Hey Mott

[Ginny]

On behalf of Captian Joe McCeilidh and the rest of the crew here at the forum, welcome. I'm assuming you're a Celtic music fan, so this is the place to be. How did you discover the Cottars? What other Celtic bands to you like listening to? What are your opinions on the Cottars break-up and their new additions? I'm looking forward to reading your posts!


Cheers,
Ginny

[mott]

Thanks Ginny for the warm welcome, it is appreciated.

Yes I love Celtic music, my first post here was about the Irish Fest in Milwaukee I just attended last Friday and Saturday. Besides the Cottars I saw the Makem and Spain Brothers who I love; also there was a Nova Scotia Kitchen Party that I saw a bit of. I also like Tommy Makem of course but didn't see him over the weekend, also I like the Fenians and of course the Chieftains, who I saw earlier this year in Chicago with the Cottars.

I'm from the Chicago area and my favorite group is a local band called the Dooley Brothers. I've been following them for about 10 years. I don't know a whole lot about Celtic music, I really enjoy all kinds of ethnic music. I do like several of the local bands from the midwest, such as Brigid's Cross, 3 Pints Gone, oh and of course Liz Carroll.

I first saw the Cottars at the Irish Fest in Milwaukee a few years ago. I remember I was just wondering who to see at the fest, and I saw their name on the schedule and checked them out. I had no idea they were kids! But I was so very impressed by how polished they were as a group, very professional sounding, a lot of fun to listen to. I became an instant fan of theirs.

The biggest problem was, after this fest I couldn't get to see them in person; their website was offline or something so I didn't know where they appeared. I was lucky to see they were going to apear at Celtic Fest in Chicago, so I went to see them, and sat right in the front row. They were terrific again, but again I wish I could see them more often than once every two years or so.

When they played with the Chieftains here in Chicago, I was very excited and went to see them. I was disappointed though, because they only did a couple of numbers. I don't understand why the Chieftains didn't give them much more time, even a half a set. Then this past weekend is the only other time I've seen them in person. I have their 1st and 3rd albums, I'll get their 2nd soon too.

As far as the break-up and new additions go, well I saw the new members in Milwaukee and thought Claire was terrific; she was bouncy and polished and fit right in. The guitarist, is it Bruce? He played extremely well, but I'm not sure if he fits in with the others. I must admit Fiona is my favorite because of her singing, and Friday she showed she can play a great tin whistle. And Ciarán plays a nice keyboard and showed he can display some humor too.

I won't babble too much more, though I can about the Cottars. I had been waiting so long to see them in the area and I would have been heartbroken had they disbanded before appearing in Milwaukee. I do very much hope they not only stay together and keep giving such memorable performances as I have seen, but appear more often in my area (and just them, not with the Chieftains).

Anyway thanks for having this forum, am glad I can now keep up with the latest happenings of my 2nd favorite Celtic band (behind the Dooley Brothers).

Rich

[Joe]

Hello Rich!

Thanks so much for joining us on the forum! I'm delighted that you saw The Cottars in Milwaukee last week. Your report was excellent...glad to know that Claire is doing well on stage. I agree what you said about Bruce; he may only be temporary but he does have a solid stage background.

Thanks for the kind words about the forum; I wanted to have somplace where I could share my info about The Cottars. There is very little solid info on the web. I am in close contact with their musical director Allister MacGillivray.

Thanks again,

your captain and admin,
Joe

[mott]

Thanks Joe,

I agree about Bruce, easy to see he is a solid guitarist, no question about that. But it is obvious he just doesn't fit in with the younger performers. Musically he fits in though. And yes Claire seems like she's made for the group.

Now I assume Allister is Fiona's and Ciaran's dad; was he the guy I saw doing the sound checks for them? I guess you wouldn't know who I saw, except I'd seen him before doing their sound checks, a skinny guy about 40-ish. He seemed to be in charge of the group, that's why I ask.

Anyway thanks again for this forum; the Cottars' website isn't always up to date, so I'm glad you have the forum. And I do hope the Cottars, in one form or another, perform for many years to come.

Rich

[Joe]

mott said:

Now I assume Allister is Fiona's and Ciaran's dad; was he the guy I saw doing the sound checks for them? I guess you wouldn't know who I saw, except I'd seen him before doing their sound checks, a skinny guy about 40-ish. He seemed to be in charge of the group, that's why I ask.

Hi Rich,

Allister might have been there doing the sound checks. Also it might have been their technical director Mick Schmidtmeyer. When you mentioned 'skinny', I'm thinking it might have been Mick.

Things in the Cottars world have been hectic so I hope you'll hang on for whatever happens.

Cheers,
Joe

[mott]

Hi Joe

Well it wasn't Allister, this guy was skinnier and had lighter shorter hair. I guess he was tall but I couldn't tell with him on the stage. Maybe it was Mick, doesn't matter.

I hope things work out for the Cottars one way or another. I wish they could have toured more around here before they changed their personnel, but maybe they will in the future (or I can travel a little and see them again). Thanks again.

Rich