Frank Emerson: News

Just a couple of things and then an appeal, of sorts.



I just got back from playing the Topsfield Fair in the town in Massachusetts of the same name - convenient. It was a great time! This is the oldest Agricultural Fair in the United States - started in 1818. They've got it down pat. Like they used to say in the carnivals, 'There's a thrill a minute!' Tons of stuff to see and do. A great time for music and crafts and all sorts of food and of course flora and fauna....Lots and Lots and Lots of fauna! The weather cooperated and whereas Topsfield is located on the North Shore - north of Boston and toward New Hampshire, the countryside was awash with color! I was thrilled to be asked to perform there this year and with luck, I'll have a chance to repeat the experience in 2008.



Now, talking about thrills...We've just received our first reviews of the book, Clean Cabbage in the Bucket and Other Tales from the Irish Music Trenches. I've included them here as attachments. One is by Michael Farragher of the Celtic Lounge and The Irish Voice. The other is by John O'Brien, Jr of The Ohio Irish American News. I've got to tell you, both reviews are excellent! We couldn't be happier - well I guess we could be happier....if we sold like a gazillion copies. We've sent off copies to the Irish Echo and the Chicago Irish American News to see what they think of the book. I'll let you know when those and any other reviews come in.



In the mean time, now is not a bad time to buy a copy of the book just go to my website, www.frankemerson.com, and click on the products link. Or you can click here, and it will take you to the same place. Scroll down past the press release of the book and you'll see Pay Pal Buttons and Buy it now buttons that will allow you to pay by credit card or paypal. Click on it and follow the instructions and I'll send you a copy of the book right away. Let me know if you'd like it autographed. Happy to do it. These books will make terrific Christmas presents or birthday presents or Arbor Day presents etc... you get the idea. Also, I should mention that I of course have CDs available. Again click on www.frankemerson.com and you'll see an order form right below my picture. If you click on the music link, you'll be able to hear lots of cuts from the albums.



I'm off to Savannah on Monday for a week's stay at Kevin Barry's and hope to see a lot of old friends there and of course, maybe make some new ones.



Speaking of old friends, this is where the appeal of sorts comes in. There is an old pal of mine in a bit of a bind at the moment. He's an army vet and recently had a cancer diagnosis handed to him. The prognosis is pretty good, but as you know, these things are dicey. He goes under the knife a little later this month and then they hit him with a barrage of chemotherapy. I know from experience that it's best to bring a howitzer to this gun fight, so I'm asking that you all send up some good, positive prayers and thoughts for this fellow. I hesitate to use his name or mention the type of cancer that has attacked because at this point privacy is a bit important. I'm afraid he won't be getting a whole lot of that in the days to come, so we can give him some now. It's OK though. Take my word for it. The positive thoughts and prayers will definitely get to where they are supposed to go - to him and his family members and primary care giver. Anyway, thanks for your help on this.



I guess I'll close now. As usual, I'll ask you to join me in keeping a good thought and prayer for all those who are in the arena.



Drop a line if you feel like it.



Best for now in an autumnal state of mind,

Just a few quick after action reports and a couple of reminders.

The Grahamfest 2007 on Labor Day went over very well. J.C. Weaver and his whole crew did an incredible job transforming the grounds of the Major Graham Mansion in Max Meadows, Virginia into a pretty extensive festival grounds - complete with four stages (one of which was big enough to have staged South Pacific - using the actual Pacific!) From what I could see, all had a great time: performers and patrons alike - I know I did! They plan on this being an annual Labor Day happening. It will be another event that will put Southwest Virginia on the destination map of national travellers. This is how it should be, I figure - and I'm not even really from there!

I was lucky enough this year to have been asked to help headline the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. Even though we had to pull the plug early on the Friday evening - due to Mother Nature throwing a huge fit - complete with interesting and dangerous special effects, the event was, by all standards a great success. There were loads of performers representing numerous nations - whihc also had food concessions set up. The arts & crafts sections were fabulous. Wonderful pioeces of work were available at very reasonable prices. This was the first time I got to spend any length of time in Augusta, although I'd appeared at an AOH function once before. Each time, the Augustans treated me with universal politeness and courtesy. They bowled me over. What a time.

The Eddie Ivie Memorial Scholarship Concert went down very well indeed. This was the second year of the event, titled Gaels of Music II. ,and I'm grateful to have been involved both years. Presented by the Irish Studies Department (headed by our friend Dr. Howard Keeley from Dublin) at Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia I did my twist along with Harry O'Donoghue, Mary Courtney. Bob Hendrix, Colleen Settle, Butch Elmgren, Stephen Faulk and the Irish Dancers of Savannah. Like he did last year, Vic Power, of Kevin Barry's Pub in Savannah offered a deal wherein patrons could have heavy hors d'ouvres and drink at the pub before time, get a drink supplied bus ride to the concert, a deal at intermission, a drink filled bus ride back to the pub afterwards and a nightcap at the pub at about midnight. What a deal!

On Columbus Day, 8 October, at 2, 3, and 5 in the afternoon, I'll be performing on the picnic area stage at the Topsfield Fair, in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Established in 1818, this 10-day event is America's oldest Agricultural Fair, and it is an honor to be asked to appear at the venue.

I suppose it's never too early to think about Christmas. You might want to keep in mind the new book, "Clean Cabbage in the Bucket and Other Tales for the Irish Music Trenches", written by Harry O'Donoghue, Dennis O'Rourke, Robbie O'Connell, Seamus Kennedy and myself. It is still available. You can order it through my products link on my website. Just scroll down the page until you get to the title of the book and a blurb about it. Just below that is a series of PayPal buttons. Press anyone of them. They all work. I'll send you a copy as quick as a wink. I'll even inscribe it however you like. All for $25. Not too bad - It's 400+ pages of non-fiction tales of adventures and misadventures in the Irish show business world along with 20 pages or so of photos and daguerre-o-types. It's a sure fire attention getter - replete with laughter, some sadness, and a lot of sentiment.

That's about it for now. I continue to pray for our friends in the arena, doing all they can and more for our benefit.

There are a few things I’d like to share with you. Starting this Thursday, I’ll be doing the Delaney’s circuit. 23 – 25 August, I’ll be at Delaney’s in Spartanburg, SC. It will be my first time there and I’m looking forward to it. The following week is another 3-day stint, this time at Delaney’s in Columbia, SC. (30 August – 1 September) I always look forward to working with the fine people there.



On Labor Day, 3 September, I’ll be appearing at GrahamfestUSA in Max Meadow, VA. It’s a one-day multi-stage, multi-genre music festival. Sponsored by bandleader/singer/songwriter Josiah “J.C.” Weaver, it promises to be quite a family-oriented event held on the beautiful grounds of the Major Graham Mansion. I’ll be performing on the folk stage – one of four stages – from 1:45 – 2:45. Have a look at the GrahamfestUSA website for all the details. Thanks to Carroll Brown for enabling me to do this gig.



The following day, 4 September, I’ll be taking over the con from Carroll at the best listening room in the entire U. S of A; Kevin Barry’s in Savannah. I’ll be there right through 9 September.



