Frank Emerson: News

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.

Just a couple of quick announcements:

Since O'Flaherty's Irish Channel in New Orleans is gone for good, another pub has opened to fill the musical void. Sean Kelly's Pub, although actually operating for a little while now in shakedown cruise mode, will have its grand opening on St.Patrick's Day. The pub is located at 720 St.Louis Street, 1/2 way between Bourbon and Royal Streets in the French Quarter. Kim Dunn is managing the place. Keith Patterson, the longtime barman at O'Flaherty's, will be the main man behind the stick. Beth Patterson (www.littlebluemen.com/beth.asp) will be appearing regularly on Monday and Tuesday nights. Rosie and Pat Maloney (www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/artists/patmaloney.htm) will be appearing regularly Wednesday - Sunday nights. Of course there will be various visiting performers from time to time as well. Rumor has it that Jed Marum (www.jedmarum.com) will turn up some time soon down the road. The phone number at Kellys is: 504-525-1406.

Speaking of St. Patrick's Day, beginning next Monday, I'll be holding forth at Kevin Barry's (www.Kevinbarrys.com) for the week.
On at least the 16th and 17th I'm pretty sure the 18th, I'll be joining Carroll Brown (www.carrollbrownmusic.com) and Harry O'Donoghue (www.columbineblue.com/harry.htm) in a round robin marathon tournament on two stages as well as some trio work. It's always a great time...and Kevin Barry's is always an island of relative sanity in the storm tossed sea of insanity that can sometimes be taking place on along the river. Come on in, but once you get in - stay with us. There is plenty of food and booze and pretty much non-stop Celtic music of all kinds and we try to keep the bathrooms working - which is something to consider.

That said, here's wishing you a happy and holy Saint's Day

Just finished a week in Savannah. Pretty hectic and rewarding all at the same time. The united Irish Societes held their 15th annual festival, which by all accounts was well received. I was not performing there this year, but I did have the stage at Kevin Barry's from 7:00 PM on. A fair number of performers came by to have a drink and do a twist on the stage as well. Of course the place was packed and everyone seemed to have a good time.

There was a traditional session upstairs in Liberty Hall, so there really was something for everyone.

On Friday evening, Kevin Barry's Pub participated in the Great Guinness Toast. A local radio station held a contest and the winners were taken on a tour-bus pub crawl. Since Kevin Barry's sells more Guinness than anyone else in Savannah, they stared out there. I told them I would go on stage early to give them some musical background. There got to be a fly in the ointment, when I was informed that they would not be back to KB's for the actual toast at 11:00 PM, that instead, they would be ending up at a British Bar! Imagine that! Da noive!!! I thought that was crummy since the manager had been asssured they would be back at the appointed time and then she got blindsided. Ah no matter. I 'd rather whiskey anyway.

Back to the music. It was good to see and hear the Cathie Ryan Band, The Dady Brothers, Rosie & Pat Maloney, Harry O'Dopnoghue, Chris Hagan and Brendan Nolan all playing a bit and drinking a bit and laughing and talking a bit. That's a lot of different bits, you know?

On Sunday, we finished off the fundraiser for Andy M. Stewart with the raffle drawing. Some nice prizes including a week's stay in Costa Rica. We ended up raising a fair amount of cash to help defray Andy's expenses. I spoke with Danny Doyle on Monday morning. The fellows in DC had conducted their own fundraiser at Nanny O'Brien's on Sunday night and managed to raise another good chunk of change for A.M.S. As I understand it, Bruce Foley in conjunction with Dianne Byrnes of Echoes of Erin Radio programme at WEDO-AM in Pittsburgh, will be putting together another fundraiser for Andy a little later in the spring.

Now, as to Andy: I got a phone call from him the other evening. He wanted me to convey his most heartfelt thanks to all of you who have sent him e-mails, cards, and of course contributed monetarily and with your thoughts and prayers. He is indeed on the mend. However, in any spinal operation, the medicos are dealing with a very dicey area. His prognosis is very good for recovery but it will be a good while yet before he can perform. It seems that the operation in fact also affected his hands, in that at the moment he cannot play banjo or guitar. So it looks like he's in for a run of physical and occupational therapy. But there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.

If anyone cares to contact Andy, make a contribution or just wish him well, you can do so in a number of ways:

e-mail through his agent: mcshane@mcnote.com

Write his agent:

McShane Glover
Noteworthy Productions 124 1/2Archewood Ave
Annapolis, MD 21401

Write Danny Doyle
10836 Moore Drive
Manassas, VA 20111

Write me, Frank Emerson
490 E.NorthStreet
Wytheville, VA 24382

Diane Byrnes can be reached at: www.pittsburghirish.org/echoesoferin/
Any cheques you might wish to send to Andy, make them out directly to "Andy M. Stewart", we can see that he gets them.

Well, from all indications, the fundraiser for Andy M. Stewart did just fine. There was a packed house at Kevin Barry's on the 23rd of January. There were plenty of door prizes, lots of winners, lots of laughter and plenty of good times and music - all for Andy's well-being.

