners have been announced. Looks like they've gone for some less high profile people compared to last year, which is probably no harm.........
TG4 Gradam Ceoil (Traditional Music Awards) 2009 winners in full
Traditional Musician of the Year: Charlie Harris
Harris is a Limerick-born accordion player who was heavily influenced by the playing of the late Joe Cooley. An unassuming man, he is widely respected for his musicianship and is regarded as a supreme stalwart of the music.
Young Traditional Musician of the Year: Conor McEvoy
From a very young age McEvoy studied in depth the music of great Sligo players such as Michael Coleman. He displays great understanding of the music for someone of his years and is creating an awareness of the work of past generations within a younger circle of musicians.
Composer of the Year: Con “Fada” Ó Drisceoil (see interview above)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Roger Sherlock
Sherlock is a native of the rich musical area that straddles Mayo-Sligo, and now lives in Co Meath. He is highly respected as a player and was a central figure in London for many years, giving younger musicians help and advice.
Traditional Singer of the Year: Sarah Anne O’Neill
O’Neill embodies the rich Tyrone singing tradition, and is a member of an illustrious singing family. Her musical influence extends not just to her own locality but to the whole country, and her singing style and huge repertoire of songs are held in high regard.
Musicians’ Award: Reg Hall
Hall recorded many of the main players in London and wrote sleeve notes for a host of records. He is currently completing a book about the history of Irish music in London. He has donated 400 of his own original tapes to the British Library. His pioneering work is of immense artistic and historical value, providing a rare archive of recordings from a time when Irish music was thriving in London.
well, i wouldnt say 'less high profile'. roger sherlock, reg hall, con fada o'drisceoil. charlie harris, everyone knows them. i would say people who actually derserve the award.
Oh come on fiddleruairi, all the winners may be well known to trad aficianados but they are a lot less well known in the wider musical world then last years main winners Martin Hayes, Iarla O'Lianaird, Peadar O'Ríada etc.
Not saying any of them don't deserve the award or that any of last years didn't (apart from that Tourish fella).
I think this years list is interesting in that compared to previous years the winners would generally only be known to trad aficianados. Seems to be a real musicians' musicians choice this year.
Nice to see Reg Hall get something. I think I first came across him in the London area in the early sixties. He must have played piano for innumerable players since then. His memories of the trad scene would be worth bottling. Good luck to him.
The 2009 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards ceremony will take place in Wexford Opera House on Sat, April 4. I believe then it is shown on TG/4 the following Easter weekend.
Three cheers for Con Fada O'Drisceoil who displayed some of that wit in the Catskills last summer at the Catskills Irish Arts Week. in New York
WH.
Beer, Sex and Ceili Music...Who in their right mind would want to read about that?
Also my memory is starting to fade about the Sex bit, apart from the fact that her husband is still looking for me.....!!!!
ah henry cheer up.just because you havent heard of them it doesnt mean they arent great musicians.isnt the gradam about recognising the work of great musicians, whether well known or not?
2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Well the 2009 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Winners have been announced. Looks like they've gone for some less high profile people compared to last year, which is probably no harm.........
TG4 Gradam Ceoil (Traditional Music Awards) 2009 winners in full
Traditional Musician of the Year: Charlie Harris
Harris is a Limerick-born accordion player who was heavily influenced by the playing of the late Joe Cooley. An unassuming man, he is widely respected for his musicianship and is regarded as a supreme stalwart of the music.
Young Traditional Musician of the Year: Conor McEvoy
From a very young age McEvoy studied in depth the music of great Sligo players such as Michael Coleman. He displays great understanding of the music for someone of his years and is creating an awareness of the work of past generations within a younger circle of musicians.
Composer of the Year: Con “Fada” Ó Drisceoil (see interview above)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Roger Sherlock
Sherlock is a native of the rich musical area that straddles Mayo-Sligo, and now lives in Co Meath. He is highly respected as a player and was a central figure in London for many years, giving younger musicians help and advice.
Traditional Singer of the Year: Sarah Anne O’Neill
O’Neill embodies the rich Tyrone singing tradition, and is a member of an illustrious singing family. Her musical influence extends not just to her own locality but to the whole country, and her singing style and huge repertoire of songs are held in high regard.
Musicians’ Award: Reg Hall
Hall recorded many of the main players in London and wrote sleeve notes for a host of records. He is currently completing a book about the history of Irish music in London. He has donated 400 of his own original tapes to the British Library. His pioneering work is of immense artistic and historical value, providing a rare archive of recordings from a time when Irish music was thriving in London.
You can read another world-beating article about it from Siobhán Wrong here http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/0205/1233713218745.html
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by The Tune Composer
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
well, i wouldnt say 'less high profile'. roger sherlock, reg hall, con fada o'drisceoil. charlie harris, everyone knows them. i would say people who actually derserve the award.
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by fiddleruairi
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Oh come on fiddleruairi, all the winners may be well known to trad aficianados but they are a lot less well known in the wider musical world then last years main winners Martin Hayes, Iarla O'Lianaird, Peadar O'Ríada etc.
Not saying any of them don't deserve the award or that any of last years didn't (apart from that Tourish fella).
I think this years list is interesting in that compared to previous years the winners would generally only be known to trad aficianados. Seems to be a real musicians' musicians choice this year.
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by The Tune Composer
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Charlie Harris! I thought everyone knew about him. His playing is fabulous!
Check out his brilliant solos on some of the Shaskeen CDs.
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by gtag
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
where's it on ??? killarney??
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by CFlood
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Charlie Harris is also well known for repairing and restoring old accordeons.
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by murfbox
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Nice to see Reg Hall get something. I think I first came across him in the London area in the early sixties. He must have played piano for innumerable players since then. His memories of the trad scene would be worth bottling. Good luck to him.
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
The 2009 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards ceremony will take place in Wexford Opera House on Sat, April 4. I believe then it is shown on TG/4 the following Easter weekend.
Three cheers for Con Fada O'Drisceoil who displayed some of that wit in the Catskills last summer at the Catskills Irish Arts Week. in New York
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by clareman
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Wexford Opera House, High Street, Wexford Town, Wexford, Republic Of Ireland
http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/product/?fid=FI_75484
# Posted on February 6th 2009 by gtag
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
"His memories of the trad scene would be worth bottling" - as might yours, I dare say, Free Reed!!
# Posted on February 6th 2009 by the wounded hussar
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
WH.
Beer, Sex and Ceili Music...Who in their right mind would want to read about that?
Also my memory is starting to fade about the Sex bit, apart from the fact that her husband is still looking for me.....!!!!
# Posted on February 6th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
Whats it worth not to tell him where you live?
# Posted on February 6th 2009 by banjoburger
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
A pint of cider next time we meet!!!!!!!!!!!
# Posted on February 6th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: 2009 tg4 gradam ceoil winners
ah henry cheer up.just because you havent heard of them it doesnt mean they arent great musicians.isnt the gradam about recognising the work of great musicians, whether well known or not?
# Posted on March 14th 2009 by happyhippo