Michele Bond from Kevin Barry's , has sent out the following announcement about the 2nd Annual Eddie Ivie Irish Scholarship Fund Concert to be held in the Emma Kelly Theatre at the Averitt Center, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA on the 18th of September. Kevin Barry's is putting on the dog for this one. All for a $50.00 per person donation you get an Irish Buffet at Kevin Barry's starting at 4:30 PM (cash bar), Transportation to The Emma Kelly Theatre and back to Kevin Barry's (Bus departs at 6:00 PM - Beer and Wine all the way up and back) Admission to the concert, which starts at 7:30 PM. This year the show features Mary Courtney, Frank Emerson, Harry O'Donoghue, and the Irish Dancers of Savannah. Guest Apperances feature Stephanie Dittmer, Butch Elmgren, and Bob Hendrix. You get Green Room Priviledges during Intermission. You'll also get a Nighcap at Kevin Barry's on the Second Floor Balcony when the bus returns to River Street. For further information, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation, please contact Michele at 912-233-9626 or at contact@kevinbarrys.com



Now, I know that you’re all aware that Harry O’Donoghue, Dennis O’Rourke, Robbie O’Connell, Seamus Kennedy and I have published a book called Clean Cabbage in the Bucket and Other Tales from the Irish Music Trenches. You’re aware that you can get it by mail from me or by way of paypal via my website at http://www.frankemerson.com/products.html. Then just scroll down the page and you’ll bee a blurb about the book and then a “Buy It Now” button. Either way, the cost is a total $25.00 ($21.95 plus $3.05 P&H). You’re also onto the fact that it’s a 6 X 9 Trade Paperback, 400+ page, 20-picture page collection of non-fiction (pretty much) short stories about some of the adventures that we’ve had on the Irish/Folk circuit over the past 30-odd years. Irish music fans and afficionados would love to receive it as a gift on any occasion - wakes, weddings, conversions, births, re-births, birthdays, or holidays of each and every fashion, nation or relation. It really is a good book and thoroughly enjoyable. You really, really should have it in your library or in the library of someone for whom you care.



Continuing on this literary course, as an erstwhile British comedy troupe would put it: And now for something completely different.



I want to tell you about another book that’s also just been released by yet another Irish guy, Sean Hayes. Not the one on Will and Grace, a different one – which is for the best.



If you’ve ever been moved by the stories of Snorri Sturlesen, Gilgamesh, or Tolkein, The Venerable Bede. Beowulf, Chaucer, even the great Cu Chullainn, you’re going to be tickled by The Breagagh Saga. Hayes, an Irishman from Kilkenny , has taken up the gauntlet to explain the Irish story in an inimitable manner. Mixing folklore, fantasy, saints, sinners, songs, stories and gobshytes, Sean moves back and forth through time and space from Ireland to America – and even explains the reason for Colin Farrell.



Along the way, he presents memorable characters who tug at the emotions and with whom you feel quite familiar and comfortable by the end of the tales. From hilarious to sorrowful, from sentimental to wittily sage, Sean has crafted a work that is unique in its presentation and thoroughly enjoyable in its reading.



Hayes talks to the reader. It’s almost as if you’re sitting by, listening to a shanachie. Of course he stretches the truth a bit, but he’s supposed to – so why would he not.



G.K. Chesterton said, “The Irish are the race that the gods made mad. All their wars are happy and all their songs are sad.” Sean Hayes is up there with the best of them. As he would put it himself, maybe he’s a little touched.



To be honest, this is not the type of book I usually read, but I’m very glad that I did. Yes, I am. I recommend it without reservation. Well done, Sean.



You can find out all the details of how to get The Breagagh Saga at www.authorhouse.com. Check in the bookstore section.



That’s about it for now. Drop a note whenever you feel like it. Enjoy the rest of the warm August weather. September’s coming on and I can feel that nip in the air as I think about it. Oh rats. I’m sitting on the ice tray again.



God Bless our troops.

Frank Emerson
790 E. Spiller Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Home & Fax: 276-228-6726
Cell: 276-613-0598
E-Fax: 509-562-8833
E-mail: femerson@embarqmail.com

I just received the following from Ed Ward of the Milwaukee Irish Festival

"Hello friends - it's a sad day today as Irish music has lost it's most passionate and ardent advocate. Tommy Makem passed away tonight at 7 p.m. after what I would have to call a heroic struggle to maintain his life style, love of music and performing, and contact with his many admirers and friends. He battled his cancer in his own way and fought it bravely and without complaints. "Ever onward and upward' he would say. I spoke to him about 2 weeks ago the day after he returned from Ireland. We talked for about a half an hour about his trip, how wonderful it was to see the parade of people who came to visit him in the hotel, relatives, old friends, the archbishop. He said he was very sad when he boarded a plane to leave Ireland - clearly knowing he would not see it again. He desperately wanted to make it to Milwaukee this year so we discussed plans on what we would do as it was evident he would not be able to perform. But he planned to be there anyway.

We are going ahead with these plans and Tommy's slots will be billed as "REMEMBERING TOMMY MAKEM" and will be led by his nephews Tom and Jimmy Sweeney, Brian Doherty, Kevin Evans and Eugene Byrne and other close friends. The Makem and Spain Brothers will also be in Milwaukee so it should be a special celebration of Tommy's life and love for the music of Ireland. "

Tommy was a living legend on the Irish Music scene, as most of you know. In fact, he will still be a living legend and will continue to be so for as long as people play and sing about the beauty, pride, and glory of Ireland. His association with the Clancy Brothers was probably the biggest influence in popularizing Irish folk music. I know for certain that they were responsible for bringing many performers into the business.

His sons and anyone else who performs these days will continue to perpetuate his music and his integrity.

He stood by his guns and in doing so, he led by example.

I was proud to have known him, honored to have shared stages with him and will continue to thank him and his memory for kindnesses shown to me.

May God Bless him and his family including my friends Rory, Conor and Shane.

Holy Toledo - Will wonders never cease? Do you believe in miracles? Are there guys named "Tex" in Texas? Is Clean Cabbage in the Bucket and Other Tales From the Irish Music Trenches finaally in print? The answer to all of the preceding questions is, "Yes, Ma'am! Yes, Sir!" It's not only in print, but it's now available. To those of you who already ordered the thing LAST YEAR, for crying out loud, signed copies will be on the way to you on Monday. Thank you for your patience. Below is the press release for the book.

New Anthology of True Stories from the Irish Music Circuit

Five musicians share their memories of over 30 years on the road.

(Wytheville, VA) CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET And Other Tales From the Irish Music Trenches is a collaborative effort between five professional traveling Irish singer/songwriters. Digging into their bags of memories, the fellows have come up with over 70 stories that make for some thoroughly enjoyable reading.



The anthology is the brain child of Dennis O'Rourke, one of the authors, who also acted as in-house editor of the project. Dennis, together with Robbie O'Connell, Frank Emerson, Harry O'Donoghue and Seamus Kennedy, has put together a group of stories that are just as unique as the five-way partnership.



There have been memoirs of musicians before. However, there has never been anything quite like this. Engaging, revealing and intimate, you'll feel as if the fellows are talking right to you. Stories you want? Stories you get. And the best part is that they're true!



Written in the unique style of each musician, this is a book of personal experience -short, often humorous stories about that life; the bars and the club owners; the audiences and the occasional brawl; the hotels, the oddball characters met along the way; the guitars, the women and the music. In effect, the reader would be eavesdropping on a group of entertainers sharing road stories backstage.



