"The Cottars" playing in Worcester, MA Sept. 21

Whistle
1

Lizzie tipped me off about this band; here’s an excerpt from their website:

"THE COTTARS
(Ciarán & Fiona MacGillivray / Jimmy & Roseanne MacKenzie)

In a remarkably short period of time, The Cottars have become Cape Breton¹s latest musical success story. This dynamic Celtic band is comprised of four young teens who have been playing traditional music since childhood. Group members in age from 13 to 16, and each is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and stepdancer. They have entertained national and regional political figures and, in various combinations, have shared the stage with stars such as John McDermott, Danu, Bruce Cockburn, The Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster, Slaine Mhath, and many, many others.

During the summer of 2001, the youthful quartet performed for hockey legends Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, and Joe Sakic at a private banquet.

In August of that year, during a concert tour of the Boston area with famed tenor John McDermott, The Cottars received standing ovations for every selection that they performed! A reporter for The Cape Cod Times gave the band a glowing review, and commented that “the young artists¹ stage presence was stunning!” The Boston Globe said, “Who dares to share the stage with this over-achieving foursome!”

In the fall of 2001, during The Celtic Colours Festival, The Cottars were presented with “The Tic Butler Music Award” for the preservation of Cape Breton culture.

In 2002, the band recorded its first CD (“Made In Cape Breton”), and later successfully toured New England again ~ this time giving private performances for Senator Ted Kennedy and his family in Massachusetts. Back home in Canada, a CBC-TV Special entitled “Meet The Cottars” was aired across the country. Later in the year, the youngsters appeared at several major North American music-festivals (including Newport, where Bob Dylan shared the bill).

During 2003, The Cottars have won an East Coast Music Award for “Best New Artist”, and have made concert appearances in Georgia, Colorado, Louisiana, and many other parts of the eastern US. In the near future, they are scheduled to make appearances the eastern US (Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Connecticut, etc.), western Canada, and Denmark."


The website is http://www.miramusic.net/cottars/index.php?cart=


The concert info I was given is:

Cottars in Worcester, MA

Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4:00 PM
Forest Grove Middle School Auditorium
Tickets:
Adults - $15 in advance / $20 at door
Children - $10

Ticket and Info: Bud Sargent - (508) 853-7587


I might try to make this one, they sound very good!

Robin

2

I saw this post on the Cottars and couldn’t resist commenting:
We always go to Milwaukee Irish Fest every year and it seems every year there are one or two groups that just stand out to you for the amazing talent and the great fun you have watching them.
This year it was the Cottars and Flook for me.
The Cottars are 4 young people from Cape Breton Island and if they come near you at any time, you just have to see them.
Fiona McGillivary may be one of the best young Celtic Singers to come around in a long time. She does not have any training, but she has an instinct for the music and seems to have been born with a soulful quality that belies her years. Her rendition of The Briar and the Rose was just stunning and got her a standing ovation. Ciaran is a fine young man who also has a beautiful voice and plays keyboards, whistles, drum, and step dances. Is there anything he doesn’t do well? And Roseanne McKenzie is the next Natalie McMaster with that agile dancing and classic Cape Breton Fiddling excellence that is second to none. And Jimmy McKenzie, Rosie’s brother plays the drum and the guitar and about anything else he wants to do, I think. In short, the Cottars are one of the up and coming great groups that everyone will know about very soon, if they don’t know already with them playing three days at Milwaukee Irish Fest and this last weekend at Tonder Fest in Denmark. Since they are only 14-16 years old, they can only get better and that is almost scary to think of, but delightful too. I strongly recommend their CD, “Made In CAPE Breton” too.
I notice that they are not only in MA this September, but also in Bloomington, IN and at Cincinnati Irish Fest. Do you self a favor and don’t miss them. I may drive over to Cincy myself! Only 6 hours from Murphysboro and well worth the trip.

Oh, yes. mustn’t forget Flook- Awesome playing by Brian and Sarah on the Flutes and whistles and a Drum solo out of this world! If you did not get their FlatFish CD, then get it and their latest one too. Delightful mix of music from different Traditions played with energy and skill. They are just amazing.

Two fantastic groups in one year! What a rush!!

3

I also recommend the Cottars. We saw them last month in Freeport.

Typically I feel that talented kids don’t quite have the experience
to produce good music. I’ve heard lots of fast fingers and re-
markable technique, but usually without that undefinable
spirit.

These young people are an exception (mostly). Very enjoyable
concert.

Best, John

4

I’ll recommend these kids, too! I heard them playing a tune on tv recently and look forward to catching them when they come to Vancouver in spring. One question, though, to those who’ve seen them live. Fiona was playing a Susato on the song they did on tv. Was she playing anything else?

Just curious. :slight_smile:

Jef