Celtic Blunder...

Every now and them something comes along too crap-tastic to be believed. Something so vile, so repugnant one can scarce muster words to fit the experience. I witnessed such an event last night at the Sprint Center in the form of Celtic Thunder. Thank God my ticket was free. Now before you lambaste me as a bitter ex-singer with a jealous axe to grind let me give the show the only props I can. All the musicians are extremely talented. Twenty year old Keith Harkin sang what may be the best Mountains of Mourne I have ever heard and the scant traditional music was lovely for the most part. But I digress. I'm not trying to write a review. I'm here to rant. I'm pressing the rant button right.......now. People; listen very carefully. If you listen closely enough you'll hear the faint sound of Tommy Makem turning over in his grave. I'm not dense. I understand this is a pop show. I understand that it's the McDonald's, at best, of Irish music. I understand its demogrpahic is youngish women with disposable incomes and fuzzy conceptions of what Celtic music really is. I understand that Celtic rock, which I enjoy, bridges the gap between younger cultures and exposes them to traditional Irish music they might otherwise miss. I get it. And it's valid. What I can't understand is how anyone sitting in that crowd could be thinking, "You know...if I don't hear Knights in White Satin tonight I shall be sorely dissapointed. That's right. Knights in White Satin. Along with Desperado, Puppy Love, and I Want to Know What Love Is. Foreigner, for God's sake? Really? I think Sean O'Malley, with whom I was sitting, said it best. "This is an insult". Cotten candy stagecraft for a short attention span culture without the means or desire to discover what real Irish music is. Phil Coulter, what were you thinking putting this together? Is this really what you want the American populace to walk away with as the definition of Irish Music? I won't even push my own pub. I'll push all the pubs that allow traditional music to thrive. Find one close to you. Go see Eddie Delahunt. Go see Bob Reeder. Go see Tom Dahill. Go see The Quiet Men. Just don't let this show become your picture of Celtic Music. Then again, if you like a little Foreigner with your Jigs and Reels, this might be the show for you. Who am I to say? I could just be a bitter ex-singer with a jealous axe to grind.

Weston Wellie's Race

Even though the Weston Irish Fest is over now it is still fun to look back. We had this photo sent in and couldn't help but put it out there. This is real dedication and the best costumes I have ever seen. If you thought finding a mouse in your beer was bad!!

Jiggernaut plays Friday November 14th

Following hard on the heels of what turned out to be an incredible night with Searson, Jiggernaut will take the stage at O'Malley's on Friday November 14th. If you know Jiggernaut you'll know that this is a show not to be missed. If you're new to Jiggernaut you're in for a real treat. The press has been going crazy for these fine folks.

"This CD is a blast to listen to from start to finish and scratches all the itches!"

Southwest Celtic Music Association

"...an outfit worth keeping more than one eye on."

Irish Music Magazine

"...a promising new addition to the under populated realm of American rock and reel."

Dirty Linen

"...there's nothing they can't do and little they won't...a group of master artisans who simulate a finely-tuned machine and make their work look like child's play..."

Rambles

"...we have the next great Celtic trad/folk/rock band among us..."

Ft. Worth Star Telegram

"Jiggernaut is that rare band that can have you bopping at a club or jigging on the heath. What's more...they can do it not only on the same song but somehow at the same time."

Houston Press

If for any reason you missed Searson, please...please...PLEASE don't miss this show.

Season. 8:00PM. O'Malley's

Tonight is the night, folks. Searson hits the stage at O'Malley's in Weston at 8:00pm. All it takes is a nice drive up 29 and five bucks to get in.

Weston Irish Fest Dust Settles

A week has gone by since the Weston Irish Festival broke every record from the last nine years. The weather and crowd were the best we have ever experienced. More than 9,000 visitors traveled to Weston to join us for a fantastic weekend.
It took more than 100 workers and volunteers to make the weekend a success. It took nearly twenty of the best Irish acts in the country and 20 marvelous vendors. It is hard to say thanks enough to everyone involved. The town of Weston joined in more than ever, with Irish music up and down Main Street. The Celtic Ranch led the way and even went as far as organizing the vendors for this year's event. RJ's helped the atmosphere on Main with live Irish music of its own.
The top photo is the fest as it opened Saturday morning. On the right Peter and the kitchen staff frantically try to keep up with the hungry crowd. Michelle guided the outdoor kitchen crew until the bitter end, selling whatever remained. (The kitchen sink was not eaten.) Justin relaxes the Tuesday following the fest. He was forced to drink a Coors from home as nearly every beer brewed in the last three months was consumed in three days. (Justin will be a busy man in the next few weeks.)
Once again, thank you to all who helped and visited. I'm sure everyone who lived through this one will remember the fun for many years!

9th Weston Irish Fest Coming Together

With the big day upon us the late nights are starting to pay off. Earlier this week Mike, Sean & Corey put the finishing touches on the new piece of art on the covered patio. The big photo is an overhead image of the brewery as it looked in 1911.

A special thanks to all those that helped this week especially the guys from Capital Electric who got it all lit up for us again this year.

If You Can't Stand the Heat

Next time cooking dinner for the family sounds like too much work just think of Peter. As O'Malley's head Chef for more year 3 years Peter has seen this before, but cooking for nearly 10,000 people in the next two weeks is never easy. This Saturday and Sunday is the Weston Applefest which draws families from across the midwest. Applefest is celebrating its 30th year. The very next weekend, October 10-12 is our own O'Malley's Irish Fest. Don't miss the famous Irish Stew and Coddle Peter and Michelle have been cooking up.

When you come up and visit be sure to say hello to Peter. He will be the one running around with his hair or tail on fire.