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Pam & Norm Merrigan have been playing traditional music for over 20 years in a variety of bands and incarnations which have included performances at festivals as diverse as the National Folk Festival, Port Fairy and the Tamworth Country Music Festival (twice won the National Battle of the Bush Bands), as well as tours to South-East Asia, Ireland and the UK, and performances for television, radio, and at major venues including the Sydney Opera House. While a major focus of their music reflects a strong connection to their Irish ancestry the Merrigans also incorporate strong Celtic influences into their music especially those that can be linked to Australia. Pam and Norm Merrigan are also the resident musicians for the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers. . z
Norm Merrigan grew up in country NSW to parents of both Colonial and Irish heritage, the Merrigans originally being from Co. Tipperary. In his youth Norm played side drum in marching and Scottish bands and dabbled in the blues on guitar. His interest in traditional music began as a young man in the 1970's and he was very much influenced by Brad Tate who was instrumental in Norm taking up the button accordion. Like so many musicians in the Australian "bush" tradition Norm has a keen ear and is self taught. He has a lovely "light" touch to his playing and over the years has refined his technique to include a range of music from contemporary and traditional Irish to Australian bush and Scottish tunes. While his first "love" is the accordion Norm also plays Irish Bouzouki and bodhran. z
Pam Merrigan has the great advantage of coming from a family steeped in music. Her grandmother and uncles were highly regarded traditional dance musicians, and on her father's side, with lineage traced backed to Co. Galway in Ireland there were many fine singers. While Pam has a formal music background and is a music educator with a MMus degree (UNSW), she has an innate ear for traditional music. As well as being a multi-instrumentalist Pam is a highly regarded singer and was once described as "one of the finest voices in Australian folk music". In addition to her work with Gael mόr Pam has directed a number of folk & acoustic music festivals (notably Newcastle & Wagga Wagga, and Fleadh Ceol 2003 & 04)), presented traditional music programmes on radio, and been a music reviewer for a number of music publications including the folk magazine "Stringybark & Greenhide". In 2002 Pam also directed & produced the stage adaptation of John Warner's "Yarri of Wiradjuri" for the 150th anniversary of the Great Gundagai Flood. She is currently the artistic director of the "Turning Wave Festival" - A celebration of Irish Australia. z
From his earliest years Chris Merrigan was surrounded by music and song, but especially the traditional music played by his parents. While his early musical tastes lent towards the rock and popular fields he excelled at music as a teenager, playing piano, saxophone, bass and guitar and involved himself in a range of different bands and styles. These included a variety of rock bands, one of which was the support act for the Cockroaches back in the '80's, and jazz combos and big bands. He officially began playing with Gael mόr in 2001 though he has played with his parents on and off since 1993. While his first instrument is the saxophone Chris has an uncanny talent for the bass guitar and adds subtle and sometimes adventurous influences from other styles to his bass playing with Gael mόr. z
"Here We Are In NSW"- with The Bush Bandicoots (1986). "The Railway Session" - various musicians Live @ The Railway Hotel (2003) "Session Downunder" - Pam & Norm Merrigan with Chris Merrigan & Vinnie Blake (2004) "Music at the Shamrock" various musicians Live @ The Shamrock Inn (2005)“Traditional "Australian Music – old bush songs and dance tunes” (2005) with The Sydney Harbour Band. Recorded for the 2005 tour of Ireland & Scotland. "Between Two Shores" - Pam & Norm Merrigan (2006) "Here to There" - Coolfinn Mac (2007)
Pam Merrigan can also be heard playing whistle on Greg Champion's "North South" (2004) |
