Kevin Conneff
Encyclopedia
Kevin Conneff is more familiarly known as the voice and rhythmic heartbeat of the legendary Irish folk group, The Chieftains
, through his talents as vocalist and bodhrán
player. He joined the group in 1976, replacing Peadar Mercier who had been the second bodhrán player for the group. The move was unexpected — he'd been asked to contribute to "Bonaparte's Retreat" (Chieftains VI) and didn't know that Peadar Mercier was retiring until Paddy Moloney
, over a pint or two of Guinness, asked Kevin to consider making the contribution permanent. Since then, Kevin has become an integral part of the sound of the Chieftains.
Kevin Conneff was born in Donore
, a village near Drogheda
, in County Louth
, Ireland
and raised in the Liberties, in the heart of Dublin. Music was an important part of his home life but, as he later related, "I didn't hear traditional music from the womb," as did other members of the Chieftains. It wasn't until he began work as a photographic assistant for a printing machine company, at age 18, that he was introduced to Irish traditional music. A group of his work mates would hire a car every week to drive to one of the many fleadhs (traditional Irish music festivals) within reasonable driving distance. Kevin was drawn in and hooked by what he saw, musicians poorly dressed, having incredible talent but only playing the music for leisure, a music with a long long tradition. That image has remained with Kevin ever since. Kevin began going to a session
every weekend, picking up the odd song here and there and joining the musicians. He was heavily influenced by the traditional style of singing from the Donegal/Fermanagh region in Ireland, particularly the singing of Paddy Tunney
. At just about that time he picked up his first bodhrán for three pounds in Newcastle West
, County Limerick
. He'd heard the bodhrán on the radio, including the playing of Sean O Riada
with Ceoltóirí Chualann
, and was amazed at the power of the simple goatskin Irish frame drum.
Kevin soon mastered the bodhrán and began playing and singing at sessions about Ireland, along with playing with Dublin traditional music circles. For many years, he helped run the Tradition Club, a haven for traditional musicians, including future Chieftains colleagues Paddy Moloney, Seán Keane
and Michael Tubridy
. In the early 1970s, he joined Christy Moore
for what became a benchmark album, Prosperous
. He maintained his printing job during this time, also looking after his elderly mother. The decision to join The Chieftains as a professional musician was difficult to make, given his prior commitments, but Kevin has poured his heart and spirit into the music, making an important contribution to the music of the Chieftains.
Kevin has three children, Peigí, Ruairí and Ella and lives in Wicklow.
The Chieftains
The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
, through his talents as vocalist and bodhrán
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
player. He joined the group in 1976, replacing Peadar Mercier who had been the second bodhrán player for the group. The move was unexpected — he'd been asked to contribute to "Bonaparte's Retreat" (Chieftains VI) and didn't know that Peadar Mercier was retiring until Paddy Moloney
Paddy Moloney
Paddy Moloney is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums.He was born in Donnycarney in Dublin. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six and at the age of eight he started to learn the Uilleann pipes. He also plays button...
, over a pint or two of Guinness, asked Kevin to consider making the contribution permanent. Since then, Kevin has become an integral part of the sound of the Chieftains.
Kevin Conneff was born in Donore
Donore
Donore is a small village in County Meath, Rep. of Ireland, near Drogheda. It is situated on the Meath–Louth border in the Boyne Valley on the route between Drogheda and the Bru na Boinne interpretive centre which is the point of access to Newgrange...
, a village near Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and raised in the Liberties, in the heart of Dublin. Music was an important part of his home life but, as he later related, "I didn't hear traditional music from the womb," as did other members of the Chieftains. It wasn't until he began work as a photographic assistant for a printing machine company, at age 18, that he was introduced to Irish traditional music. A group of his work mates would hire a car every week to drive to one of the many fleadhs (traditional Irish music festivals) within reasonable driving distance. Kevin was drawn in and hooked by what he saw, musicians poorly dressed, having incredible talent but only playing the music for leisure, a music with a long long tradition. That image has remained with Kevin ever since. Kevin began going to a session
Session
-Bureaucracy:*Executive session, a portion of the United States Senate's daily session*Legislative session*Session *Session , a governing body in Presbyterian polity*Court of Session, the supreme civil court of Scotland...
every weekend, picking up the odd song here and there and joining the musicians. He was heavily influenced by the traditional style of singing from the Donegal/Fermanagh region in Ireland, particularly the singing of Paddy Tunney
Paddy Tunney
Paddy Tunney was an Irish traditional singer, poet, writer, raconteur, lilter and songwriter. He was affectionately known as the Man of Songs.-Early life:...
. At just about that time he picked up his first bodhrán for three pounds in Newcastle West
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
. He'd heard the bodhrán on the radio, including the playing of Sean O Riada
Seán Ó Riada
Seán Ó Riada , was a composer and perhaps the single most influential figure in the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s...
with Ceoltóirí Chualann
Ceoltóirí Chualann
Ceoltóirí Chualann was an Irish traditional band, led by Seán Ó Riada, which included many of the founding members of The Chieftains. Ceoltóirí is the Irish word for musicians, and Cualann is the name of an area just outside Dublin where Ó Riada lived...
, and was amazed at the power of the simple goatskin Irish frame drum.
Kevin soon mastered the bodhrán and began playing and singing at sessions about Ireland, along with playing with Dublin traditional music circles. For many years, he helped run the Tradition Club, a haven for traditional musicians, including future Chieftains colleagues Paddy Moloney, Seán Keane
Sean Keane
Seán Keane may refer to:*Seán Keane , fiddle player of The Chieftains*Seán Keane , Irish folk singer; brother of singer Dolores Keane...
and Michael Tubridy
Michael Tubridy
Michael "Mick" Tubridy is an Irish musician and structural engineer.- Career :In 1962, he was a founder member of the traditional Irish music group, The Chieftains, with whom he played the tin whistle, Irish flute, and concertina. Michael remained a member of the group until 1979.He worked as a...
. In the early 1970s, he joined Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
for what became a benchmark album, Prosperous
Prosperous
Prosperous is the second album by Irish folk musician Christy Moore, released in 1972. His first album, Paddy On The Road was recorded by Dominic Behan in 1969 and has long been out of print...
. He maintained his printing job during this time, also looking after his elderly mother. The decision to join The Chieftains as a professional musician was difficult to make, given his prior commitments, but Kevin has poured his heart and spirit into the music, making an important contribution to the music of the Chieftains.
Kevin has three children, Peigí, Ruairí and Ella and lives in Wicklow.