TORI AMOS, performance and interview (The Spectrum, channel 18, May 7 @ 12 midnight ET)

BOB MARLEY MEMORIAL 2007, special commemorating Bob Marley’s passing (Reggae Rhythms, channel 97, May 7 beginning at 12 midnight ET and a special weekend broadcast starting May, 11 through May 13)

MICK HUCKNALL, of Simply Red hosts Random Access (Big 80s, channel 8, May 7 @ 12 pm ET)

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE, World Café performance and interview; World Cafe Next, The Clientele (SIRIUS Disorder, channel 32, May 7 @ 6 pm ET)

JASON BATEMAN, interview on Derek and Romaine (SIRIUS OutQ, channel 109, May 7 @ 7pm)

METROPOLITAN OPERA RADIO, live broadcast, Puccini’s Il Trittico (Metropolitan Opera Radio, channel 85, May 7 @ 7:30 pm ET)

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Here’s the SIRIUS Guests scheduled for the upcoming week. Please note that all times are Eastern and that all appearances are subject to change. The Stagecoach Festival programming schedule is found at the end of this list.

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, interview and performance (Sirius Blues, channel 74, Apr. 30 @ 9 am ET)

PATTI SMITH, previews her new album of covers, Twelve, during the week of its release, debuting three different new songs and talks about why she chose to cover them. Twelve is out May 1. (Sirius Disorder, channel 32, Apr.30-May 3 each day @ 4 pm ET)

BRIGHT EYES, World Café performance and interview (SIRIUS Disorder, channel 32, Apr. 30 @ 6 pm ET)

AVISHAI COHEN, performance and interview (Planet Jazz, channel 70, Apr. 30 6 pm ET)

METROPOLITAN OPERA RADIO, live broadcast, Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Metropolitan Opera Radio, channel 85, Apr. 30 @ 8 pm ET)

RUSH, interview with Geddy Lee, Neil Peart & Alex Lifeson (Classic Rewind, channel 15, May 1 @ 3 pm ET)

SEVENDUST, interview on Elements (Octane, channel 20, May 1 @ 6 pm and rebroadcast: May 5 @ 12 pm. All times ET)
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Multi-platinum singer Avril Lavigne will visit three SIRIUS channels and talk about a variety of topics including her inspiration for the songs on her latest album, The Best Damn Thing, life as a married woman and why she enjoys having a husband who is also in the music industry, as well as her thoughts on touring and much, much more.

She will be on

The Pulse, ch 9 broadcast on April 18 @ 7 am & 5 pm; April 19 @ 3 am.

Maxim Radio on April 18 @ 5:30 pm ET  &

SIRIUS Hits 1 on April 20 @ 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, and 10 am.

(All times Eastern).

Here are some of the special guests who will be at Sirius next week. Note, as always, that all times are subject to change.

GENE SIMMONS AND SHANNON TWEED, they dish and talk about groupies, make-up sex, KISS band members and much more on their exclusive special, Kiss and Tell with Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed (Hair Nation, channel 23, clips broadcast throughout the day all week through April 13)

RY COODER, World Café performance and interview (SIRIUS Disorder, channel 32, April 9 @ 6pm ET)

NANCI GRIFFITH, World Café performance and interview with Michaela Majoun (SIRIUS Disorder, channel 32, April 9 @ 6pm ET)

GARY BURTON & CHICK COREA, concert (Pure Jazz, channel 72, April 9 @ 6 pm ET and rebroadcast April 10 @ 11 pm ET)

PETER PAP, discuses Oriental rugs (Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112, April 10 @ 7 am ET)

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The Grammy® award winning singer to wake up North America as a special guest on ‘The Morning Mash Up’.

Grammy® award winning singer Christina Aguilera will visit The Morning Mash Up on SIRIUS Hits 1 to discuss “naked Sundays” and fellow celebrities like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, as well as revealing what married life is like for her. The guest spot will be broadcast March 26 at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, & 10 am and rebroadcast April 5 at 7 am, 8 am, 9 am & 10 am (all times Eastern).

This will be exclusively on SIRIUS Satellite Radio, SIRIUS Hit 1, channel 1.

See www.sirius.com for more information.

Priscilla Presley will guest host Elvis Radio live from Graceland commemorating the 50th anniversary purchase of Elvis’ home TODAY, Friday, March 23, at 3 pm ET. The special, live broadcast will air exclusively on SIRIUS Elvis Radio, channel 13.

