Glenravel Mike Carnrike 18 York St. Norwich, NY 13815 E-mail conor@adelphia.net
Band
 originally formed as Blarney Stone in 1980 Mike Carnrike & Dan Collins
Sons of Ireland used locally when everyone joins the session
In 1911, Bridget Carey, from Glenravel, county Antrim, Northern Ireland set sail from Derry on the ship, The California, with her niece Mary McKeown. They arrived on June 5th, 1911 on Ellis Island.
They came to America to stay with friends of the family on York Street and pursue a new life in the land of liberty. Later, she married Dan McNeil and had three daughters Mary (Waldorf), Elizabeth (Merritt) and Alice. Alice, my mother, was born in the same house now occupied by my family. For those of you familiar with the history of Norwich, the house was originally a boarding house for the railroad yards and situated on Scott Street, the present site of Midland Drive and The Norwich High School. It was relocated to York Street in the early 1900's by my Great Grandfather. I am second child of Alice's eight children.
* Mary Waldorf and Betty McNeil have gone to be with the Lord since the inception of this site.
The song “Don't Rock That Chair” was written in memory of Bridget and her superstitions on the subject of an empty rocking chair being rocked and bringing bad luck or death to the household.
So, in 1980, after going without Irish music in Norwich on St. Patrick's Day every year, my father-in-law Bud Schuck coaxed me into singing at the Norwich Grille on March 17th. Knowing the lyrics and tunes, I was able to convince Dan Collins, a known guitarist in the area and former high school classmate to play the music while I sang. Patrick Ryan who knew some banjo chords and a few songs joined us for opening night. We were booked as the Blarney Stone and although the first night was far from a success story, we were encouraged by friends and family to continue our efforts.
Dan and I got ourselves booked into Binghamton and Syracuse and had a real good following especially from the Binghamton AOH (Ancient Order of the Hibernians) crowd and The Lyons Den, a now defunct pub on the East Side. We added a fiddle/banjo player (Tom Dimmock) from Binghamton and continued to add new songs to our list. Danny wrote and composed Irish Pride and Nancy, Nancy, which we sang for the first time in Lewis's Restaurant in Sherburne one St. Patrick's Day. We appeared on the Irish radio show out of Binghamton several times, thanks to Phyllis and Patty, who had heard us in the pubs.
In 1986 we were booked to play in the big city of New York in a place called Tommy Makem's Irish Pub. Yes, the legendary Tommy Makem, singer and songwriter of Irish music, famous for his songs especially Four Green Fields and his shows with Liam and the Clancy Brothers. He is still playing the music and writing songs, today. We booked a busload of friends and relatives from Norwich and Binghamton, to ensure at least someone would be in the bar and were very successful which led to many more jobs throughout NYC, the Bronx and Staten Island. A short while thereafter, Tom Dimmock chose to go his way with another group called Doneen but with some “Irish Luck” we were able to land a fabulous fiddle player for our gigs in the “Big City.” Marty Laster, a studio musician, who performs with the NY Philharmonic Orchestra and taught violin and fiddle for a living, filled the bill as we traveled throughout NYC. We also had the privilege of playing at Paddy Reilly's Irish Pub in Manhattan. Paddy plays with the Dubliners, when he's not busy on his solo career. We have sung in bars in Ireland, St. Louis, Toronto, New Orleans and lest we forget with Dennis Day (from the Jack Benny Show) in Binghamton, NY.
Dan found love and married an Irish girl (Anne) from Staten Island, whom he met in a pub on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse. (She was a college friend of Wayne Frink's wife Ann Marie. Wayne loved to play guitar with us in his hometown.) Dan presently resides in East Greenwich, RI yet he never fails to make the trip back to Norwich for our St. Patrick Day shows. If you happen to catch our act when he is in town you just might happen to hear some of our originals like All Aboard for Ireland, Eyes So Bright, Thief of Hearts, The Ould Brass Rail ( a song dedicated to our deceased friend Patrick Nannery) or other songs like JD and the Thief, a song written with his son Jessie in mind. If the Collins family is there they might be able to shame him into singing Irish Pride. His family is always there to lend their support.
It just so happens we have a song for three of my four children, also. When they were young, Dan Collins wrote a song about Carey Ann called Carey found a Unicorn, for Patricia Lynn, called Patti C and the Land of Magic, for Kennedy Michael, Kennedy Played the Waltz, (although he lost the words, I think he played it out one time only), and James Conor, well he is 16 and still waiting for Danny's writer cramps to subside. His grandfather always insisted the song James Connolly was his song (The Irish Rebel). You might also see my daughter Patti get up and do a tune or two with us (Fields Of Athenry) or stay for the whole show at times (remember at The Rail in Oneonta). My children have all sung with us on different occasions especially their favorite song, Some Say The Devil's Dead when they were younger. My wife Ann has enjoyed all the moments and shared the tears and joys with us. She is there whenever possible and always during the impossible. The music has allowed us many memories and to share some great times together. As of March 2007, Ann and I have two grandsons. Daughter Carey and her husband Jason have a son, Dominic Michael age 5, while Kennedy and his wife Jocelyn have a son Liam Kennedy age 7months. Dan and his wife have two granddaughters. Jesse and Lannetts' two daughters named Morgan and Valorie. I'm hoping these children will take over where we leave off and keep the Irish music flowing in Norwich or wherever life takes them.
