Windy City Irish Radio

Hailing from Kiltealy, County Wexford, Anthony Kearns was born into a musical family. Growing up, he turned to singing and made his name locally in the hotel catering business as the "Singing Barman." After winning the "Ireland Searches for a Tenor" competition in 1993, Kearns went on to join The Irish Tenors before reaching international stardom and embarking on a solo career in his down time from the power trio. Anthony is widely renowned for his tremendous service to our veterans here in the U.S. and has routinely performed at veteran's events over the years. This week on Windy City Irish Radio, Tim and Mike visit with Anthony Kearns before his long-awaited return to the Irish American Heritage Center this Sunday November 13th. The boys spin songs from the famed tenor and feature music from Liam Clancy, Natalie MacMaster, Paul Brady and Van Morrison. Tune in for a track off of the brand new album from New York rockers The Narrowbacks and a tune from legendary Irish musician Frankie

This week on Windy City Irish Radio, the boys talk saints, souls and baseball and pay a small tribute to the Bard of Armagh, Tommy Makem, on what would have been his 84th birthday. Tune in for music from our pal, fiddle impresario Sean Cleland, Waterboy Mike Scott with Sharon Shannon, Loreena McKennitt, Van Morrison, The Wolfe Tones, Ballymoney country crooner Jordan Mogey, Sawdoctors' Leo Moran and Anthony Anto Thistlethwaite, Makem & Spain, and a tune from Frankie Gavin and De Dannan in advance of Frankie's Salon Concerts Chicago performance next weekend at The Irish American Heritage Center. Tune in every Wednesday from 8PM-9PM to WSBC 1240 AM and listen to the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

Tis the season of the witch in the Windy City Irish Radio studio as Tim and Mike are overtaken by the spirits of the Samhain holiday. In an especially spine-chilling 90 minute extended spookcast, the boys tell tales of the dead and the undead and set the mood for this particularly Irish celebration of All Hallows Eve. Tune in as they welcome a special guest from the underworld for their first ever cooking segment and listen for the ghostly stylings of Chris De Burgh, Scots Folkers Dallahan, Shane MacGowan with Sinéad O'Connor, Lisa Thiel, Rock Music pioneer Chuck Berry, New York folk-rockers Hair of the Dog, the seasonally-appropriate named Mary Black, Southern folk band Keltic Kudzu, Philly's own Runa, John Fogerty, Connie Dover with Roger Landes, Tommy Dorsey, Dublin Rockabilly Queen Imelda May with Jeff Beck, Spokane's The Town Pants, horror film legend Vincent Price, Chicago's own The Great Whiskey Project and regular contributor to the show Van Morrison. Beware this 90 minutes of bloo

This week on Windy City Irish Radio, Mike and Tim pay a special Irish tribute to Paul " Bono" Hewson, David Howell Evans - The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. Collectively knows as U2, the band was formed in the autumn of 1976 when Larry pinned and ad on the notice board in the humble environs of Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin seeking band mates. Forty years later U2 remains the biggest musical sensation that Ireland has ever seen and international superstars. Tune in for this celebration of the band with music from U2 themselves and tributes from the Man in Black, Johnny Cash, Irish songwriting legends Christy Moore and Luka Bloom, Dublin rockers The Frames and Aslan, BB King, and Lisa Bresnan. Windy City Irish Radio airs live every Wednesday from 8PM - 9PM on WSBC 1240 AM. Check out the U2 podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

With over 30 novels and several movie and television treatments of his work, Irish noir author Ken Bruen has portrayed the underbelly of the green fields of Ireland during the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger. Tonight, Ken has traveled from the rough and tumble streets of Galway City to join Mike and Tim in the hardscrabble studio of Windy City Irish Radio to talk about his latest Jack Taylor release, The Emerald Lie, and his appearance at this weekend's IBAMChicago. Ken will be receiving the IBAM award for Literature at Friday's Gala and will be giving talks, sharing a pint, and signing books all weekend long. The boys also spin a tune or two from The Fureys and Davey Arthur, The Young Folk. Tom Russell with Dolores Keane, Paddy Casey Music, Tommy Mccarthy with Louise Costello and IBAM special guest Tommy Fleming in advance of his Sunday night concert at the Irish American Heritage Center. IBAM, do you?? Join us each Wednesday from 8PM - 9PM on WSBC 1240 AM or catch the podcast at www.windycityiri

