17th April, Goldie Chapel, Nano Nagle Place
As part of the Lifelong Learning Festival, The Lantern Project, Nano Nagle Place in collaboration with Crowley Music Centre presents “Songs of Hope”
Andy Dunne, Eoin Coughlan, Billy Kennedy & Jim Barret share their original music. These artists are coming together to share the gift of music, bringing a message of hope for this time.
Limited seating. To book your place on eventbrite visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/songs-of-hope-presented-by-lantern-nanonagle-place-crowleys-music-centre-tickets-858848688547?aff=oddtdtcreatore
Performers Bio’s:
Jim Barrett
Jim Barrett is a singer/songwriter from Cork. In 2005 Jim’s song ‘Mr Worthington’ was covered by Aine Whelan on her ‘Between the Moon and Mercury’ album. In 2007, Jim wrote a collection of songs for Cork songstress Andie McNamara to perform on the album ‘Before the Day is Done’. available to buy at www.islandofmusic.ie
In 2008 Jim collaborated with renowned Cork artist Freddie White to write ‘Tia’ which was released that year on Freddie’s ‘Stormy Lullaby’ Album. There have been many other collaborative ventures along the way, one being with Pat Crowley (Mary Black Band)
A mixture of most genres can be found in Jim’s music but there are nearly always touches of jazz floating around there somewhere. Jim bought a guitar in 1978/79 from Crowleys Music store Cork. A Daion mahogany ’78 Century. He still remembers the day he bought it and it still lives with him today. Jim’s newest guitar was custom-made by Corks own Dave Carroll in 2020.
His latest album CHATANOOGA MAN can be purchased here at www.islandofmusic.ie
Eoin Coughlan
Eoin Coughlan is from Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Eoin Coughlan moved to Cork where at just fourteen years of age, started busking and playing regular pub gigs.
Eoin eventually became a regular contributor to the vibrant and hugely respected International Bar (Dublin) song writing sessions organised by Dave Murphy. Other regulars at the time were Mundy, Gemma Hayes, Paddy Casey, Mark Dignam, Glen Hansard, David Kitt and Damien Dempsey.
While Eoin was becoming better known, he came to the attention of top Irish group ‘Nomos’. With his song writing skills along with his traditional guitar, bass playing and being a fluent Irish speaker, Eoin joined up with Nomos in L.A. while on a six-week tour of America and Canada. The three years he was with Nomos saw him embarking on four further U.S. tours, several European tours, an Australian tour and sporadic gigs and festivals as far off as Hong Kong!This touring gave Eoin the opportunity to share bills alongside such artists as Emmylou Harris, Baaba Maal, Paul Kelly, Bella Fleck, Arlo Guthrie, Damien Dempsey, Billy Bragg and many more.
Billy Kennedy
Billy Kennedy is a singer songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Cork City. He has had a long and varied career in music from London based rock band Godot, through the Dublin and Cork Singer/songwriter scenes. Along the way he has played throughout Europe and the UK. As a singer and guitarist he has featured with many bands over the while but now concentrates on performing his own material.
His first solo album ‘This Old Life’ was very well received. The Evening Echo
described his songs as having; ‘a gentle poetic sensibility. Upbeat pop fused with Americana. ‘Red FM’s Neil Prendeville described it as ‘One of the best things around.’ The lead single ’25 Ways’ received airplay on RTE 1 from John Creedon, Niall Toner, and other shows.
He has produced albums by various Irish artists including Dave Murphy, and Martin
Murphy as well as Slovenian songstress Branka, and New Zealand’s Junior Mike.
Billy released three singles in 2020. The first ‘Giants’ was supported by concerts in
Camden Fort Meaghar and The Inkwell Theatre before the live music industry had to
close. He released two other singles that year with ‘Sea Creatures’ getting on the RTE1 recommends playlist. The song was promoted with an animated video. The final song of 2020 ‘Angels on Patrick St’ was recorded and performed with the Crosshaven Community Choir with a video highlighting the stunning atmosphere of Crosshaven village. Billy is back with a new single ‘Summertime Somewhere’ which is released on August 21st. There will soon be a full length album to follow.
Andrew Dunlea
Born Andrew Dunlea on August 26th 1968, the youngest of 13 siblings, with a rare condition known as Prune Belly Syndrome and with a medical record number of 7016, this particular journey was never going to run smooth. At age 7, very much inspired by his older brother Patsy, he discovered that music and guitar, in particular, could make his thoughts and heart travel miles away from hospitals and all that came with them and so began the journey of DREW #PROJECT7016.
Andy Dunne became his stage name while playing at a local club in Cork City
His earliest performances were played to full houses, playing support to acts such as Big Country, Midge Ure, Guy Clark, Mary Black, Jimmy MacCarthy, The Fleadh Cowboys, Freddie White, Philip Donnelly and so on. This was the best “education” he could ever get. Andy was busy every week learning songs specifically to suit the next audience. This led to him having a very large choice of material. Gold for any cover artist.
This exposure meant Andy was invited to join various Bands over the late 80’s and early 90’s. This included being lead singer and acoustic guitar player with Irish folk and trad legend Davey Arthur from ’91 to ’93.
A collection of reflections on life’s losses, blessings, lessons, stop signs and learnings; DREW #PROJECT7016 brings together many years of survival and gratitude. Each song was written during one hospital stay or another and captures a different time, place and mood. It also reflects the many musical genres which have influenced Andy. “DREW #PROJECT7016 my first album of original songs has been in the works for along time. It’s a lot more than a dream come true for me to finally send these songs out into the world. I want as many people as possible to hear them and hopefully relate in some small way to their light and shade”.