Added on Wednesday 22 Aug 2012

? I was privileged and honored to be able to interview the very lovely and gifted singer and musician Mary K Burke! She was kind enough to give us a a peek behind the music that she loves and some of her struggles and advise about the music itself. She also has a radio show "The Mary K Burke Show" on Celtic Music Radio and I hope that you will please tune into her show Sundays 7-9p.m Greenwich mean time and in America 2-4p.m!! Thank you so much Mary for letting me interview you I truly appreciate it!!!!!

Helen:
How long have you been doing music? ? Mary:
Hi Helen, I have been doing music since I was nine years old that is when I took an interest and knew I had music in me ,I used to play tunes on the old school piano though I couldn?t read music ,I could hear it and that?s been the way it?s always been for me I got a guitar and finally got enough money together to string it and I just went on from there. I didn?t start singing until about twelve years old and even then I wasn?t a confident singer I taught myself the guitar and had to sing along and so it grew from there I was in my first band at 14 years old it was a man that worked with my father was looking for a singer guitarist before I knew it I was out doing gigs it was a great learning experience for me. I left home in Ireland at 16 and came to Scotland where i have perused my musical dreams ever since .I imagine I will still be singing for a few years yet I can?t imagine life without music that would be terrible .

Helen:
Where you from originally and what was life like growing up?

Mary:
I am originally from Park, Co Derry, N Ireland. Growing up for me was a daunting experience being one of 7 children from an Irish Catholic background I used to pray that I could have my own bedroom but it never happened so i had to share with my 4 sisters that was mayhem at times but also good fun at times . Unlike children today we had all our own chores to do in the house and we never thought nothing of it. I think Irish girls are conditioned from birth to be housewives .One of my chores was polishing everyone?s shoes for mass on sundays morning that?s 18 shoes ! My brothers did nothing it was me and my sisters we had to help with dinner every night set the table, wash all the dishes and then make a cup of tea for my mother and father. Park was a small hamlet when I left 29 years ago is now a village,I used to know every single person now when I go to Park I know very few and its changed so much so many of the great characters that were around when I was a child have passed on including my father who died Tragically when I was 20 that was a terrible loss for the whole family and took a while to come to terms with . I didn?t like school and found it hard to concentrate on anything I wasn?t remotely interested in my interest was music it was my main interest. I joined a Hibernian band at 12 so i could get an accordion to practice on and on a parade in Cookstown one St Patrick?s Day I suddenly realized what the troubles meant I was about 13 and terrified as missiles including bricks and bottles flew past my ear when a riot broke out ,everyone was running for cover people were bleeding children were crying including me they were going to set our bus alight anyway i left the band after that as a child I couldn?t comprehend how people could hate people and want to hurt them . I started going to discos and dances in the local hall at 15 and I made tea for bands that used to come to play there I met Big Tom and The Mainliners and i brought Brendan Quinn and the Bluebirds to my house to watch a football match my mother made them tea and gave them her home baked bread she was in shock I just landed them all into the house but she was over the moon too she was a great fan of Brendan Quinn. I always liked the music get togethers in our house at home my uncle used to come and visit us every year from Scotland and we all loved it as there would be parties and singsongs going on we were close to our cousins and used to visit relatives most weeks No PlayStations or Xboxes around then we made our own amusement. I remember me and my Cousin Ann Marie used to play on trees outside her mother?s my Aunt Teresa(rip) Jim and Annie Sharkey lived down the lane and Annmarie and I used to go down to visit old Annie She used to give us the oranges After she had sucked the juice out of them! we were only kids but I CRINGE EVERYTIME I THINK ABOUT THAT?i have so many childhood memories some good some not. Maybe someday I will write a book

Helen:
What's it like in the music business?

Mary:
Tough. Very tough. The music business is cut throat mean and ruthless it?s like any business I suppose a lot of it is down to luck and who can make things happen for you if you don?t meet that right person it won?t happen. The industry is changing now record labels who spent years fleecing artists are disappearing because the artists are doing their own producing marketing distribution etc etc etc I still feel however not all artists are capable of being business people we are creative people not business people so i think what we need is managers to manage the bookings side of things so musicians can get on with making music. I have had a lot of hard knocks in the music business and yes at times have felt so upset and wondered why am i putting myself through this but like any artist it?s a dream and you have got to keep going when one door closes another opens in my experience . You have to be very big in the music industry to gain any real success but I think there are good Nich Market Acts out there and that?s where i belong it does make it harder but I can only be true to myself and the music I do . I have had some successes along the way too and that?s what makes you get up again and take another route.

