'Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn'

Greetings from The Elders, This is a brand new page, where we will post our comments about what is going on in the world of the Elders.

(Posted by Paul 11/18/7). There's Something in the Air. The Scottish radio program, No Celtic Boundaries broadcasting from Ullapool on Lochbroom FM, informed us that The Elders are among the Nominees for Album of the Year 2007. Song requests form the basis of the awards, so it is up to you, the voting public to vote for the best album of 2007. On the 'contact' page, click the pull down menu next to 'category' and choose 'Song Request' - You must fill in your email but not your tele number) fill the rest in as you see fit. The show reaches out across the world via the internet on Highlander Radio (www.celticradio.net)

(Posted by Paul 9/11/7) The Kansas International Film Festival is pleased to announce a special screening of the new film The Elders: Alive and Live in Ireland at the Glenwood Arts Theatre, Overland Park, KS, Thursday evening, September 13th at 7:30 p.m. This screening serves as the kick-off to the Kansas International Film Festival which begins Friday, September 14. I have just heard from Ben Meade, that ANYONE who went on the Ireland trip GETS IN FREE on Thursday evening. When you get there, just tell them you are guests of Ben Meade. For an extra treat, Ian's son's band is playing afterward. So come on down for this once-only chance to see the Elders on the silver screen

(Posted by Ian 6/29/7) Hi All, We need lots of stills from the 2007 Irish Tour for the movie... Below is an email from Mike... Thanks,
Ian.

Ladies and Gents,
To the point, we need a mix of still pictures from the tour, so I'm asking for any pictures anybody might have of you guys performing over there! I've set up an email address for people to send them to: elders@everestkc.net
Thank you much,
Mike of the Elders film crew

(Posted by Ian 6/15/7) Hi folks, I just want to say a BIG thank you to you all for supporting Operation Breakthrough by buying raffle tickets for the wine cabinet and showing up at the Celtic Block Party at Governor Stumpy's. Click here for a letter from the great folks at Operation Breakthrough.

(Posted by Paul 6/2/7) The Elders are planning a once in a lifetime intimate show Sunday October 21 at Pilgrim Chapel 3801 Gilliam Road, Kansas City. The venue only seats 75, and was originally a chapel for the deaf so the acoustics are amazing. This will be toned down a bit for an intimate setting. ONE SHOW ONLY.
The show is a benefit for Pilgrim Chapel's new Garden of Prayer, and this is the kickoff event. As there are only 75 seats, tickets are $100 each BUT are FULLY TAX DEDUCTABLE. So anyone who wants to experience the Elders like never before, in an alternative venue more like a small Irish Church, you may want to consider this one time only event Sunday, October 21, 2007, at 2. p.m. I realize the ticket price is steep, but again it is deductable as charity, and with only 75 seats, this will sell out.
Tickets are available through Ben Meade's office at bmeade@kcnet.com. Checks should be made out to Pilgrim Chapel to get the deduction and mailed to Dr. Benjamin Meade, 8606 Redbud Lane, Lenexa, KS 66220.

(Posted by Joe 4/26/7) Hi folks, I FINALLY got a phone picture uploaded that I took of our favorite SkyCap guy at Midway Airport- He has "rescued" the band on at least 2 separate occasions in our travels...

(Posted by Joe 4/17/7) These past few weeks have been spent playing gigs at our regular “backyard” haunts, hanging with the usual suspects…
The end of March took us back to Ballydoyle in Downer’s Grove- Phil was out-of-town this time, but many thanks to Shannon for holding the fort in Phil’s absence. Great Job young man! We greatly appreciated you going beyond the call of duty in order to make a stay as smooth as possible! (Phil- Give this guy a raise…)
Great Craic with great friends as always: … Fred and Mary , & Cindy Wood, all made it in (You’d think they’d had enough of us after Ireland!) Thanks to Donna for having us over for a nice low-keyed get-together on Saturday afternoon (Good Grub, too) Thanks to Deb for shuttling Annie from the airport… Great to see the complete Tri-Festa crew… Thanks again for an all-around good time
On to the Dubliner in Omaha… Great crowds in the basement again! Good to see Judy, Bryan and Sara, and George…(Who actually helps schlep gear every time!) (Hopefully we’ll see Cathy next time; and try to get together for a visit as well). My dear college buddy Marilee got to make it out and hear the Band for the first time- A special time indeed! Thanks as always to Frank for his hospitality and good humor… Looking forward to seeing everyone again in the Fall-
And finally-
2 nights at the Record Bar is a guaranteed blast at home, and this past weekend was no exception: Capacity crowds, with Judy and Cindy coming in, the Divas, the Newlyweds and their party for an especially moving Love of the Century dance onstage…, and Kathy Q doing the Battle-Drum honors during Devil’s Tongue!
It was truly a sight to behold…
Sincerest thanks to all, and to all a good night… (‘Till next time)

