Jerry Barlow

Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar

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Jerry talks with a fan after a concert at Swallow Hill.

Bach gave us God's word. Mozart gave us God's laughter. Beethoven gave us God's fire. God gave us music that we might pray without words.

Author unknown

Click here to access issues by date:

• April 2008
• December 2007
• May 2007
• November, 2006
• November, 2005
• March, 2005
• November, 2004
• January 2004
• August 2003
• April 2003
• November, 2002
• April, 2002
• November, 2001
• August, 2001
• March, 2001

April 2008

“Jerry Barlow is not only highly admired for his musical talent, but his rapport with his audience (both young & old) is overwhelming...We are certain to invite him back every season to the Cañon Rose Acoustic Society for a concert.”

The Cañon Rose Acoustic Society

Whenever I listen to or play Celtic music I am amazed at its power to transport us to another place and time. I might be playing a tune like Scotland the Brave and suddenly I see the mist rising over an ancient battlefield, and in the distance I can hear the primal drones of bagpipes on the wind. Or I might envision a cozy scene where fiddlers are gathered round a warm hearth in an Irish Pub located in a rustic fishing village, and I can feel the camaraderie as we all join in on a set of traditional tunes. And then there are old well-worn melodies like Garry Owen and The Girl I Left Behind Me that became the official marching songs for Custer’s Seventh Cavalry. As I play these Irish anthems, I try to imagine what it would have been like to be a soldier hearing the regimental band play these familiar refrains for the last time as we march out of Fort Lincoln headed for the Little Big Horn. In my concerts I love playing these exquisite melodies, and by sharing the history behind them, I invite my audience to travel with me on a marvelous journey across time and space.

I recently completed a tour of libraries on the Western slope followed by a concert for Grand Lake Arts. I had warm and receptive audiences at each appearance. I find it gratifying to perform for these attentive groups that appreciate both my storytelling and my music. This month I am doing a special house concert at Highland Exotic Rugs in North Denver which will include a few songs performed with Mick and Jean Bolger of Colcannon. Other concerts coming up this spring are at the Hazlerig Music House in Crestone, the Elation Center for the Arts in Pagosa Springs, and Solid Grounds in Albuquerque. Please visit my web site for my schedule.

December 2007

I enjoy playing Old English Christmas carols at this special time of year. They have a timeless quality that is similar to the Celtic airs that I love. And playing this music connects me to Christmases of long ago. Some of our favorite carols and traditions have Celtic origins. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, for example, written in a minor mode typical of some Celtic music has a wonderful old flavor.

Did you know that the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe originates from the Celts? Coming from the Druid practice of nature worship, mistletoe was not allowed early on in the Christian Church, but over time, it came to be hung over altars as a token of good will toward all. All this said, I do hope my music helps you experience some Celtic magic this holiday season.

Some of the highlights of this year have been winning the prestigious Independent Music Award which opened other doors such as regional concert tours in Kansas and Nebraska as well as two in New Mexico. I also received a glowing review in the Celtic Connection for my latest CD Bring Down the Storm. During the Holiday, I’m looking forward to several appearances at various libraries throughout Colorado, some private parties, and my old favorite, the Georgetown Christmas Market. In January, February and March I will be performing at the Rock ‘N’ Soul Café in Boulder, the Winter Concert Series in Grand Lake and at libraries in Grand Junction, Rifle, Brighton, Englewood and Littleton. Please check my website for my schedule.

In the spirit of the season, I would like to thank all of you for the tremendous support I’ve received this past year for my music.

Keepsake and Bring Down the Storm are now available at the Denver Folklore Center, Twist & Shout, Amazon.com or at any of my performances. For more information about my schedule see my website www.jerrybarlow.com. For bookings call 303/756-4418.
Have a Wonderful Holiday!

May 2007

I am pleased and proud to announce the title song from my latest CD, Bring Down the Storm, has won an Independent Music Award. This prestigious honor, more commonly called an Indie, is bestowed on twenty-five composers whose songs are considered the most outstanding of 2006. This is an international competition to which thousands of musical works are submitted. The songs are handpicked by a panel of well-known music industry professionals such as Peter Gabriel, Wynonna, Cindi Lauper, David Grisman, and Patti Loveless. This year’s winners include such world class songwriters as Kris Kristoferson, John Gorka, Sam Bush, and Gregg Brown. I am honored to be in such company and have my song “Bring Down the Storm” selected as one of the twenty-five “Songs of Note” for 2006.

