January 2003
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January 2003 |
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Departments Past Issues |
The Thistle & Shamrock
When Fiona Ritchie was asked to produce and host an hour of music, live on air, during a public radio fundraiser, she says she could have never guessed it would become a successful National Public Radio show, attracting thousands of listeners from all over the world. Now in its 18th year of production, Ritchie's award-winning weekly program The Thistle & Shamrock, which joins the WHYY 91FM schedule beginning Saturday, January 4 at 8 p.m., invites anyone who loves music, old and new, from Celtic roots for an enchanted hour of music. A pleasurable blend of spirited reels, jigs, ballads and haunting ballads of days gone by, and the exuberant rhythms of "new music" born of tradition, this Celtic music series embraces the spirit and character of America's thriving cultural influences. Ritchie brings The Thistle & Shamrock to listeners from Edinburgh, Scotland, beckoning them to her radio soundstage in the rich warm accent of her homeland. "I couldn't be more pleased that The Thistle & Shamrock has helped to create a climate for Celtic music on U.S. radio and television," Ritchie says. "And being [in Scotland] keeps me closer to the music as it emerges and develops. It also helps me to appreciate, more clearly from the distance, the connections between Celtic and American music." Ritchie says she conceived The Thistle & Shamrock as a way to share the vibrant, joyful and authentic sounds of Celtic music with pubic radio listeners. She selected the show's title to evoke the cozy pubs and lounges in which Celtic tunes are heard most often. For an hour each week, the music, legends and the sturdy fiber of Celtic culture are woven into a richly embroidered tapestry. While The Thistle & Shamrock's magical strands reach back thousands of years, they also reflect a fundamental part of contemporary life in the Celtic fringe of Europe. Ritchie's remarkable collection of recordings showcases artists of today and yesterday, and is augmented with performances captured on location. Leading artists on both sides of the Atlantic join Ritchie to perform their music and share warm conversation. Ritchie also presents exclusive in-studio appearances by leading Celtic music performers from both sides of the Atlantic, which have included audience favorite Dougie MacLean; Maura O'Connell, County Claire born and Nashville based, whose American connection has been fundamental to the program through the years; Scots Dick Gaughan, Alasdair Fraser, William Jackson and Battlefield Band; French guitarist Pierre Bensusan; and Irish artists Clannad, Altan and Davy Spillane. "I'm proud of the origins of the program, proud of [my] workmates and grateful to the many remarkable musicians whose work I'm proud to share on the radio," Ritchie says. The Thistle and Shamrock airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. on WHYY 91FM beginning January 4. The program will be followed by American Routes at 9 p.m. and Afropop Worldwide at 11 p.m. New 91FM Sunday schedule To better serve our listeners, WHYY has revamped the Sunday morning and afternoon lineup on 91FM. Visit www.whyy.org/91FM for more information about any of the following programs: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Weekend Edition |
©2003
WHYY, Inc
The popular Celtic music program joins the 91FM schedule