Departure lounges at airports are often dull and boring places.

But passengers at Logan Airport in Boston were recently treated to an impromptu music session that had many smiling and applauding as Cork duo Patrick and Conor O’Sullivan lifted the mood in brilliant fashion.

Dublin-based Joe McCadden, manager of The Fureys, had never seen anything like it on his many travels over the years.

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“After checking in, I sat down beside a gentleman and his son who I didn’t know. After a short while he took an accordion out of a case he had with him and his son took out a banjo,” he told Irish Country Sound.

“He turned to me and said: ‘I hope I don’t disturb you, we’re going to make a bit of music.’ After their first tune, I asked him where he had been or where was he going. He said he was travelling back to Shannon after playing with his son Conor at the Cleveland Irish Festival and told me his name was Patrick O’Sullivan.

I had seen Patrick’s video on Irish Music TV in the past but had never met him until this.

“Another chap joined them after a short time on flute but I didn’t get his name. He was American and was travelling to Shannon to take part in sessions in traditional pubs in Co Clare.”

Joe was fascinated by the response from other passengers.

“I had to go as my flight to Dublin was departing 90 minutes before their flight to Shannon. But from my queue I could see an ever growing crowd around them and they were applauding after every tune. People of various nationalities were loving every minute of it. They were even applauded by people in my queue some distance away.

“I have been in the business a long time but never saw someone entertaining and being appreciated at an impromptu session in the departure lounge of an airport anywhere before. It was brilliant – and good for the friendly reputation Irish people have abroad.

“A lot of people spoke to them after each tune, complimenting them. It was so lovely to see and they certainly played their part in promoting Ireland, Irish music and Ireland as a nation of friendly people and a thousand welcomes,” said Joe McCadden.

Emmons was steel guitar king

Buddy Emmons, one of the most respected steel guitar players in the world, died in Nashville last week, aged 78.

Emmons was revered among pedal steel guitar players and was regarded across all genres as one of its finest ever exponents. He enjoyed celebrity status and was a source of inspiration for the thousands who followed in his footsteps.

He featured on records and performances with such artists as Willie Nelson, Faron Young, Ray Price, The Carpenters, Judy Collins, Ray Charles and many more.

Mayo-based musician Roy Campbell, who has performed numerous country gigs in the UK and Scandinavia, says Emmons was the gold standard.

“What a sad day for the steel guitarists all over the world with the passing of the Big E. Condolences to everyone touched by this news,” stated Roy, who lives in Newport, Co Mayo.

Bandon goes

country

A major night of country music will be held in the Munster Arms Hotel in Bandon where local singer Catriona O’Donovan launches her Country Favourites album on 31 August. The comperes for the night will be Phil Mack and Lisa Stanley who are coming over from England to do the honours. The launch looks set to attract a full house and joining Catriona as guests on the night include the Michael Collins Band, John Hogan, Art Supple, Des Willoughby, PJ Murrihy, Bernie Heaney, Jacqui Sharkey, and many more.

Country Streams down Carlow way

Carlow singer and songwriter Kieran Brennan is promoting his new single, I Lit A Candle, ahead of his album launch in the Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow on 9 September.

All of the songs on the new album, Country Streams, have been penned by Kieran, who is delighted to have struck such a prolific mine of inspiration in recent times.

“I really enjoyed writing this album. It was very important to me that the album was all original songs. It reflects where I am on my musical journey,” says Kieran.

I Lit a Candle is picking up plenty of airplay on the radio and is available to buy on iTunes. You can view the music videon YouTube.

For more details about Kieran, read more here

The Fureys for Belmullet

The Fureys take time out each summer ahead of the start of their Irish tour in October. However, the lads are doing a one-off concert in the Erris Arts Centre in Belmullet on Friday 14 August.

This is the eve of one of the biggest traditional days on the Erris calendar, when major crowds flock to Belmullet for the annual 15 August celebrations.