When Stars Alter

Why Music?

When I was in the Magheracloone Parochial Choir I knew I was born to sing. Both of my parents sang and Dad played accordion so it was going to be in the genes. When I played Gaelic Football for the same south Monaghan parish and was called up to the county squad I knew it was time to swap my feet for my fingers and thus went away and taught myself music and how to play guitar. You see I have always known and loved music and deep in my heart of hearts knew that there was a musical life out there for me. Even when I became involved in theatre I incorporated music into the mix somehow. My time spent in Kerry provided a platform for others to express themselves through music in the format of the now famous "SURFACE" sessions that I hosted and also performed at.

My hard slogging days in Dublin saw me host something similar in Slatterys of Rathmines that is still going, albeit with different hosts and in different incarnations since 2001.

After releasing my debut CD in 2001 music has dictated my path.

I chose to document my then ambition within music, which was to be true to myself, writing with themes of awareness both profound and lighthearted. Ray Beggan and I produced an album that was fresh in its organic structure and honoured my design of sidestepping the dictated musical route that had been distorted by major record labels and the entire industry. I shall be forever grateful for Ray and his enlightened vision. A great man!

"One of these kids" was a series of sketches that was received enthusiastically by the critics and public alike. They got it!

All my years of gigging around Ireland and time spent in New York started to pay dividends. All the other jobs that have not been included in my Professional CV were now receiving payback. All that time spent working with all of that in mind has been worthwhile, and in essence inspiring. Whether as a set designer, chef, landscaper, postman, securicor ATM technician, waiter, labourer, hospital attendant, etc., etc., where I ploughed all the finance earned into my music because I believed in it and knew that someday I would see myself self sufficient in my career.

Life is really good to me now. Professional people as well as the public have kept telling me that soon my time will come. People here at home in Ireland, good folk in France, Germany, America, Australia and India believe in what I do. They have also suggested that I record a bigger more produced offering for my second album. I agree with them. I have exhausted the full potential of a solo show and it can go no further left or right than where I have taken it.

It is time to play the game, and for me to explore a new arena. The "stories from a holistic museum" album shall be a recording of full colour architectural prints instead of the series of sketches of the first CD. All still completely true to my ideals.