Quite the week......

Well i thought i would write about the week that was. It was just incredible really.

It started last weekend with a concert in Rancho Cucamonga, CA in the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. I love that venue and we had a full house of Celtic music fans who tore down the house at the end of the night. I sang a few new songs and hammed it up a bit as, well, I was just in that kind of mood. We headed out for a few beers after. It was nice to have former Celtic Legends dancer Megan Kirk with us for the night. The performance went down well i think and I know we will be back. There is a plan already to be back in the Inland Empire before the end of the year.

I have been working on a writing project and needed a few days to focus on that so I stayed on in LA to sit by my friends pool and catch some sunshine while absorbing some vitamin D. It did me the world of good. One evening I headed to a new restaurant called Chi Spacca. It involved meat, lots of it. I enjoyed it but i overdosed on carnivore delights and red wine before heading next door to my favorite restaurant Osteria Mozza for desert so i had to starve myself for a few days after.

On Wednesday night i had a work meeting and was heading home when i checked my email to find an email from Travis Fox, my dynamic co producer on my pbs special, Beyond Celtic. The email stated that the show had earned 2 Emmy® nominations in the Direction and Special Television Event categories. I took it in and promptly went to bed as I had an early start to fly to Nashville. So, off to bed I go and got up at 5am to head to the airport. In the cab, the penny dropped and I realised that I was Emmy® nominated. I laughed out loud and and then went quiet. I was trying to absorb the feeling. Take it in.

I arrived in Nashville, numb from exhaustion and elation at the same time. At this point I was receiving calls and emails from across the world with congratulations and tears. I was alone in my hotel and really didn't get to talk about it out loud.

I spent all day on Thursday in the studio recording a song for the JFK50 event. Here is a clip. Don't mind the terrible sound.
You will hear the song and the great news is that we have decided to make a single of it. Details will unfold in the coming few weeks. I completely love the song. Written with my great pal Marcus Hummon the song is very personal to me so I cannot wait to share it.

From the studio I headed to a beautiful mansion in Nashville for a GRAMMY® fundraiser. I got to hang out with the incredible Darius Rucker that night. We bonded over our experiences of coming to Nashville as outsiders from other genres of music. He performed that night for a small group of people and sang all of his hits in an acoustic set that was nothing short of brilliant.

I met loads of people that night but for some reason didn't share my news with anyone. I think, looking back that I was taking the news in and absorbing it all. It was a fun night for sure despite my exhaustion but I could not rest. I had a big day of planning with my manager Robert Williams the next morning. So in to the offices I went the next morning and he flipped when I walked in and congratulated me. It was then and only then I realised the achievements of the week and I FINALLY realised that this was a landmark in my life. A time to sit back and look at where I had brought my life to. We laughed and cheered but then got on with matters at hand.

The next month involves 2 big events to plan for. Jean Kennedy Smith has asked me to sing at her brother's graveside in Arlington, VA on May 29 in an event to honor President John F. Kennedy. At the ceremony a torch will be lit from the eternal flame at that site and that torch will be taken to Ireland where a permanent Emigrant Flame will be lit in New Ross, Wexford during the JFK50 celebrations on June 22. I will perform for Caroline Kennedy, Maria Shriver and many other of the Kennedy clan that day with legendary singer Judy Collins, Michael Flatley and Colm Toibin. It will be a huge celebration of the Kennedy legacy and that bond with my home county.

Sooooo that was my week. I am at home now and am knackered but i've much to do so I can't rest on me laurels. 

Father, Son and Holy Ghost
It's trembling Joy and fearful Hope
It's the dream of a people, returned
for John is coming home........

New Songs

My Beautiful Londrettes (movie pun intended...it's Oscars week)

So much to talk about today. Well for starters, between 9am and 5pm I got about a foot of snow in my garden. I was all excited about spring finally crawling out of the roots only to have my dreams crushed this morning. I live for the day I will walk out to see the crocus or a daffodil. If spring won't come here, well I will just have to go find it so I am off on Monday to begin some more travelling.
Heading to the Cowan Center in Tyler, TX for a night of fun. I think there are a few seats left but not much. I love Texas. Steaks are big and woman have huge hair. What's not to love!!! I am excited to get there as we are rolling out some of the new songs that I wrote in Nashville over the past few months. I want to get to know the songs before i go into the studio to record them. I have only demos of the songs recorded. I will get to know them more throughout the dates in March so by April I will actually be really comfortable with them. Singing a new song, even if you write it yourself, is like meeting someone new. It takes a while to really get to know them.

