Celtic Thunder, 1977. Left to right: Terry Winch, Linda Hickman, Steve Hickman, Nita Conley, Jesse Winch.

Celtic Thunder and Narrowbacks

Terence Winch was co-founder, button accordionist, and principal songwriter for the acclaimed traditional Irish band, Celtic Thunder, which first performed in 1977. Called "a great Irish band" by the Village Voice and "one of the best Irish folk acts in America" by The Washington Post, the band has released three albums over the years. Its second CD, The Light of Other Days, won the prestigious INDIE award for Best Celtic Album. That same recording includes Winch's best-known song, "When New York Was Irish," which has been covered by dozens of other artists. Twice featured in performance at the White House, the band is known for its musical exploration of Irish American life. A Celtic Thunder concert typically features a versatile mix of great singing and instrumental work, original material, championship step-dancing, and a poem or two. Winch's That Special Place: New World Irish Stories is a collection largely centered on his experiences with the band.

Since 1998, Terence Winch has also played in a band called Narrowbacks (the term Irish immigrants invented for their offspring), which features a line-up of Celtic Thunder alumni, including his older brother Jesse Winch (bodhran, bouzouki, harmonica), Linda Hickman (flute, whistle, vocals), Dominick Murray (vocals, guitar), and Tony DeMarco (fiddle).

New Release: Celtic Thunder Music has released a new CD anthology called When New York Was Irish: Songs & Tunes by Terence Winch. Featuring Terry Winch's best-known compositions with Celtic Thunder and Narrowbacks, the album's 16 tracks include "When New York Was Irish," "In Praise of the City of Baltimore," "Hooley with the Herd," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Saints (Hard New York Days)," "The Thunder Reel," and several pieces that have never appeared before on a recording, including "The Irish Riviera." The CD is now available from Trade Root Music Group, an excellent new distributor of traditional music. See their listing for When New York Was Irish.

Terence Winch: Celtic Thunder Discography:

• When New York Was Irish: Songs & Tunes by Terence Winch (Celtic Thunder Music, 2007; to order, see Trade Root Music Group.

  Celtic Thunder's three CDs are all available via Amazon.com:

• Celtic Thunder (Green Linnet, 1981)
• The Light of Other Days (Green Linnet, 1989)
• Hard New York Days (Kells, 1995)

  To order books or recordings by Terence Winch, click above on CONTACT.