I've been playing St. Patrick's Day gigs for many years, like many of you, I'm sure. Some gigs are great - good music, good food, good drink, a nice play to play. Some are horrible - green beer, too many people thinking they're Irish because they drink a lot of green beer, too noisy, crowded, etc...
But there are many stories about things that happened during these these gigs that my friends and I re-tell as the years go by. Here's one of my favorites.
We were playing a gig at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars club or lodge. It was pipes, fiddle and guitar. The audience was small, but very drunk. A woman who had had many bourbon/cokes staggered up to where we were playing and stood in front of the piper listened to several sets.We actually thought she was very interested in the music and wanted to be as close to it as possible. After several minutes, she took a great swig from her drink, looked at the piper and asked "where do you plug that thing in?" We cracked up and had to take a long break.
I'd love to read some of your stories about St Patrick's Day gigs.
In 1969 four of us were playing in a bar in Limerick, we had several friends in the audience including two brothers. Everything went well until about 20 minutes before closing time, when suddenly the whole place became a fight, there were tables and chairs broken or thrown aside to give people more space to throw punches, glasses and bottles everywhere.... All this time the two brothers sat in the corner were sipping away at the porter, one stood up, looked around the bar, turned to his brother and hit him smack between his eyes. Afterwards we asked him why. His reply was, "There was no one else...."
John,
this time last year we had the same discussion. have a look at "War stories re. St patrick's day on the search facility.
Last post reminded me of the story about a fiddle player up before the magistrates for breaking his fiddle over a punters head during a bar brawl. the judge asked him if he had anything to say in his defence. "Well your Honour, what would you have done if someone had poured a pint of beer over you when you were half-way through The Maid Behind the Bar?"
We played a St Pats gig at a local Irish club. Two of the band had played regularly in a session in the club so the compere knew us. Three people got up on stage and the compere announced us as - "here's two people you have met before".
Everyone looked at him gone out although he knew what he meant.
The evening got worse. The bingo machine had to be lifted onto the stage and of course some Irish navvy types assisted in lifting it on, but dropped it in the process, breaking the glass.
The bingo eventually started, but the compere had never called bingo before and dropped all the balls back in after a line was called - more chaos ensued as the game continued with previously called balls re-appearing.
The end of the evening rounded things off - The club shut at 10.30, being a Sunday, but we were still rocking on stage at half-past midnight so the compare announced - "drink up everyone, we are well in front of time". The obvious comment about putting watches back 25 years was made.
I was playing my first real professional gig on Paddys day in Belfast four years ago, and was doing well with the new band i was in, well it came time to do a wee party piece of mine and i was halfway through it when a woman promptly stood up and glassed her male partner in the face, then a mini-riot ensued with people taking exception to the violence occuring in front of kids in the bar. ("You cant do that in front of F&^king kids!!!!"). Eventually the bouncers stepped in and stopped the whole thing, well stopped everything except one. (The Band Played ON!!!) (Bodhran Bliss can confirm this to be true!!)
I am new to playing on a pro basis, so this St P. Day is my third experience. My first St P. gig was in a nice place, but the group we scratched together from session players was not really ready, so even though we had a nice crowd, we were rough around the edges. And certainly we were not prepared to take requests for the old songs. The second gig was in a rather rough around the edges pub, where we were told during the first break by the owner "no more flutey stuff" meaning airs, and had to recycle the songs we had prepared twice to fill the time, since instrumental music in general was not appreciated. We were glad to get out without any broken instruments, as people were stumbling all around us. This year, hopefully we are ready, and conditions are right. We are playing at a Friendly Son's of St Patrick's banquet at a hall with white linen and good china, and the organizers were very clear from their past experiences what they wanted and needed--airs and lighter songs during dinner, and then, after the speaches, a good old fashioned sing along, punctuated by a few lively instrumentals. And we even worked up an arrangement of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," among other old Irish-American chestnuts. So wish us well!
AL Brown
I'll maybe have a tale to tell after next Thursday. The Flying Chaucers have a ceilidh at The Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford, Kent AND we will be launching our new CD aptly entitled "...about time" on the same night!
