CHENANGO COUNTY – Two entertaining and highly anticipated Christmas concerts are poised to ring in heartwarming holiday cheer to greater Chenango County this weekend— Christmas with the Celts in Norwich on Saturday followed by an intimate evening with the Burns Sisters at Oxford's 6 On the Square on Sunday afternoon.
The program was initially established as a spin off from a popular PBS production Christmas with The Celts, which was filmed in front of a sold out audience at the Ryman Auditorium in Celts' home base of Nashville in 2010. The show aired on more than 200 PBS syndicates across the nation, and on BBC in Ireland for three years.
The successful TV show was the initial spark, which created a huge demand for the group, bringing them into major venues, including this Saturday's performance at the Chenango Arts Council beginning at 7 p.m.
Making waves on an international scale, The Nashville Celts Christmas show has packed concert halls around the world including The Grand Ole Opry, The Lincoln Center, and many other Performing Arts Centers, theaters and large casinos.
Additionally, The Celts have shared the stage with a diverse range of specials guests and artists including Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh of Altan, Vince Gill, Irish singer Cathy Jordan of Dervish, Ricky Skaggs, Riverdance piper Ivan Goff from Dublin, Patty Loveless, Braveheart/Titanic piper Eric Rigler, and Tim O’Brien just to name a few.
If not for the fondness of Eire and a chance encounter that would change the course of his life forever, 'Celts band leader and producer Ric Blair wouldn't be where he is today.
“A buddy of mine said 'Hey there’s this Irish group playing tonight,’” American-born and Nashville based Blair recalls. It took a little prodding, but Blair eventually caved and agreed to give the concert a shot. “I opened the doors, and people were literally dancing on the tables,”said Blair. “The music was so happy. As soon as I heard the pipes and Irish whistle, something in my blood hit me and said ‘this is what I want to do.'”
Today, Blair reigns as one of the country’s most respected purveyors and historians of Celtic music.
“We're thrilled to be able to offer our 2016 annual Christmas Show which was made possible this year through the generosity of the R.C. Smith Foundation in honor of the late J.Peter Chaplin,” said CAC Marketing Director Alecia O'Neill. “The Chaplin family, especially Peter, have always supported the Arts Council and by default all of Chenango County around the holidays, and we're so very thankful to have the opportunity to carry on a bit of his legacy through the R.C. Smith foundation’s gift to the community this year.”
A set of classic Irish-American themed christmas favorites including a guest performance comprised of a local children's choir can be expected.
