Menu
25/08/2011
Hill Billy Musician Returns To NI Roots
The iconic US singer/songwriter, Morgan O'Kane is to return to his musical and genealogical roots on stage in Belfast to launch his CD.
The mini 'tour' runs from September 14th - 16th with the gig on the 16th being at The Menagerie, Belfast.
Morgan O'Kane is an exuberant and intensely talented musician who actually hails from Charlottesville, Virginia - with all its strong Northern Ireland heritage.
His distinct sound is an evolution of his work with 'scum Billy' band Casa De Chihuahua and time spent playing in the New York Subway system.
But he is again 'bringing it all back home' as the Hill Billies - of course - were Williams/Billies who had descended from the hardy Ulster-Scots immigrants who populated much of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia around the 17th and 18th centuries.
With all this heritage to live up to, Morgan emerged in 2010 with a suitcase, kick pedal, banjo, a sense of urgency and a debut full-length recording, 'Nine Lives'.
Already he has a substantial following after playing everywhere from his native West Virginia - widely settled by Ulster people from what is now Northern Ireland - to the clubs of Williamsburg/Brooklyn, and the pubs of Belfast and through Holland and back again.
These days O'Kane's soulful one-man band is often accompanied around the globe by a 'revolving door' of inspirational musicians including fiddle player Ferd Moyse of the Hackensaw Boys, Dobro player Ezekiel Healy, Banjo 'ninja' Philip Roebuck, and cellist Leyla McCalla.
This summer's touring is in support of Morgan's sophomore album entitled 'Pendulum'.
Once described as "Jimi Hendrix playing the banjo", O'Kane is a high intensity musician who "looks like a mechanic in a rural gas station, sings like a man possessed and plays mountain music like it was an avalanche".
Worth catching in action this time around, after he helped kick-off this year's Open House Festival in June.
See: Hill Billy Descendants In Ulster Replay
(BMcC/GK)
The mini 'tour' runs from September 14th - 16th with the gig on the 16th being at The Menagerie, Belfast.
Morgan O'Kane is an exuberant and intensely talented musician who actually hails from Charlottesville, Virginia - with all its strong Northern Ireland heritage.
His distinct sound is an evolution of his work with 'scum Billy' band Casa De Chihuahua and time spent playing in the New York Subway system.
But he is again 'bringing it all back home' as the Hill Billies - of course - were Williams/Billies who had descended from the hardy Ulster-Scots immigrants who populated much of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia around the 17th and 18th centuries.
With all this heritage to live up to, Morgan emerged in 2010 with a suitcase, kick pedal, banjo, a sense of urgency and a debut full-length recording, 'Nine Lives'.
Already he has a substantial following after playing everywhere from his native West Virginia - widely settled by Ulster people from what is now Northern Ireland - to the clubs of Williamsburg/Brooklyn, and the pubs of Belfast and through Holland and back again.
These days O'Kane's soulful one-man band is often accompanied around the globe by a 'revolving door' of inspirational musicians including fiddle player Ferd Moyse of the Hackensaw Boys, Dobro player Ezekiel Healy, Banjo 'ninja' Philip Roebuck, and cellist Leyla McCalla.
This summer's touring is in support of Morgan's sophomore album entitled 'Pendulum'.
Once described as "Jimi Hendrix playing the banjo", O'Kane is a high intensity musician who "looks like a mechanic in a rural gas station, sings like a man possessed and plays mountain music like it was an avalanche".
Worth catching in action this time around, after he helped kick-off this year's Open House Festival in June.
See: Hill Billy Descendants In Ulster Replay
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Ergo Invests £4.5m In New Belfast Office And Creates 40 Jobs
A leading IT solutions provider has invested £4.5 million into a new Belfast office which will create 40 high-quality jobs over three years. Ergo's new office in Clockwise, River House, near Belfast's Cathedral Quarter supports its strategy of driving economic growth, job creation, and tech exports from Northern Ireland.
Ergo Invests £4.5m In New Belfast Office And Creates 40 Jobs
A leading IT solutions provider has invested £4.5 million into a new Belfast office which will create 40 high-quality jobs over three years. Ergo's new office in Clockwise, River House, near Belfast's Cathedral Quarter supports its strategy of driving economic growth, job creation, and tech exports from Northern Ireland.
26 November 2024
Police Ombudsman Issues Appeal Regarding West Belfast Arrest
An appeal for witnesses regarding the arrest of a man in west Belfast has been issued by the Police Ombudsman. The man was arrested by police in the Beechview Park of the Falls Road at approximately 1am on Sunday, October 6.
Police Ombudsman Issues Appeal Regarding West Belfast Arrest
An appeal for witnesses regarding the arrest of a man in west Belfast has been issued by the Police Ombudsman. The man was arrested by police in the Beechview Park of the Falls Road at approximately 1am on Sunday, October 6.
07 May 2019
Appeal For Missing Teenager Morgan Forde
Police are appealing to the public for help tracing missing teenager Morgan Forde. The 16-year-old was last seen in Thompsons night club in Belfast during the early hours of Monday 06 May. She is described as medium build, with long dark dyed purple hair and can be quite tanned.
Appeal For Missing Teenager Morgan Forde
Police are appealing to the public for help tracing missing teenager Morgan Forde. The 16-year-old was last seen in Thompsons night club in Belfast during the early hours of Monday 06 May. She is described as medium build, with long dark dyed purple hair and can be quite tanned.
01 December 2011
Bangor Retail Park Set For Further Expansion
There's to be further infrastructure investments at a major Co Down retail park. The work is to be at the expanding Balloo Retail Park in Bangor and will help create dozens of new jobs, as well as construction or shop fitting jobs during the fitting-out phase.
Bangor Retail Park Set For Further Expansion
There's to be further infrastructure investments at a major Co Down retail park. The work is to be at the expanding Balloo Retail Park in Bangor and will help create dozens of new jobs, as well as construction or shop fitting jobs during the fitting-out phase.
05 May 2004
Belfast to hold memorial concert for Madrid victims
The people of Belfast were today urged to show their support for the citizens of Madrid by attending a memorial concert in remembrance of those who died in the train bombings.
Belfast to hold memorial concert for Madrid victims
The people of Belfast were today urged to show their support for the citizens of Madrid by attending a memorial concert in remembrance of those who died in the train bombings.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
