It creates an atmosphere and an ambience. "The session is at the heart and soul of how the music exists, how it survived. National Heritage Fellowship recipient Billy McComiskey of Parkville plays his button accordion at Ryan's Daughter in Belvedere Square on Monday. He's released many recordings, including two solo albums (1981's "Makin' the Rounds" and 2008's "Outside the Box"), and has performed at the White House and the Kennedy Center. Over his career, McComiskey has accumulated quite a resume. "He's somebody the panel thought had the skills to be on the road constantly and making a living as an internationally touring artist," Murphy said, "but really spent most of his time, life and energy teaching and sharing his skills locally."
"There are a lot of really dedicated, good-hearted people in the area."Ĭlifford Murphy - the folk and traditional arts director for the National Endowment of the Arts, which awards the National Heritage Fellowships - said members of the organization were impressed by McComiskey's "artistry and technical ability," but his contributions in forging the Irish music community here were just as important. It just doesn't work that way," McComiskey said. "There's no way I could say it all happened because of me. For years, he has taught aspiring musicians through the Maryland State Arts Council's Maryland Traditions apprenticeship program.īut McComiskey brushed aside the idea that he's responsible for building a vibrant Irish music culture here. As he raised his children with Annie and worked as a mechanic, McComiskey played and promoted the accordion and Irish traditional music in the Baltimore-Washington region via performances big and small.
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