It's Done!

BOTANICAL GARDENS, FT WORTH, TX--The long-awaited wedding betwixt Steve Harrison and Janet Murphy has finally come to pass. The couple held their wedding as planned at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. And, despite the 90+ degree temperature, the wedding was well-attended by friends, family and fans. Steve and Janet left early the next morning for a well-deserved "rest".

Wedding Plans Announced!

BOTANICAL GARDENS, FT WORTH, TX--Wedding plans for the happy couple have been finalized. Steve Harrison and Janet Murphy will be joined in matrimony at the Fuller Garden inside the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth at 3:30 on Sunday, June 28th. They have chosen a "Renaissance" theme in which to wed and invite those who attend to feel free, but not obliged to attend in "Renaissance" attire.

Steve Harrison kisses his fiance at the Blarney Stone in downtown Ft. Worth

The Bonnie Cavaliers debut at the Celtic Quill

FORT WORTH, TX--The Blarney Brothers have announced the formation of a trio spawned from the talent within the band. The Bonnie Cavaliers, a traditional trio, formed with the intent of performing at Renaissance Faires. March 27th marks the public debut of the Bonnie Cavaliers at the Celtic Quill in the Historic West End of Dallas. The Bonnie Cavaliers are Steve and Rodger Harrison and their uncle David N. Sparks who for purposes of their act have donned the personas of Jeffrey, Leeland and Noel respectively. They look forward to performing their music with no electronic enhancement. Additionally, they look forward to playing a mix of music that is different than that which the Blarney Brothers normally play.

North Texas Irish Festival '98

FAIR PARK, DALLAS, TX--The SCMA (Southwest Celtic Music Association)once again held its annual North Texas Irish Festival on March 7 & 8. Held each year at Fair Park in Dallas, the North Texas Irish Festival is the second largest event of its kind in the United States. Drawing Celtic-based acts from all over the world, it is small wonder local bands like the Blarney Brothers wait in breathless anticipation for this annual event. Here's what Blarney Fan Marita Beth had to say about the 1997 North Texas Irish Festival.

The North Texas Irish Festival has been a regular part of celebrating Spring for my husband and I for a number of years.  But this year, for the first time, we set aside the entire weekend, rather than just one day, and made the trip daily from Arlington to Fair Park-- Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday night was a wonderful evening of music, beer, music, food, music .. . . and more music.  It was great to hear one of our favourite groups, The Blarney Brothers, on the "big stage!"  Saturday was an entire, happily exhausting day of music and shopping and music and--well, you get the picture.  That day's highlight for us and a couple hundred others, was certainly being introduced to one of the freshest sounds of our decade--the band Brother.  Thank you SCMA, for bringing those talented young men to Dallas! The best memory of the weekend, though, is from Sunday.  We had hoped for a second beautiful, sunny day, but that wasn't meant to be.  The day dawned grey, wet and chilly.  But, our  two day passes in hand, we journeyed through the dreary mist, bound and determined to have fun, regardless of the weather.  Besides, doesn't the rain add to the authenticity of celebrating anything Celtic?   You bet!  And have fun, we did.  Despite the falling rain, the grey world seemed to end at the gate to the Irish Festival.     Within that perimeter, all was gladsome and full of life and colour.  We followed the musical strains of The Blarney Brothers once again, and found ourselves two people amidst an intimate audience of perhaps thirty or so--practically oblivious to the wet surroundings.  Most stayed under the nearby overhanging roofline, some were sheltered by umbrellas, and a few, like me, seemed to not even notice the rain.  As I stood, singing along in the rain, my husband had a wonderful conversation with another couple, new converts to the NTIF.  They had attended Saturday for the first time ever, and had such a wonderful time, they decided rain or no rain, they weren't going to miss Sunday!  Now that's a testimony! I stood in that courtyard, rain gently falling, and listened to the heartfelt  voices of Steven Harrison and the rest of the Blarney Brothers as they sang. "Ireland . . .I am coming home.  I can see your rolling fields of green and fences made of stone.  I am reaching out, won't you take my hand.  I'm coming home . . . Ireland."  And I thought to myself,  "it doesn't get much better than this." For two and a half wonderful days each year, the North Texas Irish Festival helps us all to feel a little closer to home.

Although the weather for the 1998 festival was similar in scope to Sunday's weather of last year, the Blarney Brothers and all the fans of Celtic music that braved the snow and 10 degree (with wind chill) weather had a great time.

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