Fingal Songwriter's Weekend line-up revealed

Friday July 18, 2008

Legendary Irish Singer-Songwriter Mick Hanly will host a Songwriting Workshop at 3.00pm with award winning U.S. Bluegrass Songwriter Gary Ferguson.

Mick Hanly's 'Past the Point of Rescue' became one of the most played and the most-requested songs across the U.S. when it was covered by Hal Ketchum on his debut album also entitled Past The Point Of Rescue. The song sent both the single and the album to the top of the U.S. charts in 1991.

Gary Ferguson has had two #2 songs on the 'Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30' and 3 of his songs were in BU’s Top 200 Songs of the 1990's. His song 'Last Day at Gettysburg' was not only a big hit for Larry Sparks, but has also become somewhat of a 'Bluegrass Classic' and can be heard around campfires at Bluegrass festivals.

Mick and Gary will take to the stage later that evening with Lap Steel player, Colin Henry. for a special performance at 8.30pm at The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre.

Saturday July 19, 2008

Iain Archer (Snow Patrol) hosts a Songwriting Workshop with Peter Baxter of Songschool at 3.00pm.

From Northern Ireland, and now living and working out of London, Iain Archer is a songwriter, musician, artist and producer. He received an Ivor Novello Award in 2005 for his work on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough album Final Straw including co-writing the top 5 single ’Run’. Iain also appears on the album Eyes Open and has played acoustic guitar with Snow Patrol throughout their Arena and festival appearances of 2007. Iain has made four solo albums to
date and has toured as a singer-songwriter, supporting the likes of John Martyn, Nils Lofgren, Athlete, David Gray to name a few.

Working with Iain on the Workshop will be Peter Baxter of Songschool. Songschool have been committed to delivering quality music education services throughout Ireland since 1999. The main emphasis is on creative expression through song writing, recording and performance. Songschool's unique education experience has been recognised Internationally with workshops being delivered in Australia, Germany, Wales & NI.

Iain Archer will take to the stage later that evening for a special performance at 8.30pm at The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre.

More details available from www.seamusenniscentre.com
Please call 01-8020898 to reserve a place at the Workshops.
Food will be available all day from The Cottage Café at The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre.