Tony O'Rourke

I'm launching a new service via the internet. I have begun a podcast service, "How to play Irish music on the guitar" with Tony O'Rourke and Gerry Gaffney. The site is located at   www.irishguitarpod.com  (no au at the end).

We cover one tune per week and Gerry asks the questions and I give the answers. I also play the tune through very slowly, and then at the normal tempo,with accompaniment. A booklet of the tunes, with scale exercises,explanatory notes,accompaniment, and recommended links to other websites, is available for US$9,

The actual audio of the podcast is free. A new tune is added every Monday.

Tony O'Rourke is an Australian guitarist and banjo player who has won many awards, has made 3 visits to Ireland and is a specialist in Irish and Bluegrass music.  In Australia he is a regular performer at a number of music festivals and regularly conducts workshops.  He is an experienced and successful teacher who loves performing and is often seen at sessions in and around Melbourne, currently at The Quiet Man Hotel with button accordionist Billy Moran

Instruments played include guitar (standard and open tunings), tenor banjo, mandolin, and occasionally vocals.  Instruments taught include guitar, banjo(4 string), mandolin and ukulele.

Tony has had a varied musical background in both popular and jazz music.  He has been teaching music since the late 1970s including a short tenure at the Council of Adult Education. Following a visit to Australia in 1983 of the  London "institution" Brendan Mulkere and the gifted John Carty, Tony took up serious study of Irish music and accompanied both visiting artists on guitar during their tour.  He has taken on the role of accompanist for many visiting Irish musicians including Martin- Hayes--and Catherine Custy. During tours by both Na Ridiri and Ceol Chiarri he acted in an honorary role as organiser and co-ordinator.

• Ist Place - Frances Folk Gathering Banjo Competition 2005, 2006;
• 1st Place - Tim Whelan Tune Writing Award , Port Fairy Folk Festival 1986;
• 2nd Place - Frances Folk Gathering Open Instrumental 2006;
• 2nd Place - National Bluegrass Guitar Championship 1987;
• 3rd Place - National Bluegrass Fiddle Championship 1987;
• 3rd Place - Frances Folk Gathering Open Instrumental 2005;
• Registered with Australian Music Teachers Register (AMTR);
• Member of Musicians Union of Australia since 1980;
• Moltoir (Adjudicator) at 2005 Fleadh Cheoil in Letterkenny, Ireland.