These are the types of stories that musicians tell to each other when their paths infrequently cross. It is a rare thing to get a group of players together to put out a piece of work such as this. The painstaking process of writing and assembling took five years, as they made time to jot their stories down, flesh them out, edit and re-edit and finally come up with a finished product.

Providing a further look into what makes these performers tick, scattered throughout the book are insightful interviews with each author.



You'll find out exactly what's boiling with Clean Cabbage in the Bucket, who exactly is Charles Beauregard Finnegan. You'll see how to come clean in The Soap Creek Saloon, nearly get blown away by The Tornado, and get a little Bawdy in New Hampshire. Those are just some of the adventures related.



It has been said that the Irish/American pub scene is the last vestige of Vaudeville. It stands to reason that these Irish-American performers are the last of the Vaudevillians. They know that the show must go on. They love what they do for a living and are thankful to be able to do it. This shows in their writing.



There is a pride and a gratitude that shines through - even in the hard times. That these fellows have survived over thirty years, and succeeded, in what is a rough and tumble business is to their credit. That they are willing to share a good number of their best reminiscences - touching, funny sad and everything in between – is a rare find.



CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET And Other Tales From the Irish Music Trenches is available where the fellows play, over the Internet, as well as in selected bookstores. For more information and to read an excerpt, go to www.frankemerson.com and click on the "products" link.

Or send $20.00 (plus $2.50 p & h) to Frank for an autographed copy.

Here's hoping that you celebrated America's birthday in real style and had a good time, with good feelings and good fellowship.

We had quite the shindig at Kevin Barry's in Savannah. The USS Monterey (CG 61) was in port over the holiday. The officers and crew made Kevin Barry's their home ashore. We were all glad to meet and talk and even have a few drinks with them. All were gentlemen and even did a bit of participating in the way of singing. Of course we all wish the ship and her entire complement 'fair seas and following winds'.

All, however, was not without incident. I got a message from my pal Leo Rahill from the Philadelphia CSI, that his good friend and a hero of all of ours, "Wild" Bill Guarnere, Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101 ABN, had a heart attack. You all probably remember Bill as one of the prominent members of "The Band of Brothers". He's doing as well as can be expected, but I know he'd appreciate it if you could keep him in your prayers. Bill's buddy and long time cohort from South Philly and Easy Company, Edward "Babe" Heffron, is keeping Leo apprised of the situation and is returning the favor of vigilance that Bill gave to him a couple of years back when he wasn't doing all that great.

I guess that's it. If you will, please send a thought or prayer up for old Wild Bill.

Just a quick update.

I was fortunate enough to perform in concert for the Ancient Order of Hibernians Richmond 1 Division - Augusta, GA along with Lillie Morris and Solstice, The Skelligs and The Augusta Irish Dancers. We had a packed house and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves quite a bit.

Bill Berry, the State President of the AOH along with everyone on staff for the event came through like the champions they are. Speaking of champions, the Augusta Irish Dancers had a number of their members qualify recently for the Nationals as well as the World Championship competitions. That's really something to be proud of, as you all probably know.

We also had luminaries from Georgia Southern University, Joe Dougherty and his wife, from the National AOH as well as a couple of surprises for me - Gene Owens, a newspaperman in the Ben Hecht/Charlie MacArthur mould, Dave Patterson from Hendersonville, NC and a fine former Marine and genuine patriot - who is still in the arena - Zach Zittle and his lovely wife, Aleksandra. There is a picture of Zach and me in the photo section.

I was lucky enough to get picked up for a few dates in August, September and November at Delaney's of Spartanburg, SC. You can see the listing on the calendar section of my website.

As we come up on the 4th of July, I invite you to remember along with me the words of The Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

With these words acting as impetus, I am reminded further of the words of Mark Twain:

It is a worthy thing to fight for one's freedom; it is another sight finer to fight for another man's.

And with those words in mind, I can't help but think - with gratitude - of all of the fine representatives of the United States who are doing just that. For as Franklin Roosevelt said, "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."

Cpl. Charles W. Lindberg, USMC, the last of the original Iwo Jima flag raisers, Purple heart and Silver Star recipient, passed away Sunday, 24 June. He wasone of those fellows who were "just doing their jobs" during World War II.

Take care for now and all the best. Drop a line if you like. I'll see you down the road.

Hello All There -

I hope that you'll give this short piece a read and then have a look at my comment afterward. Thanks.

Voices of D-Day: Thomas Valence (Sgt., A Company, 116th Infantry, 29th Division)


We proceeded toward the beach, and many of the fellows got sick. The water was quite rough. It was a choppy ride in, and we received a lot of spray.

Our boat was one of six of A Company in the first wave, and when we got to the beach, or close to it, the obstacles erected by the Germans to prevent the landing were fully in view, as we were told they would be, which meant the tide was low.

I was the rifle sergeant and followed Lieutenant Anderson off the boat, and we did what we could rather than what we had practiced doing for so many months in England. There was a rather wide expanse of beach, and the Germans were not to be seen at all, but they were firing at us, rapidly, with a great deal of small-arm fire.

As we came down the ramp, we were in water about knee high, and we started to do what we were trained to do -- move forward, and then crouch and fire. One of the problems was we didn't quite know what to fire at. I saw some tracers coming from a concrete emplacement which to me looked mammoth. I never anticipated any gun emplacements being that big. I attempted to fire back at that, but I had no concept of what was going on behind me. There was not much to see in front of me except a few houses, and the water kept coming in so rapidly, and the fellows I was with were being hit and put out of action so quickly that it become a struggle to stay on one's feet. I abandoned my equipment, which was very heavy.

I floundered in the water and had my hand up in the air, trying to get my balance, when I was first shot. I was shot through the left hand, which broke a knuckle, and then through the palm of the hand. I felt nothing but a little sting at the time, but I was aware that I was shot. Next to me in the water, Private Henry G. Witt was rolling over towards me. "Sergeant, they're leaving us here to die like rats. Just to die like rats." I certainly wasn't thinking the same thing, nor did I share that opinion. I didn't know whether we were being left or not.

I made my way forward as best I could. My rifle jammed, so I picked up a carbine and got off a couple of rounds. We were shooting at something that seemed inconsequential. There was no way I was going to knock out a German concrete emplacement with a .30-caliber rifle. I was hit again, once in the left thigh, which broke my hip bone, and a couple of times in my pack, and then my chin strap on my helmet was severed by a bullet. I worked my way up onto the beach, and staggered up against a wall, and collapsed there. The bodies of the other guys washed ashore, and I was one live body amongst many of my friends who were dead and, in many cases, blown to pieces.


6 June 1944 - Sixty-three years ago, a whole lot of pea-green soldiers, sailors and airmen participated in what Ike referred to as a great crusade. He was correct in calling it that. Those young men did nothing less than fight against, and triumph over, a horrible evil. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

My friend, Bob Slaughter, with whom I collaborated on a song about his experiences on D-Day as an NCO with D Company, 116th Infantry, 29th Division, has just released a book. Omaha Beach and Beyond: The Long March of Sergeant Bob Slaughter has been published by Zenith Press, a foremost publisher of military history. I have read it. Hell, I couldn't put it down. That it is riveting is putting it mildly. He tells his story straight from the shoulder and pulls no punches. Damn, it's good.

