Hello everyone!
Well, those of us who belong to the official Celtic Woman website as members received a request to help that group obtain more exposure from the ABC network. By the way, that is owned by Disney, who happens to be using Members Mairead and Lisa in the next Tinker Bell movie. That is a follow on to the successful performance of Mairead on the first movie of that series.
So, if you like Celtic Woman and the artists within it then by all means go to the official Celtic Woman web site at www.celticwoman.com and click on the members area and join. You may then be able to communicate to ABC your desire to see more of this amazing ensemble on national TV.
I for one am hoping that Mairead will get to exhibit her wonderful abiliites nationally by performing in full one of her great airs such as The Coast Of Galicia or Granuaile's Dance. She would captivate an entire country and enchant possibly millions with the right showcase.
I would encourage all of you to check out the various forums of the individual artists as posted in an earlier blog and support your favorite. For a variety of reasons I do not endorse the forum officially linked to Celtic Woman. No reason to not join the Celtic Woman website as a member though and then you'll get periodic updates and newsletters right from the source.
We all cry that there is nothing but junk on TV. Well, PBS brought us Celtic Woman and it has been the best thing on TV ever in my opinion. Now ABC has the chance to follow suit and we can help make that happen. So, if you get the letter to ABC to support Celtic Woman, send it as is or do as I did and edit and embelish it. I told them a bit of my story but also advised them to not put Celtic Woman on any show that is distasteful to many or controversial. They have avoided that so far and should continue to do so. Hollywood has a tendency to tarnish everything it touches so we want to be sure Celtic Woman stays as they are now in the way they are viewed by their many supporters. They are who they are and that's why we love them.
Thanks for your support of Mairead in all of her efforts as well as your support of Celtic Woman. They are worth it in so many ways, and have touched so many lives in a positive way since coming into our homes on PBS just a few short years ago.
All the best, Scott
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tinkerbelle lives!
Hello everyone!
Well, what amazing news has been flowing out of places like Texas and California of late. No, not politics, not swine flu, not tainted sprouts, but good news. Mairead just had a birthday, and she celebrated it in fine style in Dallas with the help of a great audience, wonderful friends, and a little help from her forum. Then off to California.
The second Disney Tinkerbelle movie is due to be released this fall. Like the first Tink movie, the marvelous Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt will be audible throughout the soundtrack. Her team work with craftsman Joel NcNeely proved to be such an important part of helping that first movie come alive. Anyone notice just a bit of resemblance between Mairead and the Tinkerbelle character? Now, in the second movie, her friend and co-star from Celtic Woman, Lisa Kelly will join her as Lisa sings the opening song. One wonders if the entire cast may be on the third Tink movie. Might as well. Works for me.
Coupled with the recordings for the movie was the Celtic Woman appearance on the popular national show, Dancing With The Stars. An abbreviated rendition of You Raise Me Up closed that show. Far too abbreviated in my opinion was Mairead's role. However, national exposure to folks who had never heard of them since they don't watch PBS. Their loss as CW has been the best thing on TV for years in my opinion. I think the TV show missed an amazing opportunity. They could have put Mairead on stage by herself and had her perform Granuaile's Dance. Flying all over, leaping, twirling, all why playing fiddle flawlessly? It would have brought down the house and enchanted an entire country. Not one other dancer or musician could do what she does. It was a decent showcase for the vocalists and even the choir in the way it was done.
So, what else is coming up? One can only guess at this point, but it seems just because they aren't in concert doesn't mean they aren't working. They are. Hard. I can't imagine them being anything less than exhausted by the time this tour ends with all they have been doing. Away from home for months, traveling, living out of suitcases, going out every time and giving their best no matter how tired they might be, and doing so. Whatever they are paid it isn't enough. Maybe, just maybe, what they may not get in pay, they get from their truest, and most avid fans/friends. Love, encouragement, support, gifts, and just the smiles and tears they see on our faces each night, are all gifts to them in thanks for all they go through to do what they were born to do.
Stay tuned for news of their next DVD recording from their official site. All of the artists have individual forums where you can go to support your favorite. Some have official sites of their own like Mairead's at www.maireadnesbitt.com which has links to various things of interest. There is also her forum at www.maireadforum.com which we lovingly call the enchanted forest. We also have links to her charity of choice, Oxfam Ireland Unwrapped. Be watching for items in the forum that you can bid on or buy tickets for with proceeds going to her charity. Please show her your support by visiting her site, posting on her guest book if you are so moved, joining the forum, and donating to her charity in her name.
Does Tinkerbelle live? Yes indeed, in the form of one amazing woman fiddler from Ireland. If you don't get a healthy dose of pixie dust when you see and hear her perform, then you must be immune to it. Open your eyes, ears, and heart, and be prepared to be swept away to Neverland by the incomparable Mairead.
All the best, Scott
Well, what amazing news has been flowing out of places like Texas and California of late. No, not politics, not swine flu, not tainted sprouts, but good news. Mairead just had a birthday, and she celebrated it in fine style in Dallas with the help of a great audience, wonderful friends, and a little help from her forum. Then off to California.
The second Disney Tinkerbelle movie is due to be released this fall. Like the first Tink movie, the marvelous Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt will be audible throughout the soundtrack. Her team work with craftsman Joel NcNeely proved to be such an important part of helping that first movie come alive. Anyone notice just a bit of resemblance between Mairead and the Tinkerbelle character? Now, in the second movie, her friend and co-star from Celtic Woman, Lisa Kelly will join her as Lisa sings the opening song. One wonders if the entire cast may be on the third Tink movie. Might as well. Works for me.
