Tommy, Moya and Fionán Sands (Courtesy of Ixtlan Artist's Group)
We caught up with Tommy Sands, world-renowned singer/songwriter and social activist from County Down, at the 2009 Milwaukee Irish Fest and asked him about his musical influences, his new book The Songman: A Journey in Irish Music, and how he views the changes that have taken place in the last few decades in Northern Ireland.
If Tommy Sands’ name does not, at first, seem familiar to you, you may well be familiar with some of the songs he has written. Many of you will have heard “Sons and Daughters” or “There Were Roses,” arguably his most widely-circulated songs. But the collection of songs in his discography is much broader than just songs about the Troubles.
Tommy is currently touring with his daughter, Moya, and his son, Fionan, and they recently released a CD titled “Let the Circle Be Wide.” We encourage you to visit their website at www.tommysands.com and learn more about Tommy and some of his current projects, both here in the United States and in Northern Ireland. More information about Tommy, Moya and Fionan may also be found at the Ixtlan Artist’s Group website, www.ixtlanartists.com
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nice job! wanted to let you know, too, that I’ve a long article/interview on Tommy coming out in the next issue of the folk and world music magazine Dirty Linen [ that really is their name]. they post excerpts on line, complete article in print only.
enjoyed your interview with Corey and Liam too — and you really do have to visit Derry and other parts of the north, it’s as varied as the parts of the republic you’ve seen.
Thanks very much for your kind words, Kerry! We will look for your article and the magazine.
We hope to travel to the northern counties in 2010, if finances will allow at all…always an issue in the current economy. =)
Hope you continue to enjoy our podcast and blog. We will be posting our interview of Corey and Liam from Irish Fireside shortly!