From the perspective of any working musician/songwriter/performer, one of the most important ingredients in any performance or show is that of having a supportive promoter and an appreciative audience. Hospitality, and a feeling of being 'wanted' are also vital, and all of these qualities, and more, were present in great abundance at our gig in the Avon Ri in Blessington on Friday night last. The occasion was also important for NTB as it was the first public performance, except for my solo shows in the USA, since Clem's departure. Frankie Lane had put in a serious amount of work on my material, and the result was a superb gig to a capacity crowd. His performance on both Dobro and Flat Top Acoustic sounded as thought it had always been there, and Frank also sang great harmonies, and a couple of Monroe and Stanley Brothers classics.
The venue is a thing of true beauty, and draws it's musical support from the Blessington hinterland. That area has always been fertile for our music, and we spent many happy times playing around there under the auspices of the late Larry Roddy. One of the new instrumentals on the next NTB CD is a blues tune I composed in his memory called Larry's Blues. Watch this space ...
Meanwhile, thanks to Tom Fennelly and his team for a great night, and as they say in music circles, we will be back! Niall, May 16, 2011.
