MONROE - After five decades of touring, the Irish Rovers return to the United States with their 2014 "Farewell to Rovin'" worldwide tour. The Monroe Arts Center will present the Irish Rovers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, 1600 26th St.
As one of the most successful and enduring of all Irish folk bands, the Irish Rovers have become music icons, touched three generations of music lovers, and brought Ireland into North American living rooms with their three television series that have spanned more than 20 years.
It has been a long and magical journey for these Irish lads, and the magic keeps on coming. The last few years, the Rovers have returned to television, sold out concert tours, returned to the radio airwaves, and have garnered rave reviews for their recent "Gracehill Fair," "Drunken Sailor," and "Home In Ireland" albums. Due to YouTube, their "Drunken Sailor" song received over 10,000,000 hits, attracting the attention of a new, younger audience. Other well-known Rover hits include "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," "The Unicorn Song," and "Wasn't That A Party." The excitement around the Rovers these days confirms that their music continues to hit a chord with fans of all ages.
All the band members hail from Ireland, but the Irish Rovers formed in Toronto, Canada. George Millar and his cousin Ian Millar are both from Ballymena; original member Wilcil McDowell is from Larne; Sean O'Driscoll is from Cork; and bodhran player Fred Graham is from Belfast. Joining the Rovers on their "Farewell To Rovin' Tour" is multi-instrumentalist Morris Crum from Ireland; Canadian whistle and flute player Geoffrey Kelly; and one of Ireland's most outstanding fiddle players, Gerry O'Connor from Dundalk, Ireland. They all regularly play on Rovers recordings or tours.
Their 2014 release, "The Irish Rovers 50 Years," is noted to be the ultimate Irish Rovers collection. The triple compact disc contains more than 70 songs, including a whole CD of new material and greatest hits from 50 years.
Reserved seat tickets for the Irish Rovers are $50, $35, $25 and $20. Tickets are available in person at the box office, 1315 11th St..; by calling 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; or visiting www.monroeartscenter.com.
The performance has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting for this presentation has been provided by AmericInn; John Baumann and Katie Doyle-Baumann; Monroe Clinic; Lee and Chris Knuteson; Ron and Jennifer Spielman; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Wisconsin Bank and Trust; Carter and Eckdhal Family Dentistry; Tom and Jodi Ganshert; Greg and Marie Gogin; Kevin and Jane Monahan; Rich and Sheri Novak; Bob and Kathy Reffue; Art and Letha Whipple; and Woodford State Bank.
As one of the most successful and enduring of all Irish folk bands, the Irish Rovers have become music icons, touched three generations of music lovers, and brought Ireland into North American living rooms with their three television series that have spanned more than 20 years.
It has been a long and magical journey for these Irish lads, and the magic keeps on coming. The last few years, the Rovers have returned to television, sold out concert tours, returned to the radio airwaves, and have garnered rave reviews for their recent "Gracehill Fair," "Drunken Sailor," and "Home In Ireland" albums. Due to YouTube, their "Drunken Sailor" song received over 10,000,000 hits, attracting the attention of a new, younger audience. Other well-known Rover hits include "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," "The Unicorn Song," and "Wasn't That A Party." The excitement around the Rovers these days confirms that their music continues to hit a chord with fans of all ages.
All the band members hail from Ireland, but the Irish Rovers formed in Toronto, Canada. George Millar and his cousin Ian Millar are both from Ballymena; original member Wilcil McDowell is from Larne; Sean O'Driscoll is from Cork; and bodhran player Fred Graham is from Belfast. Joining the Rovers on their "Farewell To Rovin' Tour" is multi-instrumentalist Morris Crum from Ireland; Canadian whistle and flute player Geoffrey Kelly; and one of Ireland's most outstanding fiddle players, Gerry O'Connor from Dundalk, Ireland. They all regularly play on Rovers recordings or tours.
Their 2014 release, "The Irish Rovers 50 Years," is noted to be the ultimate Irish Rovers collection. The triple compact disc contains more than 70 songs, including a whole CD of new material and greatest hits from 50 years.
Reserved seat tickets for the Irish Rovers are $50, $35, $25 and $20. Tickets are available in person at the box office, 1315 11th St..; by calling 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; or visiting www.monroeartscenter.com.
The performance has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting for this presentation has been provided by AmericInn; John Baumann and Katie Doyle-Baumann; Monroe Clinic; Lee and Chris Knuteson; Ron and Jennifer Spielman; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Wisconsin Bank and Trust; Carter and Eckdhal Family Dentistry; Tom and Jodi Ganshert; Greg and Marie Gogin; Kevin and Jane Monahan; Rich and Sheri Novak; Bob and Kathy Reffue; Art and Letha Whipple; and Woodford State Bank.