Bring It On! Bring It On!

Bring it On! Bring it On! is at once a driving, passionate anthem praising the team’s success in rising above the disappointment following Thierry Henri’s infamous handball in the recent World Cup qualifiers, a warning to opponents that they have a major fight on their hands and a rallying call to fans everywhere to ‘roar out from the stadiums’ in support of their team.

“We play with heart and we stand our ground and there ain’t nobody gonna push us around!”

Bring It On! Bring It On! is available for download from iTunes from May 25^th. Soon to be heard on radio stations and social media sites wherever Irish fans may be in the world!

For more info or interviews contact:

Shea Mc Nelis, Mickey Harte management, Swerve Music Ltd. 01 353 876 749781

John Munnis, Paul Brady management, 011 353 872 568617

Dave Pennefeather, Evenmore Music, 011 353 862 568683

Celebrating the U.S. release of my new album, entitled “Forward to Reality,” I returned to The States for scheduled stops in Chicago, Joliet, Boston, and Philadelphia. The 5-day ‘Flash Tour’ was a grand success with joyously-inspired performances at prestigious listening venues.

Many of you know that last year, I got together with a talented team of Joliet/Chicago artists and engineers to capture some of my newest songs.  The project was spear-headed by John Condron who produced the album, and also worked closely on some of the song arrangements with me,  The result is a delightful collection of original works, elegantly presented and enhanced by John and his support crew.

The week’s USA tour festivities began with a packed-house evening at Chicago Street Pub in Joliet. Chicago Street is a ‘home away from home’ resulting from the inter-connections between myself and several Irish-American families there with County Donegal roots. I’m always assured a warm reception.  So it was a nice way to kick off the tour. Also to be noted, the pub is one of the most-credible residencies for live, original music in ChicagoLand.

Next, it was to The Abbey Pub in Chicago, a venue famed for over 40 years of contemporary mainstream and indie artist performances. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco cut chops here.  Singer/songwriters from Kris Kristofferson to John Popper, Dan Hicks, and Neko Case were regulars here. And, as The Abbey is owned by a family originally from Counties Clare and Mayo, it’s a ‘go to’ venue for the Chicago North Side Irish community.

At The Abbey, it all carried off brilliantly, with a performance further heightened with an invitation for John Condron to join me onstage. The results were memorable and magical. we traded licks and harmonious vocals most notably on ‘Tragic’ and ‘Border Town,’ both of which are tracks on the new album.

Unexpectedly, due to weather-related flight cancellations, the Boston tour stop was not possible. We had all looked forward to a delightful event hosted by John Fitzgerald at Mr. Dooley’s. If there’s any consolation, we have a standing invitation for the next USA visit. which is increasing looking like June/July time.

So, it was on to Philadelphia and the legendary ‘acoustic listening room’ Tin Angel for the tour finale. The Tin Angel stage has been graced by the likes of Loudon Wainwright, Keb Mo, Donovan, Dar Williams, Chris Smither, and so many other renown artists in the last 20 years. On a Sunday night, myself and John performed again before a raucous capacity crowd specifically there to welcome us. For John Condron especially, it was indeed a homecoming. John’s a Philly-Irish lad, so the cousins, uncles/aunts and friends that hadn’t seen him in many years were out in force. That, mixed up with some of my extended Irish family, and fans, and a nice number of local/regular Tin Angel patrons, proved to be a great mix and this transcended into a fantastic listening core for the gig. And best of all, a full house to end the Tour.

Friends and fans both new and old are already keen for the next tour of America. Hopefully, it will not be too far into the future! An Irish release is hopefully not that far off also and we hope to announce a release date soon, A four-month UK marketing push has just recently begun for the album and so far its been received well, with reviews ranging from, “Refreshing” to “well crafted” and “beautiful”, so far I guess we can say its a hearty ‘thumbs up!’ for “Forward to Reality”.

Slan agus Slainte MJ

Here’s a delightful interview of Mickey by Eva Ní Shuilleabháin of Scrogall TV, Co. Kerry. Finishes with Mickey performing the song “Time” from the new album. Out soon!

On Wednesday, 7^th December, Mickey will be hosting the formal launch of a new Strings Project at the St. Patrick’s Boys and Girls National School, Cambridge Road, Dublin. He’ll be at the Ringsend Irishtown Community Centre along with notable dignitaries including Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Maria Parodi. Included will be an appeal for acquiring musical instruments.

The St. Patrick’s School Ringsend project will be joined with the Whitefriar Strings Project, already established, to form The South East Area Strings Project.

The Strings Project introduces primary-age children (6-12 years) to Music Theory, Practice, and Performance. Each pupil will receive a weekly practical violin or cello lesson as well as classroom course content. In addition summer programmes will be held in the Ringsend Irishtown Community Centre. No child will be disadvantaged by the inability of a family to support their participation. The instruments and tuition will be provided without charge.

Mickey hopes you’ll join him in support of this worthy cause!

RTE2 is airing Brian and Pippa Get Married, a documentary captured at the couple’s wedding festivities last summer.  Catch the lovely couple sashaying up the aisle in Wicklow.  Mingle with celebrity guests in the posh after-party held at the Ritz-Carlton.

And, if that weren’t lively enough, catch Mickey’s very special song composed for the couple. It’s entitled, “The First Day.”

Here’s the YouTube vid for the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnFlrbf2m2M&feature=colike

RTE 2, Thursday, 10pm.  All in good fun!

For more info: http://www.rte.ie/tv/realitybites_2011/brianandpipa.html

Championed by Francie Conway (with Tralee roots of his own), the festival was jam-packed with stage performances, singsongs, educational workshops, and even a musical theatre show entitled, “When Jolie Met Christie.” The crescendo of the celebration featured the final contestants of the newly established Christie Hennessy Song Competition. What better way to acknowledge Christie Hennessy than to theme the event celebrating the traditions of original music!

