Richard Gilpin is a singer/songwriter
and guitarist, originally from Belfast, now living in Convoy, Co. Donegal.
He has written songs for a film, commissioned by RTE, and has been involved
with various musical productions and groups. Throughout the past 15 years
he has been touring extensively in Europe including TV and radio performances
in France, Israel, Scandinavia, Germany and Holland. He has been involved
in recording projects with Steve Cooney, one of Irelands greatest guitarists
and has been taught by Ted Ponsonby in the art of guitar accompaniment of
traditional Irish music. Having performed on BBC Networks and BBC Choice,
channel 9 and RTE as well as numerous Irish Radio Broadcasts he has a wealth
of experience in recording and performing. He has also supported Sean Keane
the younger brother of Delores. With a wealth of influences including Arty
McGlynn, Van Morrison and Paul Brady he brings a variety of styles to his
performances. Previous recordings include a CD with the legendary North Derry
band Greengrass, a solo album simply entitled Richard Gilpin, Some Nerve -
a compilation CD and a Steve Cooney produced CD entitled Northern Rhythms.
Oliver O'Donnell was born
and raised in Buncrana, Co. Donegal which lies on the far North Western corner
of Ireland. His father John played the violin with a friend called Pat Mullhern.
They were two veterans who kept the music alive throughout the Inishowen Peninsula
back in the early days. The music was greatly influenced by years of emigration
to Scotland - the cause of the poor conditions in Ireland at the time, which
led to many Scottish, and Shetland tunes being brought back to Donegal. Oliver
O'Donnell not only plays a wide range of music which appeals to the young
and old, but crosses over from Celtic to folk music, bluegrass, country etc.
Although he has toured Ireland and Europe extensively and was invited to play
as a special guest of honour for President Mary Robinson in her last public
appearance in Belfast, which was broadcast world-wide by BBC Television, he
is looking forward to touring in the United States and Canada in the near
future, playing in concert halls and festivals. One of Oliver's great delights
is not only meeting other artists but also sharing his music by giving fiddle
lessons/workshops for beginners and the more advanced. The tenderness of his
playing of slow airs is matched by the viscosity and humour of the reels and
jigs etc. It can be clearly heard in the staccato passages and the attack
of the bow running over the strings and can be vividly seen in the unique
style of his playing, leaving the audience in no doubt that they are in the
presence of one of the master fiddlers of modern times.
