I've spent most of my musical time recently either teaching privately, instructing workshops, or participating in private sessions. For me folk music is about playing for one's self and friends first, and then publicly. *************
When I do perform publicly, I perform in a duet, Sean Thom, which is strictly ITM based with some Irish Traditional Song, or with Roger Landes (of Scartaglen -back in the day, and ZoukFest -currently). Will, my partner in Sean Thom, has studied under several notable fiddlers: Tony Demarco (NYC), Brendan Callahan (Phillidelphia), and most recently, Randal Bays (NW Washington State). For my flutework, I've workshopped with John Skelton several times, have had some coaching from Eliot Grasso, and have sat next to Larre Reeves (several times a north American flute and whistle champion) and my friend Scott Miller (another All Ireland attendee for flute). Oddly, I have been greatly influence by fiddle players. As a bodhrán player, I sat next to Russell Hopper, a University of Limerick graduate (MA), for over three years on a weekly basis, and his influences, Seamus Connelly, James Kelly, Liz Carroll, Paddy Glackin, Kevin Burke, Tommy Peoples, Sean Keane, and others, have influenced my ear and my taste. As a result, these players have influenced my style - if not in a concrete manner, at least in a manner of listening. When asked by other musicians who taught me to play bodhrán, I'm left with no other reply than "my melody playing friends." It doesn't rub off, it communicates and saturates - if you're listening. Naturally, these experiences have greatly influenced my flute development and my love for the tunes. *************
In addition to the above antics, I perform with ZoukFest founder and Bouzouki officionado, Roger Landes, with Will on Fiddle, and myself on the Bodh and Flute. *************
Most recently, I have been inducted into the ZoukFest staff lineup as their humble Bodhran instructor. I taught at the ZoukFest ITM weekend (July 14-16), and am honored to have performed on stage with the other staff members, Randal Bays (fiddle), Eliot Grasso (Uilleann pipes, Flute, and Whistle), and, of course, Roger Landes (Bouzouki and Banjo). *************
So, I'm a member of a musical community more than any particular well defined group. What's else is there for me to do, but to keep listening...
Influences
Mel Mercier, Johnny McDonagh, Steafan Hannigan, Donal Luny, Mark Stone, Jackie Moran, Albert Alfonso, John Skelton, Mike Rafferty, Hammy Hamilton, Paddy Carty, Gavin Whelan, Desi Wilkinson, Kevin Burke, Brian Conway, Roger Landes, Randal Bays, Eliot Grasso, Kieran O'Hare, Russell Hopper, Lawrence Reeves, John Coyne...
Sounds Like
Bodhrán: Johnny McDonagh meets Steafan Hannigan and Mark Stone... Flute and whistle: my heaviest influences have been John Skelton, Fintan Vallely, Mike Rafferty, Hammy Hamilton, Desi Wilkinson, and Vincent Broderick.
A musical performer since the age of nine, Dain Forsythe is new to the Albuquerque area. He taught Bodhran and Whistle in Birmingham, Alabama, and performed regularly as a vocalist, whistler, and bodhran player for the Irish-American band Shillelagh Law. During his six years with the band, Shillelagh Law gained a regional reputation for musical excellence and showmanship. Dain placed first in Bodhran at the 2006 Southeastern Regional Irish Music Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, and later that year at the Southeastern Pipers’ Club Tionol, John Skelton (of The House Band) invited Dain to accompany him during his evening performance. In September of 2006, Mr. Forsythe taught the Bodhran workshop at the Atlanta Irish Music Showcase. In addition to performing, teaching, and producing cultural enrichment programs for Alabama Public Schools, Mr. Forsythe has organized Highland Games and Celtic-American cultural organizations such as the Alabama Celtic Association and the Birmingham Branch of the International Irish Musicians Association, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.
Since relocating to Albuquerque, Dain has taught six-week Bodhran courses through Apple Mountain Music (www.applemtnmusic.com), and the continuing education department of the University of New Mexico. He has recently been inducted into the ZukeFest instructors lineup (www.zoukfest.com), and currently performs with Roger Landes and Friends.
