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Band Logo and Artwork by Tim Haines
James West has been a staple of the Norfolk / Virginia Beach Irish scene since 2002 when he began performing at the now-defunct Jack Quinn's Pub in Norfolk, VA. In November 2004, James was hired as the house performer for Keagan's Irish Pub in Virginia Beach and Newport News playing 5 nights a week.
Currently James is a regular solo performer at several local venues, including Murphy's of VA Beach, Mo & O'Malley's Irish Pub in Norfolk, and The Blarney Stone in Fredericksburg. James’ vocals communicate a warmth and profound understanding of the material that lend to the outstanding quality of his performance.
Tom & Mike Cassidy, have been playing Irish traditional music together most of their lives. Having both studied individually with some of the greatest musicians in the New York City Irish trad scene, which is evidenced in the skillful and close manner of their dual playing, they bring to the band a unique and authentic Irish trad element not often heard these days. The two brothers can be found playing out at any number of seisiuns in the NYC area.
The Sporting Paddies play a wide variety of classic Irish rebel and drinking songs, ballads, originals, and lively trad tunes, all peppered with the occasional American song done in the singular Sporting Paddies’ way.
History
In February 2005, Tom was visiting friends in Virginia Beach when they recommended Keagan's as having some of the better pub music in VA Beach at the time. Upon hearing James first hand, Tom was sufficiently impressed to introduce himself and offered to sit in on uilleann pipes next time he came down. Tom made several solo trips to VA Beach to sit in at James’ shows, including studio time adding pipes and whistle tracks to James' CD All Craic’d Up.
In February 2006, one year after their fateful meeting, James traveled up to perform with Tom in New York. There, Mike joined the band on button accordion and bodhran. Their first gig in New York was an unmitigated success! Since then The Sporting Paddies have played on numerous occasions at venues in the Tri-State area, including Trinity in Floral Park, and Danny Mac’s on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. They have also performed at several bars in the VA Beach area. Among the band’s highlights are playing the NYPD Transit Bureau Emerald Society’s St. Patrick’s Day ball at Webster Hall in NYC and the FDNY Emerald Society’s annual fundraising boat cruise.
Four years on as a band and The Sporting Paddies play New York and Virginia whenever they can with more than 40 group shows planned for 2009! Additionally, The Sporting Paddies have the band’s first group CD!!!
The Sporting Paddies look forward to playing together as much as possible considering the 386 mile distance between them.
Keep watching for them to play near you!
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Go raibh maith agat!
CDs Available
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