Coupled with the recordings for the movie was the Celtic Woman appearance on the popular national show, Dancing With The Stars. An abbreviated rendition of You Raise Me Up closed that show. Far too abbreviated in my opinion was Mairead's role. However, national exposure to folks who had never heard of them since they don't watch PBS. Their loss as CW has been the best thing on TV for years in my opinion. I think the TV show missed an amazing opportunity. They could have put Mairead on stage by herself and had her perform Granuaile's Dance. Flying all over, leaping, twirling, all why playing fiddle flawlessly? It would have brought down the house and enchanted an entire country. Not one other dancer or musician could do what she does. It was a decent showcase for the vocalists and even the choir in the way it was done.
So, what else is coming up? One can only guess at this point, but it seems just because they aren't in concert doesn't mean they aren't working. They are. Hard. I can't imagine them being anything less than exhausted by the time this tour ends with all they have been doing. Away from home for months, traveling, living out of suitcases, going out every time and giving their best no matter how tired they might be, and doing so. Whatever they are paid it isn't enough. Maybe, just maybe, what they may not get in pay, they get from their truest, and most avid fans/friends. Love, encouragement, support, gifts, and just the smiles and tears they see on our faces each night, are all gifts to them in thanks for all they go through to do what they were born to do.
Stay tuned for news of their next DVD recording from their official site. All of the artists have individual forums where you can go to support your favorite. Some have official sites of their own like Mairead's at www.maireadnesbitt.com which has links to various things of interest. There is also her forum at www.maireadforum.com which we lovingly call the enchanted forest. We also have links to her charity of choice, Oxfam Ireland Unwrapped. Be watching for items in the forum that you can bid on or buy tickets for with proceeds going to her charity. Please show her your support by visiting her site, posting on her guest book if you are so moved, joining the forum, and donating to her charity in her name.
Does Tinkerbelle live? Yes indeed, in the form of one amazing woman fiddler from Ireland. If you don't get a healthy dose of pixie dust when you see and hear her perform, then you must be immune to it. Open your eyes, ears, and heart, and be prepared to be swept away to Neverland by the incomparable Mairead.
All the best, Scott
Friday, April 24, 2009
Some promotions
Hi!
Well, over the past year or so a great many wonderful forums and sites have appeared that you should know about if you don't already. Here are just a few:
www.myspace.com/livgritten
www.oliviagritten.org (site of her official fan site and forum)
www.maireadforum.com
www.maireadnesbitt.com (official site, this has been around awhile and is very nice)
www.lisakellyforum.net
www.lynnhilaryforum.net
www.alexsharpeforum.net
www.amyrivardforum.net
Lisa and Mairead also have blogs that you can get to from here that they update now and then. Mairead also puts out a newsletter every few months or so that you can subscribe to.
Mairead is currently on the Celtic Woman tour here in the states but is also actively working on recording the sound track for the second Disney Tinkerbelle movie which is due for release this fall. She did a beautiful job on the first Tinkerbelle movie where you can hear her throughout. She works in conjunction with the very talented composer Joel McNeely in coming up with just the right music for this enchanting movie.
Olivia is attending university, working, and doing various gigs in her native Australia. Her CD, Words After Midnight, is available through CDBaby.com at $19.95 plus shipping or through me at the same price. Be watching for news of more gigs as well as more songs.
All of the forums listed above are run by great people and have a really wonderful and close family feel about them. There are no cliques like one may find elsewhere and they are all about the artists in whose name they operate. They are small, but active places, with wonderful members that do all they can to support their artists. Drop in if you haven't already. Also, there are two others forums you may want to check out supporting artists formerly with Celtic Woman. Both are official forums that are for Meav (www.celticmeav.com) and Deirdre (www.deirdreshannon.com) and are run by very nice folks in Marie and Jenny.
Celtic Woman continues to branch out and get additional exposure. They have appeared on numerous national morning shows over the years. This year so far they also rang the closing bell on Wall Street at the NYSE, and recently made a brief appearance at the end of an episode of Dancing With The Stars. You can find all sorts of news and nice videos at their official site at www.celticwoman.com where you can also find concert information. Go to a show if you can!
Please also check out my own My Space page at www.myspace.com/moscapoet where you can find a nice group of friends and wonderful artists all worth your time and consideration. Be looking both there and here in the future for posts of some of my more popular poems and lyrics. No shortage of those! Wrote number 305 today in the span of only two years!
Thanks for reading and we'll see you on line, at a concert, or elsewhere. God's peace.
Scott
Well, over the past year or so a great many wonderful forums and sites have appeared that you should know about if you don't already. Here are just a few:
www.myspace.com/livgritten
www.oliviagritten.org (site of her official fan site and forum)
www.maireadforum.com
www.maireadnesbitt.com (official site, this has been around awhile and is very nice)
www.lisakellyforum.net
www.lynnhilaryforum.net
www.alexsharpeforum.net
www.amyrivardforum.net
Lisa and Mairead also have blogs that you can get to from here that they update now and then. Mairead also puts out a newsletter every few months or so that you can subscribe to.
Mairead is currently on the Celtic Woman tour here in the states but is also actively working on recording the sound track for the second Disney Tinkerbelle movie which is due for release this fall. She did a beautiful job on the first Tinkerbelle movie where you can hear her throughout. She works in conjunction with the very talented composer Joel McNeely in coming up with just the right music for this enchanting movie.
Olivia is attending university, working, and doing various gigs in her native Australia. Her CD, Words After Midnight, is available through CDBaby.com at $19.95 plus shipping or through me at the same price. Be watching for news of more gigs as well as more songs.
