The 'biggest name' I know would be 'Engelbert Humperdinck' but I don't think he wouldd be interested in our music, but I could be wrong!
I'm think most of us have seen a number of well known musicians take part in the goings on here & I'm sure many more will actually read these pages, without actually getting involved.
But why do you ask hotfiddler?
Are you looking for autographs?
Big names or no, I feel there are enough resident experts here to answer any questions which may crop up.
"Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" ? Not that I'm an EH fan, just that I've a good memory . Some things are best forgotten, but what can you do? [ Enough "smilies" here already ].
I've heard that one of Irish celebrity film stars, the one that played in the opening scene of "The Boys and Girl from County Clare" might be lurking around here somewhere.
"Is that big enough?" Now there's an oft' quoted question!
Naaaaw! Fraid not Key. You see, your name is made up of three words, with the longest one being only six letters. For my money Humperdinck with eleven letters beats that, hands down! Of course, if you count all the words in a name, then when you add Engelbert ....................... need I say more
Of course hotfiddler, if you have the time & inclination, at the last count there were a mere 27154 members here, so you could actually find out for yourself just who had the 'biggest' name here ........er, good luck!
I notice there are 10 in 'hotfiddler', so you must be a contender!
Hahaha, very funny. Yeah, not a big name yet but who
knows..........
I dunno, I guess it'd just be kool to find out I was chatting on one of these disscussions w/ Natalie Macmaster or somebody.
I'm sorry Blas, my autographs are rather $$$$!!!!!!
The big names could be here, under a nom de guerre. Or they just could be lurking, without even a user name to identify them, watching to see who speaks ill of them. Who knows, maybe even now one of them is trying to track down their detractors! Maybe they are searching for YOU!
Boo!
(I think I have been reading too much Stephen King or something.)
>The big names could be here, under a nom de guerre. Or they just could be lurking, without even a user name to identify them, watching to see who speaks ill of them.
Actually, I'd be more concerned about whether Homeland Security is lurking here. After all, we know how much of a threat Irish musicians are to Our Freedom.
On the issue of homeland security blah blah, how many groups have actually been hampered entering the US. I know paul doyle of Providence was stopped over some FBI ID cock up, and the Rig the Jig a couple of months ago, but are there any other stories, maybe with different countries?
copo24, Visa problems have been huge in recent years--and have been discussed in professional music magazines--a number of concerts I was looking forward to got cancelled at the last minute. And for no apparent reason--one time I missed seeing an English accordion player who wasn't allowed in--very frustrating, and no clue as to why things weren't working.....
Those US visa problems ... A few months ago the Halle Orchestra, a world-famous and highly-respected British orchestra, cancelled what would have been a remunerative US tour and is now concentrating on European tours.
The reason: it transpired that every member of the orchestra (about 70 plus a few essential admin staff) would have had to travel from Liverpool to London each to get his/her visa. Doing it by post or through an agent wasn't permitted. They would have had to queue literally for hours before being processed, and the visa staff have only to spot some tiny error - such as the pages being out of order or stapled incorrectly, or a chin in a passport photo being 2 mm too close to the bottom edge - for the application to be rejected. Liverpool and London are sufficiently far apart to mean that an overnight stay would have been necessary. The orchestra calculated the cost of this exercise to be £15,000, which isn't insigificant bearing in mind the very small margins these orchestras operate on.
Furthermore, the orchestra wasn't prepared to take the risk of a key player having a visa application rejected and so not being able to travel.
The Halle is not alone in this sort of experience. It seems to be happening to virtually all non-US musicians wishing to do a US tour. And it doesn't matter what the music genre is or who the musicians are.
The end result if some common sense isn't brought to bear on this issue will be that the US will find itself in musical isolation on all fronts.
This is now a world standard for US Visas. What is very scary is that there is no exceptions for extreme distance. For example if you needed a musicians visa and lived in the outskirts of Siberia you would have to fly to Moscow for it with everything perfect. In New Zealand there is a 3 week waiting list for appointments with some exceptions (IE Movie Stars Politicians - they still have to go to the embassy but not queue).
To get an appointment you have to ring a special 0900 number to make the appointment at $3.99 per minute. The embassy is in Auckland - literally a 12 hour train, 9 hour car ride or a $400 plane trip away from the capital which happens to be in the middle of the country. To make matters worse, you cannot get the visa on the way out of the country, you must have a minimum of 21 days before travel.
Unfortunately instead of people and countries saying get knotted everyone lines up to be the US govt beggar dog.
I think I'm lucky being neither a big name nor a pro musician, and being married to a US citizen simplifies things too. The kids have it easy, having two passports, they just wave the appropriate one at each end of the journey.
On the other hand, no, I don't understand what the US government thinks it is doing, but I have no influence over them.
