Meet the Entertainers for Andy Cooney's IRISH CRUISE!

Andy Cooney

Andy Cooney,  with his outstanding voice and dynamic stage presence has always been a favorite among American and Irish audiences everywhere. His talent and versatility provide the ability to deliver a song directly to the hearts of his audience. Andy is surely one of the greatest singing sensations on the stage today. Christened “Irish America’s Favorite Son” by The New York Times,is a title he truly deserves.   From his Sell Out performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall to performing in big a small cities across America, Andy Cooney is a house hold name in every Irish American home.  Some of Andy’s latest successes have included his 4th sell out appearance at Carnegie Hall lat December with The New York Tenors.  Andy will be at Carnegie Hall again on December 8, 2014 with the great Phil Coulter and his Orchestra.  Andy’s 20th recording release “Bright Brand New Day” with Phil Coulter and his Orchestra has been receiving  high critical acclaim.  Mike Farragher of The Irish Voicenewspaper calls “Bright Brand New Day” a “spine-tingling performance” the songs “delivered flawlessly”…  This will be Andy Cooney’s 17th Annual Cruise of Irish Stars.  “It all began in 1998.  We’ve gone from a few hundred cruisers to as many as 1700!  Let’s keep this great Irish Party at sea going for many years to come!”

Ronan Tynan

Ronan Tynan, “Put courage in your dreams, Ronan, and leave the rest to the Man Above, And then you will carve your footprints in the sand.” These words have shaped the remarkable life of the Irish tenor Ronan Tynan – a proud and loving lesson of his mother’s – from his childhood milking cows on a farm in County Kilkenny, Ireland, to an ever-evolving career as a singer, bringing him worldwide fame and admiration that could have existed only in the farthest reaches of those dreams. International audiences met Tynan as a member of The Irish Tenors. Now his singular voice and irresistible appeal have led him to strike out on his own, a decision that seems to have resulted in something far more meaningful than a mere solo career. For more information on Ronan, visit his website.

Richie Hayes

Richie has been in the entertainment world from the age of four. Since than he has appeared in all aspects of the business. He spent a lot of his teenage years at the Theatre Royal Waterford with practically every musical society in the City in productions such as: Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, The Boyfriend (Lord Brochurst), Chorus Line (Ritchie), Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(Benjamin), Oliver (Artful Dodger) in which he won the adjudicator’s award in WIFLO.How to success in Business without Really Trying(Finch), Showboat (Rubberface), in which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Aims. Hard Times (Tom Gradgrind), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas), Cabaret (Emcee),

In November of 2000 Richie moved to Dublin where he began working Professionally making his debut at The Gaiety Theatre’s pantomime Aladdin as Wishiee Washie to rave reviews each year, he’s now been resident there for the last five seasons in productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Windy), Sleeping Beauty (Kermit) Cinderella (Buttons) and Jack and the Beanstalk (Soft Sean) alongside names such as Mick Lally, Frank Kelly and Ronnie Drew.

David James

David James is an 18 y/o from Donegal Ireland. 

In his short career he has had 2 number one singles in Ireland. He was also awarded with the accolade of Ireland’s best young entertainer at the music city awards. He has been singing live on the road from the tender age of 14 and has since developed a following in Ireland.  

He is really looking forward to the cruise of the Irish stars and looks forward to meeting you on board  

The Catskills Ceili Band

The Catskills Ceili Band features Traditional Irish Music Hall of Fame members Jimmy Kelly, Sr. who has drummed with the Tulla Ceili Band when in the U. S. and he’s been to the late, great Paddy O’Brien’s hometown in Nenagh,Tipperary.  Along with All-Ireland Accordion Champion John Whelan, who was named Traditionalist of the Year by The Irish Echo and well-known New York Fiddler Bernadette Fee who is a veteran performer and is very active in the traditional music circles. She has played at numerous festivals and enjoys bringing the love she has for the music to the stage.

The Screaming Orphans

The Screaming Orphans are four fun, high-spirited, musically-obsessed sisters from Donegal who all confidently play their own instruments and write their own songs. The four Diver sisters, Gráinne, Marie Thérèse, Angela and Joan are accomplished songwriters. They are a pop-rock band with musical influences from the Beatles, R.E.M. Indigo Girls, Abba to traditional Irish music. They have released “listen & learn”, “Screaming Orphans”, “Back to Dublin”, “Circles”, “Belle’s Isle” and their latest “East 12th Street”. For more information on The Screaming Orphans, visit their website.

 Tomaura

Tom and Maura Healy, known as Tomaura are a popular and dynamic music duo who have entertained audiences all over the US, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.  Tom is from Queens, New York and Maura is from Dublin.   Having lived and entertained in San Diego CA for 17 years, Tom and Maura moved to The Villages, Florida in 2005.  They quickly stole the hearts of the many Villagers who danced and sang to their vast repertoire of music night after night.   Tom and Maura moved to Ireland in 2015 and continue to entertain and delight audiences around the country. 