Elvis purchased Graceland for his home in March 1957 and Priscilla Presley will visit Elvis Radio as a special guest host to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic event. As part of the celebration, Priscilla will also welcome internationally renowned artist, Thomas Kinkade to Graceland for the unveiling of his latest masterpiece portrait, “Graceland, 50th Anniversary.” Thomas Kinkade will also be a guest host on Elvis Radio.

For more information, visit www.sirius.com.

This concludes jimboxlax’s interview with Larry Kirwan. This section gives an insight into Larry’s views on Sirius, and its future including the proposed merger, along with what Larry hopes to accomplish going forward with Celtic Crush, Black 47, and his other many projects.
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What do you listen to on Sirius besides Sirius Disorder?

I listen to Disorder quite a bit, as I enjoy Meg’s programming. I used to love The Globe and, like many, wish that Sirius would bring back a World channel. Otherwise, I listen to the Jazz station as I’m a Miles Davis freak. And, of course, the Reggae channel, Left of Center, and Outlaw Country. I also enjoy the Opera and classical music channels. But I often just spin around and stop when I hear something interesting.

What do you see in the future for satellite radio? For FM?

I think satellite radio will continue to prosper as long as people feel that they’re getting a good choice. FM, because of the strict programming, is pretty much a joke, particularly to someone who remembers its golden age.

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Here are some of the special guests who will be at Sirius next week. Note, as always, that all times are subject to change.

SCOTT “WINO” WEINRICH, from The Hidden Hand, interview on Contact High (Hard Attack, channel 27, Mar. 19 @ 12am ET)

DR. LARRY DOOSEY, discusses the Power of Optimism and the merging of spirit and medicine on Morning Living (Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112, Mar. 19 @ 7am ET)

RICK SPRINGFIELD, hosts Random Access (Big ’80s, channel 8, Mar. 19-23 @ 12pm ET)

ROB DERHEK, guest DJ every Monday on moe. on Jam_ON in March (Jam_ON, channel 17, Mar. 19 @ 12pm ET)

PATTY GRIFFIN, World Café performance and interview (SIRIUS Disorder, channel 32, Mar. 19 @ 6pm ET)

THE WHO in concert, recorded July 15, 2006 in Monte Carlo (The Who Channel, channel 29, Mar. 19 @ 9pm ET)

SOLOMON BURKE, interview (SIRIUS Blues, channel 74, Mar. 19 @ 8pm ET)

METROPOLITAN OPERA RADIO, live broadcast, Strauss’s Die Ägyptische Helena (Metropolitan Opera Radio, channel 85, Mar. 19 @ 8pm ET)

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INTERVIEW WITH SIRIUS DISORDER DJ - LARRY KIRWAN OF “CELTIC CRUSH”

Larry Kirwan hosts “Celtic Crush” on Sirius Disorder (ch. 32) which airs:
Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm ET
Rebroadcast Tuesdays 10 pm - 1 am ET

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Larry Kirwan Interview - Part 2 - Celtic Crush on Sirius Disorder

This is the second of my three part interview with Larry Kirwan. This section gives an insight into Celtic Crush - How it came about, what you are likely to hear on the show, and Larry’s favorite artists and stories. Part 1 can be found here.

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According to the Sirius Disorder website, Celtic Crush is described as:

” Celtic Crush travels among diverse music, from old to the very new. Ireland native Larry Kirwan has firsthand experience throughout Ireland and America as a member of the premier Celtic rock band Black 47. Being an author as well as a performer adds to Larry’s unique abilities as a poetic host. His guests have ranged from Lunasa to Celtic Woman. Larry draws from his private record collection for this three hour soulful mix of traditional and contemporary music from the Celtic countries and England. ”

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Please explain what Celtic Crush is all about and what we are likely to hear during a show?

Celtic Crush takes a world view on what Celtic Music is, where it’s come from and where it might go.  My taste is very broad and I see Celtic in the least obvious places.  Apart from all the obvious choices:  The Pogues, Flogging Molly, The Chieftains, Enya, U2, Damien Rice, Thin Lizzy, Sandy Denny, Afro-Celt, Van Morrison, et al; I might also check out the Celtic side of Bob Dylan, The Band, Lou Reed, Cat Stevens, Richard Thompson.  I also explore the music of Irish Trad bands such as The Bothy Band, Solas and Lunasa; the Breton revolutionary Alan Stivel, Carlos Nunez from Galicia and try to demonstrate how Celtic music and thought has influenced world culture.  After every set of three songs, I talk about some memory that one of the tracks might have unveiled or give an anecdote regarding one of the musicians that I might have known or, just in general, ruminate on the world and what’s going on at that particular moment.  In reality, I suppose, I’m taking the free form style of FM disc jockeys of the 60’s and 70’s and adding a dash of the Irish storyteller’s passion and techniques.