On the other hand....if I gave you my full name, with the hyphen, you might say I was a big name, or just a big wotsit.
There's more to life than being a big name, to get back to the original question.......
There are, as has already been said, many fine musicians who contribute to this site, who have neither achieved great fame nor great affluance.
And then there's me.......
Big names on this site?
Big names on this site?
Hey, I was wondering if anybody from the
"big leagues" (think Kevin Crawford, Liz Knowles, etc.)
ever comes onto this website? What do you guys think?
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by BE
Re: Big names on this site?
The 'biggest name' I know would be 'Engelbert Humperdinck' but I don't think he wouldd be interested in our music, but I could be wrong!
I'm think most of us have seen a number of well known musicians take part in the goings on here & I'm sure many more will actually read these pages, without actually getting involved.
But why do you ask hotfiddler?
Are you looking for autographs?
Big names or no, I feel there are enough resident experts here to answer any questions which may crop up.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
Ptarmy, that the same Englebert that sung the bycycle song ?
OK it was something wae "bycylettes" in it, wan o' those fancy french words
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Strathfoyle
Re: Big names on this site?
"Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" ? Not that I'm an EH fan, just that I've a good memory . Some things are best forgotten, but what can you do? [ Enough "smilies" here already ].
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Kenny
Re: Big names on this site?
Aye Strathfoyle, the very same. “Les Bicyclettes De Belsize”
http://www.zzapp.org/rileygea/songs.htm
For a trip down memory lane click on the 'Engelbert Humperdinck' link.
I don't believe though, that this song was ever been covered by any of the 'Big Names' in Irish Ballad singing!
I see from your bio 'hotfiddler' that you are into Irish, Scottish, & Cape Breton fiddling.
So which big names would you like to see here, & why?
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
Oooops! Cross posted there! Sorry for reminding you Kenny with that link .......... & for another smiley!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
I've heard that one of Irish celebrity film stars, the one that played in the opening scene of "The Boys and Girl from County Clare" might be lurking around here somewhere.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by EastPole
Re: Big names on this site?
I heard that too Janek......... but I also heard that he charges big money for autographs!
But then who knows, maybe hotfiddler is a Big Name too, in his part of the World, with 'loads-a-money' to spend!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
I've got a big name -- look, it's got all of 12 letters. Is that big enough?
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Alf Tupper
Re: Big names on this site?
"Is that big enough?" Now there's an oft' quoted question!
Naaaaw! Fraid not Key. You see, your name is made up of three words, with the longest one being only six letters. For my money Humperdinck with eleven letters beats that, hands down! Of course, if you count all the words in a name, then when you add Engelbert ....................... need I say more
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
Of course hotfiddler, if you have the time & inclination, at the last count there were a mere 27154 members here, so you could actually find out for yourself just who had the 'biggest' name here ........er, good luck!
I notice there are 10 in 'hotfiddler', so you must be a contender!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
But it's bigger than Ptarmigan, which has only 9 letters, so you are not qualified to put me down.
:~}
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Alf Tupper
Re: Big names on this site?
Hey, that's Mr. Ptarmigan to you - & by the way, my full name is actually 'Lagopus Mutus Millaisi' - so that's 20! Guess that's you 'trumped' eh?
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
Touché, Ptarmie!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Alf Tupper
Re: Big names on this site?
Hey, what's with the Ptarmie baloney, I told you it's Mr Ptarmigan to you. As for "Touche" I'll have you know these flowing locks are all my own hair!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
Ptarmigan is a LegEnd
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: Big names on this site?
Where as I am a Bell End
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: Big names on this site?
No I'm not, these are LegEnds, Rip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tmockingbird/71293359/
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Big names on this site?
Ptarmy, can I have your autograph?
Actually, can I have everyone's autograph? Just incase you are all famous and I'm missing out on something here
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by blas
Re: Big names on this site?
Hahaha, very funny. Yeah, not a big name yet but who
knows..........
I dunno, I guess it'd just be kool to find out I was chatting on one of these disscussions w/ Natalie Macmaster or somebody.
I'm sorry Blas, my autographs are rather $$$$!!!!!!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by BE
Re: Big names on this site?
And nooo I'm NOT looking for autographs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by BE
Re: Big names on this site?
The big names could be here, under a nom de guerre. Or they just could be lurking, without even a user name to identify them, watching to see who speaks ill of them. Who knows, maybe even now one of them is trying to track down their detractors! Maybe they are searching for YOU!
Boo!
(I think I have been reading too much Stephen King or something.)
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Big names on this site?
Yeah, who knows???
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by BE
Re: Big names on this site?
You never know hottfiddler, maybe we ARE all famous, but we just dont want to tell you................
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by blas
Re: Big names on this site?