 The New York Tenors

The New York Tenors are three of New York’s finest voices that have come together to celebrate the worlds most famous city as the take you on a musical journey of faith, heritage and patriotism.  The New York Tenors consist of the New York Irish tenor, Andy Cooney who’s voice has filled concert halls from the National Concert Hall in Dublin Ireland to New York’s Carnegie Hall, New York Italian tenor, Christopher Macchio, a young talent tenor with a powerful voice, who’s Nessun Dorma will rattle the roof of any venue and New York Latino tenor Daniel Rodriquez, you may remember his version of God Bless America just after 9-11, as this New York City police officer captured our great Nation and even made Oprah Winfrey cry as he performed on her show after the tragic event of 9-11.  Andy, Chris and Daniel have come together with their powerful voices and are exciting audiences where ever they perform including 5 Carnegie Hall sell outs and also selling out Lincoln Center.

Brigids Cross

For over 20 years and counting, Paul Baker and Peggy Goonan-Baker have brought an eclectic and entertaining collection of music to the stage. Formed in 1996, Brigid’s Cross has played it all: true-to-heritage traditional Celtic folk, contemporary Irish music, country, rock, alternative, and originals. Audiences are pulled into a vortex of fine musicianship, humor, high energy and audience participation when they see a Brigids Crossperformance. Currently, Brigid’s Cross mostly performs as a two piece. Paul is the Master of Ceremonies, and a master violinist, to boot. Peggy, Paul’s wife has been involved in music since she was a young child, and has been performing professionally for 25 years.  Paul and Peggy’s stage banter together is often said to be one of the most entertaining parts of the show. 

Brigid’s Cross is the proud recipient of the Irish Music Association’s 2008 award for Top Traditional Group in Festival, Pub and Concert Setting, and they have won numerous other awards for their music throughout the years…several right in their own hometown!  They’re global, stretching across the United States to Irish shores, Canada and Mexico, and they all have something in common – their love of Brigid’s Cross. All have been indoctrinated into the Brigids Cross world, providing the audience participation that is such an integral part of a Brigid’s Cross show. Peggy and Paul’sfollowers meet at shows and festivals and on social media, and they are very friendly, so come on out and join them in their natural habitat, whether that be at a festival, pub, cruise or any other social gathering where Brigids Cross  plays!

The 19th Street Band

Caolaidhe came to America from Holywood, Northern Ireland in 2005 to pursue a career in music. While establishing an earlier band, he found himself in need of a fiddle player. As fate would have it, Meghan (a classical violinist) was working at an Irish pub in DC as a server while teaching music at a nearby public school. Through Caolaidhe’s acquaintances, he was lucky enough to meet Meghan and quickly auditioned her for the band. What Caolaidhe didn’t know was that he was auditioning his future wife. Fast-forward a few months down the road, and Meghan and Caolaidhe found themselves living on ’19th Street’ in Arlington, VA, writing songs and creating the sound that would become the backbone of The 19th Street Band.Together they ignite an audience with their love for music, combined with a magnetic passion and enthusiasm. Add to the mix their talented rhythm section Patty Dougherty (drums) & Greg Hardin (bass) and this band will undoubtedly get you rockin’ & a-rollin’ through the night.The 19th Street Band has had the honor of sharing the stage with country music stars such as Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan, and Chuck Mead. They have opened for The Wheeler Brothers and Spirit Family Reunion at The Hamilton as well as Grammy Award-winning Western Swing icons, Asleep at the Wheel, at The Birchmere. They have also packed the house at such venues as the 9:30 Club, Black Cat, Strathmore, Jammin’ Java, Rock & Roll Hotel, Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival, The Washington Folk Festival, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, The Black Box in Belfast, and Hill Country BBQ and Pianos in NYC. The 19th Street Band has steadily been performing 230 shows a year for the past 5 years, and they are recently back from a tour in Northern Ireland, where they performed live on BBC Radio Ulster and were a part of the Open House Festival in Bangor. Their new album, The Things That Matter, is currently getting air play on BBC Radio and multiple radio stations throughout the UK.

The Willie Lynch Band

The Willie Lynch Band have been singing traditional Irish music in pubs, VFW halls, festivals, church basements, political fund-raisers, cruises, weddings and wakes famously in New Jersey. Born the last of eight children in the Dublin suburb of Cabra West, Lynch was raised by his mother, Lily MacDonald, who sang “Pal of My Cradle Days” around the house, a tribute to a mother’s sacrifices. Willie now sings it in her memory, and of the 60 or more songs in his repertoire it’s the one that makes him sentimental. “He plays traditional Irish songs with a Vegas kind of flair…he’s one of the backbones of Irish culture.” Guitarist Jim Cox and accordionist Paddy Yorke, have been with him 27 years. All the members of the Lynch band can play several instruments, though they don’t bother much with a fiddle or banjo, preferring the sound of an accordion-mandolin-penny whistle combo. For more information on The Willie Lynch Band, visit their website.

