Prescott’s long running Celtic Concert Series returns Sunday night, October 16th, with a one night performance by Old Blind Dogs, one of Scotland’s top touring bands. The Celtic Concert Series, which features the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, has been a staple of Prescott’s live music scene since its founding in 2004.
Most Americans are familiar with Celtic music though bands such as the Chieftains and the Riverdance production. Celtic music is the traditional music of the Celtic peoples who populated the British Isles, and northern and western Europe in the pre-Roman era. Later immigration of the Scotch-Irish to what became the United States, brought their traditional folk music, sea shanties and gospel hymns to the New World. The melodies, rhythms, and instruments they brought with them were foundational to the later development of American popular music.
Local promoter, David McNabb, founded the Celtic Concert Series in Prescott nearly two decades ago, after many years of promoting the music of Ireland and Scotland at the Celtic Culture Center in North Hollywood. From 2004 to 2008 McNabb hosted a local radio program, the Celtic Corner, on KJAZ. Over the years he has brought many of the top Irish and Scottish touring bands to Prescott, including Jim Malcolm, the Battlefield Band, the Tannahill Weavers, Cannad, and many others.
COVID-19 restrictions forced cancellation of the series in 2020 and 2021. But the popular concert series is returning this weekend with Old Blind Dogs. The venue is the Trinity Presbyterian Church located at Park Avenue and Copper Basin Road in Prescott. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with the music starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
