Event

Jeff Snow

The Softer Side of Celtic combines the music, stories, and history from Scotland, Ireland and England into a program that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Jeff Snow ~ voice, guitar, autoharp, bouzouki

There will be singing, laughing, clapping and even a bit of foot stomping. Participation by the audience is encouraged. Jeff Snow is a skilled instrumentalist and a highly recognized guitar player who was featured in Acoustic Guitar Magazine. He also plays the autoharp, bouzouki, and a variety of other instruments.

Growing up as the son of a drummer in a Bagpipe band and in a home where older Celtic songs were the everyday sounds, Jeff developed a love for the music of Scotland, England and Ireland. The magical sounds from the instruments coupled with vocals and Jeff's love and knowledge of his Scottish heritage create a delightful program of traditional and original tunes and songs.

Much of the history of Scotland, England and Ireland is preserved in song. Hearing those stories along with the songs educate as well as entertain. There is no better example of this than the Ballad of Kilkelly Ireland. In 1855 John Hunt left his family's home in Kilkelly Ireland and came to the United States. When he left Ireland, John Hunt was 13 years old. He settled in Maryland, found a job, got married and had children. He never returned to Ireland and never saw his family again. Without cell phones and the internet, communication was by the annual family letter. In the 1970's these letters were discovered by songwriter Peter Jones. He wrote the ballad that tells the story of the Hunt family.