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Fair Holiday sounds
A festive concert with an Irish touch
He’s been christened “Irish America’s favorite son.” Andy Cooney brings his special touch to the season when he headlines “The Magic of Christmas,” at Carnegie Hall, on Tuesday, Dec. 8. He follows up to last year’s sold-out holiday performance, joined by special guests including Crystal Gale and renowned fiddle player Eileen Ivers, the original fiddle player in Riverdance.
The concert follows the release of Cooney's latest CD, “The Magic of Christmas,” recorded with Ireland’s National Concert Orchestra. The show at Carnegie Hall will feature many of the traditional and popular songs from this album, including ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’, ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘Oh Holy Night’, ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ and more.
One of nine children born into a deep-rooted Irish American family in Massapequa Park, Cooney has been singing Irish songs from an early age. His professional career started at 17, when he began entertaining New York area audiences with his piano playing and singing. In 1986, at 19, he began touring with the well-known bandleader Paddy Noonan. Cooney struck out on his own in 1994 and hasn’t looked back.
Following in the family footsteps is Cooney’s 13 year-old son Ryan, who made his singing debut at Carnegie Hall last December, with his rendition of the “Little Drummer Boy.” He returns for an encore performance. Also appearing is the Festival Youth Chorus, comprised of children from the New York area, and the Fordham University Choir.
“My grandfather was an Irish tenor who taught me how to sing and he was in the wings at Carnegie Hall when his idol, famed Irish Tenor John McCormick hit the stage,” Cooney said. “There is nothing like the feeling of being on that stage and to sing live with a symphony orchestra. Now I have my son Ryan on the stage with me performing, he brought the house down last year with his rendition of the Little Drummer Boy. It is my greatest personal accomplishment.”
When: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m. $35-$85.
Where: Carnegie Hall, 57th St. and 7th Ave., New York City. (212) 247-7800 or www.carnegiehall.org.