I recently completed an engagement as the featured musician for Imagination Makers Theater Company. Performing at two elementary schools a day, Monday through Friday, for a period of three months, we presented a children’s play about an Irish family coming to America. Between my students, my regular appearances and the play, I was very busy. I’ve also done some solo performing for children in the Denver Schools. In these appearances, I present a great deal of historical as well as musical information and often spend as much time answering questions as playing music. I’m glad to see schools presenting a variety of music and culture to children who otherwise would have very limited exposure. Later this month, I’ll be going out of state on a tour of northern New Mexico. As with all road trips, I look forward to new adventures and making new friends.

Keepsake and Bring Down the Storm are now available at the Denver Folklore Center, Twist & Shout, Amazon.com or at any of my performances. For more information about my schedule, see my website www.jerrybarlow.com. For information about bookings, lessons, or ordering CDs call 303/756-4418.

November 2006

Are you looking for great music and a warm approachable performance style for your community concert series, a fresh and entertaining musical program for your organization’s next fund-raiser, an intimate performance of wonderful music, humor, and stories for a special group or gathering of friends? Would you appreciate unique musical renditions, anecdotes of the history behind the music and someone with a wonderful sense of humor?

If the answer is yes, Jerry would be a perfect fit for your next event or special occasion.

”Jerry Barlow’s performances reveal a performer skilled, funny and riveting. Out of the many musicians performing today the vast majority are skilled in either performing on their instrument or in entertaining an audience. It’s very rare and extremely enjoyable to see a musician at the very top of his craft in both areas.”

Scott Beach, Entertainment Director, Colorado Celtic Entertainment

In the spirit of the season, I would like to thank all of you for the tremendous support I’ve received this past year for my music. I have had the privilege of playing for so many of my friends and fans all over Colorado. To name just a few: I was invited back to Gunnison for the third time to play a concert for the Gunnison Arts Council in the wonderful theater they’ve created there. Members of the High Five Plains Foundation in Bennett came to hear my music for the fifth time – in a blizzard! I was welcomed in LaVeta twice this year. My first concert was for the La Veta Center for the Performing Arts. Later, nationally known art quilter Ricky Timms invited me to perform in his Art Quilt Gallery. In September, I was once again a part of the Estes Park Riverside Rhythms Concert Series. Such a beautiful setting! And, of course, I spent two evenings a week all summer playing at the Historic Crags Lodge there. Recently, The Cañon Rose Acoustic Society in Cañon City warmly greeted me. They were a very involved audience – a performer’s dream. Also, many friends in Del Norte and at the Salida Café turned out to hear me again. I could go on and on…the Sunday Salon Concert Series for the Ouray Performing Arts Guild, the Loveland Museum, the Tri-Lakes Art Center, the Greeley Fine Arts Festival, the Sterling Irish Festival, Buena Vista Gold Rush Days, the Colorado Irish Festival and my new friends at the Hazlerig Music House in Crestone. For all your business and support, I am grateful.

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season!

 

November, 2005

WHEW! Summer has flown by and autumn as well. And I've been performing non-stop at a pace I didn't even know I could sustain!

Seriously, it has been a fantastic several months. My concert venues hit full stride. Wonderful friends at the Whistle Pig House Concerts welcomed me back to Pagosa Springs for two nights. I had the opportunity to play in beautiful Woodland Park for the Mountain Acoustic Music Association, in aspen-gold Ouray for the Ouray County Performing Arts Guild, and in Cañon City, with its small town charm, for the Cañon Rose Acoustic Society. Great audiences and a good time had by all!

Estes Park became a favorite weekly stop for me this summer and fall as I had the pleasure of playing at the rustic View Restaurant at the Crags Lodge. I also returned to Estes for my fourth year at the Riverwalk Festival.