If you'd like to get a copy, you can do so at the Zenith Press or at Amazon

If you'd like a copy of the song Bob and I wrote, "A New Dawn Forever", it is on an extended play CD and is available through the National D-Day Memorial Foundation. All proceeds from this recording go to the preservation and upkeep of the Memorial at Bedford, Virginia and the National Museum in New Orleans. You can link to both Amazon and the D-Day Memorial at my website in the Products Section

Stephen Ambrose, author of The Band of Brothers, once looked his son Hugh Ambrose in the eye and said, "I want to introduce you to my hero: Bob Slaughter." Bob, and men like him, are heroes to all of us. This is as it should be.

We're coming up on the St Patrick's Day festivities again. I could be wrong, but it seems to me this happens every year around 17 March. I think there might be an annual trend starting.

I'm writing this note now because I'll be heading to Savannah to appear at Kevin Barry's (www.kevinbarrys.com) on Monday the 12th. I'm reasonably sure that I'll be pretty busy and unable to get near a computer to send out an e-mail on the day itself. Even if I were able to do so, there is a good chance that the message would read as if I were typing in tongues - if this year turns out to be par for the course.

While I'll be taking the con on the ship of stage on the 12th, 13th, and 14th - Harry O'Donoghue (www.harryodonoghue.com) and Carroll Brown (www.carrollbrownmusic.com) will be joining me on the 15th, 16th, and 17th. We'll be doing some long-distance running on those days, but we always have a great time when we get to perform as a trio. It's a gas.

On Sunday, the 18th, Harry will be heading off to Pennsylvania for a series of concerts and so Carroll and I will have the watch on the final day of St. Patrick's hoop-la.

On Friday, the 16th at 1630 hours in Madison Square (at Bull St. and Harris & Charlton Sts.) is the patriotic ceremony honoring the military and Sgt. William Jasper. He was a hero of the Battle of Sullivan's Island, SC where on 28 June 1776, he saved and re-planted the colors of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, the Moultrie Flag, as a rallying point for the American troops. In attempting a similar action during the Siege of Savannah on 9 October 1779, he was killed by enemy fire and buried in a common grave. The statue of Sgt. Jasper was erected in the square in 1888.

On the 17th, the 183rd Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade kick's off at about 1015 hours. Of course there will be a Mass celebrated at 0800 hours at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Savannah's parade is one of the best and most well attended in the country and it is always held on the 17th - come hell or high water.

It's quite a scene throughout the city over these few days. River Street is something to experience. Have a look at the Savannah Waterfront Association's website and at the Savannah B & B website for all sorts of intel about the "rules of engagement" for the affair.

On a different track, I've a very early announcement. I will have the good fortune to be performing as part of "An Pub Night in Ireland" at The Clubhouse, 1285 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia on 16 June. I will be part of a show put together by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Richmond 1 Division, Augusta (www.aohaug.com). I'll be sharing the bill with The Skelligs (named after the islands off the coast of Kerry) They are a fine group that consists of Kenny Scott, Dan O'Connell and Gavin Winship. The marvelous traditional fiddler Lillie Morris and Solstice will be there as well. To complete everything, the Augusta Irish Dancers always give quite a show. It should be quite an evening. The show will start at about 1900 hours (7:00 PM) Tickets are available for $15.00. They can be purchased or reserved from Mr. Terry Wick at 706-955-6524. He should be able to answer any questions you might have about the thing. Mr. William (Bill) Berry, the State President of the AOH, will be glad to answer any further questions. He can be reached at whberry@mindspring.com.

My pal, Ranger Bryan Schrader is healing quite well after his untoward and speedy close encounter with terra firma from an un-natural altitude. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers in his behalf. They continue to play no small part in his ongoing recovery. Details of his circumstances can be read in the 22 February article in the NEWS section.

The latest skinny on Clean Cabbage in the Bucket and Other Tales from the Musical Trenches is that the damned thing is still in the works, but almost ready. Thank you for your patience in this matter - particularly those of you who have already ordered and paid for it. Believe me, as soon as I get them, you'll get them. I've already addressed the padded envelopes so there will be no time wasted in getting the books to the USPS. (There's all sorts of information, should any of you want to order through the mail and an excerpt from the book in the PRODUCTS section.)

I guess I've gone on long enough. Let me wish all of you a safe, peaceful and enjoyable, and reasonably no -worse-for -wear St. Patrick's Day. Finally, thanks to and God bless our armed forces, police, firefighters and all who are in the arena.

Drop a line some time.

The 16th Annual Savannah Irish Festival was, by all accounts, a roaring success. Lots of fun and laughs. I was proud to be associated with it.

Just received the letter below from Courtney Barnes about our pal Bryan Schrader and his parachuting mis-step. I'll sign off here and let you read Courtney's letter. Will talk more around Paddy's Day.


Hello all!!!

This is the first opportunity I've taken to read emails and actually respond!!! :) If the rehab hospital had wireless internet, I'd have been on here much sooner!!!

I wish to first express our thanks and gratitude to all of you who have kept Bryan in your prayers. He is such an incredibly special person to many people, and I truly am blessed to have him, not only ALIVE but, in the condition he's in...considering the outrageously amazing things that his body has been through. His mental, physical, and spiritual strength have kept him going...and will continue to...as well as the overwhelming love and support from friends and family such as yourselves!

Just to sort of clear up what his body has actually been through... He had some subarachnoid hemorrhages in his brain that initially caused some excrutiating migraines but have since continued to clear themselves up...taking the migraines away with them! His C5-C7 (cervical/neck) vertebrae have herniated discs that require him to wear a neck brace for three weeks, and they should clear themselves up within 10 weeks. The transverse process ("wings") of his L4 (lumbar) is fractured...thankfully not the actual "body" of the vertebrae - so NO spinal cord damage...NO nerve damage. His right sacrum is fractured, resulting in two pins...the left pubic bone was fractured, but nothing really can be "done" about it as far as hardware goes...the right femur was grossly fractured right below the hip joint (no joint damage), resulting in a rod with accompanying pins...the left tibia and fibula were fractured, initially thought to be a "simple" compound but ended up being a little more "messy", resulting in a rod and plate with pins. There was actually some penetration in his shin sized about the diameter of a pencil, but no protruding bone (and no resulting infection). Last, but certainly not least, a broken toe or two on the left foot. I say a prayer every day that he was wearing his full-face helmet, in lieu of another one he has the option of wearing, because the result would not be a pretty one... Because of his inability to get out of bed (or even of being conscious in the beginning), a DVT (blood clot) formed in his right leg, resulting in an IVC (inferior vena cava) filter being placed inside, near the groin, to protect from any clot breakage...and the possible pieces of fat, etc., that were broken up during the fractures. And...WOW!!!...NO ribcage damage (just some superficial bruising), NO internal organ damage, NO arm or hand damage...I mean...WOW!!! I see him now maneuvering himself around with his upper-body strength and thank God that he at least has that to his advantage.

He spent the 25th-5th in Saint Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix...and was transferred to Yuma Rehab on the 5th and will be there until the 19th, unless they can discharge him sooner. We hope sooner because he's pretty much maxed out on the therapy he is able to perform at this point...he misses home...and home misses him (our kitty cries for him everyday, I hear, as does our roomie's pup, who we've become "foster parents" to!!!). Because his legs/feet are zero weight-bearing for three months, the amount of physical and occupational therapy that can be performed, and practiced for three hours everyday, is severely limited...however, I suspect that when that time comes around for us to start walking again...I probably won't be able to keep up!!!