All of the forums listed above are run by great people and have a really wonderful and close family feel about them. There are no cliques like one may find elsewhere and they are all about the artists in whose name they operate. They are small, but active places, with wonderful members that do all they can to support their artists. Drop in if you haven't already. Also, there are two others forums you may want to check out supporting artists formerly with Celtic Woman. Both are official forums that are for Meav (www.celticmeav.com) and Deirdre (www.deirdreshannon.com) and are run by very nice folks in Marie and Jenny.
Celtic Woman continues to branch out and get additional exposure. They have appeared on numerous national morning shows over the years. This year so far they also rang the closing bell on Wall Street at the NYSE, and recently made a brief appearance at the end of an episode of Dancing With The Stars. You can find all sorts of news and nice videos at their official site at www.celticwoman.com where you can also find concert information. Go to a show if you can!
Please also check out my own My Space page at www.myspace.com/moscapoet where you can find a nice group of friends and wonderful artists all worth your time and consideration. Be looking both there and here in the future for posts of some of my more popular poems and lyrics. No shortage of those! Wrote number 305 today in the span of only two years!
Thanks for reading and we'll see you on line, at a concert, or elsewhere. God's peace.
Scott
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Doing the right thing
Hi!
This blog will be more of a commentary as I reflect on the things of life and how short life itself can be. There are times when one is forced to think about such things as it is for me now.
There are people in life who sacrifice others to build up themselves. We each know folks like that and they know who they are. Such lives are built on jealousy, greed, control, and anger. Their reward may seem great to those on the outside. But they are not happy people. Their thirst can never be quenched. It consumes them and all around them. They wallow in their selfishness and get what they want sharing little of it with others. Their reward is seemingly far greater than what they have earned. They demand respect when they do so little to earn it. They are inflated by their own egos and by those who ride their coattails hoping to be given the crumbs from the banquet table. They hold no one or nothing higher than themselves. They recognize mortality but fail to see the consequences of it and how the person they have chosen to be will affect it. They surround themselves with the weak and the ignorant. They convince others they have more influence than they truly have. They are shallow, empty vessels who bring only negative into the lives of others and suck the very energy from those who care about them. In the final analysis, you reap what you sew. Whatever they gain will be temporary. Those who fill themselves with the negative words, emotions and actions of life will soon find that it will bear fruit in death from within.
There are others in life who sacrifice self for others. They may not always have been that way, and may not be that way all the time. But, the trend is towards the positive. Giving, loving, sharing, uplifting others, giving encouragement, and simply listening are clues that a person has a right heart. Love must be unconditional or it is not love at all. It should be respectful and honorable in both words and actions. When you love you cannot be afraid of it or speaking it. Love, real love, comes from one place only and that is our creator. He created it and us. There are those in life who inspire love in others. One fiddler I know comes to mind. In our language there is but one word for love, yet it has many facets like the precious gem that it is. There are as many kinds of love as there are those who experience it. Some find it productive to criticize those who are happy, who love and aren't afraid to show it, and who write in passionate ways. It is they who are lacking the true meaning of the word in their lives. It is they who stifle love at every turn. Yet what is born of the light cannot be overcome by darkness. Love will always triumph over hate.
We have choices in life. We can choose darkness or light. We can choose right or wrong. We can choose love or hate. We can choose life or death to a certain degree. Fill your lives with positive, uplifting, beautiful things and people. You'll find though that many people who are beautiful on the outside are not so within. You'll also find that some people radiate beauty from within and that is reflected as well in their external beauty. If you are paying attention it does not take long to figure out who is who in that regard.
Since April 2007 I have been uplifted, blessed, and filled with love like I have never been before. That came to me through instruments in God's hands well known to those who know me. One instrument has been the source of countless inspirations to this day. She opened my eyes to a world I had lost long ago. In the two years that have passed a creative stream has flowed in me. That inspiration in turn may inspire others which is likely why it came to begin with. You may never know who you will touch deeply in this life. Choose to do so in a positive way in your words and actions. If love does nothing else in you let it show you the power of the One who created it and sent it into your life. Give that love back unconditionally. Maybe, just maybe, the gift you get in return will be all you ever hoped for in life. Have faith and believe that with God all things are possible no matter how unlikely or improbable. But go about your life and don't dwell on that which you wish for so much. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move a mountain. I don't care about moving mountains, only touch one little heart that has danced in my dreams for endless ages. Life is too short to be afraid of what others think when you're doing the right thing. Whether anyone sees you or not, do the right thing. Work behind the scenes to bring positive things to the lives of others, not so people see it and think highly of you.
This has been a bit of a ramble of sorts. It is written in a mix of both fulfillment and frustration. It is written as one person reflects on what has been, what is, and what may be. The advice in it is free so worth what you paid for it. Now, back to the creative stream for me. May you too be blessed with a creative force and a passion that fills your life and those around you with all the positive things that make life worth living. May you never lack for love. God's peace.
This blog will be more of a commentary as I reflect on the things of life and how short life itself can be. There are times when one is forced to think about such things as it is for me now.
There are people in life who sacrifice others to build up themselves. We each know folks like that and they know who they are. Such lives are built on jealousy, greed, control, and anger. Their reward may seem great to those on the outside. But they are not happy people. Their thirst can never be quenched. It consumes them and all around them. They wallow in their selfishness and get what they want sharing little of it with others. Their reward is seemingly far greater than what they have earned. They demand respect when they do so little to earn it. They are inflated by their own egos and by those who ride their coattails hoping to be given the crumbs from the banquet table. They hold no one or nothing higher than themselves. They recognize mortality but fail to see the consequences of it and how the person they have chosen to be will affect it. They surround themselves with the weak and the ignorant. They convince others they have more influence than they truly have. They are shallow, empty vessels who bring only negative into the lives of others and suck the very energy from those who care about them. In the final analysis, you reap what you sew. Whatever they gain will be temporary. Those who fill themselves with the negative words, emotions and actions of life will soon find that it will bear fruit in death from within.