Aaah, the festivals...one of my favorites is the Colorado Irish Festival. It features nationally and internationally known artists as well as regional talent. I am always honored when asked to perform there, which I've done for the last five years. The Buena Vista Gold Rush Days were fun -- a beautiful setting with a rich and colorful history. (I'll be back there next August also.) The Silver Plume Irish Festival provided a rustic, historical backdrop for my music -- probably played by many of those Cornish and Welsh miners on their harps and fiddles a century and a half ago.

And now, winter is upon us, and all the excitement of the Holiday Season. While I am busy re-learning holiday music, I want to take a moment to wish you and yours a joyful season and to invite you to take some time away from your hustle and bustle to come and relax with my music. (Please see my website for times and locations.) Happy Holidays!

March, 2005

When a guitar player walks into the Denver Folklore Center and expresses an interest in learning Celtic fingerstyle guitar, the store’s owner, Harry Tuft, sends them to me. And so begins a relationship that may last for years. I start by finding out where the student wants to go and then figure out what we need to do to get there. This process of helping someone move in the direction of his or her dreams has been more gratifying than I ever could have imagined. It continues to surprise me how much I learn when I teach. A student may bring in a song I’ve never heard before by an artist unfamiliar to me, and as we work through the piece, my window on the world becomes a little larger. I also enjoy figuring out how my students learn. Are they visual, auditory, or kinesthetic in the way they process information? Each individual is a little different, and I vary my approach accordingly. As I share my expertise with my students, they also enrich my life on many levels.

The New Year started out with concerts for the Grand Lake Area Arts Council, the Lafayette Public Library, and in March, the United Center in Idaho Springs. The intimate give and take with the audience and those standing ovations sure make my concerts enjoyable and rewarding. Other performances include a film preview party at the Starz Theaters, the High Five Plains Foundation’s Awards Dinner, the Grand Opening of the Georgetown Coffee Company, and a St. Patrick’s Day evening at the Mount Vernon Country Club. Dear to my heart are occasional appearances at the Hospice of St. John.

In April, I will be a guest on The Joyce Graham Show, AM station 1650 KNUS2. Coming up in May are concerts at the Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown and the Mountain Acoustic Society in Woodland Park. (Please see my website schedule for specifics.)

If you know of anyone interested in sponsoring a house concert for friends or a special group or of a group looking for an entertainment program for a fundraising event, please let me know. And, I am looking for new students interested in learning Celtic fingerstyle guitar. Many of my classes are given at the Denver Folklore Center, and individual arrangements are also possible.

November, 2004

Jerry Barlow’s adaptations of Celtic and mountain music are haunting and peaceful, stirring and thought-provoking. His performance can brighten even the depths of winter. He is a consummate artist whose wit, humor and interaction with the audience made our fund-raiser into a huge success.

Sue Lathop, Library Director, John Tomay Memorial Library

I enjoy playing concert venues for several reasons. There is often a magical and spontaneous connection with the audience that happens. I find that if I keep my antennae up, unexpected distractions such as dancing children and equipment failure can be turned into shared, intimate moments with my listeners. In the pristine quiet of a concert hall, the subtlety and nuance of music and rapport can touch an emotional chord in the listener and become far more effective. There is a heightened response to the musical dynamics and to my understated humor often lost in a noisier environment, which for me as a performer is very gratifying.

The summer season ended with appearances at some of my favorite venues, the Golden Fine Arts Fair and Estes Park’s Riverside Rhythms. In October, I enjoyed a warm reception at my concert in Crested Butte, and earlier this month, I played for a sold out house at the Gunnison Arts Center. I also performed at Porter Hospital’s Heart of Hearts Gala. In December, you can join me for a concert in the Community Center during Historic Georgetown’s annual Christmas Market.

My fundraising concert for the Georgetown Library was a huge success. It felt good to know that my work could raise money for a good cause. I would be interested in doing more concerts of this type. Also, I continue to book house concerts, so let me know if you know a person or group who would like to sponsor one.

And I am looking for new students interested in learning Celtic fingerstyle guitar. Many of my classes are given at the Denver Folklore Center, and individual arrangements are also possible.

Treat yourself to a break from the hustle and bustle of your holidays and let my Christmas music with a Celtic flair soothe you as you reflect on this joyous season!

