April 2006:

Another fantastic weekend in Arran, made all the more successful due to the efforts of the organizers from Common Ground, including Paul Creighton, Ian, Steve, and Gavin (who did a great job of engineering the sound in a difficult hall).
Tam White and Fraser Spiers turned in another great performance on the Friday night with support by Gavin Doole, and then the night finished with a ceilidh by local group the Boguillie Band. The Saturday night was a great evening also, with music from Mancunian singer songwriter Jimmy Carney, Ceolas Folk, a young traditional band from Ayrshire with some of the finest young players of traditional music in the country (winners of several awards and ones to watch in the future) and Lyra Celtica featuring Frank, Lynn and Mark. The night was followed by a late night session and party at the Invercloy Guest House. In fact sessions were taking place over the whole weekend, and this should become an annual event to which all are encouraged to attend.

March 2006:

The Scottish tour was a fantastic success, with a great response at all the folk clubs where Lyra Celtica played, culiminating in a great night at the Girvan Folk Club, where Frank, Mark and Lynn played to a great audience, with support from friend and singer Paul McKenna (please visit Paul’s website from our links page and have a listen to the audio samples - Paul undoubtedly has one of the finest voices on the scene at the moment). Another great night was had at the Dunfermline Folk Club, and thanks to Gifford for inviting the band back. Fife is one of the band’s favourite places to play and it was great to see people come out to hear the band again after seeing us at other clubs: Kevin Hudson & Marian, Diane & Spike, and Dave & Liz Neilson.

March 10th saw the band play to a full house at the Stonehaven Folk Club, and special thanks to Trudi Clayton for this. It was a fantastic night and great to meet such a friendly crowd of people. The night before saw the band play to the Turiff Fiddle & Accordion Club and a mention must be made of the wonderful Margaret Wilson who not only organized the event but whose kind hospitality will not be forgotten in a hurry.

March 7th was the Leith Folk Club, and thanks to Callum Duff for inviting the band to a club which is quickly establishing itself as one of the finest in the country. Support on this night was provided by the lovely Christina Smith on the fiddle, sister of Jamie Smith, a young fiddle playing reprobate from Glasgow who we hear may be returning to Scotland soon. March 1st was also a great night this time at the Irvine Folk Club, with support from Legacy, an Ayrshire band with a great library of songs - a library which Frank consults on a regular basis for new material and doesn’t always return the books! Thanks to Joyce Hodge for organizing another successful night.

February 2006

Its always a pleasure to return to the Stirling Folk Club and once again a great audience helped to make the night all the more enjoyable - special thanks to those who put forward some great comments on the band - Peter MacLellan, Alasdair Sim, Seamus Corry, Paul & May, Barry Carter, and Glen Stevenson.

February 24th saw the band return to the Wildcat Traditional Music Association in Thurso with support from Norman Stewart. A fantastic venue and another great turnout made this a wonderful night - also great to see the young musicians from Thurso High School - a credit to all involved. Also a special thanks to John McLeod for his interest in the band and we look forward to seeing him again.

The Acoustic Music Club (the Polish Club) in Kirkcaldy was a wonderful place to play, with another friendly crowd of people - it was great to see Diane & Spike, and Michael Phillips - also great to meet singer Dawn Diamond there too.

February 20th was a great night at the Glenfarg Folk Club, and what a pleasant surprise it was to find our favourite sound engineer had come along to do the job for us - thanks John.

The Scottish tour was a brilliant time and thanks to all who attended and to all the organizers whose work and effort can often seem thankless at times. Also thanks to everyone for their kind words and support for the band, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon

February 2006 : Another weekend of Common Ground concerts saw the band performing in Edinburgh and then Kilmarnock on the following night. Another great occasion with sound engineering by the best in the business, John and Kris of Sound Sense.






John Wetherby and Kris Koren of Sound Sense

February 2006 :What a great start to 2006. The band were
delighted to play a final gig at Billy’s Tap Shoap in Lumhphinnans, Fife. Billy is retiring from the pub trade and
asked the band to play a final gig for him. It was great to see members and ex-members of Nazareth there too


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Billy of Lumphinnans, (Lyra Celtica’s Publican of the Year winner for the 2nd year running.)

The band agreed that Billy should be awared the “Lyra Celtica Publican of the Year Award” for the second year running. Many thanks to Billy for his kind and generous hospitality and hopefully everyone will meet again sooner rather than later. Possibly for another all-night pool tournament?