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Jess playing a tune for the talented kids of @BailaConmigoST!!  #AGT

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On the Farm

April 26, 2014

While we were in Cashel, we got the awesome opportunity to visit the Quinlan’s home and see their farm. We got to help feed the calves and chickens, and even help groom their beautiful draft horses!  Jenny was in love!  If she ever decides to run away... we know right where to find her... :)  A big thank you to PJ, Ciara, Luke and Patrick for having us over for tea and showing us around.  We love you guys and hope to see you all again sometime!

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Concert in Ennis

April 24, 2014

The charming town of Ennis, in the County Clare, is a wonderful place for music and there’s no better example of that than in Cois Na hAbhna, the local Comhaltas Center or venue for performing and learning the traditional Irish music and cultured arts.  The Clan was honored to hold the second of their three fan tour concerts there.  It was the Clan’s second time playing their own original music in Ennis and we’ve always been made very welcome. So thank you to all of the folks that came out to see us again.  And special thanks to Tracy Crawford for all her help in making this possible and for the delicious food backstage. By the way, can we get the recipe for those epic energy bars?

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The Burren

April 24, 2014

Ireland is full of breathtaking views and landscapes but perhaps none more stunning than the region called The Burren, recognized by the vast and sweeping amount of stone outcroppings.  The Clan took their fans on many sightseeing day-trips. We saw the peat bogs where turf is cut and dried for fuel and we even visited a hidden fairy ring fort where locals still come and leave little tokens for the wee magical folk.

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Session at the Ground Hotel 

April 23, 2014

No stay in the lovely Irish town of Ennis, County Clare, is complete without a night of tunes and songs taken in good company.  During the fan tour’s stay in Ennis, the Clan met up with some local musician friends for a session at the famous Old Ground Hotel.  Brothers Shane and Fiachra Hayes and the talented Aodan Coyne are known as the band “Socks In the Frying Pan” and will be crossing paths with the Clan at many of the Irish-American festivals this summer. Be ye warned, Milwaukee. Much music and madness is sure to abound once again.

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Guinness Brewery

April 22, 2014

When in Dublin, do like the Dubliners do. And that means at some point, you have to take a tour of the impressive and fascinating Guinness Storehouse and Brewery. Innovative video tours explain the process of making and marketing the drink and conclude on the top floor with a bar for official taste tests. Slainte!

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Ireland Fan Tour

April 22, 2014

Well, folks, the first Willis Clan Fan Tour has come and gone.  And what a blast it was!  Thank you to all the brave souls who went adventuring with us, cheered us through our concerts and joined in the mad picture taking.  You all made this trip truly special.  Thank you to the amazing Dave and Fritz from Prime Tours for putting the whole thing together and keeping track of everyone along the way.  Also, thank you to our fabulous bus driver Joe for the educational and entertaining commentaries.  This tour was such a success, we’re already planning another one next summer. Stay tuned for info on how you can join in on next time’s fun.

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Scahills and Howley Clans

April 21, 2014

While in Ireland, the Clan got to visit Galway for the first time!  We were warmly welcomed by Enda Scahill and his family, as well as the other lads and their families from the fantastic band, We Banjo 3.  

Thank you a thousand times to Enda, Jillian and Matthew for having us over to their lovely home and feeding our crazy bunch. It was quite the feast and we loved seeing you all!  We dearly hope we’ll return to Galway many times over again. Please come to Tennessee and let us return the hospitality anytime!  Much love from the Clan!

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Watergate Theatre, Kikenny Concert

April 20, 2014

The first concert of the Willis Clan Fan Tour to Ireland took place at the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny.  It’s a lovely town and a gorgeous venue.  This concert marked the debut of the Clan’s new bluegrass themed album, Chapter Two: Boots where it was received enthusiastically by both visiting and local audiences alike. Also, the Clan would just like to acknowledge and thank all those who helped us with the renting or buying of music gear and miscellaneous instruments, not just in Kilkenny, but during our entire visit.  You guys were indispensable. 

