Apart from occasional photos and comments on other peoples Facebook pages, I dont normally post my own thoughts here. However, last night, April 18, 2014, was truly extraordinary and special for me, and there are so many people I wish to thank. For about six years my great friend and colleague James Conway has been leading a monthly Metra train excursion to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where a bunch of us go to Petes Place, play Irish music (among other things), drink beer, and eat a fish dinner. Ive been going along for the past four years or so. We have a grand music session both at the tavern and on board the train all the way home, and everyone loves it. Last night I was unexpectedly honored by Jim and several old friends for my leadership of the Celtic Knot traditional music session in Evanston, Illinois, which I have been leading every Tuesday night for more than nine years. Recently, for budgetary reasons, we have been cut back to every other week. I was presented with a plaque, which reads: Appreciation Award Presented to Gus Friedlander in Recognition and Appreciation for Hosting the Best Banging and Clanging Irish Session in the County Cook Celtic Knot Irregulars. April 18, 2014. Kathy Whisler composed a song, to the tune of Sweet Betsy From Pike, in my honor, which everybody sang; and I was presented with a delicious cake which had been arranged by Kate Bolgrien. I cannot say how overwhelmed I am by all of this, and how profoundly grateful for this beautiful gesture. For a guy who makes his living talking about music to people, I truly do not know what to say except a huge Thank You to everyone who has been part of both the Celtic Knot session and the Kenosha Metra excursion! Your love and solidarity mean more to me than words can express. First and foremost, I want to thank Jim Conway, who has long been one of my favorite musicians to play with. Jim is not only the founder and leader of the Kenosha excursion, hes been my frequent co-leader at the Knot session, and is very popular there with very good reason. Hes one of the worlds finest Irish harmonica players and is also a great tinwhistle player, guitarist, singer (and throat-singer) and master of several other instruments. His musical skill set is unique, and no one on the Chicago Irish musical landscape is more widely admired. Jim is truly a treasure. Steve Martin (the real one!) is a relative newcomer to Irish music but hardly to music itself, and hes likewise become a great friend and invaluable colleague. Steve plays 20 instruments -- maybe more -- and has quickly earned the respect of people at every session hes ever played at. His musical knowledge and capabilities are extraordinary; and like all the best musicians he is constantly learning and growing. I look forward to many more years of association with Steve, whether in Irish, bluegrass or dixieland bands. Many of the regulars of the Celtic Knot session have joined us in Kenosha at one time or another, including Kate Bolgrien, Doug Jones, Nathanael Jones, Joy Jones, Tom Hagglund, Benji Rowe, Darrelyn Marx, Robert Mills, Al Tauber, Andi Tauber, Laura Eppler Nordell, Joel Nordell, Ann Harriman, Lisa Joy Ornstein, Jaime Haas, Noah Smulkis, Rachel Gribben and Kimberly Bigler, among others. Stalwarts and irregulars alike of the Knot session also include Moshe Yudkowsky, Jean Gram, Craig Williams, Fred Lauritzen and his family, Michi Regier, Charlie Madigan, Dave Bragman, Mike Lieber, Mike Fazio, Carl Johnson, Mike ORegan and Karen Reshkin, Kathy Whisler and her husband Jim, and many others. Faithful supporters include Kim Frye Housh, Deirdre Maeve Smith, and Michelle Feigen, who always takes and posts great photos. I want to note three people especially: Farley Kelly-Masterton, Gwendolyn Clare Kelly-Masterton and their mom Beth Kelly. Farley needs no introduction to anyone at the Knot session --or indeed to anyone in Irish musical circles in Chicago, Milwaukee and elsewhere -- and we look forward to his return once he has completed his Masters Degree at Boston Conservatory. We have missed him, and likewise former once-and-future session leaders Devin Shepherd and Kat Eggleston; and of course our faithful friend John C. Wiseman. Im extremely grateful to the various musicians who have helped co-anchor the Knot session these past few years, including Jim Conway, Andy Young, Jesse Langen, Patrick J. Quinn, and Charlie Walden. Each of these guys bring unique talents and great enthusiasm and professionalism to the Knot, and without exception have helped to make the session the popular and successful weekly event that it has become. In Kenosha we are often joined by Jim Conways brother Brendan Conway and their friends Tommy Foley, Mark Mattson, Dan Belz, Barry Pearce and Tim Fleming. Several are fine musicians, and all are great guys. We are almost always joined at Petes Place by a group of Celtic and old-time musicians from Wisconsin including, first and foremost, the remarkable (and good-humored) Heather Lewin; likewise Kerry Spitzer, Larry Hinds, Janice Chase Frillman and Bruce Sedloff, among others. We always enjoy mixing it up with these fine folks! I know that this post sounds like a valedictory lap or perhaps a eulogy for the Celtic Knot session, but its NOT going away! We look forward to many more fun nights to come, in the company of all these good people and others who have yet to discover our banging and clanging (a term coined by Carl Johnson, and very appropriate!). For the time being, at least, itll just be alternate weeks. The next date Ill be leading the session will be April 29. Finally, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Celtic Knots owners, Patrick Breslin and Liz Bartlow-Breslin, whose love for the music and faithful support of it over these many years are not in question with me. And likewise to Jamie Evans and Debbie Mussell-Evans, former partners in the Celtic Knot and now the proprietors of the brand-new Peckish Pig on Howard Street. We wish all of them good luck in business -- now and in the years to come. Ive tried hard to include everyones name above; but if Ive overlooked anyone it is certainly not intentional! Please let me know if I have inadvertently left anyone out...and once again, THANK YOU ALL!! It has been a wonderful time, and will continue to be. --Gus
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 04:27:28 +0000
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