My first St. Paddy's gig was in a pretty small pub without a stage, but the managers had been thoughtful enough to clear out about 10 square feet of space in front of the window for the four of us to squeeze into (with 2 fiddles, a mando, 2 guitars, a bodhran, a bass guitar and amp, a djembe and a didjeridoo). They also put the sound board in there, so setting up the mix involved climbing over the folks who had started drinking at 11 to the center of the room, then climbing back over them, three musicians, 2 fiddles, 2 guitars, a bass guitar and amp, etc. to the board, tweaking a knob, then climbing back out to the center of the room.
When the show got going, the place became EXTREMELY packed. When we took a break, I had to say "Alright, we're going to be back in 15 minutes.... um... actually, I guess what I mean to say is, we'll start playing again in 15 minutes. In the mean time we're just going to stand here silently, shoulder to shoulder, and wait for 15 minutes to go by... hey, can somebody bring us some beer?"
That was the first of 2 gigs that day. For the second one, a promoter had rented a hall and hired us, but I think he forgot to promote, because there were only maybe two dozen people milling around at least 50 feet away. They were bored and ambivalent about the music until I played my country western song (I only have one: "Our Love is Like American Beer"). Then they started screaming and cheering and two-stepping around the hall. After it was over, they went back to their tables to be bored and continued to ignore us. Which is probably for the best because the singer had lost his voice and we were kind of just making stuff up on the fly.
Several years ago we arrived at our last gig of the day around 10pm, and began setting up the sound gear. We were a bit apprehensive because we'd already played five or six sets, driven around all over god's half-acre and were otherwise getting fed up. This guy with one of those big green foam "Irish" hats comes over and starts whining, "Oh, don't leave now! We're just starting to enjoy the music!" tosser.
There's nothing I like better than spending an evening in a bar playing for 200 drunken fools.
After the gig we went down to the pizza counter around the corner. We fought our way into the room, and there was some guy slumped on the counter at the back. He'd puked in his pizza box, and strings of goo were slowly dripping onto the floor. Always one to make the most of any situation, our bass player turns to the guy behind the counter and says cheerfully, "I'll have what he's having!"
Anyone experience the ghost of Paddy's Day past? That's the guy who stands there 10 feet from the stage, holds his pint above his head and keens: aaaaaaaaaaayyyyy. That's all he can manage. He's lost all other language skills. The light has gone off in his eyes. He then disappears only to reappear on the nearest pizza/gyro counter.
I also love the people who decide they can dance simply because it's St. Patrick's Day and because they have been drinking since 6 am. They stand in front of the music and hop up and down with total abandon, often holding onto a glass of whatever they are drinking because there's not enough room anywhere to put it down. When 20 or so of them start "dancing" in a small space, it's a ricky place to be. I often feel a little vulnerable especially when, as Kerri says, they collapse on the monitors and knock down a few mic stands -- not to mention some poor fiddle player or guitar player. I hope you are all being well paid for your gigs next week.
Some fun stories related here from various musos' perspectives. Most are good natured, but one or two look like they are looking down their instruments at other human beings.
Not everyone is as perfect as certain members here would wish to project themselves. In fact, I'm frankly shocked at the singling out of certain less fortunate people.
On my way home from work this evening, I joined the commuter train as did a young "blood", who then chose to sit on his own single seat. He had some little sound system t'ing, on which he played ...I dunno what it's called, rap, or something, where some bloke going ya mutha f*kka n!gga f^kken sheet f2kken we fkken alive we breath we free..to which he spoke along the words, freely to the whole compartment. Mentally ill? Possibly schizoidal tendencies, but he functioned, albeit poorly (in society..whatever that is). Was he just trying to make point? of course he was. Did he succeed? No - people just pitied him.
Around here on and around Paddies Day, many non-Irish-extraction people get involved for the fun - but there are other people who would prefer to get out of the way until it's done. Maybe they just feel sorry (and slightly ashamed on their behalf ) for some folk, that they allow themselves to indulge in such indignities.
Och, I dunno, Jode, maybe I over-reacted, but just the general tenor of the discussion, and of certain posts in particular, but I won't single out any actual one.
Yes, the "peasants" can be revolting on paddies night, but for some maybe it's one their few oppportunities to have a decent swally. Maybe I was too forgiving of the p*ssed-up punters, and not forgiving enough of we the players - and boy, do we have to put up with sh!t on that night...for the most part people here did report what was asked of them, funny stories about Paddies night, but some other posts I felt there was an undercurrent of condescension.
