www.katiemcmahon.com
close window
"Riverdance" vocalist wraps up Wildwood Series in Mahtomedi
by Jane Fredericksen
White Bear Press, March 2008
It's lucky enough for the Wildwood Artist Series to snag a talented Irish singer for St. Patrick's Day weekend...but when the singer has just released a new CD titled, "St. Patrick's Day," that's luckier still. Finally, consider that the singer is Dublin-born, award-winning "Riverdance" vocalist Katie McMahon and the evening promises to be a fortunate time for fans, indeed. Katie McMahon performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 at the Chautauqua Fine Arts Center, 8000 75th St. N., Mahtomedi. The show is the final event in the 2007-2008 concert series. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors (age 62 and over) and $42 for a family of three or more. McMahon, who now lives in Minneapolis, has performed with Celtic bands Anuna and Secret Garden, and was a featured soloist with the internationally-acclaimed "Riverdance" production.
She recently responded to some e-mail questions:
Q: What can audiences expect at the March 14 show?
A: Audiences can expect a fun family evening of Irish music and dancing. The music we are playing will be mostly from my new CD, "St. Patrick's Day." It's a collection of traditional and contemporary Irish songs and dances. It also features some songs celebrating St. Patrick, perfect for this time of year. On that CD are two songs from my work with Secret Garden and one from Anuna.
Q: Do you still live in Minneapolis? How often are you able to perform in the Twin Cities?
A: I still live in South Minneapolis and love it, except for the weather! I perform in the Twin Cities about once or twice a year. I also like to play within a day's drive of the Cities, as I have built a nice following of people there. Since I've had my son (he's two now), I haven't toured with Secret Garden but am now organizing a little more touring throughout the U.S. in the next year.
Q: In retrospect, do you feel that the enormous success of "Riverdance" was a beneficial event for Celtic music?
A: Absolutely! Every Irish musician and dancer I know has a better career as a direct result from that show, even if they weren't in it. It brought wonderful Irish music to a much wider audience, many of whom now have become Irish music fans. The last year that I was with the show I started to feel a little confined by it. After all, I had toured with it for five years. Still, it's a show that I am very proud to have been a part of and it's been a wonderful springboard for my own solo career.
Q: What was your inspiration for your new CD, "St. Patrick's Day?"
A: My inspiration was that I wanted to provide a quality musical experience for people who wanted to look a little deeper than the typical hokey Irish music that is on offer this time of year. I researched a lot of music about St. Patrick and have included a prayer that he actually wrote. I also had a very tough year last year as my husband (rocker Ben Craig) battled and beat cancer, so I wanted this CD to be very uplifting and optimistic, which is how I felt when I completed it.
Q: Do you have any plans for St. Patrick's Day?
A: I plan to check out the parade in Minneapolis, hang out with my many Irish and Irish-American friends and possibly go and see "Boiled in Lead" play at First Avenue.