January 2004

One of the things I really enjoy about my concert work is playing in the unique array of theatres around Colorado. For example, I recently performed before a sold out house at the Gunnison Center for the Arts. This charming theatre, still under renovation, is wonderfully simple. My backdrop was a beautiful 100-year-old brocade and silk hand-made quilt and a table with a vase of red snapdragons. At the other end of the spectrum is the Butte Opera House in Cripple Creek. Great care is given to every detail concerning this ornate, historic theatre; the lighting, the sound system, the beautifully painted backdrop of Cripple Creek as it was 125 years ago. I felt privileged to be on a stage with such a long and rich history.

Summer and fall were busy with the concerts in Gunnison and Cripple Creek and at Swallow Hill in Denver, along with an appearance at the Colorado Performing Arts Festival at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Recently, I played at the Grant Street Art Studios for an art preview benefiting Cathedral Hospice. In December were appearances for the Kenya Women’s Project to raise money for aids prevention and for an art show at the Tears Mc Farlane House benefiting The Center for the People of Capitol Hill. Other performances in December included a concert in the Georgetown Community Center during Christmas Market, and at the Botanic Gardens for the Blossoms of Light celebration.

If you belong to or know of a group interested in sponsoring a house concert, please let me know. I enjoy this format because it gives me a chance to not only play for but to interact with the audience in an intimate, informative and often humorous way. I am also scheduling more time for teaching and am looking for new students interested in learning Celtic fingerstyle guitar. Many of my classes are given at the Denver Folklore Center, and individual arrangements are also possible.

August 2003

I specialize in a genre of music known as Celtic fingerstyle guitar. This musical style developed over thirty years ago in the British Isles as musicians began transposing Celtic melodies traditionally played on the harp, pennywhistle and fiddle to the guitar. Alternate tunings (that is, tunings other than standard guitar tunings) were developed to assist the guitarist in capturing the magic of the 200-year-old music. The term “fingerstyle” refers to the playing of the strings with the fingers of the right hand, as opposed to the flat pick. This approach enables the guitarist to play bass, melody and chords at the same time. Due to the intricacies and attention to detail required by this guitar style, there are fewer practitioners of Celtic fingerstyle than there are of other more mainstream styles such as rock, jazz, or blues, and I am proud to be among the small group of guitarists proficient in this style.

In April, I played for a Scotch tasting, and in May I provided music for a slide program about Scotland, both for Historic Georgetown. Also in May, I enjoyed performing in Longmont at Callahan House’s Sunday in the Park. My most recent performances were at the Colorado Irish Festival, the Ice Cream Social at the Astor House Museum in Golden celebrating Buffalo Bill Days and at the Denver Botanic Gardens for the Glass Artists Show. Upcoming appearances include August concerts in Del Norte, Salida, and Gunnison and at Swallow Hill in October. Also in August, I will be appearing at the Golden Fine Arts Festival, and September brings performances at Riverside Rhythms in Estes Park and the Colorado Performing Arts Festival at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

I have certainly been gratified by the response at my last two house concerts. I enjoy the chance to not only play for but to interact with my audience in an informative and often humorous way. If you belong to or know of a group interested in sponsoring a house concert, please let me know. I am also scheduling more time for teaching and am looking for new students interested in learning Celtic fingerstyle guitar. Many of my classes are given at the Denver Folklore Center, and individual arrangements are also possible.

I will be playing regularly at Raven Hill Restaurant, Stella’s Coffee House, and Sisters’ Espresso. Keepsake is now available at the Denver Folklore Center, Twist & Shout, Barnes & Noble (Wadsworth & Bowles,) Amazon.com, or at any of my performances. For more information about my schedule see my website www.jerrybarlow.com. To arrange for me to play at your special occasion call 303/756-4418.

April 2003

Recently, I have been immersed in the rich history of the Celtic people whose music I play. Knowing the legends and events behind the songs with which I am so familiar adds another dimension to some of my concerts especially those in an educational setting. Although my music ranges from light and lively jigs and reels to beautiful airs, two of my favorite songs, March of the King of Laoise and Return from Fingal, are directly related to both this somber quote that conveys the mortal fear that the Irish lived in of Viking invasions in the early 11th century and to the beloved Irish king, Brian Boru, whose armies drove the Vikings back to the sea and united the island.

 

Since tonight the wind is high
And the sea's white mane a fury,
I need not fear the hordes of Hell
Coursing the Irish Channel.