I didn't mention schizophrenia per se but alluded to schizoidal personality. Only to demonstrate an example of someone acting rather wierd but no doubt thinking he was Mr. Cool, but everyone else saw he was out of it, and thus pitied him.
That's much like I see drunks on paddies night - when I'm feeling gracious!......there but for the grace of God go I.
I have retired from doing your typical Paddy's Day gig... I hate them. For years I was a Paddy's Day whore and would string as many gigs as possible together all on the same day. At this point though, when I get a phone call inquiring about it, I interview them on what ITM is and what they expect from an "Irish Band." After a few minutes if we're still on the same page -- I'll listen to what they have in mind, but more often than not I tell them we aren't the right band. If they get past the initial interview, then we talk about the situation. This will often result in the same reply, but if the situation is right -- then we talk money -- and it's often very good. At that point money's not as important as what the gig will be like. I become very flexible about the price if we’ve gotten that far because sometimes it’s a fun sounding gig that they have in mind. But having said that; some years I just enjoy a quiet evening at home on Paddy’s Day.
Quite agree with Jack.
Even for non-St Pats gigs - Check if it sounds a suitable gig - check how far away it is. If unsuitable or further than an hour away, start talking silly money.
Nowadays, I pass on nearly as many gigs to other bands as we actually play as we are busy enough not to bother travelling too far, and pick and chose which we play at, as we can smell bad gigs a mile away.
We were offered a gig to play for the opening of the State legislature. No money, lots of time sitting around to play two tunes. I commented to my wife this morning how sad things have gotten with the politicians in this country. Years ago, it might have been an honor to play for them. Now, I only considered it as an opportunity to protest.
In case there's any doubt, I *was* being condescending. Plus I used bad language, which was (thankfully) sanitized by Jeremy's unsleeping robotic curse detector. What's a tosser? (-;
Maybe you can do your protest by singing something in Irish that has your message in it, Jode. I remember once in the mid 70s doing a morning TV show appearance that had Miss America appearing on the same show. It was during the days when I played South American music from the "La Nueva Cancion" (New Song) movement. Miss America sat just a few feet away while we played. We were performing a very political song, in Spanish, about resisting foreign (US) exploitation of Chilean people. It was just a year or so after the US government had sponsored a bloody military coup in overthrowing their Democracy and installing a brutal tyranny in it's place, etc. -- it had a particularly profound juxtaposition with the presence of Miss America. The song is called, "La plegaria a un labrador" (Prayer for a Laborer) by Victor Jara. It's a mesmerizing, gorgeous song, and when it was over Miss America clapped and said, "That was so beautiful." – we just smiled. Meanwhile, my mom was watching us on a TV in her lunchroom at her work. She was watching with a Hispanic woman who worked in the cafeteria. After we finished the song my mom looked at the woman and noticed that she seemed to have a strong reaction to it. She asked her what was wrong and the woman replied, “It was so beautiful... and powerful.” My mom asked her why she seemed so upset, and what was the song about, and she replied, “You better ask your son.”
Maureen Potter, a very well-known Irish comedienne who died a little while ago, used to tell the story of how she was on tour in Nazi Germany as a young girl, shortly before the war. They were required to give the Nazi salute before one of the performances, since Goebles was sitting with some of his friends in the front row.
Apparently they all raised their arms in salute and shouted out "Pog Mo Thon" with complete seriousness.
Not many Gaelic students in Hitler's cabinet, so it was okay.
Well I don't sing much Jack, but I was trying to think of some good tune names to announce, if possible. Anybody have ideas? Something about church and state would be good as our govenor is in line with the faith-based goverment idear.
Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
I've been playing St. Patrick's Day gigs for many years, like many of you, I'm sure. Some gigs are great - good music, good food, good drink, a nice play to play. Some are horrible - green beer, too many people thinking they're Irish because they drink a lot of green beer, too noisy, crowded, etc...
But there are many stories about things that happened during these these gigs that my friends and I re-tell as the years go by. Here's one of my favorites.
