Wednesday, February 12th at 6:30pm
BRIMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Free Program • Ages 18+ • No Registration Required
In the mid 1800’s, at the time of the “Great Hunger”, sometimes known as the Irish Potato Famine, the Mid-West was the western frontier of America. The influx of Celtic/Irish people in those times literally changed the face of America, as they arrived seeking freedom and work on the great construction projects of the era. Their presence and stories still have an impact on our lives today. Through ancient myth and song, as well as some original pieces, Cloyd presents the history and heart of the Celtic people who came to the Mid-West in search of liberty and opportunity.
Barry Cloyd is a Midwestern based, award-winning, touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, who typically performs more than 125 shows of all types per year. In addition to a concert schedule, he was the resident stringed instrumentalist/vocalist/historian on The Spirit of Peoria Paddlewheel Riverboat for 22 years, traveling the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, prior to its sale and departure from Peoria. Barry also has created and toured dozens of edu-tainment programs which focus on our own history with music.
He has shared the stage & recorded with many stars of the Blues and Americana worlds including members of Buddy Guy’s Band, The Byrds, Stephen Stills’ Bands, EmmyLou Harris’ Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, John Denver’s and Dan Fogelberg’s Bands. In addition, Barry has an on-going US/Mexican touring schedule with David Raitt, brother of Bonnie Raitt, 13 time Grammy winner. Barry is also a recording artist with 10 CD’s, the last of which, the all original “Southland”, won an award for best Americana album in 2016, which resulted in his tracks “Spirit Dance” and “Know This River” being placed in international radio rotation.
Barry combines his original songs with traditional songs, well-known and not so well known covers. An Americana artist, Barry sticks a musical toe in all types of Roots Music waters: bluegrass and mountain music on 5-string banjo, the Delta slide of Riverboat music on Dobro, all manner of acoustic guitars, including 4-string, 6-string,12-string, high-strung, altered tuned instruments, mandolin, and other things acoustic. In addition, he is a strong vocalist and a prolific songwriter. Barry Cloyd has been earning a living by touring, concerts, song-writing, and performing original edu-tainment programs for the past 25 years.