So I know you are all waiting for me to release all this new material but we have really special plans for the songs and want to sing them with really special people. This takes a while to put together but in the meantime, to celebrate the 6 millionth view of my version of Danny Boy, the lovely people at WBA Records asked me if I had some songs that I had already recorded that I would like the world to hear. We looked back and found some really nice Irish songs, a few that people think are Irish and even one that I think should be Irish. You have heard one or two of the songs previously but you can totally download the songs track by track.


The album is ready for pre-order here but you can download the tracks individually here.

click image to pre-order

PLEASE , PLEASE SHARE THESE LINKS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

We are working with Youtube on a new contest that the public can enter. We have an amazing first prize that will involve free flight, hotel, tickets to my show in Foxwoods Casino, CT in December. Can't wait to see what you produce. Details next week.

I am heading back into the studio in April for some more recording in Nashville but then head to Ireland to start rehearsing for a show I am working on. Details coming soon. I sing in Ireland at a Gathering Event in June. Details on all this stuff is coming soon.

The real big event for April is the Concern Spring Run which just happens to be on my birthday this year, April 13. I have decided that I would just love to celebrate my big day by running in Central Park for my favorite charity on this earth, Concern Worldwide. The run was announced a few weeks ago but I felt it was a little early to get your attention. Here is the deal.....

I am asking for people to help me in one of a few ways. You can either donate whatever you can afford to my run by going here

If you want to come to New York to run, walk, crawl in Central Park I would LOVE you to join my team by going here

You can if you want, just join me at the finish line to come to a little bar I have found to celebrate my birthday. I would be honored to have you join me to celebrate my ** birthday. I would ask however that you join my team to do so, HERE

I promise lots of fresh air, laughs at my expense, pints afterward in one of my locals in NYC and a custom Team Michael Londra T Shirt.

All funds raised will go to educational funds in Haiti. I have seen the exact schools this money goes to and can tell you their work is second to none. I plan on my 7th visit to Haiti soon after to witness and film their work in action.

MICHAEL LONDRA: Going Home to Haiti from Concern Worldwide US on Vimeo.


Dates open to public in March
March 05 Cowan Center, Tyler, TX
March 16 Admiral Theater, Bremerton, WA
March 17 Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa, CA
March 28 The Center, Somerset, KY
March 29 Marion Cultural Center, Marion, IL

I head to Nashville on April 1 as I have been asked by the nice people at the Grammys to be part of the Grammy U program. For some funny reason they think I might be an influence to young kids in music. I am so honored to be asked to share my little knowledge with people new to the industry. I have so much respect for the people I have met in the Recording Academy so I am excited...and a little nervous. We will take photos and share with you all about my first session.

You know I like to recommend other artists work so this time I want to get you guys to listen to
the new album by Heidi Talbot.  She is a remarkable talent and the musicians on this album are second to none in Irish music.This is my kind of music and if you want a different kind of Irish sound to what you are used to then this should be interesting for you. Heidi started out as singer for Cherish the Ladies but has since forged her own career.

Obviously anyone who reads this has already bought Mythology, the new Celtic Thunder album and dvd. Have to say I am bowled over by the quality of this one. Gorgeous production and musical direction. I was talking to the team behind it all last night and heaped the praise on. I am privvy to their promo for this new project and have to say, I am happy I am solo artist doing my own thing. The hours and miles involved with the lads is insane. Still though, they deserve all the huge success. The enormity of their Australian tour reminded of the early days when Jean Clancy played that first cd for me before anyone had heard it. Proud of them and very happy to have played a small part in it all at the very start.

There must be something in the air this week as 3 separate parties contacted me about producing their new projects with a view to touring here in the US. I've been involved in a few projects as producer before, co produced my own special for PBS and I love it as much as performing. I am certainly taking on at least one of the projects and will share more about that soon. This year will involve many miles for me too but I can handle it.

Heading to Ireland in April as I can't let more than 6 months pass without going home to spend time with my parents and heading to my local for a pint of Guinness.(life's simplest and greatest joy). I am working at home for a few days so I have my excuse to get there.  Mam and Dad celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year and they aren't behind the door in wanting to celebrate. I get my joy of life and in life from those two. They are hilarious and are the heart and soul of every party so the big one being held in Wexford in September should be quite a blast.

