Treble on
the Bay
By Mollie Moloney-Singer/songwriter, Freelance Writer
On Saturday,
March 28th I had the pleasure of attending Doug Leahy and The Next
Generation, a Celtic-based family performance at the Charles W. Stockey Centre
for the Performing Arts. The show was another amazing concert brought to us by “Get
off the Bus Concerts” through Joe and Fatima Bamford of HALJOE COACH in support of the West Parry Sound Health
Centre. By Mollie Moloney-Singer/songwriter, Freelance Writer
Doug Leahy and the Next Generation was truly the place to be on Saturday night! This high spirited, infectious, fun loving family of nine soon to be ten dazzled the audience with their traditional Celtic & French Canadian fiddle music, their lively step dancing, and their beautiful voices. I was on the edge of my seat all night; clapping my hands and tapping my feet. It was exciting!
Earlier that day, I had the chance to interview Doug Leahy: the leader of the pack and a member of the acclaimed “Leahy” family. We spoke about him and his wife Jennifer’s musical roots and how they decided to go on the road with their seven children. As a member of the well-known Celtic-based group “Leahy”, Doug lived and breathed Celtic music. He mentioned that instruments were always being brought home and that his parent’s always encouraged them to be played. His wife Jennifer was also raised in a musical home; she was encouraged to play the piano and sing and now she plays the lead piano for the group. Around a year and half ago, after touring with the Leahy Family Christmas Tour and having countless requests to play; the family decided to put a show together and go on the road. It was always their wish to encourage music in their family and what better way than to share this beautiful experience together.
I quickly found that the meaning of “family” is the center of everything the Leahy’s set out to do, and how they make what they do, happen so effortlessly. The family lives in Lakefield, Ontario on the old Leahy family homestead where they raise beef and homeschool their seven children ranging from ages one and a half to thirteen years. “It’s about balance and having fun” said Doug. “Our farm is so important to us it’s a place of refuge, a place where our kids have balance, develop work ethic, a place where we are continually being tested and challenged both mentally and physically, these things are very important to us.” But how do you make it all happen? I ask Doug. The farm, the homeschooling, and a busy music career? “Well, we are very fortunate in having a supportive family, brothers, cousins, and friends who help us when we are out on the road. The one person who keeps it all together though is my wife Jennifer, she’s always on the lookout for new educational opportunities for our kids; we’re always stopping at museums, meeting new people, and learning about the places we travel to, it truly is a wonderful gift for our family. Right now the kids are in the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame playing hockey upstairs. We played here last fall for Terry Little’s Annual Fiddle Festival and they loved it, so when they heard we were returning they were overjoyed!”
This is a very accomplished, talented and hardworking family. They play the fiddle, the piano, the cello, a French Canadian accordion; that interestingly enough, they learned via Skype as there isn’t a French Canadian accordion teacher in their area. They all play the conga drum, they sing, and they all study French Canadian step dancing. When I asked about their practice routine, Doug told me that of course they practice and often. They take piano lessons and step dancing lessons, but the real practice is what he calls “getting in the game” real life experience on the stage in front of an audience. He went on to say that so many kids are told to practice, practice, practice, but they’re never putting it to the test, they’re never taking it to the game, and that’s what he believes is the basis of real practicing.
Keep your eyes on this fun-loving musical family; they’re definitely going places! I had shivers all night. They are planning on making their first recording starting as soon as April. They’ve been so busy farming, homeschooling, and playing shows that they haven’t had time to record yet, so stay tuned! They have some great upcoming events: This Spring they’ll be performing with Donnell Leahy and The Ottawa Symphony, they’ll be in Chicago, Cleveland, and many more places to come. You can stay updated on their website www.dougleahy.com and you can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!
Again, I would like to give special mention to “Get Off the Bus Concerts “ and Joe and Fatima Bamford from HALJOE COACH for all their efforts in support of the West Parry Sound Health Centre. Since starting their “Get off the Bus Concerts” $100,000 dollars has been raised! You can stay updated with future concerts at getoffthebusconcerts.com and like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
~Mollie