Honored and privileged to be part of it all was Mickey Harte. With multiple roles, Mickey provided warmth and leadership throughout. He co-hosted the workshops for secondary school kids, led the judging of Saturday eve’s songwriting competition, and generally raised the bar with his performances.  Oh, and had a lot of fun as well.  Great craic!

While still savoring the entire experience, Mickey’s already looking forward to next year!

Just released!  A brand new arrangement of Mickey’s composition entitled, “Time.”

Mickey shares his thoughts and inspiration for the song:

“TIME” has a simple message, I guess. I’ve learned that TIME is the most-valuable commodity through all the years of your life.

We acquire lots of things throughout our lifetime… money, a nice home, fancy car(s), friends, love, dreams and aspirations… but TIME is the one thing we just never have enough of. From the day we are born… time is running out. HAH! Not to worry, that’s not a bad thing. It just helps us to focus sometimes… to have goals, and deadlines, and a schedule to make sure we try to fit everything and everyone in.

As the opening lyric in the song offers “Stop chasing Ghosts“… basically try not to live in the past but in the present… the here and the now. In the moment. Sometimes, we either live in the past with regrets or looking to the future, hoping that all those things you think you need will be waiting somewhere in the future.  Most of the time, they’re right here, right now in front of you and within your control.

Enjoy the moment and allow yourself and the people you care about to enjoy it too. Concentrate on what’s relevant today.  Because it may become one of those things you learn from in the future. Only by living and taking on the challenges today, will you realise how important those decisions will be in the future. They should not be viewed as mistakes but things you needed to do to enjoy the moment at that particular time!!

As one might say, it’s all about the here and the now! Enjoy…  and I hope you enjoy the song too. Now that is important! Thanks for listening. MJ

Get ready to celebrate with fellow Guinness fans around the world as we raise our glasses for the third annual Arthur Guinness Day. Kicking off at 17:59 GMT on 22nd September 2011, we’ll join together to toast the legendary Arthur Guinness, the man who created our beloved beer. From Ireland and Europe across to the USA, Caribbean and ending in Asia, 24 hours of global celebrations and live music events will mark another year of Guinness goodness.

Live!  DCU Helix!
 

“It is fitting that Tralee plays host to this inaugural Christie Hennessy Celebration as Christie was one of our most celebrated sons. With planned workshops and concerts and I would imagine, there will be some impromptu music sessions in the local pubs, Tralee will be showcasing some of its wonderful talent. Christie Hennessy spoke through his music and it’s through music we will pay tribute to him. With the backing of The Irish Music Rights Organisation, Holiday Tralee and local businesses this will be a musical experience of a lifetime.” Mayor Grace O’Donnell.

“My Dad was a dedicated song smith/writer all his life. Whenever he encountered an aspiring songwriter, he willingly gave his time and encouragement in helping them to express what they were attempting to say in words and music. So it is a very fitting tribute that the Christie Hennessy Celebration event is being held in his home town of Tralee as, in essence, it could not be any closer to his heart”, added Hermione Hennessy.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

The celebration will be launched by Tralee’s own Francie Conway on Wednesday 12th October, at The Brandon Hotel, with performances of well-known Christie Hennessy songs by local artists. The evening will culminate in a showcase of local singer-songwriters. Thursday 13th October will see a series of Live Music Sessions take place at various venues throughout Tralee. Performances will culminate in a live cover of a Christie Hennessy song in each venue at 11pm.

On Saturday 15th October, the final of the Christie Hennessy Song Competition will take place in the Brandon Hotel. Ten finalists selected from almost 200 entries across Ireland will perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of Holiday Tralee plus a recording session at the renowned Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with writer/producer Rob Burke, courtesy of Tony Perrey and the Windmill Lane team.

From 12th to 14th October, IMRO will host a series of Music Workshops for local secondary school students. The workshops will focus on songwriting, production and performance and will be hosted by singer-songwriters, Luán Parle and Mickey Harte, and songwriter/producer, Gavin Ralston.

“The inspiration for hosting a celebration of the life and music of Christie Hennessy has its roots in the unveiling of the fine statue of the great man in Tralee. As a national organisation representing the rights of music creators and also being a strong advocate of new music creation in Ireland, IMRO is very proud to be working with so many local businesses and organisations in Tralee to keep the spirit of Christie and his music very much alive.” Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman.

“We in Tralee are very excited about the Christie Hennessy celebration that will be taking place in October. Christie Hennessy is one of Tralee’s most famous sons and he was a musical genius. IMRO and Francie Conway have put together an innovative and varied musical programme in honour of Christie and we hope that fans of Christie from all over the world will come to Tralee to be part of the celebration. Last year a sculpture of Christie Hennessy was unveiled in Tralee which attracted a huge crowd we now want to develop a festival in his honour in his birthplace of Tralee. We have some fabulous musical talent lined up and we will ensure a warm welcome for all fans of Christies’ music”
Kieran Ruttledge, Holiday Tralee ]]> http://www.mickeyhartemusic.com/uncategorized/mickeys-imros-christy-hennessy-celebration.html/feed 0 http://www.mickeyhartemusic.com/uncategorized/new-vid-mickeys-songs-from-the-new-album.html http://www.mickeyhartemusic.com/uncategorized/new-vid-mickeys-songs-from-the-new-album.html#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:14:20 +0000 admin http://www.mickeyhartemusic.com/?p=797 Here’s Mickey just Mickey and his guitar captured while participating in The Anglers Sessions @ The Anglers Rest, down by The Strawberry Beds. Elegant, exquisite and intimate performances of several songs from the soon-to-be released album, “Forward to Reality.”