We were playing a gig at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars club or lodge. It was pipes, fiddle and guitar. The audience was small, but very drunk. A woman who had had many bourbon/cokes staggered up to where we were playing and stood in front of the piper listened to several sets.We actually thought she was very interested in the music and wanted to be as close to it as possible. After several minutes, she took a great swig from her drink, looked at the piper and asked "where do you plug that thing in?" We cracked up and had to take a long break.
I'd love to read some of your stories about St Patrick's Day gigs.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by John Culhane
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
In 1969 four of us were playing in a bar in Limerick, we had several friends in the audience including two brothers. Everything went well until about 20 minutes before closing time, when suddenly the whole place became a fight, there were tables and chairs broken or thrown aside to give people more space to throw punches, glasses and bottles everywhere.... All this time the two brothers sat in the corner were sipping away at the porter, one stood up, looked around the bar, turned to his brother and hit him smack between his eyes. Afterwards we asked him why. His reply was, "There was no one else...."
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Ian Stevenson
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
John,
this time last year we had the same discussion. have a look at "War stories re. St patrick's day on the search facility.
Last post reminded me of the story about a fiddle player up before the magistrates for breaking his fiddle over a punters head during a bar brawl. the judge asked him if he had anything to say in his defence. "Well your Honour, what would you have done if someone had poured a pint of beer over you when you were half-way through The Maid Behind the Bar?"
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Joe Quinn
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
We played a St Pats gig at a local Irish club. Two of the band had played regularly in a session in the club so the compere knew us. Three people got up on stage and the compere announced us as - "here's two people you have met before".
Everyone looked at him gone out although he knew what he meant.
The evening got worse. The bingo machine had to be lifted onto the stage and of course some Irish navvy types assisted in lifting it on, but dropped it in the process, breaking the glass.
The bingo eventually started, but the compere had never called bingo before and dropped all the balls back in after a line was called - more chaos ensued as the game continued with previously called balls re-appearing.
The end of the evening rounded things off - The club shut at 10.30, being a Sunday, but we were still rocking on stage at half-past midnight so the compare announced - "drink up everyone, we are well in front of time". The obvious comment about putting watches back 25 years was made.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by geoffwright
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
I was playing my first real professional gig on Paddys day in Belfast four years ago, and was doing well with the new band i was in, well it came time to do a wee party piece of mine and i was halfway through it when a woman promptly stood up and glassed her male partner in the face, then a mini-riot ensued with people taking exception to the violence occuring in front of kids in the bar. ("You cant do that in front of F&^king kids!!!!"). Eventually the bouncers stepped in and stopped the whole thing, well stopped everything except one. (The Band Played ON!!!) (Bodhran Bliss can confirm this to be true!!)
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by jfiddlerh
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
I am new to playing on a pro basis, so this St P. Day is my third experience. My first St P. gig was in a nice place, but the group we scratched together from session players was not really ready, so even though we had a nice crowd, we were rough around the edges. And certainly we were not prepared to take requests for the old songs. The second gig was in a rather rough around the edges pub, where we were told during the first break by the owner "no more flutey stuff" meaning airs, and had to recycle the songs we had prepared twice to fill the time, since instrumental music in general was not appreciated. We were glad to get out without any broken instruments, as people were stumbling all around us. This year, hopefully we are ready, and conditions are right. We are playing at a Friendly Son's of St Patrick's banquet at a hall with white linen and good china, and the organizers were very clear from their past experiences what they wanted and needed--airs and lighter songs during dinner, and then, after the speaches, a good old fashioned sing along, punctuated by a few lively instrumentals. And we even worked up an arrangement of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," among other old Irish-American chestnuts. So wish us well!
AL Brown
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
I'll maybe have a tale to tell after next Thursday. The Flying Chaucers have a ceilidh at The Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford, Kent AND we will be launching our new CD aptly entitled "...about time" on the same night!
Sarah
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Sarah the Flute
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
My first St. Paddy's gig was in a pretty small pub without a stage, but the managers had been thoughtful enough to clear out about 10 square feet of space in front of the window for the four of us to squeeze into (with 2 fiddles, a mando, 2 guitars, a bodhran, a bass guitar and amp, a djembe and a didjeridoo). They also put the sound board in there, so setting up the mix involved climbing over the folks who had started drinking at 11 to the center of the room, then climbing back over them, three musicians, 2 fiddles, 2 guitars, a bass guitar and amp, etc. to the board, tweaking a knob, then climbing back out to the center of the room.