The past few weeks I have had time to stop and look at how my life is going and what I want for the future. My priorities have changed hugely.  I am so happy with my lot and lucky with the opportunities that have come along for me. I guess they didn't just come along, I made them. I look around at it all and am so grateful. Most of all I am so thankful to have lovely people in my life, especially all you fans. It is an odd word that I really not comfortable with but i know I am so happy to have you in my life and that my small attempt at bringing joy to people is so well received.

I have no great desire to change the world with my music. My greatest joy comes from knowing that in the smallest moments in life, people can stop, listen to my songs and take that time themselves to enjoy life's simplest but most fulfilling pleasures.........Isn't music just great?

Right then, I am signing off and heading for a large mug of Java.
Help spread the word on the album by sharing links for me.

Big Love to every one of you

ML xo

Grammy Shmammy

Hey Everyone

Sunday morning. Feeling a lil but sore after being a tad over achieving in my run yesterday. As I get older I forget that my body isn't able to do what it used to. Still, it felt good to get out running again. I've been slow to get back to my fitness since the start of the new year. I need to be focused when i get back to the gym but this January I've just been too busy.

I hit New York for a week in the studio. My manager and 335 Records let me know that they decided to release an Irish album in early March and I needed to have it ready to roll for them in 2 weeks. I have a lot of Irish songs recorded that have never been released but still had to get some more songs done and dusted. To celebrate the 6 million views on Youtube, 335 want to get my music out to people who normally don't listen to Irish music. They had my Youtube version remixed and remastered to sound gorgeous and are calling the album Danny Boy - The Songs of Ireland. Hilariously, there are a few songs on there which people think of as Irish but are not.

So what is on there? Well, I have a nice version of the Wexford song Boolavogue, a song written in the North by Francis McPeake called Wild Mountain Thyme (which most people think of as Scottish), my cover of Mummer's Dance (which is actually written by Canadian Celtic Legend, Loreena McKennitt) and a few more. The last song on the album is a nod to my current life in Nashville.

I've also added a new song that when I heard for teh first time thought to myself, my word THAT is an irish song.(It isn't!) It All Leads Back To You is a beauty that I think will be recorded by many artists in the future.

I am saving my own songs written with great people through 2012 for a special project later this year. I CANNOT WAIT for you to hear those songs.

I have no release date for you but the pre-order link will go up in about 2 weeks. We were thinking about only releasing this on tour but 335 persuaded me to release it to the public.

This week I headed to Nashville to do some more recording and I was lucky enough to be invited to the Grammy Nominee Party in Loews Vanderbilt. It was so much fun. I was nervous going really as I always feel like i don't belong at those things. I walk in the door and there is Vince Gill saying hi which makes me speechless. A swift right turn to get to the bar for some dutch courage sorted that out. I ended up talking to the rest of Vince's band, The Timejumpers who have 2 nominations this year, one for Best Country album. I am a HUGE fan of their lead singer, Dawn Sears. She sings as back up for Vince when he is on tour but really comes into her own as lead voice of The Timejumpers. In my humble opinion, she has the best country voice of all time.



I met some industry heads then who filled me on who was in the room which honestly was the who's who of Nashville. Got to meet the lovely Carrie Underwood who looked like a huge star. She is glowing, gracious, humble and really beautiful. She is performing in Dublin soon and asked about inside tips on where to go.....I had no idea but totally faked it.




I chatted a bit with Hunter Hayes who is tiny. He looks about 12. He is a huge talent and the nominations show. I think he might be the next big thing....ironically.



Little Big Town were there and caused a hubbub as was Dierks Bentley who is the essence of cool. I got to hang out for a while with Old Crow Medicine Show who were hilarious. I am a big fan so I was secretly thrilled but tried not to show it.  They were so overwhelmed with their nomination.



Anyways, it went late into the night and I simply had the best time. I kept wondering how a boy from Wexford got to be in that room. My life has changed so dramatically over the past few years and I am amazed at the opportunities I have had.

Anyways, the glitz has died and I am home. Happy to be back to wearing my sweats, laying low, watchin tv and working out. It is a quiet existence. I have some tour dates to plan for and a few other projects to work on but in general, it is an easy time for me. I have so much contentment in my life right now. I think it comes with age.