Helen:
Do you think Celtic, folk, traditional music is catching on in America or has it always been there?

? Mary:
I think it?s always been there but is becoming increasingly popular now with projects like The Transatlantic Sessions happening every year at Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow I think the roots of music in America comes from Scotland and Ireland and there is a great Celtic bond between the countries .

Helen:
What do you think makes Celtic, folk, traditional music unique?

Mary:
I think what makes it unique is its roots and the history behind it it is music of the people its the whole culture expressed in music that Celtic people can identify with wherever they are in the world.

Helen:
How did the Mary K Burke Show get started (they loved you accent didn't they, lol) and how and when can people tune in? ? Mary:
Lol well I think the accent was a big factor in it it always amazes me that people like my accent and the way i speak when i spent many years not liking it at all . Being in Scotland 29 years has made it hard not to pick up a touch of the Scottish lingo but in the main the Co Derry Accent is still there :) Anyway back to the question I was interviewed twice on Celtic Music Radio when my debut album was released in feb 2008where i mentioned i had done two breakfast shows for Pulse FM Bob The managing Director called me the next week and offered me a slot .I was hesitant at first as well as terrified I am Dyslexic so it was a real challenge for me to have to think about so many buttons and remember so many things and talk at the same time it was a bit like learning to sing and play the guitar at the same time .God Knows (well all my listeners know !) I still make mistakes! , I still get nervous but I love what I do .Very soon into the show my confidence grew and I started to get guests in to chat and play I've had some great talent on and every one very individual . The show is a labour of love for me and its two hours out of every week to go into a different mode chat to my listeners and find out what?s happening with them I have one lady from Washington DC Pamela Zimmerman she has become my top listeners and is there most weeks .When my regular listeners don?t show up i get worried some of them interact with each other on the internet also it?s an amazing feeling to know people are taking the time to listen and interact so i guess I am doing something right ,My little boy Connor said to me one day Mum I love your radio show because you are not like the professional djs!! I asked what he meant he said you?re like a real person :) I think the best guest I have had was Dave Sharp he was such a gentleman and so interesting to listen to I asked him if I could take him for a pint after the show and to my delight he said yes I would love to Mary I took him to The Butterfly and Pig and got him on stage for a song. You just don?t get that hospitality from the BBC but on my show you do . I treat my guests as friends and fellow musicians and try to make them feel at ease I think I am good at that it was because of all the interviews I had done in stations talking about my album I knew how scared i was its not easy talking into air and not seeing faces .A good friend gave me a good tip to pick an object in the room call it whoever and make that my audience it works! . I have had some good laughs on shows one evening in the middle of an interview I had to go to the ladies room. I stuck on a track excused myself to my guest and said I'd be back in a tick I thought the track would have been long enough to get me back in my seat but no. I walked in and my guest was sitting there with a look of bewilderment on his face music had stopped I sat down breathless from running back from the toilet and said sorry folks but when you have to go you have to go .I got loads of emails that night people were in stiches with laughter . You can catch my show every sun 7pm to 9pm gmt www.celticmusicradio.net and 1530mw in Glasgow Listeners can email the show while I?m there on [email protected]

Helen:
Has music always been a part of your life?

Mary:
Absolutely yes! Music has been a big part of my life I think we all have different times in our life that a song playing on a radio somewhere will spark that memory be it happy or sad I feel very privileged to have been given a talent in music and i wonder what would my life had been like if i hadn?t been a musician . When I was bringing up my older children Music had to take second place but i still performed when i could and just because you?re not performing doesn?t mean you are not an artist. I think everybody is into music of some kind its food for the soul to us all and when you can play it and perform it to other people you are bringing the lyrics alive through your voice .It?s my way of communicating with people. I like interpreting songs and giving them my own stamp I am also writing more now that i ever have and hope to start my next album soon. Listening to music is also a passion for me and I think i have a good eye and ear for talent I spend a lot of time promoting other acts as I like this side of things to and the radio show has given me the platform to present this talent to the listeners. I like nothing more than live music and it will always be part of my life .

Helen:
Who are some artists you've had the privilege to work with and who would you like to work with?

