I know. I know. I don't need to start any more podcasts, but this is something that's been dear to my heart for a long time. So I thought I'd go ahead and start officially promoting it as such. It's called the Irish Songs & Lyrics Podcast. It began as just my Celtic lyrics directory on The Bards website, but kinda exploded outside of that.

Every Tuesday (or so), the podcast will feature one new Irish or Celtic song that you can download for free through the podcast and share with your friends. All the songs will pretty much be me solo on the autoharp. That's the easiest way to stay consistent with it.

To start off, I'm gonna duplicate songs from the Irish Stout thingy, but my Irish Drinking Songs: A Cat Lover's Companion CD is almost complete. Once it is all start releasing some of those songs and start recording some more.

What's the reason behind this? I'm sort of returning the favor to all those Celtic artists who I listened to and learned songs from. I'm a big proponent of keeping traditional music alive. So this is my chance to do just that. If you like, please share with your friends.

Meantime, you can subscribe by posting the following RSS feed into your podcatcher:
http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

The new millennium marks the 36th anniversary of the birth of the Irish Rovers. These incredible musicians have charmed and entertained people around the world, and continue to delight audiences with their exciting stage shows. The Irish Rovers have never lost their timeless ability to deliver a rollicking, rousing performance of good cheer, that will soon have you singing and clapping along.

The group began in 1963 in Canada when George Millar and Jim Ferguson, both new emigrants from N. Ireland, met in Toronto at an Irish function. They ended up singing together 'til dawn; and so the Irish Rovers were launched. They performed as a duo until George's cousin, Joe Millar, immigrated to Canada the following year. Joe, who played button-key accordion and harmonica, and also sang traditional ballads, was recruited as he stepped off the plane. After several months of engagements around Ontario, the trio made their way to Calgary, Alberta, where they joined forces with George's brother, Will Millar. The four Rovers then headed off to "Americay"...

At the famous folk club - "The Purple Onion" - in San Francisco, they ended up headlining for an unprecedented 22 sold-out weeks. The folk clubs of California became the learning grounds for the young Rovers, and (through old-fashioned hard work and a wee bit of Irish luck) they were offered a recording contract with Decca Records.

In 1966, "The First Of The Irish Rovers", a live album recorded at "The Icehouse" in Pasadena, was released. It generated enough excitement to warrant another album, and from this release came the million selling single "The Unicorn", the band's signature song to this day. Wilcil McDowell, an old friend from Ireland, joined the band at this time, enhancing their sound and rounding out the group.

In 1980-81, The Rovers once again soared to the top of the pop and country charts with "Wasn't That A Party". This real-life celebration was written by their friend, U.S. folk singer Tom Paxton, after he witnessed one of the band's famous post-show parties. It went on to become an international anthem of good cheer. The band recorded "Grandma Got Run-Over By A Reindeer" in 1982, which has become a seasonal hit.

The Irish Rovers continue to perform in theatres around the world, with original members George Millar, Joe Millar and Wilcil McDowell. Will Millar retired from the band in 1995; and sadly, Jimmy Ferguson passed away in 1997. Completing the Irish Rover line-up today is Kevin McKeown, who has been with the band since 1984, and John Reynolds and Wallace Hood, who both joined in 1995. Sean O'Driscoll, a multi-instrumentalist, accompanies the band on many of their tours, and plays on new Rover recordings.

The Irish Rovers are still passionate about performing and will continue to tour and entertain their legions of fans. Like the Unicorn, the Rovers are legendary and magical, and a good time is guaranteed for all.

Find out more about the Irish Rovers.

Similar Artists: The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Brobdingnagian Bards, Marc Gunn, The Dubliners' Tabby Cats, Irish drinking songs

Finally getting close to finishing this compilation CD. I've been planning this compilation for a while. It's an album of mostly all-instrumental Irish music that I am compiling. I finally finished the track listing. The album sounds great. Here's what I have on it:

1. "Cooley's Set (Reels: Cooley's Reel,/Sporting Paddy/Toss The Feathers)" by Wild Clover Band from Behind the Blarney
   
2. "Sleeping Under The Tables Set" by Kennedy's Kitchen from A Pocketful of Lint
   
3. "Lannigan's Ball/Rambling Pitchfork/Tar Road Sligo" by Cady Finlayson from Harp and Shamrock
   
4. "Staten Island Hornpipe/Morpeth Rant" by The Jolly Rogues from Captain Billy's Privateers
   
5. "The Gneeveguilla Reel/Drag her Round the Road/The Golden Keyboard" by Arabesque from Glen Road to Cordoba
   
6. "The Boys from Blue Hill/Cherish the Ladies" by Bow Triplets from One Spot On Earth
   
7. "Princess Royale" by Thomas "Doc" Grauzer from Infernal Harp Racket
   
8. "Chicago Trippin up the Stairs by Boston Blackthorne from Better Late Than Ever
   
9. "Rocky Road to Brenham" by Celtic Stone from Digital Traditions
10. "Geordie Lad" by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer from Thumb Twiddling
    
11. "Old Grey Cat" by Marc Gunn & The Dubliners' Tabby Cats from Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
    
12. "Congress Reel" by Poitin from Live!
    
13. "The Road to Lisdonvarna/Morrison's Jig" by Vince Conaway from Distractions from the Muse
    
14. "Polkas and Slides" by The Tea Merchants from The Tea Merchants
    
15. "Banks of Spey/High Road to Linton" by Highland Fling from Highland Fling
16. "Campbell's Farewell to Red Gap/Newcastle" by Bedlam Bards from Furious Fancies
    
17. "The Skylark/Humours of Tulla/Lucy Campbell's" by Culann's Hounds from Year of the Dog
    

It sounds fantastic!

Incidentally, the title of the album came from a phrase I saw on a book I borrowed from Doc Grauzer about Irish music. As I recall, it mentioned how the British attempted to stomp out traditional music in Ireland, but nothing could stop it. The name sounded too cool to not use for something.