There are others in life who sacrifice self for others. They may not always have been that way, and may not be that way all the time. But, the trend is towards the positive. Giving, loving, sharing, uplifting others, giving encouragement, and simply listening are clues that a person has a right heart. Love must be unconditional or it is not love at all. It should be respectful and honorable in both words and actions. When you love you cannot be afraid of it or speaking it. Love, real love, comes from one place only and that is our creator. He created it and us. There are those in life who inspire love in others. One fiddler I know comes to mind. In our language there is but one word for love, yet it has many facets like the precious gem that it is. There are as many kinds of love as there are those who experience it. Some find it productive to criticize those who are happy, who love and aren't afraid to show it, and who write in passionate ways. It is they who are lacking the true meaning of the word in their lives. It is they who stifle love at every turn. Yet what is born of the light cannot be overcome by darkness. Love will always triumph over hate.
We have choices in life. We can choose darkness or light. We can choose right or wrong. We can choose love or hate. We can choose life or death to a certain degree. Fill your lives with positive, uplifting, beautiful things and people. You'll find though that many people who are beautiful on the outside are not so within. You'll also find that some people radiate beauty from within and that is reflected as well in their external beauty. If you are paying attention it does not take long to figure out who is who in that regard.
Since April 2007 I have been uplifted, blessed, and filled with love like I have never been before. That came to me through instruments in God's hands well known to those who know me. One instrument has been the source of countless inspirations to this day. She opened my eyes to a world I had lost long ago. In the two years that have passed a creative stream has flowed in me. That inspiration in turn may inspire others which is likely why it came to begin with. You may never know who you will touch deeply in this life. Choose to do so in a positive way in your words and actions. If love does nothing else in you let it show you the power of the One who created it and sent it into your life. Give that love back unconditionally. Maybe, just maybe, the gift you get in return will be all you ever hoped for in life. Have faith and believe that with God all things are possible no matter how unlikely or improbable. But go about your life and don't dwell on that which you wish for so much. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move a mountain. I don't care about moving mountains, only touch one little heart that has danced in my dreams for endless ages. Life is too short to be afraid of what others think when you're doing the right thing. Whether anyone sees you or not, do the right thing. Work behind the scenes to bring positive things to the lives of others, not so people see it and think highly of you.
This has been a bit of a ramble of sorts. It is written in a mix of both fulfillment and frustration. It is written as one person reflects on what has been, what is, and what may be. The advice in it is free so worth what you paid for it. Now, back to the creative stream for me. May you too be blessed with a creative force and a passion that fills your life and those around you with all the positive things that make life worth living. May you never lack for love. God's peace.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Olivia Gritten
Hi everyone!
Thought I'd take the opportunity to let you all know about and Amazing young artist in Australia. I found her through forums related to the artists of Celtic Woman via her dad who was a member. He noticed I had been looking for people to set my poetry to music, and said his daughter creates songs and might have a look. So, I sent him a handful to show his daughter figuring it was a long shot.
Within days I was notified that Liv had come up with a song to my poem Butterfly Kisses. No, not the one you've heard before, but a new one based upon the emotions I had when watching and listening to Mairead Nesbitt. I received the song just after to going to my first Celtic Woman concert with a meet & greet. I wound up meeting Mairead for the first time at that event, and it was simply amazing. When I got home the CD was in the mail. So, I took it home and popped it into my CD player and put on the headphones.
I did not know what to expect. Lots of people think they have talent. I pressed play and then came the song. I was stunned by it's beauty and the lovely voice and piano work. What a jewel! Within a few weeks two more songs came, Pile Of Ash, and Cats Don't Fly. Both marvelous creations by this gifted Aussie songbird and composer. Those two songs now reside on Liv's beautiful CD, Words After Midnight, along with ten of her own creations. In the remainder of 2008 Liv sent me two more songs, Final Chapter, and Death Of Dreams. Neither were poems I thought would become songs, yet they now are and lovely ones at that!
Liv has been creatings songs for quite a few years now. They are all over the map in their makeup and style. Each has a message unique to itself. She has volumes of songs yet to be heard by ears outside of her family, and to my great blessing, me as well. Between her songs and ones with me she has material fro several CDs available to her.
It was a great honor to be invited to visit Australia and spend time with Liv and her family. I went there in mid-December 2008 and stayed just over a month. In that short time I experienced a lifetime of family like I had never known. I lived with them and was treated just like one of the family. I did my best to pull my share of the load too. We spent Christmas, New Year's, and a week at a river site not to mention many other wonderful days and nights. The Grittens are a lovely family. Kim, their dad is a fine man and very strong Christian. Maree, his wife, and mum of four wonderful daughters is a hard working and giving soul in spite of some health issues. Her home was beautiful and cared for with love.Liv's younger sister Marina is a delight and has a quick, technical mind. She has a lovely voice too. In fact all the girls sing like angels. The twinnies, Anastasia and Nadia are delightful. ana does the back up vocals for Liv but Nadia can as well when she wants too. Ana was always there with a willing hug which she always seemed to time just right. You've heard Celtic Woman this tour sing their four part A Cappela harmony of Danny Boy? Try the Gritten sisters doing that with Amazing Grace! Wow!