Bill Lewis

Bill Lewis is an acclaimed pianist/accompanist, arranger and performer and has enjoyed a professional career for forty years. He is the Associate Music Director for the Natchez Opera Festival and Head Vocal Coach for the Central City Opera House Festival. Since 2001, Bill has been appearing with Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan in concert. In addition to his concert appearances, Bill also serves as official pianist for several important vocal competitions. As a teacher, Bill has served on the faculties of both the Boston and New England Conservatories and at Rutgers University. He has taught Master Classes across the United States and has a private studio in New York City.

Stephen’s Green

Stephen’s Green have since firmly established themselves on the Irish music scene in the United States, performing in Irish venues across the country where they are acclaimed as one of the hottest Irish duos on the circuit. Martin Doyle and Andy O’Driscoll, both natives of Dublin, by chance combined their outstanding musical talents several years ago. Andy is a gifted balladeer, equally at ease with traditional and contemporary favorites. Martin, an exceptionally capable musician, performed for several years on the music scene in and around Dublin before coming to America a few years ago. He holds Irish and International awards for his performing ability as master of the accordion, and is regarded as an exceptional keyboard artist. Together, Stephen’s Green provide an outstanding array of haunting ballads, rollicking jigs and reels and hand-clapping sing-a-long favorites, as well as first-rate original compositions. Their friendly, engaging ways and outstanding stage presence have won them a legion of fans wherever they perform. For more information on Stephen’s Green, visit their website.

Tom Comerford

Tom Comerford has been playing music since 1988, and has been fortunate enough to do it as a profession, since 1990. After a vast amount of mileage, countless tours, and three well received CDs with The Whole Shabang, Tom decided that it was time to concentrate on a career closer to home. Tom is still one of the most sought after entertainers in the South East of Ireland, where he works in a solo capacity. Possessing a fine ability to read an audience, Tom’s repertoire is vast and varied, and continually growing. Anyone who has been to a show can recognize that he is equally happy whether singing the old classics or the newer contemporary Irish songs that are destined to become classics. Recording is still a top priority with Tom, having just released “Celtic Connections”; other CDs include “A Tour Of Ireland”, “Face the Music”, “Organized Rhyme”, “Celtic Christmas”, and “Celtic Classics”. The emphasis is on fun, sing-a-long, audience involvement…you don’t need to know a whole bunch of Irish songs to enjoy one of the gigs…Tom Comerford knows more than enough Irish songs for everyone to have a good time. For more information on Tom, visit his website.

The Andy Cooney Band

Colm Graham

Colm Graham plays guitar in the Andy Cooney Band and sings lead and background vocals, he hails from the County Tipperary. Colm released “Celtic Landscapes”, his first all instrumental album for acoustic guitar, all music written and arranged by Colm, and recently released his first solo album, “Songs of Home” that includes pub sing-a-longs and a couple of songs written by Colm and his brother, Brendan Graham. For more information on Colm, visit his website. 

Jimmy Kelly

Jimmy Kelly plays drums and sings lead and background vocals and occasionally guitar in the Andy Cooney Band. Jimmy lives in Albany, NY and is from an extensive line of Irish musicians. Jimmy recently was in Riverdance on Broadway and took third in the All Ireland for ceili drumming.

Brian “Bugsy” Moran

Brian “Bugsy” Moran is a multi-talented musician and plays keyboard and sings lead and background vocals in the Andy Cooney Band. Brian worked the New York City music scene performing in many of New York’s premier Irish establishments with Irish entertainer and songwriter Mike Carroll. Brian formed the very popular band, “Bugs Moran and the Trouble Boys, featuring some of New York City’s best rockers. 

Mitch Reilly

Mitch Reilly has been a professional musician for 36 years. Mitch was born into an Irish-American family hailing from Co. Cavan, Ireland. He has performed with many international entertainers including Engelbert Humperdinck, Tiffany and Kelley Hunt as well as television performances on MTV, VH1, BBC, Arsenio Hall, Pat Sajak, The Oak Ridge Boys and Disney Channel. Mitch is a sought after studio musician in Los Angeles and Nashville and has recorded three solo records as well as performed on recordings with Chet McCracken (Doobie Brothers) and The Diane Marino Quartet. He has also headed up his own jazz group and Irish group to perform on radio shows and at festivals in Tennessee and Alabama.

John Nolan

John Nolan was born & raised in the Bronx section of New York. His first introduction to Irish music was listening to his father playing a Baldoni D/C# box. His first formal training came from John Glynn and later Martin Mulvihill, but he later learned and continues to learn from all musicians through sessions, recordings and close personal friendships. John started his musical career in the Catskills in the mid 1970’s with the great fiddler Pat Keogh. In August of 1982, he became the first American to win the Senior All-Ireland Champion on both the two-row and three-row button accordions. John has been featured on over a dozen recordings, including two of his on production – “A Taste for the Traditional” and “A Rake of Reels”. Then in 2009, he was inducted into the Comhaltas Hall of Fame. Besides keeping a busy performance schedule, John currently teaches, sells accordions and has developed a tremendous business – “Buttons & Bellows” –tuning and repairing accordions from his home in Rockland Co. where he lives with his wife Mary, daughter Maura & son Brendan.