IrishMarty.com
Tommy was, is and will always be a hero to me. His talent and kindness will
long be remembered by my family. In 1990, on my daughter Casey's 5th
birthday, we took her to see Tommy perform at Hunter Mountain. Chrissy,
the younger, was an infant in a stroller. Before the show, Casey spotted
Tommy backstage and....as only a 5 year old could.....proceeded to run right
back and hug him, announce that she was 5 and ask if he'd play "Waltzing
With Bears" for her! I was in awe.....and began to apologize to Mr. Makem
for letting my daughter bother him. Well, he'd have none of that! He picked
her up and hugged her, talked with her and promised to play her song.
Once the show started, he spotted her from the stage and proceeded to wave
and make faces at her, as the rest of the crowd wondered what was up. He
then introduced "My new little friend Casey....who's 5 today!"...and
proceeded to lead the crowd of several hundred people in "Happy Birthday"
and "Bears".
After the show, Tommy was stage-side, mobbed by adults wanting
autographs, etc. We figured we had taken enough of the great man's time,
but Casey wanted to wave "bye bye", so I hoisted her to my shoulders so she
could see over the grown-up crowd. Tommy spotted her and "parted the sea"
of adults to take her off my shoulders, hug her, hold her, give her a kiss,
and talk to her about the show, her birthday, etc. It's a day none of us will
ever forget.
In my 25 years of performing, I've met so many "nobody's" who think they're
stars and don't have time for their fans. Yet this man, Tommy Makem....the
undisputed King of his musical genre.....took the time to fuss over one little
girl. That was the day I learned the most important lesson of my
professional life....and it had nothing to do with chords, notes or guitars.
We raise a Parting Glass to you, Tommy. Thank you.
With love and admiration,
Marty, Lisa, Casey & Chrissy Brandon
| Irish music legend Tommy Makem has passed away at 74 after a long battle with cancer. |
| To learn more about Tommy Makem, his music and his life, click here for makem.com. |
| Remembering Tommy Makem |