FEBRUARY 2009

Well, Spring has sprung here, for me anyway- I love it when the days get longer- and I'm coming out of hibernation at last.

Since my last post I've also been doing a lot of reflection and soul-searching after losing my mother in October (almost exactly a year after losing my dad)and I have not been doing much gigging, but the creative muse has certainly not let up, and I've almost finished writing the songs for the new album.

I've also continued to work in the studio, and although slow and often laborious, I'm really happy with the results so far. I've posted some more of the recordings, in various stages of production, on my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/ciarandorrismusic

I'm now dusting away the cobwebs and I'm gonna start searching for gigs again, and, indeed, have posted a few of them in the diary here. I hope to maybe catch up with some of you at one of them.

Meantime, my Celtic Music Radio show is still going strong, and is proving to be a lot of fun. Join us for music and crack every Sunday on 1530AM, Greater Glasgow, or online at www.celticmusicradio.net

See y'all soonest.

SEPTEMBER 2008 UPDATE

Hey all. It's been a busy time for me recently, with my regular Sunday show on Celtic Music Radio- www.celticmusicradio.net, and my recording sessions for the new album, tentatively entitled 'New Dawn Rising'. I've posted some rough mixes of the new songs on my MySpace site. I hope you enjoy them. I sent a copy of 'Killing Time (In The Garden of Eden)' to Rose Gentle, the mother of Gordon, the first Scottish soldier to be killed in the Iraq war. She really liked it, and wants me to help organise a benefit show for her campaign.

It's been a real pleasure working with Graeme Duffin (Wet, Wet, Wet) on the new recordings. He has a real sensitivity to my music, which really helps the recording process. Now, I just have to finish writing the last three songs which I want to include on the album, and it will be all systems go!!!!

If you check my gig dates, I've quite a few festival/club appearances lined up for September, so if you're free to come along to any of them, it would be lovely to see you there!!!

Slainte.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND- TWO FOR ONE OFFER !!!!!

As promised, the very popular two-for-one offer on 'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' is now re-instated. This has proved a great way of introducing people to my music, and, since the recording sessions for the new album are well underway, the tracks from CDDADR will be less common on websites like MySpace, so this is the ideal way to have these songs in your collection!!

For only £10.99 (UK) and £11.99 (rest of world) you can receive TWO copies of my debut solo album!!!! This offer is now permanently available from www.ciarandorris.com

Thanks again for you support!
Slainte

THE RETURN OF DJ DORRIS

Just when you thought it was safe, Celtic Music Radio has asked me to reprise my role as DJ Dorris with a regular Sunday tea-time slot between 5-7pm GMT, commencing this coming Sunday 17th February.The station broadcasts throughout the Glasgow area on 1530 AM and will broadcast around the clock playing the best in Celtic/Folk/Roots music. It can also be heard online at: www.celticmusicradio.net It would be lovely if some of you can tune in, and maybe spread the word about this exciting new venture..or even email the show at: studio@celticmusicradio.net

I'll play the music that moves and inspires me, but I would also love your comments and suggestions. Let's create our very own interactive Sunday club!!!! I can't do it without you!!Look forward to hearing from you. Slainte

SONGWRITER/ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS

A big, BIG thankyou to all of you who voted for me in the recent No Celtic Boundaries awards for songwriter and album of the year- I got 2nd and 4th places respectively !!! Considering I was only outpolled in the Songwriter category by the wonderful Cork man Mairtin de Cogain, star of the Ken Loach film The Wind that Shakes the Barley, I am truly humbled by the result!Your support means a lot to me, Slainte!

NEW SONG- THE EMIGRANT'S DREAM

I've finally gotten around to start putting down the basic acoustic tracks for the next album. Just me and guitar really at this stage.I've posted one of them as a preview on my MySpace site. Just a rough demo of a new song, The Emigrant's Dream, about an Irish emigrant in America who spends his whole life dreaming of returning to the 'old country'. His images of Ireland are very inspired by the songs and stories he has heard. Hope you'll excuse the glitches at this stage!!!Slainte.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007

ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007
The 'No Celtic Boundaries' Album of the Year 2007 Awards have arrived and it was a lovely surprise for me to see 'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' listed as one of the nominees!!!I've reprinted the original communication below, and if any of you are feeling charitable during the season of goodwill, then a vote would be very much appreciated- it's a simple, free procedure.....Slainte!

To nominate a band / artist, go to www.nocelticboundaries.com and only then to the contacts page. Fill in your details. Leave the Phone number box blank. On the drop down menu use General Message or Awards (if it is there) Type in your nomination. Click on the Send Button and that is it. During the course of 2007 on No Celtic Boundaries, we have received numerous requests for particular tracks off the albums as listed above. These requests form the basis of the awards. It is now down to you and your voting public to nominate the best album of 2007. Some albums were produced out of 2007 but have featured regularily on the show during the course of this year and that is what this award is relevant to.

AMERICANA UK - CHASING DREAMS... REVIEW

'Songs about people, places, and events. In essence, folk music that you don't need a tankard to like'.

A Belfast-born, Glasgow based songwriter Dorris made a name for himself on that cities burgeoning folk scene with the band Arran Bede and latterly with the singer Heather Innis. Taking a slightly broader approach for his debut solo record Dorris has nonetheless kept at least one foot in the tradition. In the same way as say Boo Hewerdine exudes sincerity in his songs without ever (well, nearly) falling into that pit of sickly seriousness so too does Dorris. Delivered in an instantly likeable tone these are songs of returning home only to find 'home' isn't exactly how you remembered it ("The Prodigal's Return"), the world's reluctance to really come to terms (or even acknowledge) global warming ("Halcyon Highway), and, best of all, a song penned especially to tell the tale of how Dorris gave a young Josh Ritter a few words of encouragement on the very funny "Amy Rigby's Shoe." - Yes, I know, its a long story. This is folk music played and performed with all the gusto and guile of more traditional fare yet there isn't an Arun jumper in sight and, as far as I can tell, there is not a finger anywhere near an aural orifice. Like the best 'folk' music this is good whole-hearted story telling that touches upon all aspects of everyday life and leaves you genuinely interested (and in some cases moved) by the peoples, places, and events.. Yes, liked this one.

Del Day

BALLAD OF TONY BLAIR

To commemorate the departure of British PM Tony Blair in June 2007, I composed a little farewell song just for him. It can be heard exclusively on my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/ciarandorrismusic