Hailing from Cork City, celebrated Irish tenor Paddy Homan graces the Windy City Irish Radio studio with songs and tales from his critically-acclaimed production "I Am Ireland". Paddy will be bringing his show to IBAMChicago next Saturday October 15th at the Irish American Heritage Center. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Sit back and listen as Paddy tells the the stories behind the songs of the Easter Rising of 1916. Tim and Mike also play tunes off of Paddy's album, The Hard Road, a brand new song from Van Morrison, more modern spins of old Irish tunes from Luka Bloom and The Waterboys and tracks from Celtic Fiddle Festival and Liz Carroll. Join us each and every Wednesday night on WSBC 1240 AM from 8PM - 9PM or listen to the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

Hailing from Clare, Limerick and Dublin town, The Led Farmers have spent the summer on their second U.S. tour supporting their brand new album, Katie. The band makes their final stateside stop in a triumphant return to Windy City Irish Radio to play some music and share stories of the road before heading back across the pond. Witty, wild and weird all at once, The Led Farmers will win you over with their musical charms. Join Mike and Tim each and every Wednesday night from 8PM - 9PM on WSBC 1240 AM or check out the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

As we settle into the fall season, Windy City Irish Radio's attention spans from outdoor festival season to indoor pub season. Tonight on Windy City Irish Radio Mike and Tim feature artists appearing at venues in and around Chicago including upcoming shows by Mundy, Paddy Homan & Chicago Reel, The Led Farmers, Kris Drever, an interview with Thunderhead heartthrob, Ryan Kelly, ahead of Celtic Thunder's upcoming appearance at the Chicago Theatre, and a new tune by the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club dedicated to teacher, musician, poet and Windy City Irish Radio alum, Maurice Lennon. Plus, Mike and Tim feature new releases by Nuala Kennedy and John Redmond. All this and more each Wednesday night on WSBC 1240AM or hear the podcast on our website at www.windycityirishradio.com

It's all about the music this week on Windy City Irish Radio. Tune in as Tim and Mike preview some upcoming local live shows by Scottish sensation, Lau, before their show at Space in Evanston, IL next week. Aoife Scott performs tonight at Chief O’Neill’s, Manx musicians, Barrule, playing as part of the Salon Concerts Chicago at the Irish American Heritage Center September 18th, The Led Farmers performing in a FREE show at the Irish American Heritage Center on Monday, September 19th before Monday Night Football, and Mundy with a special solo show at the Irish American Heritage Center on Friday, September 30th. You'll also hear some tunes from supergroup, The Gloaming, Kansas City heroes, The Elders, Minnesota roots folkers, The Hounds of Finn, Chicago's The Great Whiskey Project, Róisín O, and the late great Ronnie Drew on his birthday. You can catch Windy City Irish Radio each and every Wednesday night on WSBC 1240 AM from 8PM - 9PM or you can listen to the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.c

The stars are aligned tonight as the boys welcome Bob McNamara from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to talk all about the upcoming Starry Night Chicago 8.5K happening at Arlington Park on Sunday September 18th. Tim and Mike will be rambling their way through the course to the finish line next week and encourage all of you to join them. To join the walk/run/saunter or just to donate to this wonderful cause to cure the kids, please visit and support our team at http://pbtf.convio.net/goto/windycityirishradio. This week's show also features music from some of the fabulous musicians that will be visiting the Irish American Heritage Center this month including the Isle of Man Manx musicians, Barrule performing at the Center as part of Salon Concerts Chicago on Sept. 18th, prog folk band The Led Farmers playing Monday Sept. 19th before the Monday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, and Irish singer-songwriter Mundy at the IAHC with a special solo show on Friday Sept. 30t

