The Great Bend Public Library. 1409 Williams St., will welcome acclaimed Celtic guitarist and storyteller Jerry Barlow for a concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7. The free program is sponsored by the library. Light refreshments will be served following the performance.
As a touring performer, Barlow travels throughout the Midwest, South, and Rocky Mountain regions presenting his program of music, history and humor from the British Isles. Before the closing of the border, Barlow spent several weeks in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where he learned a smattering of Gaelic and marveled at the history of the Great Clans. He has included some Cape Breton-style step-dance music in his program.
Barlow’s program features music and stories from the medieval time of Scottish, Irish and English history – a time filled with wonderful legend and lore. There will be ample opportunity for some toe-tapping, some sing-along and even some step-dancing if you are so inclined.
“In concert, Jerry brings traditional Celtic tunes alive by sharing the history, legend and humor behind the music. Jerry Barlow … a performer who is skilled, funny, and riveting. Out of the many musicians performing today, the vast majority are skilled either at performing on their instrument or entertaining an audience. It is extremely rare to see a musician at the top of his craft in both areas,” says Scott Beach, director of Colorado Celtic Entertainment.
Barlow’s just-released CD, entitled “Of Castles and Kings,” features music from this program as well as traditional favorites. His recording “Fields and Fences” was one of five finalists for the Instrumental Album of the Year Award by the Independent Music Awards. The Indie Acoustic Project selected “Bring Down the Storm” as one of the best songs of 2006.
Music from Barlow’s recordings can be heard on National Public Radio stations. He has been featured in Fingerstyle magazine and was profiled in Celtic Connection. He has performed for the Alliance Arts Council in Alliance, Nebraska; High Plains Public Radio’s Living Room Concert Series in Amarillo, Texas; and a multitude of arts centers and libraries along the way.