While there Liv and I created three more songs together. One was the first night when we were enjoying her music after dinner. She had just played a lovely tribute song about her grandfather which was called Soldier. He had been a WW II vet. So, I read a poem I wrote about my WW II vet friend, Francis. She snatched it up and promptly turned it into a song right before my eyes and ears. Oh my. I was in tears, which her music tends to do to me. What a beautiful song that could be sung at memorials and commemorations! On the way home from picking up Liv's CDs in Sydney she found another poem to interest her. Will India Cry I had written after hearing about violence against Christians by radical Hindu elements in parts of that country last fall. She tapped me on the shoulder and said "I really like this one" accompanied by a big grin. Well that song too was done in short order with some adaptations we both worked through during the night. It is now the theme song for one ministry and mission which is an orphanage, mostly for girls, in India. Just before a left I approached Liv with a song I had in my head to one of my poems, Another Hundred Rejoice. That is a hymn about the 100th anniversary of my church. It was recorded that night.
Liv continiues to create and is now performing in her native Australia at various festivals and events. She is now on Rhema FM which is a Christian radio network of about 40 stations there. She has some airplay in the states on internet radio and will be getting more. We are wroking towards a time when Liv can come to the states and do a concert tour herself. Her Uni studies, need to bring in some money, and getting her band established are priorities right now. You can find out more about live on her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/livgritten and also at her fan site and forum at www.oliviagritten.org which I administer. I was honored to be named her North American manager and will do my best to promote this truly special artist as often as I can in as many ways possible.
So, from an inspiration by the most amazing fiddler on the planet, Mairead, to poetry, and then to song by another gifted artist, Olivia, it has been quite a journey so far. Stay tuned.
Thought I'd take the opportunity to let you all know about and Amazing young artist in Australia. I found her through forums related to the artists of Celtic Woman via her dad who was a member. He noticed I had been looking for people to set my poetry to music, and said his daughter creates songs and might have a look. So, I sent him a handful to show his daughter figuring it was a long shot.
Within days I was notified that Liv had come up with a song to my poem Butterfly Kisses. No, not the one you've heard before, but a new one based upon the emotions I had when watching and listening to Mairead Nesbitt. I received the song just after to going to my first Celtic Woman concert with a meet & greet. I wound up meeting Mairead for the first time at that event, and it was simply amazing. When I got home the CD was in the mail. So, I took it home and popped it into my CD player and put on the headphones.
I did not know what to expect. Lots of people think they have talent. I pressed play and then came the song. I was stunned by it's beauty and the lovely voice and piano work. What a jewel! Within a few weeks two more songs came, Pile Of Ash, and Cats Don't Fly. Both marvelous creations by this gifted Aussie songbird and composer. Those two songs now reside on Liv's beautiful CD, Words After Midnight, along with ten of her own creations. In the remainder of 2008 Liv sent me two more songs, Final Chapter, and Death Of Dreams. Neither were poems I thought would become songs, yet they now are and lovely ones at that!
Liv has been creatings songs for quite a few years now. They are all over the map in their makeup and style. Each has a message unique to itself. She has volumes of songs yet to be heard by ears outside of her family, and to my great blessing, me as well. Between her songs and ones with me she has material fro several CDs available to her.
It was a great honor to be invited to visit Australia and spend time with Liv and her family. I went there in mid-December 2008 and stayed just over a month. In that short time I experienced a lifetime of family like I had never known. I lived with them and was treated just like one of the family. I did my best to pull my share of the load too. We spent Christmas, New Year's, and a week at a river site not to mention many other wonderful days and nights. The Grittens are a lovely family. Kim, their dad is a fine man and very strong Christian. Maree, his wife, and mum of four wonderful daughters is a hard working and giving soul in spite of some health issues. Her home was beautiful and cared for with love.Liv's younger sister Marina is a delight and has a quick, technical mind. She has a lovely voice too. In fact all the girls sing like angels. The twinnies, Anastasia and Nadia are delightful. ana does the back up vocals for Liv but Nadia can as well when she wants too. Ana was always there with a willing hug which she always seemed to time just right. You've heard Celtic Woman this tour sing their four part A Cappela harmony of Danny Boy? Try the Gritten sisters doing that with Amazing Grace! Wow!
While there Liv and I created three more songs together. One was the first night when we were enjoying her music after dinner. She had just played a lovely tribute song about her grandfather which was called Soldier. He had been a WW II vet. So, I read a poem I wrote about my WW II vet friend, Francis. She snatched it up and promptly turned it into a song right before my eyes and ears. Oh my. I was in tears, which her music tends to do to me. What a beautiful song that could be sung at memorials and commemorations! On the way home from picking up Liv's CDs in Sydney she found another poem to interest her. Will India Cry I had written after hearing about violence against Christians by radical Hindu elements in parts of that country last fall. She tapped me on the shoulder and said "I really like this one" accompanied by a big grin. Well that song too was done in short order with some adaptations we both worked through during the night. It is now the theme song for one ministry and mission which is an orphanage, mostly for girls, in India. Just before a left I approached Liv with a song I had in my head to one of my poems, Another Hundred Rejoice. That is a hymn about the 100th anniversary of my church. It was recorded that night.
Liv continiues to create and is now performing in her native Australia at various festivals and events. She is now on Rhema FM which is a Christian radio network of about 40 stations there. She has some airplay in the states on internet radio and will be getting more. We are wroking towards a time when Liv can come to the states and do a concert tour herself. Her Uni studies, need to bring in some money, and getting her band established are priorities right now. You can find out more about live on her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/livgritten and also at her fan site and forum at www.oliviagritten.org which I administer. I was honored to be named her North American manager and will do my best to promote this truly special artist as often as I can in as many ways possible.
