Tommy Sands (Irish folk singer)

This article is about the folksinger. For the pop singer and actor, see Tommy Sands (entertainer). For other people named Tom or Thomas Sands, see Thomas Sands.
Tommy Sands

Tommy Sands performs in a joint Israeli-Palestinian demonstration in Sheikh Jarrah against house evictions of Palestinians by Israeli courts.
Background information
Birth name Tommy Sands
Born (1945-12-19) 19 December 1945
Origin Mayobridge, County Down, Northern Ireland
Genres Irish Folk, Celtic
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, radio broadcaster, political activist
Instruments Guitar, Whistle, Banjo, Fiddle, Bodhrán, vocals & charisma
Years active 1960s-present
Associated acts The Sands Family,
Tommy Sands with Moya and Fionán Sands
Website www.The Sands Family folk.com
Tommy Sands.com

Tommy Sands (born 19 December 1945),[1] Mayobridge, County Down, Northern Ireland,[2] is a folk singer, song writer, radio broadcaster, and political activist. He performs with his three siblings as The Sands Family; solo as Tommy Sands; and with his son and daughter as Tommy Sands with Moya and Fionán Sands.[3] Tommy was the prime song-writer for the 'Sands Family', one of Ireland's most influential folk groups of the 1960s and '70s.[4][5]

Tommy Sands has hosted Country Céilí, a radio show on Downtown Radio in Newtownards since 1976.[4]

In May 2002 he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nevada, Reno for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding.[6]

His song There Were Roses has been described as "... certainly one of the best songs ever written about the "Irish Problem"".[6] The song recounts how Allan Bell (name changed), a Protestant friend of Sands, was murdered in Newry by republican paramilitaries. In the aftermath loyalist paramilitaries "prowled round the Ryan Road" for a Catholic to kill in retaliation; ironically, the man they selected, Sean O'Malley (name changed), had been a good friend of the Protestant victim and also of Sands.

Early life and career

Tommy Sands was born on the family farm on the 'Ryan Road'[7] in the townland of Ryan, near Mayobridge, County Down, Northern Ireland.[2] His 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 (Mary, the eldest, then Hugh, Ben, Colum, Eugene and Anne.[8]) .[2] His father Mick (known to all as 'The Chief'[7]) and six uncles played the fiddle. Bridie, an accordionist, is the daughter of 'Burren poet', Owen Connolly, and her mother was related to the Brontë family.[9] Their Céilidh house on the Ryan Road, in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains,[4] was a focal point for Catholic and Protestant neighbours from nearby farms to enjoy music and Craic.[2][4]

The Sands Family (Tommy, Eugene, Ben, Colum and Anne)[4] started public performing in local halls and pubs, then they won a 'Folk Group' contest in "Old Shieling Hotel" in Raheny, Dublin. This led to a three-week booking in New York in early 1971[2] (or 1970[4]) followed by further tours in the USA and Canada. They also performed a Saint 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.[4]

Colum rolled down the window and said: “We’re going to play at a concert. We’ve got your guitar in the back of the car.” So Tommy joined them. He and they have never looked back! ('Newry Memoirs – Pride of Mayobridge')[8]

Their 35-year touring career includes regular tours throughout continental Europe, especially Germany, as well as the UK and Ireland.[2][4] One notable highlight was performing in Moscow's Luzhniki 'Olympic' Stadium,[6] Tommy was the prime songwriter with the Sands Family, whose repertoire largely consists of their own compositions as well as traditional Irish songs.[2]

During the 1975 'Sands Family' tour of Germany Tommy's brother Eugene was killed in a road accident.[4] 'Dino' played banjo and mandolin.[7]

Since the early 2000s the Sands Family have restricted touring to an annual tour of Germany and Ireland.[4]

In September 2008 Tommy Sands was invited to perform at the Library of Congress with his daughter Moya and son Fionán, 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.[10]

The Sands Family recordings

Tommy Sands at the Nuremberg Bardentreffen world music festival 2014
Tommy Sands with The Sands Family at the Bardentreffen festival 2014

Solo recordings

Other work

Sands co-wrote the stage musical, The Shadow of O'Casey with Shivaun O'Casey, the daughter of playwright Sean O'Casey.[4]

Tommy Sands has hosted Country Ceili, a radio show on Downtown Radio in Belfast since 1976[4] (or August 1977[16]).

In 2005 he published his autobiography, The Songman – A Journey in Irish Music.

Peace campaigning

In Belfast, during the depths of The Troubles in August 1986, Sands organised a "Citizen's Assembly" which included many of Ulster's top artists and literary figures.[4]

In June 2010 Sands accepted the invitation of Palestinian and Israeli activists conducting a joint campaign at the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, to come and perform at a rally held to protest Israeli settlers evicting Palestinian Sheikh Jarrah residents and taking over their homes.

Awards, quotes and celebrations

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.[6] 18 May has been proclaimed Tommy Sands Day in Reno.[6]

Tommy Sands is one of the most important songwriters in Ireland if not the rest of the world.... Sing Out![6]

In December 2002 Sands persuaded the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to record a special 'Christmas musical party' for his weekly radio show. As many Members sang with him on stage David Ervine, the leader of the Loyalists remarked 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.[6]

"There Were Roses" is certainly one of the best songs ever written about the "Irish Problem"...('To Beat The Drum' (Scotland))[6]

Personal life

Tommy Sands currently lives in Rostrevor with his French wife Catherine.[8] They have two children, Moya and Fionán, with whom Tommy now performs.

References

Further reading

External links

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