Congratulations to my friends Chloe Agnew, Mairead Nesbitt and Paul Byrom on their IMA awards. I truly believe Paul and I should just hand the award back and forth to each other every year although he is more of a tenor than I am. I am more of a singer songwriter type artist....a little rougher around the edges. Not complaining! It is so great to know that fans and music industry people acknowledge your work. Paul is gettin the PBS special ready and heading into a big year.

I particularly want to give a shout out to Mickey Coleman for his award. He doesn't have a big "Celtic" show on PBS but has still built a huge following winning the Best Solo Performer Award. That is a huge achievement.

I was due to be in France this week but the album release changed all my plans. For now though, I am really happy to be in the Mid West!

Don't skip the videos. Give yourself a Sunday morning musical treat.

Happy New Year

2012 Review





Hi everyone from my place in the country, in snowy Iowa. I have found so much peace up here in the middle of the woods, away from the hoohaw that is my usual life. It has given me time to reflect not on my year but where i am at in my life.


There is no getting around it. The start of this year was hugely difficult for me. I had nothing but setbacks and stallings. Weaker people would have thrown in the towel and said that's it, I give up. I am made of a different cloth. My success has not come easy. I am not part of a big show like Thunder or have not won a big TV singing contest. I have slowly but surely built my reputation over the years and this has given me a different perspective. I am hugely grateful for where I am at and when things go wrong I am very resilient. By the end of this year I had built myself back up again and am again in great stead.
 

Trying to look mysterious, failed miserably!

From what I can gather, a lot of people have had trials and tribulations this year. We can either sit and moan about or get off our arses and sort things out. It's so easy to feel sorry for ourselves but one look around makes you realise how lucky we are. I get cards and emails from fans out there who haven't the health I enjoy. They are content with life and live for the simple pleasures that music can alone bring even though they are crippled by ill health or disability.

The tragedy in Sandy Hook was as horrific an incident as you get. It broke my heart to think of those lil babies and their families. If there is one glimmer of light coming from it is as a reminder to us to cling to life and it's blessings. I think this year , more than ever I have done that. Maybe age helps one do that.

My blessings are many. I have an amazing family who love and support me. I have everyone in Wexford who lift me up and give me reasons to sing. I have these people around the world who write to let me know how my singing has brought joy and comfort to their lives. I honestly didn't realise till this year the place my songs have in people lives.

this is a little better!

This year was what I would call an adventure. There were many highlights;

1. Performing with one of my heroes, Vince Gill
2. Writing songs with legends like

Pat Alger 
Ralph Murphy
Marcus Hummon
Tommy Lee James

3. Being made Wexford Ambassador
4. Winning IMA Irish Tenor of the year

For me the biggest thing about 2012 was Nashville. I had no idea last New Years Eve that my first trip to Nashville on January 4 would not only change how i do business but would change my perspective on my career and my life. I feel like the town has embraced me and I feel like i belong there.

So what are the plans for this year. Well, the big news is that in 2013 there will be 2 new albums. One is an album of Irish songs will be out soon. The other....well I will share more about that later. Details on the Irish album will be coming hard and fast in the coming weeks with contests and chances to come see me live for free.

I have had to change my plans in January. I can't go to France for the concert recording as I have some deadlines here to get the album finished. I am off to New York next week to do some vocals and arrangements. Next is a stop in Nashville.

Live dates this year look promising with a return visit to Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa on Saint Patricks Day plus bookings in Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Washington. Later in the year, I play a major venue in L.A. TBA and we just got confirmed for Foxwoods, CT.

I am going to try to get home a lot this year. The Gathering 2013 promises to be an exciting time in Ireland. As an ambassador for Wexford, I will be involved in a very big event in late June in New Ross. Anyone travelling to Ireland this yer should make sure to get to Wexford. It is a special place. I hope i have shown that over the past year or two. It gets lost in the mix as people tend to head to the West of Ireland. Irish people however come in their thousand to Wexford on their vacation. They come for the beaches, the sunniest weather in the country, the fun pubs and the live music. We have kept the secret too long and it is time for the rest of the world to know about it.

My parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in September so that should be a fun night out. Mick and Margie are the life of the party ...even when there is no party so it is a guaranteed barnstormer.

As for some of my musical friends;

Watch out for Celtic Woman's 2013 tour dates. They continue to spread their angelic wings. I still wish Lisa was out with them but she has a family to raise.

