We headed out to the Lyrath Estate Hotel last Saturday night. It's only a five minute drive from town, but once you turn in the driveway it's as if time stands still and you're transported to a different world, miles from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The occasion was the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce business awards, with the Rhythm and Roots Festival nominated in the Tourism/Hospitality category. It had been a hectic day at Rhythm and Roots HQ in Rollercoaster Records, so there hadn't been much time to think about the upcoming awards ceremony. It was a case of finishing in the office at six o'clock, a quick shower, followed by the annual search for a pair of cufflinks and black shoes to wear with the dress suit, and then on to Lyrath for a seven o'clock kick off.
Now I haven't much experience of these type of events and tried to maintain the air of not being too concerned at who the winners would be on the night. But, as the Oscar style ceremonies proceeded the competitive streak kicked in and the idea of winning began to take hold.
It certainly wasn't going to be easy. The Tourism/Hospitality category was the largest on the night, with ten finalists. Every sector from festivals to restaurants and accommodation providers was represented, and it was possible to make a good case for any of the finalists to be declared the winner.
The Tourism category was the second last of the night and, despite having a couple of glasses of a very nice wine called Vicars Choice, it still came as a bit of a shock when I heard the words, “And the winner is The Guinness Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival!”
Luckily I wasn't required to make a speech, just sit in for the photographs with a slightly surprised look on my face.
Looking back at the programme there was a total of 29 businesses nominated on the night. I didn't get to talk to them all, but a common theme was a group of talented, hard working people with a positive attitude in these difficult times.
We shared a table with Sean and Marian O Hargain and four girls from Howlin Duggan Properties. They were a good example of what makes Kilkenny and, hopefully, the new Ireland work. Others I chatted to included a young guy from Kapelli hair Studio in Bennettsbridge and Pat Comerford, who's wife was nominated for her company, Vicky's Web Design.
The common theme was small businesses working hard and staying positive, despite all the bad news. It was nice to go home with our engraved glass to sit in our less than full trophy cabinet, but I like to think that everyone who participated was a winner on the night and in the future. There's a lot of good and talented people out there that deserve support. I couldn't help thinking was it the lack of support and ideas from the ironically named Dept of Trade and Enterprise that has led to the falling out between the government and John McGuinness, another guest on the night, fresh from his appearance on the Late Late Show? I don't think Mary Coughlan will be ordering copies of the show for her friends and supporters.
Meanwhile back at the ‘Roots Festival...’
The shows gets on the road tonight (Friday ), with Jim White at the Ormonde Hotel at 8.30pm. It's full steam ahead then until the curtain comes down at Paris Texas on Monday night.
Will things go wrong? Probably.
Will people notice? Hope not.
Will the sun shine? It had better.
What happens if it doesn't? The shows are all indoor, so who cares? Although it would be nice to catch a few rays of sunshine while walking from gig to gig.
Who do you recommend? Probably the question I'm asked most and always a tough one to answer. If you want something boisterous and lively try Rev Peyton, Jim Jones or Hillbilly Casino. If the thoughtful singer/songwriter is your choice go for Caroline Herring or Otis Gibbs.
If you're a guitar fan, catch any of Luke Doucet's gigs, both with his own band and accompanying his wife, Melissa McClelland.
Another one for the serious music fan is Devon Sproule. Her wonderful seven piece band features the legendary B J Cole. This man has featured on recordings and live shows with everyone from T Rex and Elton John to REM, Bjork and The Verve.
Liz Durrett and Peter Broderick are two of the younger acts that are making great music and getting rave reviews in Europe and the USA.
Last, but definitely not least, is Jim White. This is one that's difficult to categorise. His music is as diverse as his career, which included spells as a fashion model, a New York taxi driver, drifter, photographer and film-maker. His film Searching for the wrong-eyed Jesus was featured at Byrnes’ film night last Wednesday and gave a flavour of the man and his music. By the way, he's also a very funny man, live. His current album is called Transnormal Skiperoo, a term he invented. He says it describes “a strange new feeling I've been experiencing after years of feeling lost and alone and cursed. Now, when everything around me begins to shine, when I find myself dancing around in my back yard for no particular reason other than it feels good to be alive, when I get this deep sense of gratitude that I don't need drugs or God or doomed romance to fuel myself through the gauntlet of a normal day, I call that feeling 'Transnormal Skiperoo.’
Let's hope we all get a shot of Transnormal Skiperoo this weekend.