His spirits are excellent, and I have to extend out to all of you that it is, in part, because of the love, support, thoughtfulness, and prayers from friends and family that have been here for him, and myself, during this challenging time. The other part...well, come on...he's a "big, tough Ranger"!!! hehehe Seriously, he and I are so thankful to find that so many hold us so dear to their hearts...and for that, we are eternally grateful!

The next...let's say "year"...is going to be a challenging road for us...but Bryan is prepared for the journey: ready to take things as they come, always ready to push when he needs to push, and is being smart enough to do what's right for his body when it is required (and for that, you can't imagine how proud I am of him!!!). I know that your continued love and support and prayers will only enhance that for him!!!
Thank you again for the prayers and concern

I'd like to go on record to state that as far as I know, I am reasonably certain that I am not the father of Anna Nicole Smith's kid. Further, no matter what the breathless female announcer on one of the news channels mentioned, I feel safe in announcing that neither is Howard K. "SMITH". However, with deference to and some embarrassment for her husband's sake, I feel compelled to confess that there was a time, many, many years ago, that I think I may have had a dalliance with Zsa Zsa Gabor. Liquor was involved.

Hello out there -

I don't know how the weather is where you are right now, but here in Southwest Virginia, it's so cold the lawyers have their hands in their own pockets.

Well next week, on Saturday and Sunday - 17 & 18 February, the Festival Committee will present the 16th annual Savannah Irish Festival at the Savannah Civic Center. All sorts of information about the thing - including contact information and performance schedules - is available at their website -www.savannahirish.org. This is always a family oriented affair with special children's activities and entertainment in a special area. The whole production reflects a cooperative spirit between, and efforts on the part of, the many local and national Celtic organizations and businesses who have pulled together yearly since 1992. I'm delighted to play a part in it again this year.

One of my favorite bits of the festival is the "Songwriters' in the Round" session. This will take place at around 1330 each day on the Buttimer Cultural stage. Harry O'Donoghue (www.harryodonoghue.com)chairs the thing. With him will be Roger Drawdy (www.roger.drawdy.com), Kevin McKrell (www.mckrells.com), Carroll Brown (www.carrollbrownmusic.com), and me. It's always been interesting and great fun in the past and promises to be likewise this year.


Congratulations and a "Holy Smokes, Ain't that Great!" go out to our friend, the extremely talented Kristina Beatty. She was just signed by the Blue Note record label. That's the same label that features Norah Jones. It is also the home to the likes of Harry James, Count Basie and Nat Cole – among others. Now that's a lot of class. Consequently, it seems to me that Kristina is going to fit in just fine.

On a somewhat more serious note, a good pal of ours, Ranger Bryan Schrader, U.S. Army, has been involved in a pretty serious parachute mishap. Are there any other kinds? It looks like the tough SOB is going to be OK, but recuperation might be a bit rough. Please join me in keeping him in your prayers and that his recovery is as speedy, complete, and painless as possible.

I guess that's about it for now. Good luck and take care. I've got to run now as I've just received a message on the other line from Smokey the Bear saying that it's so cold here, he wants everyone to start fires.

Drop a line some time.

My friend Deloras Nelms wrote the following:

"As we begin this beautiful season, I hope tht each of you is in good health, faithful spirit, and enjoying the wonderful freedom that so many take for granted. Let us remember all the men and women who have given their lives or alk in harm's way every day, so that we may reap the fruits of their labor. Please keep them and their families in your daily prayers"

If any of you would care to take a pittance of time to send a free postcard to say 'thank you' to an unnamed member of the U.S. armed forces, please click on www.letssaythanks.com. It's quick. It's free, and it's appreciated.

History - in every century,
records an act that lives forevermore.
We'll recall - as in to line we fall,
the thing that happened on Hawaii's shore.


Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR -
As we go to meet the foe -
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
As we did the Alamo.


We will always remember -
how they died for liberty,
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
and go on to victory.


This song, by Don Reid and Sammy Kaye echoes today on this 65th Anniversary of the Day of Infamy. Every 5 years since 1946, the Pearl Harbor Survivors' Association has met in Hawaii to comemorate, remember and render honors. According to the association president, former Marine Mal Middlesworth, this might be the last reunion. It figures to be true since most of these fellows are now well into their 80s and 90s. Middlesworth said tht he didn't think too many of them would be around for the 70th Anniversary.

This, then, is a special day. We could and should take a lesson from these Pearl Harbor survivors and their families. Sure, their motto is 'Remember Pearl Harbor'. However, that is only the first half of the motto. The second half - and this is the truth - is 'Keep America Alert'. It has always been thus.

I think that this is especially fitting. It is also ironic in the light of the sneak attack on 9/11. It's not that we didn't have signs before. Remember the Marine Barracks in Beirut? We didn't heed the lesson imparted by the Pearl Harbor Survivors. Let's not let it happen again. Let's pay attention. "Situational awareness" is a prime tenet of training in the armed forces. Let's apply it to our everyday life as we remember Pearl Harbor.

Pre-first, I'd like to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving. I believe that despite what transpires in the world, or maybe because of it, those of us living in America have a great deal to be thankful for..as well as many places to where our thanks should be directed. Feel free to apply that as you will. I think you know where I stand on things.

First, I'm thrilled and tickled to announce that my wife, Frances - owing to her remarkable accomplishments as Director/Curator of Historical Resources for the Town of Wytheville - received the Award for Innovative Leadership from the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce at the 60th Annual Membership Dinner Meeting of that organization. Needless to say - but I'll say it anyway - I'm very proud of her for the job she has done and continues to do. There are some pictures of Frances throughout the photo section of my website, if you'd like to see what a real local hero looks like.

Second and so forth, on to more commercial themes. CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET And Other Tales From the Musical Trenches , the book on which I collaborated with Harry O'Donoghue , Seamus Kennedy , Robbie O'Connell and Dennis O'Rourke is still with the printer as of this writing.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be delivered soon. I'm hoping for well before Christmas, but I really don't know. I've already had a number of you pre-order a copy from me. I' d enjoy having any of the rest of you doing likewise, and I'll send the things on to you signed and sealed just as soon as I get them. For information on how to order a copy and to read an excerpt, have a look at this link: www.frankemerson.com/products/html. Once you get there, just scroll down.

On the way down the page, you'll pass a link to "Cafe Press". Have a look there, if you'd like, or you can go directly there by clicking the following link: www.cafepress.com/frankemerson. There are all sorts of cute things there that might be good for Christmas gifts as well.

Of course CDs are always handy at Christmas time. Besides my solo efforts, I've recently gotten hold of a number of copies of "A Christmas Postcard" - which I recorded a little while back with Harry O'Donoghue and Carroll Brown. You can hear excerpts from this recording as well as all my others currently available at the "Music" section of my website: www.frankemerson.com/music.html . Certainly all of these can be purchased right at my website. I use CD Baby as the agent of record. There are album descriptions and reviews at www.cdbaby.com/all/frankemerson .