(Posted by Paul 4/6/7) Hi folks, As those of you who were in Ireland with the Elders know, Ben Meade and his film crew followed you and the band around and he and he is now in the process of editing his footage for release later in the year.
Ben is looking for YOUR video footage to integrate into the final movie. The deadline for getting your footage to him is April 15. So if you have anything at all, contact Ben at bmeade@kcnet.com or mail what you have to
Ben Meade
8606 Redbud Lane
Lenexa,KS 66220

(Posted by Paul 3/12/7) Hi all,
As you may know, the Elders appeared on "Ardan" on TG4, the Irish language TV channel, while they were in Ireland. The show is available to view on TG4's website. When you get there, click on "Siamsaíocht - Cartlann", then "Ardan" and you are there. Enjoy.....

(Posted from Ireland by Ian 3/7/7) We have been going flat out since we got here.... Friday night was fish and chips and a great get together with friends and family. Twas’ a grand evening of stories and memories. Saturday morning saw Ian, Brent, my brother Tom and Norm, awakening at the crack of dawn for a good hearty breakfast with Geraldine and Mike (Our gracious hosts).
We then drove to Portmarnock. A beautiful links golf course designed by Bernard Langer located just north of Dublin City. We met up with Skip and Dan from KC... We walked 18 holes with incredible weather and scenery. We all played well especially Norm and I....heheheh!!!!
Drove back to Dublin and checked into the Hotel. A good afternoon nap and off to set up at the City Bar. I was led to believe this place was big. We were stuffed in like sardines. But! We rocked the place with all our good friends from all over America. We also had a lot of Irish fans follow us there as well as a couple who came all the way from Denmark especially for the show.
Up early on Sunday morning and off to the RTE TV studios. We prerecorded for the show Ardán. This show will air on prime time TV next Sunday at 8.30 pm on TV4. This was a pro show and a great experience. We were able to have about twenty or so of our travelers join us with the studio audience...Really cool! They picked The Moore Street Girls and Racing the Tide. We played the beginning of the show and also the end.
The TV show ran later than we anticipated, so it's off at high speed up the mountains to Johnnie Foxes to set up.... What a great place this is. We removed all the center tables and chairs out to facilitate the expected crowds. Glad we did. It was packed with an electric atmosphere. The Irish against the Americans in "Doing an Irish Dance...Yeah!" It was close, but I think the yanks won!!!
Up the next morning and set off for Cork. Well on the way and about twenty miles or so outside of Dublin, with Ian and Steve driving... All was going well until I noticed Steve in my rear view mirror frantically doing some kind of Midwestern sign language...With a little concentration, I was able to understand what he was asking me.... "Is Joe with you"??...... "No" I reply with my head swinging left to right .....Oh Oh!!! We pull over and I call the Hotel. They patch me through to Joe's room. I say "Joe"!!!...Joe answers and says "Oh *&#$%&^#&".
Anyway! we finally get on the road to Cork. Incredible winds and rain. Waves were actually pounding the sides of the buses...Twas’ a long 4 hour drive, but we all made it in one piece. Check into the hotel, hang up the shirts and off to set up for the next show. Still raining quite hard, so Steve and I ran a shuttle service for all our friends from the Hotel to the gig. A great room and a great show. We all had a ball... An unscheduled singsong in the Hotel bar afterwards (sorry Mum, Julie and Martina) Fran sang well into the morning....A good time had by all...
Up early the next day and off to Killarney. A beautiful drive with spectacular scenery. Killarney is a beautiful Town. We checked into our Hotel. I think these may be the best rooms I have ever stayed in. All newly remodeled with low voltage accent lighting, incredible furnishings and fabrics, marble floors and walls in the bathroom. All top class fixtures with a shower and whirlpool tub. The shower had a water pressure, that would strip the paint of your shillelagh.... It's a late show tonight. Start time 11 o clock. Finally! some time to have a good sleep.
Wow!!! This show at the Grand Hotel, was one of the sweatiest evenings of my career. We were all soaked to the bone. Fans as well. The place was an inferno. We played message in a bottle for an encore and just about blew the roof off the building.... We will rest and do this again tomorrow night...
This group of people traveling with us are the coolest bunch of people in the world...
True story!!

