Jackson Free Press

September 10, 11, 12, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum, Jackson. www.CelticFestMS.org
CelticFest Mississippi 2004, Celtic Heritage Society's 13th annual weekend of music, dance, and fun is almost here! This celebration of the Celtic nations includes Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. CelticFest features an exceptional variety of exciting Irish and Scottish music and dance on 5 stages, plus Celtic heritage, music and dance workshops, a children's area, Celtic specialty vendors, and plenty of food and drink. Because much of the festival takes place indoors, CelticFest will be held RAIN OR SHINE!

This year, CelticFest will feature BRENDAN NOLAN (Irish singer) and JOHN WILLIAMS AND DEAN MAGRAW (button box and guitar). Brendan Nolan's performance is spiced with good humor and innovative musicianship on guitar and bodhrán (Irish drum), and as Steve Winick noted in Dirty Linen magazine, "a rich baritone voice." On upbeat songs, his playing has a distinctly rhythmic and percussive style, which may be influenced by his years as a drummer. Brendan's performances on
selections of deeper emotion led Ron Duffy to write, "Nolan has been blessed with a rich Irish voice and an Irish way with words. In his singing and his musical arrangements he helps his listeners to feel the pain, the joy, the humour, the triumph, the sadness, the longing, as deeply as did the old songs of the tradition."

It is rare to find pure creativity and extraordinary musical talent in one performer, but when two are
combined, the possibilities are endless. John Williams, an award-winning concertina, flute, and
button box player, and Dean Magraw, an adventurous guitar master, combine their diverse talents and styles for an unbeatable concert. Steeped in the love of traditional Irish music (and its Celtic relatives in other lands), John Williams and Dean Magraw bring a solid foundation of melodic integrity to the stage. From that foundation and their experiences of countless celebrated projects with others, they have learned to allow the muse to take them where it will
in a rare alchemy of freedom within and respect for the heart of the music.

For more information, please visit the CelticFest web site: www.CelticFestMS.org