As for the Thunder boys, I was given a sneak peak of Mythology. The show is stellar and in my opinion it is the best they have ever sounded. Keith had a big year and I really did over play his album. Excellent songwriting and killer arrangements. Ryan's year was great ...by just getting better. What a scare it was for everyone but also inspiring to see him out back doing what he does best.

Paul Byrom has a big year coming up with his PBS special. It is a lot of hard work but the benefits are tenfold. He should win the IMA Irish tenor award this year(especially seeing that I can't!!!) I think we should hand it back and forth to each other over the next few years.

Niall O Sullivan is making quite the name for himself. Already a celeb in Ireland, he is now crossing the Atlantic and I can't wait to see what he brings this year.

My manager has lots planned. I thought I was dynamic. I thought at this age I would slow down a little. I have achieved so much more than I had originally planned as a singer. I guess on the inside I am hugely content but there are new mountains to climb. I guess there always will be.

Just FYI, you have no idea how important you are to achieve those goals of mine and really how important you are to me. I think you might realise how much I love you in the amount of replies i send out. I want to reach everyone but that can't happen. For now, in the quiet of you reading this blog , please realise I think of you all the time and am so grateful to have you both as a fan of my music and a lifeline of inspiration.

Big Love and Blessings for 2013

Michael
xo

December and Beyond........

Hi Peeps

Hello from the Midwest. I just got back from a rather fantastic trip home to Ireland for the Wexford Festival Opera. I was thrilled to be invited home to host the Gala Concert of the 61st festival. It was thrilling, exciting, humbling and a lil bit crazy. 2 weeks of functions, receptions, rehearsals, meetings, operas, concerts, recital, plays, musicals and pints eventually takes it's toll so I returned to the US with a humongous cold and one hell of a cough. My heart was high though. If anyone is planning a trip to Ireland in the fall next year, don't be put off by the opera title. Wexford becomes a box of art of all kinds in late October. You can hear sopranos rehearsing from the windows of halls across the town, see Ireland's best artists who exhibit, dine on high end Irish fare washed down with champagne or Guinness, sing along with the locals who take the love of singing to the hostelries who compete with each other for the title of Best Singing Pub. It is a smorgasbord of culture all wrapped up in a gem of a town where people are intrigued by travellers and want to hear your story. I hope you get to savor the town's delights at any time in 2013 for the Gathering. Next year, I know there will be many special events to celebrate Wexford's place in the world and I will be part of those events. Details will be released soon. I know you will be excited by what's coming. #JFK50                                                                                                                                                                    




I've had a mixed bag this fall. Lots of changes in my life and while I am quite the restless adventurer, I wasn't prepared for it all. First of all, my agents and I parted ways. Adrienne and Jerry have been so great to me over the years and indeed brought so much opportunity to my life but it was time for all of us to make new adventures. We parted ways on the best of terms and they will continue to be family to me. My manager is now talking to a new agency and we will announce that new partnership very soon. The transition, much like moving house can be stressful and it affected my December dates but that is just fine. This year, I have some East Coast dates

Nov 24 Zeiterion, New Bedford, MA
Nov 30 Count Basie, Redbank, NJ
Dec 01 Mayo Center, Morristown, NJ
Dec 16 Spivey Hall, Atlanta, GA
Tickets are selling very well so I'm looking forward to a big crowd.


Dec 17 - 20 I head to Nashville to record some more. Excited to work with Tommy Lee James and the legend that is Ralph Murphy again. I love being a grown up songwriter and indeed have just been invited to write with some pop legends in London in January so I've that to look forward to (read terrified!!!)

On to January and you will have seen my tweets about France. I was approached earlier in the year about a return to France to be part of a DVD/Live CD recording. The concert which will be aired on French TV is being recorded at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes, where the Cannes Film Festival is held. I love the Cote D'Azur and indeed had an apartment a few miles away in Nice for a few years so it is a very welcome date. I get to work Nolwenn Leroy (a huge star in France), Laurent Voulzy, Dan Ar Braz and other french artists in an evening presenting music with a Breton / Celtic edge. The evening will be part of MIDEM LIVE and held on January 28. It will be open to the public(if you happen to be touring the South of France) I left France several years ago after a bad experience with a terrible producer who took advantage of me. I was so upset as France meant so much to me. I lost a lot of friends and it changed how I felt about show business. I thought I would never go back. This brings me back to Europe to work again and I couldn't be happier about it. I have great friends in France and am so excited about singing there.....and hopefully regaining my decent comprehension of the language.

