NORWICH – Ceili Rain (say “KAY-lee”) presents its acclaimed show of Celtic flavored pop rock at the Chenango County Council of the Arts – Martin W. Kappel Theater, 27 West Main Street in Norwich, at 7 p.m. on Friday. A tight band comprised of solid vocal harmonies, tin whistles, and Highland pipes, this six-piece group is led by Syracuse’s Bob Halligan, Jr. The performance will conclude Halligan’s five-day residency in Chenango County working with local students and the community at large. The performance and residency have been sponsored by the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
Ceili Rain is the winner of the 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2003 Unity Awards and the group has sold out concerts internationally, from World Youth Day (Canada and Italy), to England’s Standard Triumph Club, to crowds of 25,000 in Houston, Texas. They have received stellar reviews from the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, and were selected “Most critically acclaimed indie pop/rock band” by Billboard Magazine who raves, “These guys deserve to be heard by the entire world. Their potential is limitless because they have an appeal that knows no boundaries.”
With the exception of two miserable days as an electrician’s assistant, Bob Halligan, Jr. has never held a “day job” in his life. The lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and creative force behind the Celtic-flavored rock band Ceili Rain has earned his living – and reputation – as a working musician and songwriter for most of his life. Halligan has parlayed that well-deserved acclaim as a writer into a recording career that has seen the release of seven highly praised albums for Ceili Rain and awards such as the Unity Award for the Group and the Music Video of the year in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
A native of Syracuse, Halligan got his first break in 1982, when heavy metal band Judas Priest cut one of his tunes. He subsequently pitched a second track to Judas Priest, the ominously titled “Some Heads Are Gonna Roll,” and when that song became a smash, Halligan’s career as a writer-for-hire swung into high gear. “For years, songwriting has been my bread and butter,” says Halligan, whose tunes for Michael Bolton, Cher, Joan Jett, Kathy Mattea, KISS, Blue Oyster Cult and others helped him build an impressive résumé. His songwriting portfolio now boasts tracks on albums and singles that have totaled some 30 million sales worldwide.
But for the past several years, says Halligan, his passion has been Ceili Rain. This six-piece ensemble melds hard-driving rock guitar licks with traditional Celtic sounds and instruments such as button accordion, tin whistle and bagpipes. The 1997 release of Say—“KAY-lee” launched the band’s recording career. That disc was described in Billboard Magazine as “an intriguing musical tapestry…fresh and innovative…it captures the charm of its live shows.” Material from the CD also yielded hits for country star Kathy Mattea (“Love Travels”), Irish vocalist Marie Brennan (“Peace Has Broken Out”) and contemporary Christian singers Eli (“That’s All the Lumber You Sent”) and Rebecca St. James (“You Then Me Then You Then Me”).
Tickets for Ceili Rain are $14.50 for adults, with discounts for seniors and members of the Arts Council. Student tickets (18 and under) are $10. Once again, scrumptious treats provided by the Shop Local Program of Opportunities for Chenango will be sold at intermission. The Council’s annual Holiday Gift Shop featuring the finest in arts and crafts from local artists will be open that evening as well.
Tickets for Ceili Rain can be purchased online at www.chenangoarts.org or by calling the Arts Council at 336-ARTS (2787).