So, from an inspiration by the most amazing fiddler on the planet, Mairead, to poetry, and then to song by another gifted artist, Olivia, it has been quite a journey so far. Stay tuned.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Celtic Woman halfway point
Hello all!
Well, this is my first blog so we'll see what you think. Most who visit will know me but for those who don't here is a brief synopsis. I became a poet and lyricist from the instrument in God's hands of Celtic Woman in April of 2007. Since then I"ve written over 300 pieces.Their amazing fiddler Mairead has been the never ending inspiration and when you see and hear her perform you'll understand why. Check out their official site at www.celticwoman.com and her official site at www.maireadnesbitt.com as well as the fan forum in her honor that I administer at www.maireadforum.com which is a wonderful extended family of her supporters. Please also check out the wonderful artist I create songs with at her site www.oliviagritten.org for more information about this terrific young singer/composer from Australia. She creates so quickly and beautifully she takes my breath away! She and I both have MySpace pages as well that you can check out.
OK, to business at hand. I have been attending Celtic Woman concerts since my first one in the spring of 2007 in Albuquerque. I took my then 9 year old niece to that show to expose her to women in performing arts with dignity and class. These women are marvelous role models and simply lovely people inside and out. Their supporting cast are equally talented and nice folks too! In that year I saw them at that show as well as two nights to end that tour in the fantastic Red Rocks amphitheater outside Denver. I was then blessed to make my first trip to Ireland and experience the recording of their beautiful Christmas concert. Later that year I took friends to their show in Omaha on their short fall tour. So, five shows in all.
In 2008 I was blessed to have attended even more shows. First was the show in Birmingham and my first meet & greet. I was swept up and blown away by the show and the wonderful meeting with my muse Mairead. Her kindness that night simply took my breath away. She and the others are humble, gentle, and gracious people whose excellence and success has not gone to their heads. I followed that show by another in Rockford Illinois and another meeting with Mairead. She is simply the most charming of people. At these two meet and greets I'd also met Lynn and Orlagh. Both very gifted and sweet. The next show was Duluth. An amazing night before the show had me sharing drinks for a few hours with two members of their band and one of the accompanying male group. Fine men and great conversation. I was truly honored to be included. Another show and then a meeting with Lynn and Alex. The next show was Toledo but no meet & greet. However, it was a gathering of a lot of forum people who are wonderful. I also wrote a record for me of ten poems in one day at a table in the hotel lobby that seemed to be channeling. I wrapped up that tour at Phoenix and Bakersfield with good seats but no more meetings. So, six more shows, and eleven in all now.
Now here we are in 2009. The Mairead forum is over a year old and thriving with great people within it and the very kind public support of the one we honor and support. They are now halfway through a very long and busy tour schedule. They give their all every night and must be exhausted at times. Yet they are wonderful professionals and each audience is blessed. The shows in previous years were based upon their A New Journey video filmed at Slane Castle in Ireland. This year they have a new, and very moving show called Isle Of Hope. It is a beautiful tribute to America's role in the lives of the Irish over the years. It retains the best of the previous show and adds beautiful new elements and pieces. You simply must experience it to fully appreciate the creative genius of all involved led by David Downes and everyone on stage and behind it. I too am now halfway through my tour stops.
So far I have attended the dress rehearsal in Evansville which had a limited audience. We were the first to see this new show and to comment upon it. A couple of technical glitches were of no consequence to the audience as the material, costumes, and stage aspects were beyond beautiful. The meet and greet afterwards were with Lynn and Alex who were the ones from my last meet & greet the previous tour. Lynn has grown into her role fully and her selections are marvelous. Carolina Rua is simply not to be missed, and she is accompanied by the effervescent Mairead in this rather Latin frolic. Alex also is a shining star and the selections for her fit her dramatic experience. She has really grown on me and many others. Both are cover songs but are well suited to her. She does a wonderful arrangement of You'll Be In My Heart accompanied by Nick on drums. He is putting his own band's (Extreme Rhythm) touch to his great percussion here and it pays off. Lisa is still there and knocks them dead with her signature piece The Voice which has the delightful Mairead on stage with her. Then there is Chloe. Her voice is fuller, more mature, and reminds me a bit now of their former member Meav. She does a beautiful cover song called When You Believe that has now become my personal theme song for this past couple of years. All this has been a matter of faith and trust that God has me on the right path. Chloe touches me very deeply with this song. Mairead retains roles she acquired in the previous show and seems nearly ever present even when not on stage. She has a new piece called The Coast Of Galicia which is a vibrant, Latin swirl through your heart and soul. As if she needed any more ammunition to shoot into my heart! At concert after concert I listen to the audience as I'm leaving and it has never changed. At least 3/4 of the comments I hear are about Mairead. How does she do that, they ask. The superlatives just flow from folks. No stick in the mud traditionalists and no media critic can detract from the artistry and accomplishments of Mairead on parade. She can do trad with the best of them as well as classics. No one does what she does the way she does it and ever could. Yet she is humble and knows her role is equal to that of everyone else on that stage. She and the others are team players and you can tell. The stage, the lighting, the costumes (thank you Lord that Mairead remains in white), all add to the artists the elements needed to make this the best buy in entertainment. Especially if you do a meet & greet.