They've traveled from the banks of the Fergus River to the shores of Lake Michigan by car, bus, plane and, yes, spaceship, all the way from the undisputed traditional Irish music capital of Ennis, County Clare -- Windy City Irish Radio welcomes Socks in the Frying Pan for a live in-studio performance of tunes and songs inspired by folk and country legends including Guy Clark, Joe Newberry and Ricky Skaggs off their soon to be released album, Without a Paddle. Join Mike Shevlin and Tim Taylor for a night of live music each night from 8pm to 9pm CST on WSBC 1240AM or catch Socks In The Frying Pan on this week's podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com.

WE'RE THREEEEEEE!!!!! It was three years ago this week that Mike and Tim took the airwaves by storm and Windy City Irish Radio was born. We have been very blessed to have some outstanding talent join us in studio to help us to entertain you. Join the boys as they look back over the year that was with a retrospective of many of our wonderfully talented in-studio guests. Tune in for music from Chicago troubadour, Bill O'Donoghue, Irish prog-trad-folk-rock band, The Led Farmers, local raconteur, Sean Cleland, the ethereal Aislinn Gagliardi, and singer-songwriter, Kevin Flynn. There's songs from folk legends Makem & Spain, local Irish favorite Joe McShane, our lovely radio sister and session queen, Kathleen Keane with local favorite and The Gloaming guitar man, Dennis Cahill. We have selections from crooner, Michael Whelan, an interview with Sharon Shannon, Chicago rockers Without U2 Chicago U2 Tribute Band and our pal, Michael McDermott. Of course, a year in review would not be complete with

The lads take a tour through the Celtic nations this week on Windy City Irish Radio​. Milwaukee Irish Fest​ is finally here and Tim and Mike visit with founder and statesman, Ed Ward, to talk all things fest. Tune in for music of the Celtic nations from Scotland's Skerryvore and the Red Hot Chili Pipers​, Newfoundland's The Dardanelles​, and Barrule​ from the Isle of Man. Of course, there's plenty of music from the Irish as well with songs from County Clare's own Socks in the Frying Pan​, The Kilkennys​, Solas​, and Moya Brennan​ with Cormac de Barra​. Windy City Irish Radio's Olympic Correspondent, Karen DeKanter​, files a story this week on Irish Olympians, Annalise Murphy Sailing​ and the Brothers Donovan​. Disclaimer: Karen was not able to join us live for the filing as it seems she's been drinking too much of the Rio water after a night out with the U.S. swimmers. If this week's show isn't enough for you, tune in next week for our Super Extra Special Extended

Tonight's the night. Live in studio, it's Celt Grass favorites We Banjo 3! It's been quite a week for the band. They raised the roof at City Winery Chicago and got the news the same day that they are Number 1 on the Billboard World Music charts with their new release, String Theory, a first for the band!!! The natural progression, of course, is to join Tim and Mike in the humble environs of the Windy City Irish Radio studio. I think we all know by now that this is a must-stop on the long hard road to super banjo stardom. We dare ya to keep those toes from tapping as they play several tunes live in studio! Don't forget to check out the band at Milwaukee Irish Fest next weekend! Check out the podcast here and join us every Wednesday on WSBC 1240 AM from 8PM to 9PM for the finest in Irish music.