Today, we continue to play in the Norwich area. In recent years, more musicians have jumped on board after hearing all the traditional songs and ballads we sing. There's Timothy Ryan on guitar and bass guitar. He has played in numerous bands around the area. His brother, Dan Ryan (Will Danaher) on bass, (Tim's brother who comes out on each St. Patrick's Day to steal Tims bass). Another brother, Thomas Ryan, Tommy, on tenor banjo. (his dad would be proud if he were here today). Then we have our own lawyer, Frank (Ryan) Revoir he's plays guitar and sometimes adds vocals. Also, Mike O'Connor on keyboards. He plays for various bands and always makes scheduling a treat. Bill Scranton, joined us in 2006 and plays guitar and mandolin (he is married to the Ryan boys sister, Laurie. Our former mandolin player Jerome, moved to Tennessee with his family in 2003.
Special guests never pose a problem and sometimes will surprise even us. We always welcome the peoples in the crowds to sing along with us during the chorus and have a great time big or small. My father, George, is always eager to latch onto a microphone and shout out Danny Boy and the Four Green Fields. In times past, we had the company of the late Ed Leahy (May God bless him) on the accordion and there was Jack Frink belting out some Tommy Makem tunes. best of health to you- Jack
In March 2006, we were honored to open the show for the Wolfe Tones
http://www.wolfetonesofficialsite.com in P. J. O'Hare's. Thanks Dermot! http://www.pjohares.com/" http://www.pjohares.com/
2008
Glenravel
Band members: Dan Collins vocals and guitar, Patti Carnrike vocals, Mike O’Connor keyboards and Mike Carnrike lead vocals. Together they sing Irish songs, stories and ballads. The band is named Glenravel after the hometown of Mike C.’s grandmother, Bridget (Carey) McNeil who traveled to America as a young woman to the new world in 1911. It is located in Antrim County, Northern Ireland.
Mike and Dan have traveled extensively throughout the northeast U. S. over 30 plus years since getting together and forming an Irish band in 1978. They have played at various festivals and pubs throughout New York State, including the late Tommy Makem’s Irish Pavilion, Paddy Reilly’s Irish Pub, The Celtic House, Blaine and Noone’s Pub and Flemings Irish Pub in the big city. Their song list includes songs from The Irish Rovers, Barleycorn, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Wolfetones, and others as well as originals written by both Dan and Mike. Dan Collins has been playing music since he was in High School having been in various bands, and toured the states with a show band prior to and during his early stints with the Irish music. Patti has sung with her dad since she was 3 years old and has recently joined as a regular member since returning to her hometown, after college in Virginia. She was a member of The Virginia Wesleyan Singers and traveled many places with the student choir in her college years. Mike O’Connor is a well established musician with various groups including country, rock and roll, and jazz but never hesitates to be with the Irish whenever possible.
The group is hoping to release a CD in the near future featuring some of our own songs as well as some of the traditional tunes with an authentic Glenravel sound. If you want to enjoy an evening of Irish entertainment please come out and see for yourselves. I’m sure you’ll leave with a smile in your eyes and hearts.
 To the memory of great friends and relations: Bridgie & Dan, Bud & Willie, Aunt Mary & Uncle Mo, Aunt Betty, Aunt Pat, Randy, Glen, Chuck , Uncle Sherman (Green Fields of France), Charlie & John, Aggie, Glenn & Oonagh, Ould Pat N., Dick, Bob & Joe, Archie & Betty, Uncle Ed, Murphy and Margaret, John “Fitzi” Fitzgibbons.
“I went to see my neighbors, to see what they might say
The old ones were all dead and gone the young ones turning gray”
……excerpt from the song Spancil Hill
 A warm welcome to you Irishmen…throw all your troubles away
A warm welcome to you Irishmen…we're making new friends today
Just invite yourselves into the room…Shake hand with your neighbor next door
Clap your hands and stomp your feet…Sing out about the Shamrock Shore
All you lads and lassies .young and old as well
Be Proud of your Irish history…there's so much you can tell
Show your pride in who you are… reach out to your fellow man
Let the world believe when they all see…. United Irishmen
We'll sing of joys and sorrows…Maybe shed a tear or two
But, all of us we're among friends…And this I say to you
Let the devil take those who forget…And let go of their past
Cause we're Irish and we're proud to be...Til God takes us at last
© carnrike and collins
Tiocfaidh ár lá = Our day will come
/chuck-hee awr law/
Keep up the good work Aaron Boise …author of web site…support him if you get the chance
boise@boisemarketing.net
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"Dont Rock That Chair"
Written By Mike Carnrike