My next show this tour was in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania at an event worked on for months by members of the Mairead forum. We billed it as MaireadFest and there was a very large gathering of forum fans and we acquired new ones that night too. It was designed to honor this most amazing of violinists as well as to bring together a delightful autistic girl with her role model Chloe. By all accounts it was a most special night for fan and artist alike. The cooperation of Celtic Woman in making this happen was perhaps the greatest positive public relations act with their fans they have ever done. The Mairead forum is very grateful for that special night never to be forgotten. I followed that show with my first visit to the big apple. Two nights at the incredible Radio City Music Hall. Wow! The ensemble was so energized and my pit seats so good. That is something special too. The interaction from the stage with these artists is almost constant and so important in acquiring and then keeping avid supporters. A wink, a wiggle, a nod, and a smile directed at you can just make every dollar spent so worthwhile. We had all five girls at the meet & greets both nights. It was perfect in obtaining things for forum members who may never get the chance at autographs, and I as a forum leader was duty bound to help with that. Next up a few nights later was Baltimore for two nights, including St. Patrick's Day, at the lovely Hippodrome theater. Again, a perfect venue. Arenas are for monster trucks and rodeo not Celtic Woman. Some places have no choice in that and pull it off very well such as at Wilkes-Barre. Again, five girl meet & greets which was a wonderful surprise.
As of last night I am halfway through my scheduled tour stops having attended in Dallas at the fine Nokia Theater. The crowd was terrific and as happens the artists and audience fed off each other. More importantly though was that it was Mairead's birthday. Her forum simply had to be there. Yet, only I and another couple were there from her forum. Well, the crowd was juiced and didn't need any prompting from us. Yet I used our forum created (thank you Elaina) fiddler crossing sign often with Happy Birthday Mairead written on the back of it. Again, wonderful interactions from the stage and a delightful meeting with Lisa and Lynn afterwards. Mairead had a volume of birthday gifts delivered by me on behalf of her forum and its members. Lynn too, much to her surprise received gifts from her forum for her birthday on the 21st. Yeah, you're loved too and don't forget it Lynn! So, seven shows so far this tour and seven more planned culminating in the tour finales at Red Rocks which will be very well attended by forum folks. Then it remains to wait on the eagerly anticipated DVD recording of this new show. I can't wait. Neither can my credit card! Well, few things are worth it in this life. Mairead and her friends at Celtic Woman certainly are. Good for frequent flier miles too!
So, this wraps up my first blog post, er, novel. Hey, I'm a writer! Do yourself a favor and pick up some Celtic Woman DVDs, CDs, or attend a show. Pick up the CDs of the individual artists past and present too. Visit the various official sites as well as the various artist's forums. You'll be glad you did! Fill your life with beautiful music, and positive people. There are no dark clouds when Mairead is around! Sometimes it looks like she's chasing them away with her bow. We like to call it pixie dust in her forum. Speaking of which, pick up the Disney movie Tinkerbelle where Mairead plays a key role on the soundtrack. She'll be on the next one too which is in he works! Can you ever have enough? Not this guy. God bless you Mairead and all the great artists that share the stage with you. God bless you too Olivia for the marvelous gifts of song including the eight so far set to my lyrics. You're a rising star of the antipodes. Thanks also to the wonderful forum friends I've met and work with. These artists attract the best and bring out the best in all those who live in the light.
God's peace, Scott/moscapoet
Well, this is my first blog so we'll see what you think. Most who visit will know me but for those who don't here is a brief synopsis. I became a poet and lyricist from the instrument in God's hands of Celtic Woman in April of 2007. Since then I"ve written over 300 pieces.Their amazing fiddler Mairead has been the never ending inspiration and when you see and hear her perform you'll understand why. Check out their official site at www.celticwoman.com and her official site at www.maireadnesbitt.com as well as the fan forum in her honor that I administer at www.maireadforum.com which is a wonderful extended family of her supporters. Please also check out the wonderful artist I create songs with at her site www.oliviagritten.org for more information about this terrific young singer/composer from Australia. She creates so quickly and beautifully she takes my breath away! She and I both have MySpace pages as well that you can check out.
OK, to business at hand. I have been attending Celtic Woman concerts since my first one in the spring of 2007 in Albuquerque. I took my then 9 year old niece to that show to expose her to women in performing arts with dignity and class. These women are marvelous role models and simply lovely people inside and out. Their supporting cast are equally talented and nice folks too! In that year I saw them at that show as well as two nights to end that tour in the fantastic Red Rocks amphitheater outside Denver. I was then blessed to make my first trip to Ireland and experience the recording of their beautiful Christmas concert. Later that year I took friends to their show in Omaha on their short fall tour. So, five shows in all.
In 2008 I was blessed to have attended even more shows. First was the show in Birmingham and my first meet & greet. I was swept up and blown away by the show and the wonderful meeting with my muse Mairead. Her kindness that night simply took my breath away. She and the others are humble, gentle, and gracious people whose excellence and success has not gone to their heads. I followed that show by another in Rockford Illinois and another meeting with Mairead. She is simply the most charming of people. At these two meet and greets I'd also met Lynn and Orlagh. Both very gifted and sweet. The next show was Duluth. An amazing night before the show had me sharing drinks for a few hours with two members of their band and one of the accompanying male group. Fine men and great conversation. I was truly honored to be included. Another show and then a meeting with Lynn and Alex. The next show was Toledo but no meet & greet. However, it was a gathering of a lot of forum people who are wonderful. I also wrote a record for me of ten poems in one day at a table in the hotel lobby that seemed to be channeling. I wrapped up that tour at Phoenix and Bakersfield with good seats but no more meetings. So, six more shows, and eleven in all now.
Now here we are in 2009. The Mairead forum is over a year old and thriving with great people within it and the very kind public support of the one we honor and support. They are now halfway through a very long and busy tour schedule. They give their all every night and must be exhausted at times. Yet they are wonderful professionals and each audience is blessed. The shows in previous years were based upon their A New Journey video filmed at Slane Castle in Ireland. This year they have a new, and very moving show called Isle Of Hope. It is a beautiful tribute to America's role in the lives of the Irish over the years. It retains the best of the previous show and adds beautiful new elements and pieces. You simply must experience it to fully appreciate the creative genius of all involved led by David Downes and everyone on stage and behind it. I too am now halfway through my tour stops.