(Posted by Ian from Ireland 3/2/7) Hi all,
Last night at the Woodenbridge was great craic…Just a mile or so away form where I committed the story of a fish crime! Hehehe!!!
Saw a lot my old Pals. We were tired after the journey but came alive after a couple of songs. Went to bed about 3 ish and woke up about 3 ish the net day. Really glad we have tonight off. Going to eat fish and chips at the Tradewinds café tonight. Probably the best fish and chips in the world. Located in Arklow, about one hour east of Dublin on the east coast. I hear the weather in Chicago is bad…I hope all our friends get here ok. Tis lashing rain today. I think it’s time to go the Pub for a Jar
Slán,
Ian.

(Posted by Joe 2/26/7) It’s been awhile since we’ve posted an entry for the Craic page, so there’s a lot of ground to cover. Here goes…
Jan 12th & 13th @the Dubliner in St. Louis- Imagine driving inside a Slurpee across the state of Missouri on Metcalf Ave. (for you folks outside of KC, that’s a divided trafficway with too many stoplights, and those idiotic “access roads” – much like the Jersey Turnpike ), while dodging monster trucks, and flying debris… That’s what it was like Friday the 12th driving from K.C. to St. Louis, but it might as well been Friday the 13th… The Bronze Star goes to Brent, our champion jockey… (Of course Ian left much later, but got there right after us…?) There was a decent turnout despite the weather, as we faced the opposite direction on stage this time… I got to finally meet Scottish Rosie’s crew and the “Jim’s”- They’ll be in Ireland- Yeah! April and Wendy made it up … Norm, Buzz, John, and myself sat down for frenzied feeding fest of BBQ ribs when we finished playing… I brought the sauce home… (Thanks to April & The Hickory Log of Dexter, MO )… An hour and a 1/2 (and 3 DVD players later), we watched a killer documentary of The Band up in the “Condo” thanks to Norm and the hard work of the Dubliner staff…
Saturday afternoon, we recorded an interview/performance for KDHX in St. Louis… Very impressive facility, and professional crew… Then another good night at the Dubliner…Thanks St. Louis, we’ll see you next time…
Jan 24th through the 27th- Michigan/Illinois swing/crash course tour… How did we do this stuff when we were younger? 4 dates in 4 days- Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Ballydoyle’s, and the Mar in Wilmington… Pile into a mini-van, turn the lights out, and floor it… yikes…
Anyway, good hang at Conor O’Neill’s in Ann Arbor with the Border’s “patrol”, Carl, David Tamulevich , Mary & Fred… (Mary and Fred were everywhere that week… They each get a Purple Heart!)
Quinn & Tuites in Grand Rapids was sold-out… What a scene! Mary was holding court with her hometown pals, Doug and Shona hooked-up with us, and we met a lot of new friends. (Shona cooked another batch of Sausage Rolls and other assorted goodies). Played 2 tunes live and all-acoustic for WYCE radio (NPR in Grand Rapids) that afternoon- Cool place, nice folks… Special thanks to Big and Little Bill for taking such great care of us at Quinn & Tuites… (And of course, an extra-special thanks goes Cindy Wood for handling the Merch… greatly appreciated by all of us).
On to Ballydoyle in Downer’s Grove… always a gas, and always a great turnout; This particular Friday night seemed even busier than normal- I’m pushing for Porta-Potties behind the stage next time…(Phil?). Of course, no trip to Chicagoland would be complete without the Chicago Posse (Debbie, Donna, and the Tri-Festa Girls with their Parents in-tow), and thankfully they were all there and accounted for… I think we had a quorum that evening- it was grand, and we’ll see you in March!
Next to the Mar Theatre in Wilmington… What a wonderful thing Rick and Denise Issert have done! I’ve been hearing about how special this place was for the past year, and this was my first time… Everyone was so friendly, and accommodating I almost felt guilty… The Bed and Breakfast was a special treat as well. Then, there was the hang afterwards- what a howl that was to be together with old and new friends… (Good job on your jump shot kids!) What a sweet gig, and a great bunch of people- Thanks so much for having us, and we look forward to playing the Mar again…
That’s all for now. Oak Park and Philly updates will be next, but we gotta start getting ready for Ireland… No rest for the wicked…”till next time

(Posted by Steve 12/11/6). Ah, The Dubliner . the sights, the sounds, the smells of a real Irish pub. We had a blast again playing to a packed house . the crowd was so close they were nearly on stage. in fact a few people were on stage for brief moments to show off their "special skills." In the most frenzied numbers the band was slinging sweat and spittle while a few of the more sloshed patrons were slinging their drinks on the band ... what fun! It was Ian's birthday but he wisely chose not to mention it for it would surely have meant he'd have to chug more shots of Jameson. There's always "something in the air" at The Dubliner.
We just got the newsletter from CelticRradio.net. Another one of our songs is in the top-ten most requested songs . yippee!

Thank you all who are taking the time to put in your requests.