Mary:
I have had the privilege of working with Sean Cannon (The Dubliners), Bob Cheevers (Nashville), Toni Caitlan (Nashville), The Finlay Mc Donald Band and I recently supported Donnie Munro and His Band . Helen:
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? ? Mary:
I like lots of different kinds of music but have a preference for Roots Country Scottish and Irish Trad and Contempory Music and there?s so many good singer songwriters around out there. I love the Accordion it?s an instrument I grew up hearing a lot of I love The Scottish and Irish Tunes played on it. I like the Gaelic songs even though I don?t understand the lyrics the airs make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Singers I like include Iris Dement, Emmi Lou Harris, Karine Polwart ,Karen Mattison ,Mary Black ,Frances Black,Nanci Griffith ,The late Sandy Denny, I am a big fan of John Prine , Richard Thompson, Eamon Ireland , The late John Martynn , Shane Mac Gowan and many more.

Helen:
Any new tours or cd material coming up that you would like to share or talk about? ? Mary:
I am working with some agents to try and get a tour set up, I was to tour the UK with Johnny Mc Evoy when my album was released due to Johnny not being well it had to be cancelled management say if it comes up again I will be there so I still keep hoping it will come together at some point. I plan to come to America in April next year and hope through contacts I will manage to get some gigs organized so if you know any good agent could help me with this let me know. .I hope to be in the studio soon to begin my next album which will have a mix of covers and original stuff. I am also leading a group of Scottish musicians to Italy next year this will take a lot of organizing but will be good for Scotland and Italy. I have written and composed a song with Bill Adair for a compilation album for Celtic Music Radio this album is to be launched at Celtic Connections 2010 it?s called Ireland I Miss You. My song My Scotsman and Thee has been taken on to a compilation called Forget me not and the proceeds go to Alzimmers Ireland. I have now been asked to donate a song to another Irish compilation album. I go to Ireland next month to meet Eamon Ireland he is a good friend and a prolific singer songwriter we plan to do some songs together and i just can?t wait to meet him.

Helen:
What is one of your achievements in music do you think?

Mary:
My Biggest Achievement in music I think was to get my debut album recorded and released on a highly respected record label Greentrax I have a lot of respect for Greentrax so to be on the label means a lot and yes I think people take you more seriously when you have the kudos of a good label behind you

Helen:
Have you ever had any disappointments in music you feel comfortable sharing?

Mary:
I have had many many disappointments in music. I suppose it goes with the territory but it still knocks you no matter what level of music you are in . It?s turning the thing around that matters and how you respond I always try to learn from my mistakes but most of us never do. I think there is a lot of politics in music and it?s not how good you are or what you know it?s who you know in this game .I have saw firsthand the things that go on they are not right there are cliques in everything but more so in music that side of music disappoints me greatly

Helen:
What are some challenges you face as a music artist?

Mary:
There are many challenges to face as a music artist at this moment in time with the recession biting in and MySpace bringing many artists to the fore so there?s more musicians than gigs you have to be a very good networker and that is a challenge trying to juggle that with your music rehearsals gigs home etc . The other challenge for me is what i do is a bit different and its hard work trying to reach the right audience but I will stick to what i do and who knows.

Helen:
Any words of advice you wish to share with someone who wants to pursue music as a career?

Mary:
DON'T DO IT!?KIDDING. My advice would be follow your dream know your limitations your strengths and weaknesses and be yourself. That?s all you can ever be and if you have talent it will shine through no matter what. If you?re going to do it do it right believe in yourself and your talent no one else is going to like you if you don?t like yourself. Set your goal what do you want? It took me 40 years to get signed why ? Because it took me 40 years to finally realize what I was all about as an artist .I want to do so much more than one album and I want to tour but my dream started to come true when i believed it would happen so never give up .

Helen:
And finally are there any stories or anything you would like to share with the readers?

Mary:
I have many stories which I would like to share with the readers about leaving Ireland at 16 years old and learning over the last 29 years of the Scottish Culture and music while still retaining my own identity and Irishness . I think my story is in my debut album it relates to many real life experiences So readers please go and buy it and then tell your friends to buy it I am very happy with my debut album and have had amazing reviews and airplay , Since the album release I have had great experiences I was featured on magazines as far away as Australia was on several radio shows including Ian Andersons show BBC Radio Scotland The Robbie Shepard Show Frank Hennessey BBC Radio Wales Stan Graham Show BBC Radio York Sue Mercer Show and several others . I didn?t choose a music career it chose me I don?t know anything else and hope to continue playing and promoting music for many years to come and hope I will see you all at my concerts someday .