So far I have attended the dress rehearsal in Evansville which had a limited audience. We were the first to see this new show and to comment upon it. A couple of technical glitches were of no consequence to the audience as the material, costumes, and stage aspects were beyond beautiful. The meet and greet afterwards were with Lynn and Alex who were the ones from my last meet & greet the previous tour. Lynn has grown into her role fully and her selections are marvelous. Carolina Rua is simply not to be missed, and she is accompanied by the effervescent Mairead in this rather Latin frolic. Alex also is a shining star and the selections for her fit her dramatic experience. She has really grown on me and many others. Both are cover songs but are well suited to her. She does a wonderful arrangement of You'll Be In My Heart accompanied by Nick on drums. He is putting his own band's (Extreme Rhythm) touch to his great percussion here and it pays off. Lisa is still there and knocks them dead with her signature piece The Voice which has the delightful Mairead on stage with her. Then there is Chloe. Her voice is fuller, more mature, and reminds me a bit now of their former member Meav. She does a beautiful cover song called When You Believe that has now become my personal theme song for this past couple of years. All this has been a matter of faith and trust that God has me on the right path. Chloe touches me very deeply with this song. Mairead retains roles she acquired in the previous show and seems nearly ever present even when not on stage. She has a new piece called The Coast Of Galicia which is a vibrant, Latin swirl through your heart and soul. As if she needed any more ammunition to shoot into my heart! At concert after concert I listen to the audience as I'm leaving and it has never changed. At least 3/4 of the comments I hear are about Mairead. How does she do that, they ask. The superlatives just flow from folks. No stick in the mud traditionalists and no media critic can detract from the artistry and accomplishments of Mairead on parade. She can do trad with the best of them as well as classics. No one does what she does the way she does it and ever could. Yet she is humble and knows her role is equal to that of everyone else on that stage. She and the others are team players and you can tell. The stage, the lighting, the costumes (thank you Lord that Mairead remains in white), all add to the artists the elements needed to make this the best buy in entertainment. Especially if you do a meet & greet.
My next show this tour was in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania at an event worked on for months by members of the Mairead forum. We billed it as MaireadFest and there was a very large gathering of forum fans and we acquired new ones that night too. It was designed to honor this most amazing of violinists as well as to bring together a delightful autistic girl with her role model Chloe. By all accounts it was a most special night for fan and artist alike. The cooperation of Celtic Woman in making this happen was perhaps the greatest positive public relations act with their fans they have ever done. The Mairead forum is very grateful for that special night never to be forgotten. I followed that show with my first visit to the big apple. Two nights at the incredible Radio City Music Hall. Wow! The ensemble was so energized and my pit seats so good. That is something special too. The interaction from the stage with these artists is almost constant and so important in acquiring and then keeping avid supporters. A wink, a wiggle, a nod, and a smile directed at you can just make every dollar spent so worthwhile. We had all five girls at the meet & greets both nights. It was perfect in obtaining things for forum members who may never get the chance at autographs, and I as a forum leader was duty bound to help with that. Next up a few nights later was Baltimore for two nights, including St. Patrick's Day, at the lovely Hippodrome theater. Again, a perfect venue. Arenas are for monster trucks and rodeo not Celtic Woman. Some places have no choice in that and pull it off very well such as at Wilkes-Barre. Again, five girl meet & greets which was a wonderful surprise.
As of last night I am halfway through my scheduled tour stops having attended in Dallas at the fine Nokia Theater. The crowd was terrific and as happens the artists and audience fed off each other. More importantly though was that it was Mairead's birthday. Her forum simply had to be there. Yet, only I and another couple were there from her forum. Well, the crowd was juiced and didn't need any prompting from us. Yet I used our forum created (thank you Elaina) fiddler crossing sign often with Happy Birthday Mairead written on the back of it. Again, wonderful interactions from the stage and a delightful meeting with Lisa and Lynn afterwards. Mairead had a volume of birthday gifts delivered by me on behalf of her forum and its members. Lynn too, much to her surprise received gifts from her forum for her birthday on the 21st. Yeah, you're loved too and don't forget it Lynn! So, seven shows so far this tour and seven more planned culminating in the tour finales at Red Rocks which will be very well attended by forum folks. Then it remains to wait on the eagerly anticipated DVD recording of this new show. I can't wait. Neither can my credit card! Well, few things are worth it in this life. Mairead and her friends at Celtic Woman certainly are. Good for frequent flier miles too!
So, this wraps up my first blog post, er, novel. Hey, I'm a writer! Do yourself a favor and pick up some Celtic Woman DVDs, CDs, or attend a show. Pick up the CDs of the individual artists past and present too. Visit the various official sites as well as the various artist's forums. You'll be glad you did! Fill your life with beautiful music, and positive people. There are no dark clouds when Mairead is around! Sometimes it looks like she's chasing them away with her bow. We like to call it pixie dust in her forum. Speaking of which, pick up the Disney movie Tinkerbelle where Mairead plays a key role on the soundtrack. She'll be on the next one too which is in he works! Can you ever have enough? Not this guy. God bless you Mairead and all the great artists that share the stage with you. God bless you too Olivia for the marvelous gifts of song including the eight so far set to my lyrics. You're a rising star of the antipodes. Thanks also to the wonderful forum friends I've met and work with. These artists attract the best and bring out the best in all those who live in the light.
God's peace, Scott/moscapoet
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