This coming Thursday- Saturday (30 November - 2 December), I'll be at Delaney's, in Columbia, SC. My last job of 2006 will be at Kevin Barry's , in Savannah, GA, 11-17 December. I've got some time off then and don't go on the road again until 4-6 January 2007, when I'll be back at Delaney's.

I've gotten a fair number of bookings for 2007, but I also have a fair number of openings. So if you hear of anything, please pass my contact information along.

The Jihadis, the militant Muslims, are basically Nazis in Kaffiyahs -- they believe that Islam, a radically conservative form of Wahhabi Islam, should own and control the Middle East first, then Europe, then the world. And that all who do not bow to their will of thinking should be killed, enslaved, or subjugated. They want to finish the Holocaust, destroy Israel, and purge the world of Jews. This is their mantra.

The Iraq war is merely another battle in this ancient and never ending war. And now, for the first time ever, the barbarians are about to get nuclear weapons. Unless somebody prevents them.

We have four options:

1. We can defeat the Jihad now, before it gets nuclear weapons.

2. We can fight the Jihad later, after it gets nuclear weapons (which may be as early as next year, if Iran's progress on nuclear weapons is what Iran claims it is)

3. We can surrender to the Jihad and accept its dominance in the Middle East, now, in Europe in the next few years or decades, and ultimately in America.

4. Or, we can stand down now, and pick up the fight later when the Jihad is more widespread and better armed, perhaps after the Jihad has dominated France and Germany and maybe most of the rest of Europe. It will, of course, be more dangerous, more expensive, and much bloodier.

But the stakes are high ... A world dominated by representative governments with civil rights, human rights, and personal freedoms .. or a world dominated by a radical Islamic Wahhabi movement, by the Jihad, under the Mullahs and the Sharia (Islamic law).

Got a tough, but heartwarming story of John Gebhardt in Iraq. For those that did not know John, he was our former Med Group Chief…Dave Nordel replaced him. Anyway, his wife talked with mine last evening and sent this picture. Mindy related that this little girl’s entire family was executed…they intended to execute her also and shot her in the head…but they failed to kill her. She was cared for by John’s hospital and healing up, but has been crying and moaning. The nurses said John is the only one she seems to calm down with, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both! sleep in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

John comes home in early November.

*He is a real Star of the war and is representative of what America is trying to do

(Originally sent 25 October. From Derren Burrell, MAJ, USAF by way of Joy Kovacevic, wife of Major Mike Kovacevic, US Army Rangers)

Well, we had quite a time for ourselves at the first annual concert to benefit the Eddie Ivie Scholarship of Studies in Ireland through Center for Irish Studies at Georgia Southern University. The show was held on the 26th of September in the beautiful Emma Kelly Theater at the Averitt Center for the Arts in Statesboro, Georgia.

Just in case you aren't aware of the nature of this scholarship - it is to be established and awarded in perpetuity to a deserving student at Georgia Southern who wishes to pursue some aspect of Irish studies for a semester at university in Ireland. The scholarship is, of course, named for the late Eddie Ivie, noted musician, actor, restauranteur, and student of Irish culture, who was also the son of Cheri and Vic Power. If anyone would like to make a donation at any time to the scholarship fund, you can make out a cheque to The Eddie Ivie Scholarship for Studies in Ireland (On the back of the check write "for deposit to Account #3604". This is done to assure you that every red cent goes to the program.) Mail it to The Center for Irish Studies, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8023, Statesboro, Georgia 30460 ATTN: Dr. Howard Keeley.

The line-up at the show was geared for fun. Headlining was Ireland's balladeer, Danny Doyle, who shone as bright as ever. Kristina Beatty, she of the great looks and even greater voice, held forth for a couple of signature numbers accompanied by Johnnie Kennedy and Carroll Brown. The wonderful Savannah Irish Dancers graced the stage with their beauty and marvelous talent as well. A second year student of voice at Georgia Southern, Jonathan Murphy, gave the audience a treat with his soaring Irish tenor renditions of My Wild Irish Rose and the anthem, Danny Boy. Butch Elmgren gave a stirring recitation of the Patrick Kavanagh poem Pegasus, which was one of Eddie's favorites. Harry O'Donoghue hosted the evening. I joined him and Carroll and Johnnie for six or seven numbers, which we had a lot of fun with. The affair was catered with soda pop, beer, wine and finger food by Kevin Barry's Pub. As a matter of fact, Kevin Barry's was offering a great deal to make an entire evening out of it for $50 a head. What you got was a heavy buffet at Kevin Barry's prior to the show, with cash bar, motor coach transport to Statesboro and back to Savannah with beer, wine and soft drinks provided on the coach, admission to the concert, greenroom privileges at the show, and a nightcap at Kevin Barry's afterward. Not a bad deal at all - and safe to boot. With luck, and maybe even a little divinity, we can do it again next year.

At the moment, I'm trying to beautify myself because I'll be heading to Savannah to Kevin Barry's on this Sunday and Monday, 8-9 October. I have to attend a photo shoot - don't that sound uptown - for the back cover of the forthcoming CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET And Other Tales from the Musical Trenches. Harry O'Donoghue, Robbie O'Connell, Seamus Kennedy, Dennis O'Rourke, and myself will be vying for the title of "Grayest Old Bastard in a Black and White Photo". The winner gets his Geritol paid for for both evenings, but has to spring for his own Serutan. Drop by, if you're in the neighborhood. Harry is on stage on Sunday and our pal J.J. Smith is under the lights on Monday.

This is the final stage before the book goes into production. We're hoping to have it out by Thanksgiving and at least before Christmas. Not sure how these publishing houses go, but, from all reports, the folks we are dealing with turn out a lovely product.

If you'd like to order a copy, at the pre-publication price, postage paid, send me a cheque for $20 and I'll autograph a copy and send along just as soon as I get it, hot off the presses.

I guess that's about it for now. Just reminding you that you can get copies of my recordings at www.frankemerson.com along with various souvenirs, keepsakes, whatnots, and sundries in the products section of the site.

Well I just had a great experience on the 19th and 20th! I played the International Celtic Festival at Hunter's Mountain Resort in the Catskills - which means "Cat's Creek", taken from the Dutch. Although there were t'ousands of people there, there was still plenty of room to swing a cat, if you wanted. What a beautiful area! The festival takes place right at the base of the Hunter Mountain Ski Slopes: everywhere you look is green and goes up. (For winter: change green to white) There are four stages and a demonstration area - which is located at the bottom of the slope - just outside the lodge. This too is the scene of the incredible massed march of pipe bands along toward 6:00 PM - that's 1800 for those of you who are concerned about such things. This year there were 54 bands from all over who competed and then participated in the march - all a skirling and paradiddling like 90 and yet, not a note was slipped. It was quite the thing to see, I'll tell you. They came down the rise and marched right past the lodge. Guy Garraghan, one of the movers and shakers of the festival told me that this was the largest competition in the states. From the looks of it, I'd say he was right.

There was plenty of food - good food too! Plenty of good company. And plenty of good booze and beer and Guinness - was there ever any such thing as bad beer and booze? If you think that there was... why then, you're just wrong, that's all.

