Dear Reader –
The gigs, the train, a request for you, Christmas present ideas and more original Christmas music…
**All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
Last week’s letter and the concept of building something great came back to me when I joined the Second Captains crew for two shows in Dublin last Wednesday and Thursday.
I have written about these lads before, most notably after our series of shows in March of this year, which included a star singing performance by George Hamilton among other things. They are first and foremost great (and funny) sports journalists and have recently asked me to add some music to their live shows. As a big fan of what they do I have been more than happy to oblige!
They have been working together for almost 20 years and celebrate 10 years of this particular incarnation next spring. They have lasted in a tough business and have the freedom to create whatever content they want due to their subscriber-led model. And they are good people.
How do they do it?? No easy answer to this one - I’m sure it’s a combination of many things, but here are three I saw for myself last week…
They’re not afraid to try things (and bin them if they don’t work). No idea is a bad one.
They bring you for exotic late-night meals and to secret pubs!
Where else but Sligo?
The Sligo-Dublin train is a big feature of life for many of us who live in this part of the world. We all have our stories from over the years - here’s mine from Friday morning.
I was to catch the early train home but due to the icy weather was standing on the (very cold) platform in Connolly Station for over an hour waiting for the train to emerge from its overnight shelter.
I was feeling sorry for myself until a man approached me and told me of a young American lady he had just met on the same platform who thought she was about to get on the Galway train. He sent her off on the Luas to Heuston Station to catch the correct one. What’s more, he was late and if the train had been on time he would have missed it. So he was delighted with himself (and with the train being late) - and his good cheer rubbed off on me! Thank you sir.
Finally, Sligo is all shades of white and grey at the moment. Here’s one from a few weeks back with a similar mood but a bit more colour…
What’s New?
HELP NEEDED: I’m looking for a venue in Dublin with a piano. Not necessarily a live music venue (although that would be great too), but any smallish (50-100 capacity) room with what you think may be a decent piano. Thanks!
CHRISTMAS PRESENT IDEAS: We begin a new term of both our adult piano classes and our music club in early 2023. Also Theme Night #31 (extra date) tickets are on the move - a great gift which will give the January-hater in your life a lift!
BREE’S DEC 19th: I have missed the last couple of Mondays due to panto commitments, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to Bree’s next Monday 19th with Seamie and a few special guests. Our last Monday gig of 2022 so come on out!
Finally…
I had the pleasure of bumping into Georgie Gorman last Friday at Joe Kelly’s book launch. We had a lovely chat and reminisced about this Christmas song we wrote together five years ago. Listen to that voice!
Till next time - Kieran.