When the show got going, the place became EXTREMELY packed. When we took a break, I had to say "Alright, we're going to be back in 15 minutes.... um... actually, I guess what I mean to say is, we'll start playing again in 15 minutes. In the mean time we're just going to stand here silently, shoulder to shoulder, and wait for 15 minutes to go by... hey, can somebody bring us some beer?"
That was the first of 2 gigs that day. For the second one, a promoter had rented a hall and hired us, but I think he forgot to promote, because there were only maybe two dozen people milling around at least 50 feet away. They were bored and ambivalent about the music until I played my country western song (I only have one: "Our Love is Like American Beer"). Then they started screaming and cheering and two-stepping around the hall. After it was over, they went back to their tables to be bored and continued to ignore us. Which is probably for the best because the singer had lost his voice and we were kind of just making stuff up on the fly.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Several years ago we arrived at our last gig of the day around 10pm, and began setting up the sound gear. We were a bit apprehensive because we'd already played five or six sets, driven around all over god's half-acre and were otherwise getting fed up. This guy with one of those big green foam "Irish" hats comes over and starts whining, "Oh, don't leave now! We're just starting to enjoy the music!" tosser.
There's nothing I like better than spending an evening in a bar playing for 200 drunken fools.
After the gig we went down to the pizza counter around the corner. We fought our way into the room, and there was some guy slumped on the counter at the back. He'd puked in his pizza box, and strings of goo were slowly dripping onto the floor. Always one to make the most of any situation, our bass player turns to the guy behind the counter and says cheerfully, "I'll have what he's having!"
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Gzeg
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
LOL, Greg, which bass player is that? That's hilarious.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Anyone experience the ghost of Paddy's Day past? That's the guy who stands there 10 feet from the stage, holds his pint above his head and keens: aaaaaaaaaaayyyyy. That's all he can manage. He's lost all other language skills. The light has gone off in his eyes. He then disappears only to reappear on the nearest pizza/gyro counter.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Jode
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
After collapsing over the monitors and knocking down a few mic stands.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
I also love the people who decide they can dance simply because it's St. Patrick's Day and because they have been drinking since 6 am. They stand in front of the music and hop up and down with total abandon, often holding onto a glass of whatever they are drinking because there's not enough room anywhere to put it down. When 20 or so of them start "dancing" in a small space, it's a ricky place to be. I often feel a little vulnerable especially when, as Kerri says, they collapse on the monitors and knock down a few mic stands -- not to mention some poor fiddle player or guitar player. I hope you are all being well paid for your gigs next week.
# Posted on March 12th 2005 by John Culhane
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
OK.
Some fun stories related here from various musos' perspectives. Most are good natured, but one or two look like they are looking down their instruments at other human beings.
Not everyone is as perfect as certain members here would wish to project themselves. In fact, I'm frankly shocked at the singling out of certain less fortunate people.
On my way home from work this evening, I joined the commuter train as did a young "blood", who then chose to sit on his own single seat. He had some little sound system t'ing, on which he played ...I dunno what it's called, rap, or something, where some bloke going ya mutha f*kka n!gga f^kken sheet f2kken we fkken alive we breath we free..to which he spoke along the words, freely to the whole compartment. Mentally ill? Possibly schizoidal tendencies, but he functioned, albeit poorly (in society..whatever that is). Was he just trying to make point? of course he was. Did he succeed? No - people just pitied him.
Around here on and around Paddies Day, many non-Irish-extraction people get involved for the fun - but there are other people who would prefer to get out of the way until it's done. Maybe they just feel sorry (and slightly ashamed on their behalf ) for some folk, that they allow themselves to indulge in such indignities.
Maybe time to take another holiday from here.
# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Now you see the effect JfiddlerH has on people? Me? I'm a nice guy.
# Posted on March 12th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Pingu, what are you on about? Whose post are you talking about? Where did schizophrenia come into it???
# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Jode
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Och, I dunno, Jode, maybe I over-reacted, but just the general tenor of the discussion, and of certain posts in particular, but I won't single out any actual one.
