Celtic Cross is pop/folk with a strong Celtic traditional influence
from the heart of New York City. Growing up with immigrant
parents, the band was immersed in Irish music, dance, and
tradition. But like all kids, also heavily influenced by
music on
the radio, playing Irish tunes with a pop flare.
The
seven-piece band is lead by lead vocalist Kathleen Fee, a talented
singer-songwriter. The lively band features a solid
bass-drums-guitar rhythm section, and a talented Irish accordion,
fiddle, banjo/mandolin traditional section. Like many
successful
acts, the heart of Celtic Cross is family; singer Kathleen’s
brothers John and Kenny are also in the band.
New Album Release:
Our Newest CD: Shores Of America
CD Front Cover
CD
Back Cover
Celtic Cross will release its much awaited all-original third recording
entitled Shores of America
on December 19, 2007, with a major festival and club appearance
schedule throughout 2008 to support the release. Initially, the CD will
be available exclusively on www.celticcross.com and for Celtic Cross
email list members. The CD will be available on CDBaby.com and tracks
available for download on iTunes and Rhapsody in the new year.
Shores
explores the band’s family and musical roots growing up
Irish-American narrowbacks in New York City. The songwriting ranges
from the “Flight of the Earls in reverse” raw
energy title
track Shores of America, to the intensely
personal Going Home, and dreamy passion of First
Kiss. The musical energy and skill is especially well
captured in the instrumental Recovery Set.
What
are the tracks about?
Shores
of America, the title track for the recording, is a song about the
changing fortunes and direction for the Irish-Americans in the US
specifically... from the perspective of the Irish-American firefighter
who dies on 9/11, the Irish immigrant girl who decides to emigrate back
to Ireland given the booming economy at home, and the Irish mother's
lament about her sons serving in the US military in the current foreign
conflicts. This song is dedicated to the memory of Tommy Foley (NYFD).
Going
Homeis a bitter song about things gone wrong in
the family... with a call out to get back to the places that make you
feel better.
22is the band’s favorite new
instrumental… bridging funk and traditional with a haunting
lyric added by Kathleen.
Whisperis
a rock tune that jumps out of the speaker at you. Drawing from newer
alternative rock themes, this song asks a question about that someone
from all of our pasts that seems to keep whispering in our ear.
Chapel
Bellsis
a longing lament of a young immigrant missing his love far away. The
track has a wonderful moody instrumental feel that culminates in a
raucous tune crescendo
First
Kissis
a NYC love song... probably outside the Irish bars off Queens Boulevard
harkening to a magic moment under the legendary 7 train. Everyone can
think back to a first kiss… this song is all about those
magical
moments.
Who
I Amis
an introspective tribute to Irish parents and their odd traditional
ways that have become our own… a standout for
Kathleen’s
songwriting.
Summer
of My Dreamsis
a tug at the heart ballad about young love in a fishing town.
Kathleen’s singing and Walter’s dobro steal the
show here.
Recovery
Set is
what the band plays when they need to feel better…
especially
after late nights. This set of tunes was arranged one Sunday afternoon
as the band was “recovering” from a big show the
night
before… and thus the name.
Jukebox
at Erin’sis
an irreverent tribute to a favorite bar in a Catskills town where all
the Irish families in NYC took their kids for a cheap getaway.
Those
Were The Days
is
a song for all our friends and supporters who have come out to see us
in clubs and festivals all around the US. Our parents called us Irish
American kids “narrowbacks” because we goofed off
and
didn’t work as hard as they did… they were
probably
right… and this song is for all the narrowbacks.
Kathleen Fee is the
band’s lead singer-songwriter, front-woman, and driving
force. An accomplished Irish Traditional singer, Kathleen’s
voice ranges from silky ballads to the driving rock and pop dance songs
that are the band’s hallmarks. You may even catch her
“give a step” during a performance, showing of her
champion Irish step-dancing. With writing credit for Shores
of America, Who I Am, Those
Were The Days, and Going Home on the
band’s new CD, Kathleen has established herself as one of New
York’s up and coming songwriters.
Kenneth Vesey is a All Ireland Champion and eight time North American
Champion fiddle player. His eclectic style was developed in part by his
instructors, Martin Mulvihill, Mary Mahon and Eileen Ivers. While a
virtuoso Irish player, Kenny’s style fits right in with the
country, R&B and rocking styles of the band.
John Vesey, button accordionist and brother to Kenneth and Kathleen, is
a three time North American Champion. John blends impeccable Celtic
chops with a Cajun and downright honky-tonk style. His innovative
approach to traditional Irish music is evident in his unparalleled
physical style overflowing with energy. You might even catch him
playing the box over his head Jimi Hendrix-style.
Frankie McCormick on banjo and mandolin, from Tyrone, Ireland, came to
the USA 1986. He has 2 All-Ireland solo championship titles on banjo
and mandolin as well as the coveted All-Ireland Scor Award. Frankie
brings a fresh northern punch to the phrasing of the tunes and his
quick wit keeps the audience howling. When Kenny, John and Frankie play
together, it is pure magic… so much so that they placed
third in the 2005 Senior Trio Championship in Ireland this summer.
Walter Ensor is a native of the well-known Irish stronghold, Rockaway
Beach, New York. With charming vocals and versatile guitar-playing,
Walter is at the heart of the Celtic Cross sound. Walter hails from a
family of musicians who have influenced his unique style and knowledge
of music. Walter is also an accomplished solo performer around town.
Pat Dineen, another NYC native, is the band’s
bassist/keyboardist. Also providing vocals and songwriting, Pat plays a
major role in the band’s signature punchy rhythmic style. Pat
has appeared with several popular NYC area bands including Tippling Way
and Peter Street.
Dave Barckow grew up in Woodside, Queens. Like his bandmates, Dave has
been playing the drums since he was a kid, and has vast and storied
experience with a variety of leading bands, both Irish and rock
& roll. Dave plays guitar, sings, and is an accomplished song
writer. Also an accomplished solo performer, Dave’s other
major musical project is Trigger, one of the most happening original
alternative Irish acts in NYC.
Celtic
Cross recordings Part The First (1991) and Last
Call (1999) are available on www.celticcross.com, CDBaby.com,
iTunes and Rhapsody.
Notable Previous Performances
Celtic
Cross has performed at the following premier venues:
Joe's Pub, New York
The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York
PNC Bank Arts Center, New Jersey
Waterloo Village, New Jersey
Sherman Theatre, PA
Northern Lights, Albany, NY
Kenny's Castaways, New York
The Harp, Boston, MA
Fairfield University, CT
St. Peters College, New Jersey
Iona College, New York
Manhattan College, New York
WFUV at Fordham University, New York
The Museum for Television & Radio, New York
Fox & Friends, Fox News Network (March 17, 2007)
Video
- Celtic Cross Live on Fox & Friends
Click the arrow
below to see Celtic Cross perform Shores of America
during their appearance on Fox & Friends (Fox News Network) on
March 17, 2007.
Booking Availability Celtic
Cross is generally available for concerts, festivals, and large
club dates throughout 2008 on the East Coast and Midwest.
Contact
Information For information
about bookings and availability, email mail@celticcross.com,
or contact the band’s agents at 973.742.7838. Graphics