I got to see a little bit of Searson, a high energy group out of Canada, the interesting and very tight group Knot Fibb'n, and even a little bit of The Prodigals. Of course there were others and a good slew of dancers as well - all excellent - but I didn't get to see them much because most of my time was spent in the air-conditioning of the Copper Tree Restaurant, where I shared the stage with two certifiably insane performers: Tim Quinn and Seamus Kennedy. All I can say was that it was a great deal of fun and quite an experience - one which I would gladly repeat over and over. We had a great craic.

I certainly hope to be able to play the festival again in 2007. If you can make it - make it! It's a wonderful time!

Now for something completely different:

CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET
And Other Musical Tales From the Trenches

"What on Earth is that??!!" And well you ask. What is is, is an anthology. Myself, Seamus Kennedy, Harry O'Donoghue, Robbie O'Connell , and Dennis O'Rourke - whose idea this was and who also edited the thing - teamed up and wrote a whole bunch of stories during the last few years. And I mean a whole bunch of stories. What arrived was this book. These stories are not just stories, mind you. All of them are seldom told tales of events that befell each of us - mostly individually - over the past 30 years or so. The common theme is that they all have to do with our exploits and some misadventures as travelling musicians/entertainers on the Irish circuit.

The book is complete right now. I've read all the stories and I think the thing is real good. There are five of us involved and you've got five different, distinct voices. It's interesting, funny, sad, even chilling in spots. Above all, it's entertaining. And that's the point. Of course, after reading some of these things, you'll wonder why any of us are still alive and reasonably ambulatory. But we are. And that's another point.

All that is left now is to get the group photo taken. There are plenty of photos in the book, but they are from days gone by. Dennis, in his role as fearless editor, figured that we should have at least one contemporary shot. I argued against this. It's my opinion that all things considered, our real big accomplishment, over the 3-plus decades covered by the book, is that we've all gotten older and uglier. So why foist some Dorian Gray-ish photograph on an innocent public. However, I got voted down by the other gargoyles and so, we're having a conclave in Savannah at Kevin Barry's on 8-9 October to be immortalized on Kodak. Then the whole magilla goes to the printer. Harry will be on stage on the 8th, so I imagine we'll be paying attention like reasonably clean choir boys out of respect for the ritual. (I'm trying to keep serious, now) Poor JJ Smith will be on stage of the 9th. I know Kennedy will have something to say about his kilt. Join us. We should have a time.

Well, to the point. The book, CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET And Other Musical Tales From the Trenches, should be out around Thanksgiving - hopefully in time for Christmas. They will be priced in the $22.00 range. If you'd like to pre-order the thing, I'll sign your copy however you'd like it signed, I'll pay the postage, and I'll only charge $20.00. After we get the book, everything reverts to normal. Of course I, and the rest of the boys, will be selling them at the gigs, but we'd love to get as many pre-orders as possible to get a handle on how it might go over and also to pay for my Grannie's hernia operation.

If this you'd like, just send me a check for $20.00 per copy, payable to yours truly. Include your address and how you'd like the inscriptions to read. Twenty bucks will reserve a personalized copy. Did I mention that supplies are limited? Well they are indeed at this point, if only for financial reasons. So the sooner you act, the better.

I suppose that's about it for now. God knows I can prattle on sometimes.

Frank Emerson
490 E. North Street
Wytheville, VA 24382

I just received word from Guy Garraghan, on behalf of the Celtic Festival at Hunter Mountain (19 & 20 ) August, as noted below.

----- Original Message -----
From: "WRIP-FM 97.9 Studio" To: Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 7:28 AM
Subject: Travel Alert


> Better be sure to plan your trip to Hunter now.
> > A June storm destroyed a portion of the mountain road leading to Hunter.
> Highway is shut down until November.
> > Please go to www.huntermtn.com and click on News & Events for detour
> information.

And..be sure to click on Festivals for the Celtic Entertainment Schedule.

Here we go again - a ton of fun at Hunter. No pressure ... just fun. Let's
do it!
> > Best,
> > g.


In case the website is a bit fouled up for you, here are the directions:

FROM THE NORTH:

South on NY State Thruway (87)

Exit 21 (Catskill)

To Rte 23 (west)

To Rte 296

Take LEFT on 23A into Hunter

RIGHT Across Bridge at Hunter Mountain Entrance

2nd RIGHT - Ethel Drive


FROM THE SOUTH:

North on NY State Thruway (87)

Exit 19 (Kingston)

To Rte 28 (west)

To Rte 214 (north)

Take LEFT on 23A into Hunter

RIGHT Across Bridge at Hunter Mountain Entrance

2nd RIGHT - Ethel Drive


I hope this will be of some help. I also hope to see some of youse there.
All the best for now,

Frank

Just got some new information about the First Annual Eddie Ivie Memorial Scholarship Concert for Studies in Ireland.

For those of you who might not know, Eddie was a fine musician, actor, and restauranteur and all around terrific young man. He was the son of our friends Cheri and Vic Power of Kevin Barry's Pub in Savannah. He was killed in a tragic accident a little more than a year ago. The scholarship has been established in Eddie's memory and mirrors his love of Irish culture.

It will be held on 26 September. I haven't been told what time yet, but a safe bet is around 7:30 or 8:00 PM.

It will take place at the Emma Kelly Theater in the Averitt Center for the Performing Arts.

212 E. Main Street, Statesboro, Georgia 30458

912-212-2787

The Tickets can be reserved at the above phone number.

Ticket Prices are:

Regular - $10.00
Students, Seniors, Kids, Military - $8.00

The entertainment lineup at this point is:

Jonathan Murphy
Danny Doyle
Harry O'Donoghue
Carroll Brown
Frank Emerson

You may want to phone the box office should you have any questions.

Hello Everyone -

This is Armed Forces Day - 20 May. As we observe this date and come up on Memorial Day on the 29th, I find myself thinking more and more of those who went before us, picked up the gauntlet, and stepped to the fight. Since the day is indeed named "Memorial Day", I think mostly of those who - as the saying goes - 'gave all'. As I get older and come to know and enjoy our liberties more and more, I am ever more grateful to those who died that I - and all of you - can breath this wonderful air of, and in, freedom.

My friend Bob Slaughter, with whom I was lucky enough to collaborate on his D-Day piece "A New Dawn Forever", sent along the video you can link to just below. I think it is terrific and an absolutely appropriate 'thank you'.

www.forest.ws/WeSupportU.htm
My sister in law, Betty Mallory - who let me record her lovely song, "The Blues are Running", and which you can hear on my website, sent me a piece she wrote last Fourth of July. Although it is intended to speak directly to Memorial Day this year, I know it is her belief - as it is mine - that the sentiments and the thoughts expressed are not just for this Memorial Day, but for all of them.

In July of 1944, her uncle, John Graham Sexton, was a 21-year old Private First Class serving with the 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division. He missed D-Day, having put ashore with the rest of his division between 22-26 July. I won't tell you any more. It would be much better for you to read what Betty wrote. She was kind enough to let me publish it here. I think it is about as eloquent a work as I've heard. Thank you for sharing this with us, Betty.

Two Identification Bracelets

It’s the Fourth of July and I’m reading PFC. John Graham Sexton’s letters sent from England during World War II. He was my godfather, my mother’s youngest brother.

I have no real personal memory of him, only that memory given by others who tell you what they want you to know.

He grew up in our small mountain town with his five brothers and sisters. He loved his bird dog, “Jack,” and together they hunted for pheasants and grousein the fields near his home.