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Norman Rockwell Exhibit

February 8 ,2014

The Frist Center in Nashville presented an exhibition of the amazing work of Norman Rockwell. The Clan went to see the stunning display because Rockwell is one of the people that has inspired us, along with many others, to greatness. He is very real, not taking life too seriously and capturing the special, comical and often rushed moments of life. Most modern art does not match the quality of Rockwell’s art or his outlook on life.

Norman Rockwell inspires people even now, being classic, relatable and showing truths in every painting. He is as good as Rembrandt and funny as the Three Stooges!

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Owensboro, KY

February 1, 2014

The Clan was delighted to be asked to perform at the Owensboro, KY, New Convention Center Grand Opening!  They had several days of exhibitions and wonderful music to show off their venue, including Marty Brown and award winning country artist, Sara Evens!  It was one of most beautiful stages and setups the Clan had ever seen!  Owensboro should be proud!

Thanks to the General Manager, Dean Dennis for taking such good care of us! We had a lovely time! Please have us back whenever you want. We would gladly come again to your beautiful Convention Center.

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Broken Heater

January 22, 2014

After the winter tour and all that cold, the Clan was looking forward to the warmth of Tennessee, home and our own beds. But when we arrived home, we found our heater broken and the house freezing! So, never missing the opportunity to camp, the kids pulled a couple mattresses out from their rooms and all piled together for warmth!  And I can tell ya folks, it worked! We were just as toasty as could be! 

We had fires in the fireplace, hot tea at hand constantly and even the warm hair dryers were recruited some!  So that was how it went for a few days until we finally could get someone out to fix the heating unit.

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Oak Mountain Hideaway

January 21, 2014

On the last day of our winter tour, the Clan stayed at the Oak Mountain Hideaway cabin in Pennsylvania. What a beautiful place it was! It was the perfect way to end a long trip away from home, though we wouldn’t have minded staying there a little longer. Anna Marie Nachman and her family have opened up their home to many bands on the road to stop by and do an intimate house concert for a bunch of folks and though we weren’t able to that this time, we’ll definitely make it up there next summer for it! It really is an incredible thing they have going and we want to thank them so much for taking such good care of us while we were there.  Can’t wait to come back.

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Session at Dave Curley's

January 20, 2014

While in Pennsylvania, the Clan got invited to an impromptu Irish session at the Penn State College Co. Space house with amazing musician and singer, Dave Curley and friends!  It was a fun filled night with tunes, songs and even a little swing dance!  Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun. We love you all.. and yes, the stuffed tiger too! ;)

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Rochester, New York

January 18, 2014

Of all the gigs we did on the tour, we’ve gotta say Rochester, NY gets the award for most enthusiastic and energetic audience! Earlier in the day, Jair and Jet taught a whistle workshop, while Jen did the same for accordion and then in the evening, McGraw’s Irish Pub was crammed to it’s limits for the concert. We thought the roof was gonna fly off that place! It was amazing and unforgettable. A massive thank you to the Dunleavy Irish Dance School for setting up the workshops and for dancing later on along with the Young School of Irish Dance.  I dearly hope we come back again and again.

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First Time Skiing

January 15, 2014

During an off day on our winter tour, the Clan decided to bundle up and try out skiing for the first time. You would think being dancers, we would have good balance, but no... we were back at square one once we snapped the ski’s on. We all got a good laugh at everyone’s first attempt at skiing, but eventually each of us found our feet again and got the hang of it.  Thanks to our instructors for putting up with all our slipping and sliding, topples and tumbles. Let’s do it again sometime!

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First Time Skiing

January 15, 2014

During an off day on our winter tour, the Clan decided to bundle up and try out skiing for the first time. You would think being dancers, we would have good balance, but no... we were back at square one once we snapped the ski’s on. We all got a good laugh at everyone’s first attempt at skiing, but eventually each of us found our feet again and got the hang of it.  Thanks to our instructors for putting up with all our slipping and sliding, topples and tumbles. Let’s do it again sometime!