Today we’d like to introduce you to Pauline Conneely.
Pauline, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Bedford, England, the daughter of Irish parents from Connemara, Co. Galway and Co. Longford. I was raised in a family steeped in Irish music, dance and culture, music was played daily. My father, a fiddle player, played in our kitchen and my mother would dance and teach us all the old Irish steps every night.
As a young girl, I lived for Irish dancing and Irish music, as did my two sisters, Bernadette and Kathleen and my brother Mick. I achieved great success, becoming a champion Irish step dancer before turning my focus to music full time. Under the tutelage of legendary musician Brendan Mulkere, a wonderful man from Co. Claire, I honed my love of the banjo.
In 1989 I came to the United States as a dancer on tour with an Irish troop. and I also played Banjo during this tour in many venues across the country. I met many wonderful musicians and dancers and eventually decided to make my home here in Chicago. I performed with many artists including Cherish the Ladies, Liz Carroll, The Chieftains, Sean Keane and many more!
I founded the band Chicago Reel, who feature regularly at Irish festivals around Chicagoland the Midwest and East Coast. I frequently share the stage with Grammy-nominated fiddler Liz Carroll, as well as We Banjo 3, John Carty, James Kelly, Billy McComiskey, Daithi Sproule and too many respected artists to mention. today,
Has it been a smooth road?
I have been blessed with a wonderful connection to Irish culture here in America while touring and meeting artists from different music genres. I have been welcomed, educated and felt so appreciated as a banjo player in many musical circles in which I have traveled. I feel America is the place for me.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pauline Conneely Traditional Irish musician story. Tell us more about the business.
Irish tenor banjo is not the norm in America, 5 string banjo is the real American way. I must add, nothing sounds more beautiful than a 5 string. So here I am playing Irish reels, jigs, and hornpipes, using a plectrum on a 4 string Irish tenor banjo which sets me apart from the traditional 5 string clawhammer style.
I am renowned for my solid rhythm, technique, and style. I recently had the opportunity to play at the Grand Ole Opry with The Mike Snider Band, it was an experience like no other as I was the first Irish tenor banjo to ever perform on the Opry stage. It was a surreal moment for me. Opening up for Crystal Gayle was definitely my proudest moment.
Another proud event in my life was recording my Solo Album, titled “All Because” that I dedicated to my four sons, Johnny, Martin, Patrick, and Michael.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Plans for the future are looking good! I have a wonderful cruise ship tour with Charlie pride and Engleburt Humperdink coming this February around the Carribean. I am also appearing at this years Chicago Folk Festival and a few more Irish festivals throughout the year. I also appear at the Chicago City Winery, Chief O’Neill’s. restaurant and the Galway Arms Irish restaurant. My toughest venture will be recording my second album which I am starting to plan this year!
One of my favorite gigs is coming up in March … I will be performing for the second time at the Grand Ole Opry, with the Mike Snider Band, Easter Weekend 2018! Looking forward to another exciting gig. Life is good.
Contact Info:
- Website: Paulineconneely.com
Image Credit:
http://irishecho.com/2016/11/conneelys-solo-debut-is-fabulous/
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