Anonymous

In December, I played a Holiday concert for Historic Georgetown during the annual Christmas Mart. More recently, I performed for the Art Fair at Sheridan Green Elementary School, and I did an assembly in honor of Canada Day for Grant Ranch Elementary School. Another performance I enjoyed was playing for a wine tasting at the Tears-McFarlane House. This event was a fundraiser for The Center for the People of Capitol Hill. Upcoming appearances include a concert in Bennett, Colorado for the High Five Plains Foundation, and I will be providing music for a slide program about Scotland presented by the Friends of the Library for Historic Georgetown. I'm putting a new emphasis on doing house concerts for various groups and organizations. This gives me a chance to not only play for but to interact with my audience in an informative and often humorous way which I greatly enjoy. If you belong to or know of a group interested in sponsoring a house concert, please let me know. My next scheduled house concert will be in May.

I will be playing regularly at Raven Hill Restaurant, Stellas, and Sisters Espresso. Keepsake is now available at the Denver Folklore Center, Twist & Shout, Barnes & Noble (Wadsworth & Bowles,) Amazon.com, or at any of my performances. For more information about my schedule see my website www.jerrybarlow.com. To arrange for me to play at your special occasion call 303/756-4418.

November, 2002

The play is over--Whew! From the end of February through the middle of May, I was privileged to be the musician and vocalist for a children's play, A New Country, produced by Imagination Makers of Boulder. It is the story of an Irish family's immigration to turn-of-the-century New York City. It was my first experience with live theatre, and I found it challenging, exciting, and, after seventy shows, exhausting!

It was a busy summer and fall as well. Some of my recent performances have included the annual Shakespeare Festival at the Decker Library, the ice cream social at Golden's Astor House Museum for Buffalo Bill Days, the Colorado Irish Festival, the Lyrical Listening Series at Central Denver Public Library, Riverside Rhythms in Riverside Plaza, Estes Park, and A Taste of Colorado.

 

Best Wishes for a Heartfelt Holiday Season!

April, 2002

Sometimes I get inquiries about how I go about writing my original songs. After nearly twenty-five years of writing, I must confess that I still don't know. For a portion of my career, I had the privilege of writing for three different publishing houses in Nashville. That environment was very much like a musical assembly line. Now that I no longer have to turn out a certain amount of material on schedule, I have the luxury of waiting for visitations from the Muse. It is when I relax and allow the Muse its way into my psyche that I find my best work. For example, I was warming up for a performance at Tumbling River Ranch one evening when a melody came to me with great clarity. The challenge then was to remember the melody throughout the performance until I had time to work with it again. That melody ultimately became the main theme of "Heather Run" which will be included on my next CD. On another occasion, I was sitting in the park in front of my home in Golden, playing my guitar and looking up at the mesas. Although the main influence of my work is Celtic in nature, the melody that was given me that day was decidedly southwestern and deeply evoked my connection with the landscape. "Maiden of the Mesa" has become an elegant staple of my repertoire. Then there is the dilemma of naming a song, but that is a subject for another newsletter.

Something different for me this spring is being the musician in an Irish play presented by Imagination Makers, a theater company that does grant-funded plays for elementary schools. I will have about ten performances each week from March through the second week in May. Other recent performances include the Bonfils Stanton Lecture Series at the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Hyatt Regency in Blackhawk, and a concert for the Grand Lake Arts Council, all with Ted Cole. In March, Ted and I will return to Bennett, Colorado for our third consecutive year in a concert sponsored by the High Five Plains Foundation, and we'll also be the opening performers for the Casey Neill Trio at Swallow Hill. In April, we'll play at the Broomfield Library Auditorium for the Community Concert Series. Then the season of weddings and summer parties will be almost upon us.

I'd like to remind you that I play regularly at Raven Hill Restaurant in Georgetown, Stella's Coffee House in Denver, and the Little Bear and the Bistro in Evergreen. Keepsake is now available at the Denver Folklore Center, Twist & Shout, Barnes & Noble (Wadsworth & Bowles,) Amazon.com, or at any of my performances.

 

November, 2001

Top five reasons people hire me to play during the holidays:

August, 2001

March, 2001

 

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