"Two Old Friends" Concert on Sept. 17

The Friends of the Dover Public Library will present “Two Old Friends: Songs, Tunes and Stories from Ireland and America” on Tuesday evening, September 17 at 7pm in the library’s Lecture Hall. This performance will showcase plaintive ballads and foot-stomping shout tunes, soaring instrumental solos, traditional Irish tunes, and story-telling. There is truly something for everyone.

The “Two Old Friends” are Jim Prendergast and Emery Hutchins, musicians who play and sing a unique combination of CeItic and American country music. They will show the connection between the two genres. Emery is a well-known performer of a variety of different styles of acoustic music ranging from traditional Irish tunes to vintage American country music. Jim worked for thirty years in the recording studios and orchestra pits of Nashville. He now resides in NH and is an active participant in New England’s thriving Celtic/Folk music scene. 

The Two Old Friends will demonstrate how American music is really an amalgamation of musical styles: blues pieces juxtaposed with Irish jigs and reels, original melodies, and stories.

They will explore the themes of loss and renewal, despair and hope, anguish and joy that tell the tale of the Irish and every other group of people who have traveled to America.

In their informative and entertaining performance, Hutch and Jim will be singing and playing the banjo, guitar, mandolin, concertina, bodran and octave mandolin.

Friends of the Library programs are always free and open to all. Refreshments will be served following the performance. For more information, please call the Dover Public Library at  516-6050.