How did “Celtic Crush” come about?

A couple of years ago I was up in Sirius doing an interview with Meg Griffin on the release of a Black 47 CD.  We’re old friends and we had a relaxing and free spinning chat.  Sirius had been receiving requests for a Celtic show; and, from what I understand, Steve Blatter spotted me in the corridor and thought that I’d make a good fit.  And voila…

How did the show evolve from its beginnings?  Didn’t we used to hear a lot more “RiverDance-like” tunes?

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Thanks to Sirius Backstage member JimboXLax for doing and putting together this interview write-up. Here is part 1 of his 3-part interview.

Larry Kirwan hosts “Celtic Crush” on Sirius Disorder (ch. 32) which airs:
Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm ET
Rebroadcast Tuesdays 10 pm - 1 am ET

I have been a fan of Larry Kirwan since the early 90’s when I heard “Funky Ceili” on the radio for the first time and found an Irish song that I wasn’t sick of hearing… Growing up in the Fordham Rd - Bedford Park area of the Bronx with Irish Catholic parents in the 70’s meant listening to the same old traditional Irish music over and over.

When I first heard Black 47’s “Funky Ceili” and bought the Fire of Freedom album, I was amazed — Not only was the music excellent and had great stories in the songs, but they actually sung about living & playing in my neighborhood of Bainbridge Ave & Fordham Road! I became a huge fan immediately and bought every CD they put out over the years. And they just kept getting better — My dad who had given up hope that I would ever like Irish music, was now a fan and listening to Black 47 with me…

In the late 90’s, I found out about the www.Black47.com website, I had to email Larry and tell him how Black 47 was the missing link in bridging the musical gap between my parent’s and my taste in Irish music… He emailed me back quickly and was extremely nice and we became pretty friendly over the years…

When I found out about his Sirius show Celtic Crush, I was happy - I figured it would be a great place to hear Black 47 songs on the radio. His broadcast times did not work well with my schedule, so I missed quite a lot of his early shows - But in late 2006 with the arrival of the Sirius Stiletto radio, I was able to timer-record his shows and I haven’t missed one yet! Not only did Larry bring me back to liking Irish music with Black 47, but now his Celtic Crush show was introducing me to great Irish songs and artists that I had never heard before… My Dad has passed, but I can bet he’s surprised at my newfound love of Irish music — Altho he still wouldn’t understand my new fascination with “PaddyPunks” (my favorite new term) like the Dropkick Murphy’s, Flogging Molly & the Sharky Doyles…

I was happy to get this opportunity to interview Larry in late February 2006 - As always, Larry was great and typed in the answers to a LOT of questions in less than half-a-day… He is quite the busy man around this time of year, but found the time to really give me a detailed interview — He’s a great guy, and deserves all his success! Thank you Larry!

—-James Hannon (JimboXLax of SiriusBackstage.com) — March, 2007 —

The Interview: Larry Kirwan and Black 47: The Story So Far…

This is the first installment of a three part interview with Larry Kirwan of Black 47 who is also the host of the Sirius Disorder show Celtic Crush - This installment tells of Larry’s origins and how he got to where he is now, along with some background into Black 47 and the behind-the-scenes stuff

“Who is Larry Kirwan” and how did he go from being a boy in Wexford to an accomplished musician, playwright, author, and now disc jockey on Sirius?

Well, it’s a long story dealt with in greater detail in my “memoir” Green Suede Shoes. Basically, I grew up in Wexford, a small town in the Southeast corner of Ireland. It was a singular place – almost seems like a different universe, looking back. I had great roots there but I had an insatiable curiosity and a longing for adventure. I came to New York City and found it a very fertile ground in which to experiment. I always left myself open to chance and, in the course of some decades, was able to try my hand at various types of artistic endeavor. I feel very fortunate to host a show on Sirius, Celtic Crush, where I’m given a free hand to indulge in new forms of creativity.

How did Black 47 start? Who’s in the band?

Black 47’s birth is pretty well documented – just google the name - but Chris Byrne and I began the band in the working class Irish bars of the North Bronx in October ’89. Chris left around seven years ago to concentrate on his own band, Seanchai and the Unity Squad – whose music you can frequently hear on Celtic Crush. Other “foundation” members are Fred Parcells (trombone); Geoffrey Blythe (saxophones), Thomas Hamlin (drums). Joseph Mulvanerty stepped in when Chris left on uilleann pipes and Joseph Burcaw (Bearclaw) joined recently when Andrew Goodsight departed to pursue a solo career.

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