Besides, Harry O'Donoghue, Dennis O'Rourke, Johnnie Kennedy, Carroll Brown and myself, Carroll also brought along his son Josh and their pal Mike Thompson. These two fine, young musicians were kind enough to lend their talents to the festivities. We all did single twists and then there was a lot of jamming done. It was a gas time altogether.

We also kicked off a raffle - which is still going on if anyone is interested. The details are as follows:
Grand Prize: A One week stay at Villa El Parque Condominiums in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
First Prize: 2 night hotel stay with dinner included in Downtown Savannah.
Second Prize: Dinner for 2 at 45 South Restaurant, Savannah
Third Prize: Celtic Music Gift Basket
Tickets are only $5.00 each and the drawing will not be held until 19 February at 9:00 PM at Kevin Barry's. That is over the Irish Festival Weekend. (You can have a look at the details for the Irish Festival on my links page) Tickets can be purchased by mail thru Kevin Barry's Pub, 117 W. River Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Make your check payable to Andy M. Stewart. If you'd like to contact the pub for information, call 912-233-9626 and speak with Michelle. She can be reached by e-mail at contact@kevinbarrys.com.

I just got back from my concert at Hawk's Nest State Park in Ansted, West Virginia. It was geat fun and a bit different, in that this was part of a dinner/show series that the state's department of parks and forests has been conducting for some time now to more and more enthusiatic reviews. They have quite a diverse and ambitious schedule of up-coming entertainment. It's really interesting and a great value what with overnight stay in the lodge overlooking the scenic New River Gorge included in the package. You can check out their website via my links page.

This week I'm happy to be doing a concert at The Heritage Center here in my home of Wytheville, Virginia. Looks like we've got a good crowd for that one too.

Next week, I'm off to my pal Pat Garvey's fine restaurant and pub: Mrs. O'Leary's in Gaithersburg, MD. Immediately after that, I'll be rolling back to Savannah for a week which ends off with the Savannah Irish Festival on Saturday and Sunday, the 18th and 19th. Although I'm not on the bill at this year's festival, I will be on stage back at the pub. Habitually, a lot of the performers come by the place after the festival shuts down for the evening. I might be able to coax some of them into getting up under the lights for just one more go at it. So come on by if you're in the area.

That's about it for now. If you feel up to it, drop a note any time. All the best for nowand remember that it's a sure sign that you're addicted to coffee if you sleep with your eyes open.

Here's hoping all of you had a great Christmas and that the new year is starting off great guns for you and will continue to be such.

A little update on the Andy M. Stewart situation.

Harry O'Donoghue, Dennis O'Rourke, Carroll Brown maybe even Johnny Kennedy and who knows who else and me will be putting on a benefit show for Andy on 23 January at Kevin Barry's. I guess it will kick off at 8 or 8:30. There'll probably be some sort of charge and we'll be passing the hat in some sort of way. You can see that we have this all sussed out in fine Irish fashion. I think Harry www.columbineblue.com/harry.htm or Carroll www.carrollbrownmusic.com might have some more of the skinny on the doings.

Just below is the latest information on Andy from Danny Doyle

He was operated on Dec 19th and got out of hospital on Christmas Day after the surgery on his back. There was a slight mishap during the operation, one of his lungs being inadvertently punctured requiring the longer hospital stay. Needless to say he was most apprehensive that he would be able to walk without pain. He says he is fine and is perambulating around the house with no bother at all. He was his usual laughing self during the phone conversation. He will be recuperating for at least three months, maybe longer, so it will be some time before he is out and about earning a living. Along with the loss of his US tour in Oct-Nov this will mean he will have been out of work for a least six months.

If you aren't real familiar with Andy and his work, you can find out just who this is that we're all carrying on about at
www.andymstewart.com
Below are some of his press clippings.
Barton Evening News
"Stewart has the knack of writing direct, effective and memorable songs as well as singing them with taste and style."


July, 1990, Vancouver
Photo: G.M. Rosson, San Jose, CA

The Scotsman Magazine
"…his (Andy M. Stewart's) songs and his singing have deep Celtic roots and touch sensitive emotional chords."

Hot Press Dublin
(about the album, Dublin Lady) "…standouts include "Freedom is like Gold", a fierce attack, both musical and lyrical, on the power that money can buy, and "Take Her in Your Arms," a very funny love song based on an old Bothy Band reel. The finest moment, though, comes on "Heart of the Home," which is both beautifully simple and simply beautiful."

The Living Tradition, Hector Christie
(About Man in the Moon album) "Seriously this is an absolute stonker of an album that kicks off well with "The Echo Mocks the Corncrake" and progressively gets better and better as it winds its way through the tracks…. Outstanding plus."

The Columbus Dispatch
"As a member of Silly Wizard, he (Andy) wrote stunning originals such as "The Queen of Argyll", "The Valley of Strathmore", and "The Ramblin' Rover." His is as much at ease with a heart-rending ballad such as "My Heart Belongs to She" or "If I Never Spend a Morning Without You" as he is with lighter fare such as "Take Her in Your Arms."

