Tom Callahan: News

Natasha McShane is a graduate student from Co. Armagh studying in Chicago. On April 23rd she was beaten viciously by baseball-bat wielding assailants, and has been hospitalized since then.

Those who allegedly attacked her are in custody.

Natasha's family have come to Chicago, so you can imagine the level of medical, rehab and daily living expenses that are piling up.

Many WNY musicians are getting together--with the generous support of local Irish businesses to raise money for the McShane Fund.

The benefit will be held this Sunday at the Shannon Pub.

For further information, call 716 380 7523.

Ticket prices are
$10 individual, $15 couple

All of us in the local Irish Music community and the folk music community at large are saddened by the news of Tommy Makem's death this week. I know that Tommy was an enormous influence on me personally and his role in bringing Irish music to the world can not be overstated. Tommy Makem was the master. He will be missed.

So far, the leading vote-getters for the new CD are
Queen of Argyle. Black Velvet Band, King Carackticus, and New York Girls.

There are plenty of spots open, so vote early and vote often.

Don't miss the chance to visit the Irishman Pub in Williamsville. It's a fine pub and they pour an outstanding pint. Good food, too. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. Live music starting soon, by all reports. Perhaps I'll see you there.

Check here for the votes on the songs for the new CD. Vote online by e-mailing the website, or on the ballots available at shows.

So far Queen of Argyle and Black Velvet Band are out front.

I just wanted to pass along the word that the Celtic Spirit Pipe Band will be performing at the Riviera Theater on Friday, March 2nd. They will be joined by Irish Dancers and fiddler/singer Mary Rogers. Be there!
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Happy New Year to all! Christmas weekend was great fun. Lots of laughs and good music at the Shannon.
The new CD Irish American is now available at CD Baby. Just go to
http://cdbaby.com/cd/tomcallahan
to order.
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Well. it's Christmas weekend, and the Pub is jumping. This is the weekend for Joe Head and I to play the Shannon together, so take a break from last-minute shopping and stop in for a Christmas pint.
Merry Christmas!
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The CD Irish American is available at all live shows, of course. Soon it will be available at local record outlets and Irish gift stores. Also, you can order it through CDBaby.com and Amazon.com starting next week.

In the meantime, if you would like to order a copy, send an e-mail at this website. The address is
tomcallahan@tomcallahan-online.com.
or you can simply click the contact button on any page. Also, there is an e-coupon in the newsletter, so subscribe to get a member's discount.

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Well, the new CD is out and available today. Copies will be on offer at the Shannon Pub tonight, Ulrich's tomorrow and the Shannon Pub next weekend. I hope you'll give it a listen and that you'll enjoy the music. There are several clips on the website, just click the "music" link to hear them.

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December already! The new CD is almost complete and will be available by the 14th. Joe Head and I will be performing together on the 22nd and 23rd of the month. If you haven't been to one of our shows, try and make it on that weekend. The music is good and we have so much fun playing together, that it always turns into a party. There's more on Joe Head and me in the newsletter, so sign up for it.

The newsletter also has more Ireland trip material and features the recurring question: "Who has more fun than us?" I think you can guess the answer.

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The October Newsletter didn't get out by Friday. Rather than make excuses, I refer you to the scene in The Blues Brothers where Joliet Jake (John Belushi) explains to his jilted and murder-minded fiance (Carrie Fischer) why he had stood her up at the altar. It is the best excuse scene ever committed to film, so I'll just use it as it is. Check it out. The problem is there's so much to tell about the Ireland trip, that I don't know where to start. So I've decided just to tell what ever comes to mind. Remember, though, you can't get the newsletter unless you sign up, so sign up! It's easy. And it's free. Tomorrow, I'll be in the studio and I hope to finish up the new CD. The Shannon Pub on Thursday, by the way, thanks to all who made last Thursday so much fun. Ulrich's on Friday night. Hope to see you at both!

Well, we paid for the beautiful weather in Ireland with some horrendous weather in Buffalo right after we got back. So, everything is running a bit late. We have some great pictures for the gallery; they should be up soon now that I have power again.
Last week was grand fun; Harry O'Donoghue was in town. We shared two nights at the Shannon Pub. Harry will be back in December. Come out to see him if you can. Come on Thursday, Dec. 14th and see both of us.

The newsletter for October is, of course, late, but will be sent out by Thursday this week. Sign up on the e-mail list so you don't miss it.

Back from Ireland. What a trip. I'll be putting up more details in the next few days along with some great pictures. For more on the trip, sign up for the newsletter by joining the e-mail list on the homepage.

We'll be leaving for Ireland next Wednesday, arriving early Thursday morning. Check the website for news entries as the trip goes on. Of course there should be lots of photos when we get back.

Joe Head will be doing my usual Thursday night spots at the Shannon Pub on the 28th of September and the 5th of October. I'll be picking up Joe's Wednesday show on the 21st of September and another in mid-October.


If you haven't joined the e-mail list, please take a few seconds to sign up. Schedules, changes, and news about the upcoming CD are all in the newsletter, but you have to be on the list to get it.

September should be quite a month this year. Three festivals--Olcott, Fort Erie, and Rochester--the usual Shannon Pub Thursdays, and a week in Ireland at the end of the month.

The New CD Irish American is underway and a December 1 release date is planned. Check back for release party news. Some previews of Irish American are available on the Music page of the website.

Thanks for the use of the hall! -Tom