Singer Andy Cooney in Maumee on March 16
Written by Sarah Ottney | Managing Editor | sottney@toledofreepress.comIrish-American crooner Andy Cooney is ready to put area residents in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Cooney, who has performed across the U.S., twice selling out Carnegie Hall, is bringing his Forever Irish tour to Maumee for a one-day performance at 2 p.m. March 16.
“We are a fun-filled, family-friendly, high-energy Irish music show,” said Cooney, who has been singing his whole life and touring for about 15 years. “We have dancers with us, a great family comedian from Ireland. We have a lovely female folk artist from Ireland, and then I show up with my band and we do some of the songs I made popular and then we do some of the old standards as well.”
Andy Cooney
The show, which runs about 100 minutes, is “a real variety show,” Cooney said. “It constantly changes. The evening goes by very, very quick.”
Comedian George Casey, who has opened for Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Vinton, The Osmond Brothers and others, is family-friendly and hilarious, Cooney said. Folk artist Kate Purcell plays acoustic guitar and sings.
“She has a beautiful pure Irish folk voice. She’s really something else,” Cooney said. “She’s been with me for about five years. I bring her on all my tours. She’s just phenomenal. People just fall in love with her.”
Irish dancers from New York City’s Darrah Carr Dance perform a unique blend of traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance, according to its website. The company calls its style ModERIN, referencing the common American term of endearment for Ireland.
“They are tremendous; the routines they put together are phenomenal,” Cooney said. “People really, really love that part of the show.”
Cooney grew up on Long Island and started singing Irish tunes at a young age, taught by his Dublin-born grandfather.
“The music was ingrown, very deep-rooted in our family,” Cooney said.
The show will take place at Maumee High School’s Performing Arts Center, 1147 Saco St. Tickets are $28 in Section One, and two tickets for $40 in Section Two. Tickets can be purchased by calling Mary’s Enterprises Theater Services at (419) 535-9100. For more information, visit www.andycooney.com.