So I got shortlisted for a Grammy nod in the Best Pop Vocal category. It is hilarious to see my name beside Madonna, Maroon 5 and the other M artists. It was nice to see my mate Keith Harkin in the same category and we both agree it's a long way from singin in a school hall back in Ireland. Couldn't be happier for him and his success. He is the hardest worker and the nicest fella. It is nice to know my album is well thought of and I never thought i would see it. It is however the toughest category so don't be holdin your breath folks.....no really. I am up against the world's biggest artists. Hopefully my next album will find an easier category. I was invited to the Nashville Grammy HQ earlier this year and it was thrilling to hear about their work. Paul Byrom got the nod too so it's an irish hatrick.


The good news is that I will stay in Europe for some tour dates before a return to the US for the usual March madness. Spring dates wont be announced until the New Year as we have to transition to the new agency who will handle the tour. So far though we have Kentucky, Illinois, Texas, California and Washington on the list. God knows where else we'll end up.

Thanksgiving on Thursday. I have never been happier in my life. I have had some time this fall to stop and think. So grateful for where I am at in my life, for the people in it and for what I have in store this coming year. Thank so much for being a special part of it.

Mise Le Meas

Michael xo

Holiday Packages

Getting lots of emails for autographed cds and dvds for the holidays so for one week only we offering autographed Beyond the Star Christmas album SIGNED. We are combining Road Not Taken cd with Beyond Celtic dvd for $25. Both will be signed with any personal message you like. Click here and we will get those out to you as soon as possible.

Beyond the Star Autographed $15

Road Not Taken Autographed $15

That was the week that was!

Sunday morning. Nameless random Nashville hotel.

OK, it's the Marriott. I am lying here in the quiet. Just finished watching the political shows that consume my every Sunday morning. I really should be at mass and while I am catholic, for some reason my addiction to social and political dialogue seems to hold more attention than the ramblings of a nameless catholic priest in a church I don't know. God forgive me.

I've had quite the week. It started in Long Island where I had 2 sold out shows at The Patchogue Theater. Those folks were in the mood for a good time. Somehow people seem to be more involved in my concerts than they used to be. They laugh and sing more. They clap louder. I suspect it is because they need to have more of a good time than they used to. Life is more stressful these days. People havent as much funds in their pockets. A night out does the world of good. We had 1100 on both nights and they were determined to have a great night out.

Once we finished the shows I headed into New York. I have a storage unit there since I left a few years ago. I actually was based in New York for about 15 years total. It is my spiritual home. The day I arrived as a kid in 1989 I knew I belonged there. I remember everything about that day. It was the start of my love affair with the Big Apple. We have had many ups and downs and indeed divorced( well, separated) in 2008 but really I will never leave my town. Do you ever forget your first love? I know the city better than anywhere in the world including Wexford. Once I get back in town, things just seem to fall into place.

I was hugely busy but had some priorities. I wanted to spend time with some people I hadn't seen. NYC makes it difficult to get together with people but I got to spend time with my lovely friend Phyl who I stayed with, hang with Jean Clancy(Celtic Thunder General Manager) and my long time friend and Riverdance Company Manager Thom Clay. Much mayhem ensued.

With Phyl, I got to go to Becco, one of my favorite spots on restaurant row. I always enjoy the Pasta Symphony there, a highly recommended fresh homemade pasta. The service was impeccable and the NYC vibe was perfect. I love talking to the waitstaff on restaurant row as they are Broadway performers waiting for the break. Most are full of dreams and anticipation, some bitter as hell. Both serve a table with a story to tell that I want to hear.

Phyl is an amazing cabaret artist with a remarkable career to show for it and one of the most magnetic performers I have ever seen. She has been family and friend to me for 20 years. When we get together we laugh more than anything really. Noone, and I mean noone, has a more hilarious approach to life than she. She gave me the quintessential New York evening with pasta, vino and fall of yer chair laughs.

Of course that didn't satisfy me. I simply had to continue into the night once Phyllis sensibly decided she would retire for the evening. I headed out to Jean's wine bar, Claret. I love the place. It has a gorgeous food and wine menu. Jean is the most accomplished person I know. She speaks French and Italian, knows random facts about every food known to mankind, can cook up a storm, is a wine uberkind, runs Celtic Thunder with lazer precision and is loyal to a fault. We have been great friends for a long time now.