When he joined the army in 1943, along with many of his young friends, he entered a life totally foreign to anything he had ever known.

In his photographed V-mail letters, he speaks of trying to find a friend fromour town who is rumored to be in a camp nearby…searching for something of home…trying to touch the familiar. As his birthday (July 4th) nears, he mentions his desire to have an identification bracelet. Could his family get him one for his birthday? An answer to the question, “Who am I?” The dog tags around his neckdenote a G.I.-Government Issue. Not enough. A need for validation of identity.

“Don’t put anything else on it, only my name.”

My mother wrote to tell him that I would soon participate in my first communion service at Eastertime. Although he was far away, he wanted to mark the occasion with a gift, and he thought again of a bracelet. This one would be a feminine and smaller version of his own, inscribed on front and back with our names and the important date, Easter, 1944.

He wrote to me. It is the only letter I ever received from war.


"Thinking of you on your special day. I will be attending Mass here at about the same time you will be making your first Communion.

Love,
Uncle John"

His last letter to us was dated, July 28, 1944 from “somewhere in France.”

When the dreaded Western Union telegram arrived, his heart-broken and rage-filled mother took her scissors and cut away her baby boy’s blue star from the red-rimmed banner that hung in her front window. She left there the remaining star that symbolized the service of her lone surviving son, Johnny’s brother.

Now memorialized by a plaque that hangs in the rear of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wytheville, Virginia, his validation reads…

“Greater Love Hath No Man.”

Somewhere long ago, I lost my little gold identification bracelet.This Memorial Day, I will wear John Graham’s.

Betty Lou Allison Mallory
July 4, 2005




"Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -

www.ifreelance.com.
Provider Search Box: frank emerson

Just got back from Savannah, where we all had a very enjoyable and successful week at Kevin Barry's. Got to spend a little time with musicians Harry O'Donoghue (www.columbineblue.com/harry.htm), Pat Garvey - who runs that fine place in Gaithersburg, MD, Mrs. O'Laery's (www.mrsolearys.net), and Bob Zentz, who owned that great music store, Ramblin Conrad's, in Norfolk, VA for its entire existence.(www.bobzentz.com) It was good to see all of them.

I also got some kind of exciting news while I was there. I'd like to share it with you.

Tony Camaradre, at Phattone Studios in Rhode Island, put me on to a contest being conducted in Nashville. It is the Nashville International Spring Song and Lyric Contest 2006. There were several categories - based on various holidays and the like - in which you could submit tunes. One of these categories was patriotic songs, which were to have an eye cocked toward Memorial Day. This suited me pretty well, I thought. I went ahead, paid my entrance fee and submitted 'The Flag of Our Fathers' and 'One Nation United' . Well, I got a packet in the mail from The Paramount Group in Nashville informing me that 'One Nation United' had won the Directors' Award and was in the running for First Prize and Grand Prize. How about that? I don't know if anything will come of this, but it made me feel good to get the recognition - particularly in light of the subject matter. So I have to publicly thank Tony for giving me the heads up on this.

If you'd like to hear either or both of the tunes as well as get a copy of the lyrics and an explanation of the references, just click on the music section. Of course, the recordings from which these songs came can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com/all/frankemerson. 'The Flag of Our Fathers' is on Dear Sarah featuring The Flag of Our Fathers. 'One Nation United' is on There's a Story Told.

I've got to mention that Andy M. Stewart is coming along, but not as quickly as we had all hoped. If you feel like dropping him a get well message and/or a cheque - made out to him - you can pop in the post to me and I'll forward it un-opened to Andy. I know he'd enjoy hearing from any and all of you.

That's about it for now. Drop a line when you get a chance.

I played Buffalo, NY last week at the Shannon Pub. This is the third location of the pub. It is now in Tonawanda - which is one of the 'North Towns' of Buffalo. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly, the food is terrific and the drinks go down nicely-nicely, thank you. I got to meet some new folks and got to see some old friends as well - although not nearly enough of them. With luck they'll all come around next time I'm there.

The thing that I wanted to tell you about, incase any of you are in the area on 23 April, is that on that date, the Shannon will be hosting a concert by the great Tom Rush www.tomrush.com. For those of you who don't know and to remind those of you who do, Tom started in the early 60's at the Club 47 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At about the same time that Tom appeared there, newcomers Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Geoff & Maria Muldaur were trodding the same boards. In 1968, Tom wrote and recorded 'The Circle Game' - an immensely popular tune - made all the more remarkable since this was the psychedelic era. This song was in the vanguard of a new movement and pretty much ushered in the era of the singer/songwriter.

Anyway, Tom is quite a performer and one of the originals on the American folk scene. Catch him if you can at the Shannon on the 23rd. Ticket information is available through the website: www.shannonpub.com.

That's about it for now. You should know that this commercial was unsolicited and unpaid for and maybe uncalled for, but I had to let you know about Tom. So there you have it.

Well I've just about gotten my land legs back again after having been awash in the camaeraderie and fellowship that existed down by the river in Savannah over Paddy's week. There was really no accurate way to tell if the number of people attending the festivities this year was lesser or greater that in years past. I know that there was a slew of them. Suffice it to say that along River Street - where a lot of the crowd comes after Mass and the parade - it was a target rich environment for the birds. From above, you could not see the street for the people. And of course, everyone was pleasant and friendly and nobody got sick and it was hardly loud at all . This is compared to oh, say D-Day. Seriously, from what I heard, it was a pretty well behaved bunch this year. Good on 'em.

Indoors at Kevin Barry's (www.kevinbarrys.com), we still had the best and the safest oasis in town. It was great to see a lot of old friends from the military, and the police and fire departments - God bless them all - from all over the country. Although Harry O'Donoghue (www.columbineblue.com/harry.html) and Carroll Brown (www.carrollbrownmusic.com) and myself held forth round robin on two stages continuously for hours on end, we did manage to get together twice a night on the downstairs stage fro some trio work. We always enjoy this and the crowd seems to enjoy it almost as much as we do. We also had a fair number of guest performers who were big hits with the audience as well.

A special treat this year was the presence of the historic training barque, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter 'Eagle', known as "America's Tall Ship" which was tied up about 100 feet from the front door of the pub.

All in all, St Patrick's Day 2006in Savannah was a great craic. In fact, nearly everybody - myself included - ended up with the same number of eyes, ears and teeth that we started out with, so we can count this one as a general success.

This week, I'm off to haunt one of my old haunts: The Shannon Pub (www.shannonpub.com) up there near Niagara Falls. On Wednsday I'll be following Joe Head and on Thursday, I'll be following Tom Callahan. Both these fellows start at 6 PM. I hope the weather will be a little cooler up there what with nasty old Spring threatening us with warmth further down South here. It will be good to see some folks I haven't sen in a while. I'm looking forward to sharing a few songs, a few laughs and maybe a few tears - and not just because of the bum notes, either.

But speaking of H2O, I'm proud to announce that my little town of Wytheville, Virginia was voted as having the best tasting water in the United States by the National Rural Water Association in Washington, DC. I'm here to tell you that their judgement is absolutely correct. The water in Wytheville tastes great on all occasions. Even if in a moment of weakness you happen to add it to about 2 fingers of Jameson, I can truthfully attest that Wytheville water will damage the Jameson far less than any other water in the lower 48.

That's about it for now.