But the drunk session goes on… (Laughter)…the whole partying aspect at 4:00 in the morning-Annie’s very good at that, too. When the sober session goes on, it’s business.
But when the sessions get going, it’s, it’s business. [ Music: “Hometown Lullaby,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesĪnnie is like that at the same time, but very inclusive, nurturing. People will sit up, they sat up straight when Mae was there playing. She’s very similar in her thinking about music and her approach to it as my own mother. > Billy: She dances, and she knows every old tune. His eldest son Pat plays the whistle, and his wife Annie brings everybody together. > Shannon: The accordion is how Billy McComiskey and his sons Sean and Mikey have found their tunes. > Shannon: So, when you got into Irish music it was really accordion, it was through the accordion? (Cooking sounds) Sean just made some vegan chili-there’s even cilantro, avocado, and green onion for garnish. And we’ll also get Maggie Holtzberg’s folklorist view of the world.īut first, I’m taking the liberty of inviting you along to the McComiskey’s kitchen. We’ll peek in on late nights of music in the Catskills too. Billy sees masters in all the people who have invested with him in the Baltimore scene.Īnd that’s what was on stage at the 50 th Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Whether it’s his musical sons Pat, Sean, and Mikey. His compass points toward the local heroes. And here’s where our accordion story takes place: Baltimore, Maryland.īecause when you ask Billy McComiskey what he’s been up to, the talk always turns to Baltimore. But for the most part, it was the Baltimore gang. A few performers came in from out of town: Mick Moloney joined from New York. > Shannon: Instead of passing on The Folklife Festival, Billy got out the accordion and he made something great happen anyway, together with ten other musicians and four official dancers. You don’t want people understanding each other, from this political perspective.Īrtists: Seán Clohessy, Sean McComiskey, and Kieran Jordan > Billy: That’s right how you keep people confused. Of course, this makes it harder to bring people together… which, well, keeps people apart. their neighbors on Capitol Hill were proposing record budget cuts to the arts and humanities. Patrick’s Day,” from Cover the BuckleĪrtists: Seán Clohessy, Sean McComiskey, and Kieran Jordan ]īut as organizers worked to secure programming for the Fest. Its mission? Encourage cultural exchange and understanding.Īnd 2017 was the 50th anniversary of The Folklife Festival. That’s the annual celebration that brings ethnic communities together. He was talking about the 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. > Shannon: That’s National Heritage Fellow Billy McComiskey. It was just really great thing to happen. But there was so much momentum going on for this one set on this one stage that they kept it open. > Billy: They couldn’t afford us because of the cuts and I just started calling around and asking these people, “Would they want to do this?” and everybody said the same thing, “YES!”Īnd then, the festival itself was actually, ah, canceled that day because of the rain. …Like how an accordion player (or three) can help us be our best selves, even when it rains. The show about traditional music, and the much bigger stories behind it … Your support helps me pull together different voices and views of the world-all through an Irish music and dance lens. > Shannon: If you can kick in, please visit. > Nigel: Thank you to Susan Walsh, Chris Stuart, Brian Benscoter, Randall Semagin, and Sebastian Winterflood. And a special thank you to this month’s donors, read by my son Nigel. And for sharing episodes with your friends. > Shannon: Before I start the show, I wanted to thank everybody for listening. > Maggie Holtzberg: fiddle player and official folklorist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts > Mikey McComiskey: accordion player of the famed Baltimore McComiskey Irish traditional music family dynasty > Sean McComiskey: accordion player and teacher, and Physical Therapy specialist specializing in injuries affecting musicians > Billy McComiskey: Baltimore-based accordion player, composer, and National Heritage Fellow > Nigel Heaton: young announcer for Irish Music Stories
> Shannon Heaton: flute player and host of Irish Music Stories This Irish Music Stories episode aired May 8, 2018
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