Male Vocalist of the Year - Séamus Begley with Oisín Mac Diarmada - Pacific NW Tour 2013 - Portland

Séamus Begley, TG4 Traditional Singer of the Year Award 2013 and Oisín Mac Diarmada
Séamus Ó Beaglaoich: Amhránaí / Singer,
Currently touring extensively with Oisín Mac Diarmada and Téada...Begley is from the famous musical family from Baile na bPoc near Baile na nGall on the Dingle peninsula. By the age of fourteen he was playing accordion at local dances. In 1972 he recorded his first album, An Ciarraíoch Mallaithe, with his sister Máire. They made a second album, Planxtaí Bhaile na bPoc, for Gael… Show more Linn in 1989 that featured the playing of Steve Cooney. Touring far and wide in the years afterwards, Cooney and Begley eventually recorded Meitheal together in 1996. Begley's album with guitarist Jim Murray, Ragairn, was voted 2001 Traditional Album of the Year in both Hot Press and the Irish Times. Murray and Begley recorded a second album in 2009 entitled Éirí Go Lá. He recorded Disgrace Notes with Tim Edey and his singing can also be heard on the recent Béal Tuinne in the company of other West Kerry singers.
To most people, including us, he exemplifies the perfect, traditional Irish tenor. As we said, a treasure of a talent who could win this Award every year.
Begley is the quintessential Irish musician, an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tune after tune at all night sessions with an energy that is sometimes alarming. Displaying a frisky spontaneity in his accordion-playing, he has toured extensively with performers such as Altan, Steve Cooney and Mary Black. He has recently been awarded the prestigious 2013 TG4 Singer of the Year in Ireland in recognition of his major contribution to Irish singing.
Fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, founder of noted group Téada, has been described by The Irish Echo's Earle Hitchner as "one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today". He has appeared as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in the US and accompanied Irish President Mary McAleese on a State visit to Romania.
Begley and Mac Diarmada have teamed up in an exciting and intimate combination, exploring tunes and songs from West Kerry to Sligo. Having already released 2 duo albums Le Chéile and An Irish Christmas Soundscape, Séamus has recently also teamed up with Oisín in the band Téada.

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