Songs of Christmas

with

Jim Predergast & Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki

& The Spain Brothers 

For over 8 years until the pandemic, Jim Prendergast and Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki held forth on Thursday nights at The Stone Church, providing an authentic Irish pub-style show that welcomed guest musicians and was friendly to all ages. Both full-time musicians, Jim brings many decades of experience working with the best of the best in the Nashville music scene, while Jordan has been hailed as “one of the state’s favorite musicians” by NH Chronicle, and was named a Master Artist by the NH State Council on The Arts. Their blend of cheerful sing-alongs, haunting ballads and lively fiddle tunes is ever-changing and often guided by audience requests. Join us for the special matinee version of Irish Night, Christmas Song style.

The Spain Brothers

Liam Spain - [email protected]

Mickey Spain - [email protected]

Liam and Mickey Spain are second generation singer / songwriters from the mill town of

Manchester, NH. They grew up in a household steeped in folk music and musicians. Their

father, Mike Spain, was a well known folk singer performing Irish and American Folk songs

throughout the New England area. Mike, not only inspired the boys to perform, but he

introduced them to the work of a myriad of artists, and educated them on the folk song

tradition and its importance in society.

Mickey and Liam began performing as a duo in the early 1990’s and soon garnered a

following. Mickey’s rich baritone voice and Liam’s mastery of stringed instruments made

them a very sought after act and led to the recording of two CD’s. On one fateful night, the

sons of legendary Irish folk singer, Tommy Makem, happened to catch their act. The two

sets of brothers, quickly formed a bond over their shared love of the music and in 2002,

Liam and Mickey joined forces with Shane, Conor and Rory and began touring as The

Makem and Spain Brothers.

It was during this time that the band highlighted venues and Irish festivals across the United

States, up into Nova Scotia, on Caribbean cruises and across the sea to Ireland. They

recorded four cd’s along the way, and shared the stage with some of the greatest in the

business. After years of touring, the lineup was reduced to four but the act continued on

without missing a beat. In 2011, an idea suggested by Liam a few years prior, became a

reality when the boys began recording two compilation cd’s titled, Sessions, Volume l and

Sessions, Volume ll. This project brought the brothers together to record with folk icons

such as Tom Paxton, Noel Paul Stookey, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mallett and Bill Staines

to name a few, and it gave birth to an annual concert held in Liam and Mickey’s hometown,

called the NH Folk Extravaganza.

In 2013, the lineup, again, was reduced by one, leaving Liam, Mickey and Rory to perform

as the trio Makem and Spain. Although the new lineup continues to tour and promote their

latest cd offering, Four Pounds a Day, Liam and Mickey have returned to performing as a

duo, concentrating on original compositions as well as traditional and contemporary folk

songs.