Musician picks a good time for debut album

A NORTHSIDE musician is looking forward to continued success following the release of his debut album.

Garry O’Meara, from Beaumont, has recorded and released

‘Pickin’ Time’, a mixture of traditional tunes and original compositions played on tenor banjo and mandolin.

The album has received critical acclaim from Gerry O’Connor, Irish American News, LiveIreland and American Public Radio amongst others.

Garry started playing music at the age of nine, learning the banjo, mandolin and guitar. After leaving school, he completed a Degree in Music and Irish at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.

Whilst in college he became involved in the Dublin traditional Irish music scene and this led to various trips to Europe.

Aged 20, he joined the crossover folk/pop band Reel, with whom he recorded and toured extensively around Ireland and the UK, enjoying three top 10 singles in the charts.

Garry has been working as a professional musician ever since, touring and performing with many artists including The Fureys, Stockton’s Wing and Gerry O’Connor.

In 2005, he performed on banjo in the musical Ha’penny Bridge in Dublin’s Point Theatre. He spent most of that year touring in France with the successful dance show Celtic Legends II playing banjo, mandolin and singing, also playing in India and Morocco with the show.

In 2006 Garry was a member of the successful Ragús show which toured Holland and Belgium, and has returned every year since. He then joined the exciting folk/trad group, Monto.

In 2008, following the break up of Monto, he joined the folk group Dargle who toured in Asia, Europe and North America in 2009.

In early 2012 he joined the award winning Brock McGuire band, and in between touring last year recorded his long awaited debut album,

‘Pickin’ Time’.

For more information visit, garryomeara.com