is fiddle/celtic music part of maine's culture? (Brunswick, Gorham: credit card, buy)

[scottyr]

since it is adjacent to the canadian maritimes, where scottish and irish rural culture reigns supreme, i am wondering if maine is also a part of the fiddling/celtic scene in north america?

[Elcarim]

I know that in Belfast, there is a significant Irish history. They host an annual Celtic Celebration. This link may be of interest to you. Being from Indian/Irish families, I've done a bit of research on both cultures throughout the state.

Maine Celtic Celebration

[msina]

There's also the "Highland Games" in Brunswick, Maine Highland Games Festival
we have a local bagpiper in Gorham, Maine "Bagpiper Mike" as well

[kellysmith]

Living on the border and seeing the Fiddle/celtic influence of the Maritimes, especially Nova Scotia, and specifically Cape Breton, there is no way Maine has anything that begins to compare. Went to Newfoundland this summer for a vacation, and I'd include that as a hotbed of local talent. Newfie music is just incredible! As a life-long Mainer, we do lots of things great, but Fiddle/Celtic music is a Maritime thing...at least I've never seen anything that even begins to compare. Check out a Natalie McMaster concert next time she comes to Maine.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Blistered Fingers is a bluegrass concert held every year in Maine, but there are strong Celtic overtones as there are in many Bluegrass favorites.

I was on Cape Breton a few years ago and there is an expression there; "If you throw a rock o'er yer shoulder on The Cape, you got a 50/50 chance of hittin a fiddler."

[mollysmiles]

kelly and Northern it is amazing, and I love it! Even when you stop at the tourism information centers the gift shops there showcase music of their local artists. The music is unbelievable--one of my favorites is a guy named Jimmy Rankin, who comes from a long family tradition of music. He had a couple of "popular" hits, but the best stuff is the stuff that will never make that type of chart! I saw him in concert a couple of years ago in St. John, New Brunswick....just him and his guitar. Wonderful!!

[mollysmiles]

oh, so my point is, we do a good job of the traditional stuff...but not so much the music....we jump the Border for some of that!

[kellysmith]

Molly,
Is Jimmy Rankin part of the Rankin Family? I've several of there cd's and they are terriffic. I like the ballad-style of their music. A local band in Newfoundland I got some music from this summer is "Anchor's Aweigh" It gets better every time you listen to it. Some of the ballads are just hilarious, and I'm betting based on local characters the band has encountered.

[mollysmiles]

YES! he is!! He is the brother that took over the lead singer position of the brother that died. I don't remember now how the other brother died, but I remember reading on their website that it was very traumatic for them all. I love his sisters voices too...just sweet, and lifting....

could I find Anchor's Aweigh on the web? I'll google them! thanks Kelly!

[kellysmith]

Molly,
If I remember correctly, the Rankin Family member died in a car accident where he went into the water and drowned.
Anchors Aweigh have a website. Anchors Aweigh
There's a link to email them, and it will be answered by one of the members. I've purchased the rest of their cd's (that I didn't buy in Newfoundland) this way. The band member actually called me so that I could give him my credit card number so I wouldn't have to email the info to him. I really can't pick a favorite cd. "Time on the Bay" is their latest and probably best polished.