Comments

Michael J. Connolly

This is not news or anything really, just my way of showing some digital appreciation for a great guy, a fantastic musician and a dear friend.

The man seems to know every tune, as well as all three or four names for each tune. He's always there with a kind word and encouragement for a beginner. His comment "Good job!" after a set of tunes is the highest honor any of us can seek. If you play him something he hasn't played along with in a while, and it tickles his fancy, he'll say "You know, that's one of the oldest tunes..." He brightens rooms just by walking in. He'd be horrified to see me talking so highly of him as he's one of the most unassuming and humble folks I've ever met, a true role model and a great inspiration. I even once saw him turn a glass of water into a pint of Beamish.

Thanks Mike!

http://www.cceboston.org/MJConnolly.html

# Posted on January 11th 2011 by SWFL Fiddler

Re: Michael J. Connolly

Nice one Swiffle, good to see there are some real heroes in the world.

# Posted on January 11th 2011 by strayaway

Re: Michael J. Connolly

Seconded. Very nice article and obviously an exceptional gentleman.

Amazing skill in that last line though. Must endear him to many of the local punters.

# Posted on January 11th 2011 by zippydw

Re: Michael J. Connolly

I've done that with the Beamish but it was the other way round.

# Posted on January 11th 2011 by gam

Re: Michael J. Connolly

SWFL fiddler,

Say hello to Mike from me, I heard he was over on your side of the state.

& congratulations on his hall of fame induction!

We had a few good tunes up in Boston over the years.

PG

# Posted on January 12th 2011 by Paul Groff

Re: Michael J. Connolly

Water into beer, one of the miracles also attributed to Saint Brigid of Kildare. To my mind, and with no blasphemy intended, a far more useful skill than turning water into wine...
But whatever we put in our glasses, let's lift one to Mr. Connolly!

# Posted on January 12th 2011 by AlBrown

Re: Michael J. Connolly

I am proud to say Michael is "One of Us" from Cape Cod in the summer months and a regular at the Saturday afternoon sessions in Hyannis.

He always goes out of his way to make a struggler like myself feel welcome at any session where he plays - true gentleman of the first order.

# Posted on January 12th 2011 by Cape Cod Struggler

Re: Michael J. Connolly

It is grand to see good tings happen to good people.

Just the thing to read over my AM tea.
:-)

Thank you for the posting, Swiffle.

# Posted on January 12th 2011 by Piece

Re: Michael J. Connolly

Thanks everyone, and cheers Paul & Struggler! I was hoping to see a few of his New England acquaintances on here.

Thanks again Mike and here's to many more great sessions!

# Posted on January 12th 2011 by SWFL Fiddler

Re: Michael J. Connolly

Thanks for posting this. Mike Connolly is the man! Glad to see he got this honor.

# Posted on January 13th 2011 by Colin E.

Re: Michael J. Connolly

# Posted on January 17th 2011 by Zouki