. Paddy Sweeney (To go to Paddy Site CLICK HERE)(Who I am proud to gig with),Barleycorn,Derek McCormac,The Black family,DeDanann,Luke Kelly,The Dubliners,The Fureys,The Buskers,Whiskey still,Johnny McAvoy,Kieran Halpin,Sharon Shannon,The Beermats,.TickleYourFancy,Neil Diamond,Bob Dylan,Declan O rourke,Paddy Casey
Stephen Leeson,from tallaght currently the young voice of The Ramblers playing inThe Rare Auld Times.
A young Irish voice of Ireland from Dublin.He started playing music when he was at the age of 17, but has been listening to the best of bands from a very early age, as his father (Brendan Leeson) introduced most of it to him and his mother (Jean Leeson) being a big fan of the Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem, nothing could go wrong to that introduction to music.
Eventually at about the age of 17 he took a big interest and began playing the Bohran and at about the age of 18 plucked up the courage to sing a song now and again.As time went on he began to take an interest in playing the guitar and learn a few chords from his dad.
Finally he caught the bug and got great help from the band who his dad plays with called ' Whiskey still ' and also from going to a gig out in the Lighthouse out in Howth with the famous Sean Og McKenna (brother of Barney McKenna from the Dubliners). Their were many musicians who called into that pub including Barney who only lived only a couple of doors away, but one helped him in a big way was Philip McCaffrey('The Horse' who used to play the fiddle with 'The Dublin City ramblers')who approached Stephen and asken him to join up with him to play in a band called 'Dublins Legacy' who were playing in Johnny Foxs Pub on a regular basis.
With no experience Stephen decided to chance his arm and go for it and be the lead singer not knowing what to expect and ended up playing their every Thursday,Friday & Saturday for about 2-3 years.
Amongst the band was Brian McCormac from the very well known band 'Barleycorn' and A great entertainer and banjo player 'Donal white' who helped to teach him how to work with an audience.
Playing for about a year with 'Dublins Legacy' Stephen gave up his day job as a bricklayer and decided to go full time doing what he loved doing best 'singing'.
As he went full time he dedicated his work to music and wrote many songs and played with many different musicians then by chance was informed by a great musician 'Shay Eustace' that 'The Dublin City ramblers' were looking for a new lead singer.
When auditioned he sang the famous song simply called 'Grace' and was imediately HIRED for many gigs and became the young voice of the band and for approx. 3 years touring Ireland, Britain and America and then began doing a lot of work with them in Lanzarote in a pub called 'The Rare Auld Times' where they were presented with a gold album from Dolphin records for sales or their cd's.
One of the members decided to leave and Stephen stayed with Freddy O Connor (one of the best keyboard players that ever came out of Ireland) and they formed another band with a very known Ballad Singer Paddy Sweedey who was also the a lead singer for the Dublin City Ramblers for 16 years. So all 3 of them being former musicians and singers for the Dublin City Ramblers.... Called themselves ..The Ramblers.. which was considered very appropriate.
The lads continue to play in Lanzarote and word travelled very quickly to the homeland and the lads have been recognised as a proffesional band at a very high standard packing ..The Rare Auld Times.. every night they play.
With a Cd Launch on the way its not to be missed.
With all the help of ..The Sunday World.. it will more than likely be published when the dates are decided.......
Maybe this fall...gonna try. I miss you! Can't believe it's been almost a year since Cleveland. Have a bday present for you, but need an address to send it, mister. And WHERE IS MY WHISKEY, DAMMIT?!?
Ahem.When this CD is released, I had better be notified!!! ;-) Hope you're keeping well, hon. We're planning a trip to Europe this fall and might have to include Lanzarote on the list. Give Freddie a big kiss for me!
Thanks very much for the add, Stephen. Keep making beautiful music for our incredible Irish heritage. Blessings to you. Your new friend, Deb Leeson, USA
Heya yeah its half nd half d days r lovely den lashs in d evenin.. Im gud decided to stay in ireland long story but il be over to visit in sept u still der den.. Say hi to every1 4 me miss yas loads. xx
hey mister, hows u keepin. ya kumin bac to ireland at all soon. weather is pickin up. hows all over der cud do wiv a bit of sun now. miss yas all cya soon nd sing a song 4 me.. take care hope to hear 4m ya soon x
By the way, in the east coast & southern states, Leesons are all Irish (and Catholic). The majority are related to me as distant cousins. However, in the midwest and western states, Leeson is considered a jewish name. Weird, eh? There aren't many of us. But there are little pockets of Leeson's throughout the country.
No. It's really our family name! Our roots are in County Cork. My great-grandmother was orphaned during the potatoe famine. She was brought to England by an Irish family when she was 11. She later immigrated to the US. She was adopted but we don't know if she was adopted by the Irish family who brought her to England or if she was adopted after moving to England. Anyway, she ended up in the state of Pennsylvania where she met my great-grandfather (who was from England).
hello stephen , Robbie here from Tickle your Fancy , must give your dad a copy of our new album for ya ... have a listen see what ya think ... you earning millions yet !!
hello stephen , Robbie here from Tickle your Fancy , must give your dad a copy of our new album for ya ... have a listen see what ya think ... you earning millions yet !!
I'm pretty sure you did. No worries! How are ya? You and Freddie coming over with Sean in March? WHERE'S MY WHISKEY??? Hope everything is well with you. ;-)
Hello mate, Hope all is well in your world and you had a wonderful holiday season. We really enjoyed playing in Ireland recently. Check out the new clip on our site from our Ireland 2007 tour - The Indulgers performing "Trouble With A Capital T" with Johnny Fean vocalist/guitarist from the legendary Irish band Horslips - one of the original celtic rock bands - in Ennis, Co. Clare Ireland. Have a fantastic new year! Your friends, The Indulgers
hi stephen happy new year. my self and jim are hoping to get over to dublin later in the year and do few gigs with a bit of luck might catch ya for a pint. good luck kev & jim the geripatricks. k
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Salut!!
Thanks for the add and for taking a listen...much appreciated..any comment or feedback would be great...this year flew by so fast...I had fun this Friday night, anyways I can't believe it's almost 2008!!New Year from Bangkok :)
YOuna
Hope you are having a good Christmas season! I'm coming to your Island on Dec. 29th....playing a string of shows. We play Belfast on the 29th, 30th in Dundalk, 31st in Inishowen at McGrory's for NYE...then onto Sligo, Boyle, Dublin, Galway, and Limerick.
I hope to see you at one of the shows! Until then.....have a good Christmas, and Happy Trails! AP
Check out this album, An Ideal Christmas Gift for all.Beautifully played melodies on piano with full orchestra. Very relaxing and sootheing to the ear.
A digital download with full art work suitable for all media formats
Hello there, Thanks for the add, glad to meet you, to be in your circle and to have you in mine. Nice Music. “Friends Shine On Rainy Days” All the best Brendan www.brendanobyrne.com www.myspace.com/greatmaestro www.myspace.com/brendanobyrne
I had to refuse. Must go home for my 11 year high school reunion and see who got fat and who is hot now, who's been married AND divorced...you know, fun stuff. You'd better send pictures! Hope you're keeping well and give Freddy a big, sloppy kiss for me, ya hear? Did Sean ever say if he got my card???
Want to know the definition of total madness (besides me)? It's turning down your boss's offer of buying you a ticket to Dublin or London in favor of going home to Milwaukee. I think I've totally lost my mind...how's things with you?
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