Yes, the "peasants" can be revolting on paddies night, but for some maybe it's one their few oppportunities to have a decent swally. Maybe I was too forgiving of the p*ssed-up punters, and not forgiving enough of we the players - and boy, do we have to put up with sh!t on that night...for the most part people here did report what was asked of them, funny stories about Paddies night, but some other posts I felt there was an undercurrent of condescension.
I didn't mention schizophrenia per se but alluded to schizoidal personality. Only to demonstrate an example of someone acting rather wierd but no doubt thinking he was Mr. Cool, but everyone else saw he was out of it, and thus pitied him.
That's much like I see drunks on paddies night - when I'm feeling gracious!......there but for the grace of God go I.
# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
I have retired from doing your typical Paddy's Day gig... I hate them. For years I was a Paddy's Day whore and would string as many gigs as possible together all on the same day. At this point though, when I get a phone call inquiring about it, I interview them on what ITM is and what they expect from an "Irish Band." After a few minutes if we're still on the same page -- I'll listen to what they have in mind, but more often than not I tell them we aren't the right band. If they get past the initial interview, then we talk about the situation. This will often result in the same reply, but if the situation is right -- then we talk money -- and it's often very good. At that point money's not as important as what the gig will be like. I become very flexible about the price if we’ve gotten that far because sometimes it’s a fun sounding gig that they have in mind. But having said that; some years I just enjoy a quiet evening at home on Paddy’s Day.
# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Totally understandable, Jack.
# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Quite agree with Jack.
Even for non-St Pats gigs - Check if it sounds a suitable gig - check how far away it is. If unsuitable or further than an hour away, start talking silly money.
Nowadays, I pass on nearly as many gigs to other bands as we actually play as we are busy enough not to bother travelling too far, and pick and chose which we play at, as we can smell bad gigs a mile away.
# Posted on March 13th 2005 by geoffwright
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
We were offered a gig to play for the opening of the State legislature. No money, lots of time sitting around to play two tunes. I commented to my wife this morning how sad things have gotten with the politicians in this country. Years ago, it might have been an honor to play for them. Now, I only considered it as an opportunity to protest.
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by Jode
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
In case there's any doubt, I *was* being condescending. Plus I used bad language, which was (thankfully) sanitized by Jeremy's unsleeping robotic curse detector. What's a tosser? (-;
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by Gzeg
What's a tosser?
Please rent the "Committments" video. It will become clear. Or you could read the book, but that would make you miss out on some very good music.
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by grego
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Maybe you can do your protest by singing something in Irish that has your message in it, Jode. I remember once in the mid 70s doing a morning TV show appearance that had Miss America appearing on the same show. It was during the days when I played South American music from the "La Nueva Cancion" (New Song) movement. Miss America sat just a few feet away while we played. We were performing a very political song, in Spanish, about resisting foreign (US) exploitation of Chilean people. It was just a year or so after the US government had sponsored a bloody military coup in overthrowing their Democracy and installing a brutal tyranny in it's place, etc. -- it had a particularly profound juxtaposition with the presence of Miss America. The song is called, "La plegaria a un labrador" (Prayer for a Laborer) by Victor Jara. It's a mesmerizing, gorgeous song, and when it was over Miss America clapped and said, "That was so beautiful." – we just smiled. Meanwhile, my mom was watching us on a TV in her lunchroom at her work. She was watching with a Hispanic woman who worked in the cafeteria. After we finished the song my mom looked at the woman and noticed that she seemed to have a strong reaction to it. She asked her what was wrong and the woman replied, “It was so beautiful... and powerful.” My mom asked her why she seemed so upset, and what was the song about, and she replied, “You better ask your son.”
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Maureen Potter, a very well-known Irish comedienne who died a little while ago, used to tell the story of how she was on tour in Nazi Germany as a young girl, shortly before the war. They were required to give the Nazi salute before one of the performances, since Goebles was sitting with some of his friends in the front row.
Apparently they all raised their arms in salute and shouted out "Pog Mo Thon" with complete seriousness.
Not many Gaelic students in Hitler's cabinet, so it was okay.
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by grego
Re: Stories About St. Patrick's Day Gigs
Well I don't sing much Jack, but I was trying to think of some good tune names to announce, if possible. Anybody have ideas? Something about church and state would be good as our govenor is in line with the faith-based goverment idear.
Or maybe an appropriate t-shirt.
# Posted on March 15th 2005 by Jode