Audra Writes:

Well, well, well...

I don't even know where to start, that was the most fun I think I have had in a really long time. The work was all worth it and the First Annual Oklahoma Celtic Heritage and Music Festival was fantastic. The entertainment was top-notch, both onstage and behind the scenes.

We met some fabulous folks from all over the place. Shay Clarke from Illinois was one of the vendors we met while there. He sells exquisite gold and sterling silver Celtic jewelry some with gemstones www.blarneyhome.com . He also writes for the Midwest Irish Focus and the Irish American News. As if that weren't enough he also broadcasts a radio show, Blarney on the Air, that is available locally in the Chicagoland area and worldwide on the web at www.wdcb.org on Monday nights from 7-9pm. As a matter of fact, when Russ and I settled I last night, we decided to take a listen...it's a great thing that we did as Shay just went on about the festival and about Boru's Ghost. He played Weille Waille and The Pawn off of Rites Of Passage. That was so COOL! Thanks so much to Shay. He says that in the following weeks he will play some of the other bands that were there at the fest like Celtic Cheer and Larkin. So everybody tune in and call in and let him know you are there! We also met Sam with the House of Celts from Pryor,OK and enjoyed talking with him. Russ even convinced him to bring himself and his guitar to the hotel for a little after festival jamming...very cool.

We got to hang out with some great musicians! I especially enjoyed meeting the fiddler  Bill Thurman and his buddy Hank with the bodhran. I would love for them to get a stage show for next year! They were absolutely qualified. You can visit Bill's webpage at http://www.billthurmanmusic.com/. We played until we couldn't stand any longer and then we sat down and played some more. Having time to hang out with friends like the ladies of Calliope House, our pals Dustin Cooper, Lee Agnew, Steven Knisely, the kids of Killavil, etc., made the festival especially nice for all of us.  Often, we are so busy with our musical pursuits that we don't have a lot of time for just visiting, and this fesival gave us that opportunity.YAY!

I myself especially enjoyed the impromptu sessions that just popped up wherever two or more musicians might congregate. This happened on an off both days. My favorite was the kitchen sessions and also the hallway session at the hotel. Marilee's stage sessions were also cool, giving everyone a chance to be on stage and be a star. Those little guys playing the fiddle and singing up there just made me cry...I wasn't the only one...you know who you are.

Speaking of kids---wow there are some talented Celtic Kids out there! All those dancers and young musicians give me hope that the next generation will keep the fire burning.

We had such a good time meeting and hanging out with everyone, I can't wait to see you all again, I miss you already. Oh and thanks so much to Roger and Carol Graham, without whom none of this would have happened...we love you guys!-A