This week on Windy City Irish Radio, the boys of summer feature music from upcoming summer performances at City Winery Chicago featuring Scythian - 8/4, We Banjo 3 - 8/9 (also performing live in the Windy City Irish Radio Studios on August 10th) with a song off their newly released album (and music from upcoming shows at the Milwaukee Irish Fest featuring music from JigJam, Solas, and we'll hear from Moya Brennan and Cormac de Barra Salon Concert performing on August 17th at the Irish American Heritage Center. Also music from Elenor Shandley & Ivan Leparr, The Gothard Sisters, Hothouse Flowers and a new released song from the University College Dublin Choral Scholars to wrap up the show. It's summer at it's finest! Check out the show every Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm on WSBC 1240AM or on our podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

This week on Windy City Irish Radio, the galoots of Irish radio feature some "Old Timey" tunes from Rooska Hill, Grainne Holland and Na Rosai along with some "Good Timey" tunes from We Banjo 3, Ottawa natives Searson, Roscommon's own Gatehouse, and Socks In the Frying Pan ahead of their August 30th appearance at Chief O'Neill's. We Banjo 3 appears live in concert at City Winery on August 9th and live in the Windy City Irish Radio studios on August 10th. Tune in each Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm CST for the finest Irish entertainment outside Dublin city or catch our podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

This week on Windy City Irish Radio, the boys get back to the basics. Tune in for the brand new single from Galway's We Banjo 3 from their soon-to-be-released album, String Theory, a new song from Virginia singer-songwriter Ben-David Warner, and classic rock re-tellings from Wicklow's Hozier and Canadian folk-rockers, Great Big Sea. Also featuring music from Cleveland's Marys Lane with Martin Furey of the High Kings, Scythian Chicago's own, Anish, Scottish folkers, Dallahan, Gaelic Storm, Damien Rice, and a gem from Pogues with Kirsty MacColl. Join us each and every Wednesday night on WSBC 1240 AM from 8PM - 9PM or check out the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

It was Luke Gardiner, later known as Lord Mountjoy, who spoke to the English Parliament after the Revolutionary War and stated, "America was lost through the actions of her Irish immigrants." In total, at least twenty of George Washington's generals were of Irish descent. Today, like so many times on this show, the question asked is just where would we be were it not for the Irish? Glory, Glory, Halleluiah, Windy City Irish Radio marches on! Join Mike and Tim as they celebrate the 240th anniversary of our nation's birth with patriotic music from U2, Derek Warfield, Gene Kelly, Ronan Tynan, Eileen Ivers with Niamh Parsons, Pete Seeger with The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and sounds of the summer season from The Corrs, Maura O'Connell, Gaelic Storm and Mundy. Happy Birthday USA! Join Tim and Mike every Wednesday night from 8PM - 9PM on WSBC 1240 AM or catch the podcast here www.windycityirishradio.com

Tonight on Windy City Irish Radio, the boys of summer get their Osmond on and prove they're a little bit country AND a little bit rock and roll. Tune in for a kick off to meteorological summer and a birthday tribute to Kris Kristofferson with a song from his recent performance with The Chieftains and Eddi Reader. Tim and Mike also celebrate Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Birthday Boy Ray Davies with a tune featuring Belfaster Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. Oh, and there's an early tune from Eileen Ivers and Paddy A Go Go. And songs from The Narrowbacks, Girsa, Damien Dempsey and Donegal's Nathan Carter for your aural enjoyment. And if that's not enough, join us for brand new tracks off brand new albums from our friends, Andy Cooney and His Band and Michael McDermott. Rock on and Yee Haw. You don't have to be a dedicated follower of fashion to tune in each Wednesday to WSBC 1240 AM from 8 PM to 9 PM or catch the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com

Oh what a night in the Windy City Irish Radio studio as live music fills the airwaves in advance of the Irish American Heritage Festival next month! Mike and Tim are pleased to welcome South Siders St. Stephen's Green into the studio to play some tunes in advance of their first ever appearance at the Fest on Friday July 8th. The boys also spin tracks from other festival favorites including Dublin's Tupelo, Girsa, the great Eileen Ivers, Chicago's own Flatfoot 56 and The Larkin and Moran Brothers and a brand new song off of the new The High Kings album, Grace and Glory. Join us each and every Wednesday from 8PM-9PM on WSBC 1240 AM or check out the podcast at www.windycityirishradio.com