Tommy Sands (Irish singer)

Tommy Sands (Born ????), in the townland of Ryan, near Mayobridge County Down, Ireland,^[1] Is a world renowned folk singer, song writer, guitarist and fiddle player who has performed solo; with his 5 siblings as 'The Sands Family'; and also with his own son and daughter as the Sands Family. Tommy was the prime song-writer for the 'Sands Family', one of Ireland's most influential folk groups of the 1960s and '70s.^[2]

In May 2002 Sands received an Honorary Doctorate from The University of Nevada for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding.

His song There Were Roses has been described as ... certainly one of the best songs ever written about the "Irish Problem".^[3]}}

Tommy Sands parents, Mick and Bridie, both came from families of singers, musicians and storytellers and encouraged a love of Irish culture and tradition in their seven children.^[1] His father Mick and six uncles played the fiddle, while his mother Bridie played accordion.^[2] Their Céilidh house on the Ryan Road, in the foothills of the Mountains of Mourn,^[2] was a focal point for Catholic and Protestant neighbours from nearby farms.^[1][2]

The family started public performing in local halls and pubs, then they won a 'Folk Group' contest in "Old Shieling Hotel" in Raheny, Dublin. This lead to a three week booking in New York in early 1971^[1] (or 1970^[2]) followed by further tours in the USA and Canada. They also performed a St Patrick's Day concert appearance in Carnegie Hall.

Sands initially attended college to study theology and philosophy, but 'dropped out' and began to walk the 120 miles home to concentrate on his music career. Along the way a car filled with his siblings picked him up to perform at a concert.^[2]

Their 35 year touring career includes regular tours throughout continental Europe, especially Germany, plus the UK, and Ireland.^[1][2] One notable highlight was performing in Moscow's Luzhniki 'Olympic' Stadium,^[3] Tommy was the prime songwriter with the Sands Family, whose repertoire largely consists of their own compositions plus traditional Irish songs.^[1],

During the 1975 'Sands Family' tour of Germany Tommy's brother Eugene was killed in a road accident. ^[2]

Since the early 2000s the Sands Family have restricted touring to an annual tour of Germany and Ireland.^[2]

In September 2008 Tommy Sand was invited to perform at the Library of Congress with his daughter Moya and son Fionan, as part of the Rediscover Northern Ireland Program. The event was co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the American Folklife Center.^[4]

• In 1985 Sands recorded his debut solo album, Singing of the Times, this included the iconic ballad There Were Roses about the murders of two of his friends.^[2]
• In 1988 his second album was Down by Bendy's Lane: Irish Songs and Stories for Children.
• In 1989 Hedges of County Down featured traditional Irish material.
• In 1990 Beyond the Shadows, featured his own material. released in 1990. Sands' fifth album,
• In 1995 The Heart's a Wonder included The Music of Healing. co-written with American folk singer Pete Seeger which became an anthem for a "Citizen's Assembly". It was the collaboration with cellist Vedran Smailovic from Sarajevo.

• In 1997 Where Have All the Flowers Gone: The Songs of Pete Seeger. included both Vedran Smailovic and Dolores Keane on the title track.

• Let the Circle Be Wide ^[1],

Sands co-wrote the stage musical, The Shadow of O'Casey with Shivaun O'Casey, the daughter of playwright Sean O'Casey.^[2]

Tommy Sands has hosted Country Ceili, a radio show on Downtown Radio in Belfast since 1976.^[2]

In Belfast, during the depths of The Troubles in August 1986, Sands organised a "Citizen's Assembly" which included many of Ulster County's top artists and literary figures.^[2]

In May 2002 Sands received an honorary doctorate of Letters from The University of Nevada for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding.^[3] May 18th has been proclaimed Tommy Sands Day in Reno.^[3]

Tommy Sands is one of the most important songwriters in Ireland if not the rest of the world.... Sing Out! ^[3]

In December 2002 Sands persuaded the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to record a special 'Christmas musical party' for his weekly radio show. together. As many members sang with him on stage David Ervine, the leader of the Loyalists was heard to remark, Tommy Sands is the only man, without a private army, who can intimidate me. The radio show received a special award at the "World Festival of TV and Radio" in New York.^[3]

"There Were Roses" is certainly one of the best songs ever written about the "Irish Problem"...('To Beat The Drum' (Scotland)) ^[3]