FAMILY OF MUSICIANS PLAYS A NEW TUNE- IT’S CALLED PHILANTHROPY
(May 29, 2009) PROVIDENCE, RI– Fishing With Finnegan, a local family musical act from Mapleville, RI, are learning how to play a whole new tune and it’s not “We’re In the Money.” The group, which plays original and traditional Irish music and is comprised of four siblings with the last name Ryan, have agreed to donate one third of all of their June CD sales to Bright Night Providence, Rhode Island’s non-profit artist-run New Year’s Eve celebration.
“We were raised that it’s important to give back to the community, and so that’s what we’re doing. This is clearly a great cause and, as Mom and Dad always remind us…charity begins at home,” says Mike Ryan, the eldest of the siblings. “We think that Bright Night is such a great event and we’re glad to help in whatever way we can.”
“It’s about keeping things local”, says Mary Ryan, coordinator of the group and life-long Rhode Islander. “Rhode Island is such a great place to be. We have a duty to make it the best we can. By supporting organizations like Bright Night Providence, we are building Rhode Island’s economy, supporting local artists, families and businesses and helping us to be a better state.”
“Their generosity is a lot of what Bright Night is all about, “ says Adam Gertsacov, festival director for Bright Night. “Every little bit helps. We’re now entering our seventh year, and it’s thanks to the generosity and community spirit of artists like the Ryan’s that we’ve managed to keep on coming back.”
Bright Night Providence started in 2003 when First Night Providence announced it couldn’t go forward. A group of RI artists, with Gertsacov at the fore, have been producing the festival since then. The festival focuses on local artists- over 90% of the 150 performers that performed last year were from Rhode Island.
Fishing With Finnegan have been playing their family brand of Celtic, Irish, Scottish, English and American music since 2006. They are the recent nominees for the Best Celtic Act of the Year and Best New Act of the Year by Motif Magazine’s 2009 Awards contest, and they were awarded Best New Americana Act for 2009.
Their self-titled CD Fishing With Finnegan features 12 tracks of traditional and original Gaelic music and is available via the mail, and at all of their performances. Sample tracks are available on their website (listed below)
To purchase a CD and help Bright Night Providence send a check or money order for $15.00 U.S. (plus $1.90 for domestic shipping, or $4.00 international) to:
Fishing With Finnegan
P.O. Box 346
Mapleville, RI 02839
$5 of your sale will be donated to Bright Night at the end of the month.
http://www.fishingwithfinnegan.com
To find out more about Bright Night Providence, visit their website https://www.brightnight.org
Sample Tracks from the Album Fishing With Finnegan
Haul Away, Joe (live)
Em Set (live)
General Taylor (live)
Wild Rover (live)
Flower of Maherally
