Michael J. Kennedy - 65 Years of Irish Music (JA019)

Description: Melodeon player Michael J. Kennedy learned his repertoire of over a hundred tunes between the ages of eleven and twenty-three while growing up in County Galway, Ireland. He moved to and performed in the Cincinnati area for over five decades. He died in 1978.

Recordings were made for JA019, 65 Years of Irish Music, in 1977 by the Appalseed Field Recording Project for June Appal Recordings. The recordings were made in the studios of WAIF-FM in Cincinnati, Ohio on a Stellavox Mono recorder using Neumann microphones by John McCutcheon. At Michaels' request, a handful of friends (Grey Larsen, John Harrod and Malcolm Daglish) were on hand for the recordings. Michael sees his music as most functional in a group situation: playing in pubs, for dances, etc. So it was his hope to suggest a live performance by having his friends on hand for the taping. It is their applause that is heard at the end of each tune.

This audio collection consists of ¼-inch production masters.