The biggest name on this site was "thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter". I see he's changed it.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Kenny
Re: Big names on this site?
>The big names could be here, under a nom de guerre. Or they just could be lurking, without even a user name to identify them, watching to see who speaks ill of them.
Actually, I'd be more concerned about whether Homeland Security is lurking here. After all, we know how much of a threat Irish musicians are to Our Freedom.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by sts
Re: Big names on this site?
oooooh, who knows- I could really be Dana Lyn (I wish)!!!!
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by BE
Re: Big names on this site?
I thought it was Queen that did that bicycle song...
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by pbassnote
Re: Big names on this site?
Big names - ahh, the cult of celebrity.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: Big names on this site?
In a certain sense, "Phantom Button" is certainly the biggest name on this site.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by Eliot
Re: Big names on this site?
Me
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Big names on this site?
?????
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Big names on this site?
On the issue of homeland security blah blah, how many groups have actually been hampered entering the US. I know paul doyle of Providence was stopped over some FBI ID cock up, and the Rig the Jig a couple of months ago, but are there any other stories, maybe with different countries?
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by copo24
Re: Big names on this site?
Eliot, I'm a bit thick today - in what sense?
No disrespect to you, Jack.
I suspect most of the “big names” are too busy practicing, rehearsing, composing, recording or touring to waste too much time posting.
But you never know…
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Big names on this site?
copo24, Visa problems have been huge in recent years--and have been discussed in professional music magazines--a number of concerts I was looking forward to got cancelled at the last minute. And for no apparent reason--one time I missed seeing an English accordion player who wasn't allowed in--very frustrating, and no clue as to why things weren't working.....
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Big names on this site?
Actually, I agree w/ you fidkid- but you never know.
# Posted on July 25th 2006 by BE
Re: Big names on this site?
Those US visa problems ... A few months ago the Halle Orchestra, a world-famous and highly-respected British orchestra, cancelled what would have been a remunerative US tour and is now concentrating on European tours.
The reason: it transpired that every member of the orchestra (about 70 plus a few essential admin staff) would have had to travel from Liverpool to London each to get his/her visa. Doing it by post or through an agent wasn't permitted. They would have had to queue literally for hours before being processed, and the visa staff have only to spot some tiny error - such as the pages being out of order or stapled incorrectly, or a chin in a passport photo being 2 mm too close to the bottom edge - for the application to be rejected. Liverpool and London are sufficiently far apart to mean that an overnight stay would have been necessary. The orchestra calculated the cost of this exercise to be £15,000, which isn't insigificant bearing in mind the very small margins these orchestras operate on.
Furthermore, the orchestra wasn't prepared to take the risk of a key player having a visa application rejected and so not being able to travel.
The Halle is not alone in this sort of experience. It seems to be happening to virtually all non-US musicians wishing to do a US tour. And it doesn't matter what the music genre is or who the musicians are.
The end result if some common sense isn't brought to bear on this issue will be that the US will find itself in musical isolation on all fronts.
# Posted on July 25th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Big names on this site?
This is now a world standard for US Visas. What is very scary is that there is no exceptions for extreme distance. For example if you needed a musicians visa and lived in the outskirts of Siberia you would have to fly to Moscow for it with everything perfect. In New Zealand there is a 3 week waiting list for appointments with some exceptions (IE Movie Stars Politicians - they still have to go to the embassy but not queue).
To get an appointment you have to ring a special 0900 number to make the appointment at $3.99 per minute. The embassy is in Auckland - literally a 12 hour train, 9 hour car ride or a $400 plane trip away from the capital which happens to be in the middle of the country. To make matters worse, you cannot get the visa on the way out of the country, you must have a minimum of 21 days before travel.
Unfortunately instead of people and countries saying get knotted everyone lines up to be the US govt beggar dog.
# Posted on July 26th 2006 by Joze
Re: Big names on this site?
I think I'm lucky being neither a big name nor a pro musician, and being married to a US citizen simplifies things too. The kids have it easy, having two passports, they just wave the appropriate one at each end of the journey.
On the other hand, no, I don't understand what the US government thinks it is doing, but I have no influence over them.
On the other hand....if I gave you my full name, with the hyphen, you might say I was a big name, or just a big wotsit.
# Posted on July 26th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Big names on this site?
There's more to life than being a big name, to get back to the original question.......
There are, as has already been said, many fine musicians who contribute to this site, who have neither achieved great fame nor great affluance.
And then there's me.......
# Posted on July 26th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Big names on this site?
Psssssst. "llig leahcim" is really Enya Brennan.
Sorry to out you, dear, but don't you think it time?
# Posted on July 26th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Big names on this site?
Surely Jeremy has the biggest name here, for without him .............
What?
Och!
.... sure, what's wrong with a bit o' crawling, now & then ...
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Ptarmigan