I remember the day we got that first CT CD mailed to us. Sharon Browne asked us to take it to Irish America like we had done with Celtic Woman. We didn't know that day what the Celtic Thunder show would achieve. I remember listening to Keith and thinking "star potential" so i am feeling a lil bit psychic with my predictions. The new release is out in a month and I am hearing AMAZING things from people in the industry not connected to Thunder. Keith is making waves and it couldn't happen to a nicer fella.

Anyways, jean and I talked about the music business which we are both fairly obsessed with. I love hearing her talk about Thunder. Sharon and Jean are so proud of what has happened and how the show is progressing. I know i learned a lot from both of them as a producer and am inspired by their achievements. The show simply would not exist without them. Anyways, we talked and talked but i got sense and got out of there before it got too late.

Midweek, I met Thom Clay, my old boss in Riverdance on Broadway. He is now company manager of Nice Work If You Can Get It. We met for lunch but he invited me to come to see the show that night. I knew Kelli O Hara was in the show. I had asked Kelli to be in my first PBS special but she was busy in the Kennedy Center at the same time so it didn't happen. I love her voice. You will recognise her from her performances in South Pacific and Light In the Piazza.

So I went to the show and laughed my head off. I wanted to hear Kelli sing some more serious songs but ultimately I had a complete ball and howled through the whole evening. Judy Kaye is hilarious and indeed won a Tony for it. The chandelier scene is just hysterical. Kelli and her partner on stage Matthew Broderick have a great chemistry and seemed to enjoy the whole performance so that made me love them both.

I went back to Kelli's dressing room after and she graciously invited me to have a glass of wine. In walks Matthew Broderick, Chris Sullivan and a few more cast members and we had an impromptu cocktail party full of showbiz stories, inside jokes and everyone in the room attempting an Irish accent. I was rather impressed that they all spoke highly about Wexford Cheese and Wexford Ale....didnt have the heart to tell them it isn't brewed at home but it is a County Wexford recipe.

The night ended in a nameless Broadway bar with crew from various shows gathered around a table to talk showbusiness. I lapped it all up like soup.

I left New York because I felt like I had graduated. It was time. But, it will always have a hold of me. I get to have the best of both worlds so I am there quite a lot. This week reminded me why I am part of it. I understand it and it certainly understands me.

A quick flight to Chicago to make sure my house is still standing had to happen. Honestly, I have spent about 2 months there this year but I guess it is what I signed up for.

I flew to Nashville 2 days ago to start a week of projects. I went straight from the airport to the studio where I starting demoing songs. I wasn't in the best of voice from the flight i think so I am not at all happy with what we cut so i will go in again on Tuesday to go again. Marcus Hummon, Bernie Herms and I wrote a song called East Of You, West Of Me a few weeks back. I love everything about it not least the fact that I am writing with these legends but spending time with inspiring people is what I live for. Anyways, my first go does not do the song justice. I am nothing if not a perfectionist so I start again this week.

The rest of this week involves meeting Outback Concerts to finally decide on route and dates for Christmas. Yes, I know it is not far away and I know I need to get this out to you guys soon but once we get it routed this week I should have the information soon. Right now I have only about 10 dates iron clad but we will add a lot more this week. The tour officially starts in the Zeiterion, New Bedford, MA on November 24. Tix not released yet. As for the show we have some major guests including the current world Irish dance champion Michael Holland , gorgeous newly written holiday songs, new musicians and a GUARANTEED great night out for the holidays. It is hands down my favorite tour.

I've been invited to visit the Grammy Nashville Offices this week so I am going to drop in to see if some of that magic rubs off on me. If you don't know by now, I am obsessed with country music so getting to call in on the center of it all will be a treat. I am also going to a red carpet event. Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics filmed a documentary called The Blackbird Diaries and the Ringmaster General about the making of his new Nashville album with Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, Alison Kraus etc etc and there is a fancy launch party on Wednesday. I promise to sneak some party photos to you guys on twitter. The question is how do I get to talk to Stevie. Will work on that.

The rest of this week involved planning 2013 with my manager Robert. He has some great unusual plans so we will see what pans out. Right now the rest of the year is fairly mapped out but know this. I have 2 separate recording projects. I head back to New York in late September to knock out the first and then I will be back and forth to Nashville over the coming 6 months for the second one.

Thanks for the cards and letters....and the starbucks treats.....but most of all for that level of support which holds me up and moves me forward.

Love ye for it.
m