Monday, December 19, 2005

Gerry O'Kane

I've been trying to track down Gerry O'Kane. He's the wonderful voice you can hear on the soundtrack if you click the play button in my banner.

He used to perform at the Wellington in Kingston, Ontario -- but I have lost track of him. Many Google searches and directory queries have turned up nothing.

If anyone knows his whereabouts, please drop me a line.

I'd like to fill him in on the progress of the film.

*** UPDATE *** I have an MP3 of Gerry singing live at the Welli' -- not very good quality, but you can check it out here.

16 Comments:

Blogger JP said...

I used to go down to the Welly every Friday and watch Gerry. I did that for about six months, and really enjoyed it. I got to know Gerry a little personally - and last I heard he went back to Ireland to be with some family after the Wellington was sold (and became the Scherzo Pub). I do miss that ol' Finnegan's Wake and Barrett's Privateers... so if anyone has the tape or CD and can point me to some MP3's, I'd be very appreciative.

10:08 PM  
Blogger Thorny said...

Still no luck finding Gerry.

The audio clip that plays on my banner is a track Gerry recorded for me in a Kingston studio -- to be used in the film I'm making.

Before doing the digital master, he had recorded 7 different takes of the Irish Ballad on a cassette.

The cassette he used was not blank -- and I was thrilled to hear that both sides had live recordings of evenings at the Welli'. It's a fantastic bit of nostalgia for those who were there during those years.

The crowd is drunk and singing along -- it's fantastic.

I'm in the process of converting the cassette to mp3s. Check back here later for updates.

... and it's no, nay, never ...
... RIGHT UP YER KILT!
... no nay never, no more ...
... I'll play the wild rover ..
... no never, no more.

11:24 AM  
Blogger Dave said...

If I recall correctly, Gerry O'Kane co-owned Wellingtons, but the other owner passed away in the late nineties. He was the father of a friend of mine. After that, I believe O'Kane closed Wellingtons, and I don't know what happened to him since.

I did, however, pick up a CD from one of his performances in pretty good quality with 11 tracks.

10:49 AM  
Blogger phyx said...

Gerry ended up in Massachusetts, I believe. He owned property in the Thousand Islands, but his ex-wife was in Boston and he had issues he had to resolve with her and his kids there. I wish him the best.

8:21 PM  
Blogger RAFree said...

Mark, I've emailed you 14 pretty good quality tracks of Gerry's for pick up in dropload. I didn't know if you'd had a chance to check your email or not.

Ruth
ruthannefreeborn@gmail.com

9:48 PM  
Blogger Vickie said...

I spent countless friday and saturday nights at the Welly while I was student. I took my father there when he came over from England for my graduation and he had a blast! Thanks for the blogspot - it brings back so many great memories!
Right up yer kilt!

3:41 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Anyone know where i can get a copy of Gerry's CD?

7:28 PM  
Blogger sue h said...

Sadly for us Irish Canadians, Gerry moved back to Belfast many years ago. I very much miss his voice and his friendship.

9:17 PM  
Blogger リチャード スミス said...

Gerry blew my mind... I used to go there ALL THE TIME to see him. I was often the first person there when the bar opened to get a good seat, and often had Gerry sit with us during breaks. I was sad to hear he left Canada (if he did), and hope people can find him. I talked to his successor at the bar but he (Wade) refused to talk about him.

I miss those times.

12:28 AM  
Blogger JD said...

I posted else where but I think in the wrong place

I'm Gerry's nephew, he is still playing and involved in producing music, we talked about it when had dinner with him earlier this month.

1:39 PM  
Blogger JP said...

JD, you should get Gerry to do a few new recordings and put them up on Grooveshark. I think all his Wellington recordings are there, but some new stuff would be fantastic. I miss the guy.

7:35 PM  
Blogger Thorny said...

JD - missed yer posting. If you could give Gerry my contact info thornton.mark@gmail.com - facebook.com/thornton.mark or direct him to this blog I'd appreciate it no end. I've been trying to find him for years. He recorded the tune for me 20 years ago (gasp) it was the summer of 1992.

I create, develop and direct animated television shows these days and want desperately to complete this little film. Would love to get back in touch with him about it.

7:49 PM  
Blogger JD said...

Hi All I,ve been busy and forgot to call back in, sorry but good news Gerry is realsing two albums one of new stuff and one of the old classics from the Welli

he has a new website www.gerryokane.com

one album can be bought there now second will be added soon,

hope this will make some happy people

1:24 PM  
Blogger JD said...

Hi All I,ve been busy and forgot to call back in, sorry but good news Gerry is realsing two albums one of new stuff and one of the old classics from the Welli

he has a new website www.gerryokane.com

one album can be bought there now second will be added soon,

hope this will make some happy people

1:25 PM  
Blogger Brennan said...

Knew Gerry on Nashua NH. Miss him

9:10 PM  
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11:50 PM  

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