The Scotsman, Alastair Clark
(About Man in the Moon) Andy's songs, "gentle, poignant, poetic, as if much time had been spent on mountain-tops eyeing the deserted glens beneath him…. But no one listening to "MacGregor's Gathering," based on lines by Scott, could doubt there's fire in the belly, too."

The Boston Globe
"Andy M. Stewart is among the finest interpreters of Scottish Folk songs and a wonderful songwriter."

Just so you know a little more, Andy's songs have been recorded by a wide range of performers. They are singable, playable and entertaining. In addition, Andy on his own has done much to dispel Scottish sterotype. He is extremely generous with his praise, his music, and his considerable talents.

So I hope that you can consider making it by Kevin Barry's on Monday 23 January. If you'd care to drop a note or donation to Andy himself:

Drop a lline to my address and I'll see that he gets it.

Father in Heaven, hear our prayer for our troops in service both far and near.

Grant peace of mind to their families and friends, just let them know that love never ends -

But sustains them through the doubts and fears, comforts the lonely, dries the tears.

Please bring them home unharmed and free...

America: Land of Liberty

- Patricia W. Smith


Here we are. Another year of not having to fight the fight here because others, brave others, are fighting it elsewhere. I can sing my songs, and tell my lies, and drink my toasts and you can - I hope - join me and enjoy them with me...because of those others. Thank God for them.

George Orwell, that English guy who did a little writing, said the following years ago. I think it applies today. Some of you may have heard me say it on stage. It's worth repeating.

"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."

Here's wishing each and every one of you a merry and blessed Christmas and a wonderful new year.

Recommended reading from [Rick Merritt],
Reference: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2005/20050616_1745.html





Woman Soldier Receives Silver Star for Valor in Iraq
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, June 16, 2005 – For the first time since World War II, a woman soldier was awarded the Silver Star Medal today in Iraq.

Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, vehicle commander, 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky., stands at attention before receiving the Silver Star at an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 16. Hester is the first woman soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star. Photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp, USA (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester of the 617th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit out of Richmond, Ky., received the Silver Star, along with two other members of her unit, Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein and Spc. Jason Mike, for their actions during an enemy ambush on their convoy. Other members of the unit also received awards.

Hester's squad was shadowing a supply convoy March 20 when anti-Iraqi fighters ambushed the convoy. The squad moved to the side of the road, flanking the insurgents and cutting off their escape route. Hester led her team through the "kill zone" and into a flanking position, where she assaulted a trench line with grenades and M203 grenade-launcher rounds. She and Nein, her squad leader, then cleared two trenches, at which time she killed three insurgents with her rifle.

When the fight was over, 27 insurgents were dead, six were wounded, and one was captured.

Hester, 23, who was born in Bowling Green, Ky., and later moved to Nashville, Tenn., said she was surprised when she heard she was being considered for the Silver Star.

"I'm honored to even be considered, much less awarded, the medal," she said.

Being the first woman soldier since World War II to receive the medal is significant to Hester. But, she said, she doesn't dwell on the fact. "It really doesn't have anything to do with being a female," she said. "It's about the duties I performed that day as a soldier."

Hester, who has been in the National Guard since April 2001, said she didn't have time to be scared when the fight started, and she didn't realize the impact of what had happened until much later.

"Your training kicks in and the soldier kicks in," she said. "It's your life or theirs. ... You've got a job to do -- protecting yourself and your fellow comrades."

Nein, who is on his second deployment to Iraq, praised Hester and his other soldiers for their actions that day. "It's due to their dedication and their ability to stay there and back me up that we were able to do what we did that day," he said.

Hester and her fellow soldiers were awarded their medals at Camp Liberty, Iraq, by Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, Multinational Corps Iraq commanding general. In his speech, Vines commended the soldiers for their bravery and their contribution to the international war on terror.

"My heroes don't play in the (National Basketball Association) and don't play in the U.S. Open (golf tournament) at Pinehurst," Vines said. "They're standing in front of me today. These are American heroes."

Three soldiers of the 617th were wounded in the ambush. Hester said she and the other squad members are thinking about them, and she is very thankful to have made it through unscathed. The firefight, along with the entire deployment, has had a lasting effect on her, Hester said.

"I think about it every day, and probably will for the rest of my life," she said.




Related Site:
Silver Star



News Archive
Today in the Department of Defense
http://www.defenselink.mil/today/

Just a short note to wish everyone a peaceful and warm Thanksgiving - this most American of holidays. We do have a great deal for which to be grateful and a great deal more for which to pray.

In many ways for many of us, this has been a trying year, but not one without blessings. While we are indeed mindful of of the hardships, I think we should also remember that we, living here in the United States - despite troubles and tribulations - are indeed fortunate, thanks to the Almighty and to those people who have sacrificed - and continue to sacrifice - for us and our well being.

As you see there is a new look to the website. Thanks to Hostbaby.com, I'll be able to write something in this journal everyday if I want to. In this, not only will I be boring people to tears, but I will give Sominex a run for it's money and this thing will be up to date. Let me know what you think.

Commercial announcement: the new recording, "There's a Story Told" is available now. Got a real nice review from The Muse's Muse. Look in the Reviews section.Have a look at the Buy Stuff section for all the particulars.

More links will be coming later today.