Road to Boston by Jolly Rogues

Each musical selection has a prelude explanation of the songs history, folklore and meaning. A myriad of emotions is expected to be experienced by the audience.

The Rogues are carving out a unique niche in local musical entertainment. Why not make them a part of your experience?

ROGUE PERSONALS

The Rogues are members of The Guild of Historic Interpreters (The Guild Music; The Hartwell Players,and each has unique talents and brings individual experiences and background to the group.

JIM MURRAY -

Manager and singer, he plays the guitar and mandolin, has appeared in connection with Tommy Makem fund raiser and been a warm-up for comedian Jimmy Tingle in addition to performing at such events as "Sail Boston 2000".

AL HICKS -

A tenor with skills on the guitar and banjo he began his career as a late 1960s folk music entertainer, appearing at local clubs and events.

PAUL HARTY -

Playing a smart fiddle and guitar, he has founded and performed with such groups as "St. James Gate" (Irish), "Quarter Moon" (old country harmony) and "Blunt Instrument" (electric folk).

MIKE RYAN -

A percussionists (colonial snare drum; Native American and Irish hand drum), he is also an 18th Century historical interpreter, re-enactor and researcher/writer. He managed a Kentucky band "Heavy Metal", performed with "The Regimentals", sang/played tambourine with the international folk group "Nobody's Children" (1968 West Berlin Folk Festival winners) and is a member of several colonial fife/drum units.

FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE!!!

Band taking act across the pond

By Christine McConville, Globe Staff, 2/26/2004

MTV may not be calling, but that doesn't matter to members of the local band the Jolly Rogues, as they prepare for their first international tour.

For 10 days this summer, the band's four members, from Wilmington, Concord, Reading, and Westford, will be performing before dancing crowds in England.

Just don't expect to find the group and its followers cavorting at trendy hot spots in London after the shows. This band specializes in tavern tunes and sea ditties from America's Colonial days.

"It's going to be great," said Jim Murray, 56, who plays guitar and mandolin for the Rogues, when he's not at work at an insurance company in Wilmington.

The rest of the group includes Mike Ryan of Concord on Native American and Irish hand drums; Paul Harty of Reading on fiddle, wind instruments, and mandolin; and Alan Hicks of Westford on guitar.

For concerts, they dress in period clothing, and Ryan, who specializes in Revolutionary era history, usually offers a brief history lesson before each song.

For the past year and a half, the group has performed to growing local crowds, while attracting fans overseas.

Thanks to the Internet, their songs were discovered by disc jockeys in Germany and the Netherlands. The British Broadcasting Corp. has even interviewed the band.

"It's bouncy music, and people over there like that," Murray said.

This summer, the group will perform a concert on a field in Tewkesbury, England, where in 1471 a pivotal battle in the War of the Roses was fought. That field now is slated for development, and the Rogues are paying their own way over there to help the preservation cause.

While in the United Kingdom, the group plans to perform in Billericay, England, a small village that is the namesake for Billerica, Mass.

"We're more popular than the Beatles," Murray joked.

The group met when they were working as volunteers at the Minute Man National Historical Park, which memorializes key battlefields in the Revolutionary War.

In late 2002, as park volunteers and staff were trying to figure out new ways to spread the joys of history, someone mentioned music.

"Music was important in that time period," said Ryan, who performs with the Rogues when he's not working as an associate dean for student development at Boston College.

The group released its first compact disc about a year ago. Members expect to release their second disc, called "Captain Billy's Privateers," in the spring.

FROM THE MIDDLESEXEAST !!!!!!

Rich Haggerty

By PAUL FEELY

A local musical group is preparing to cross the Atlantic to help save an historic battlefield.

The Jolly Rogues, based in Wilmington, are currently finalizing plans for a trip to Tewkesbury, England, in late June and early July to perform a benefit concert to save a battlefield from 1471 (this battle was part of the War of the Roses). The battle that took place in that location helped determine the King of England, which in turn set in motions the events which eventually led the colonists here in America to seek their independence.

"We were asked to play and some of the organizers were quite surprised to find out that a group of Yanks was willing to come over there and be a part of this," said Jim Murray, a member of the Jolly Rogues. "They're planning a Fourth of July barbeque in our honor while we are there."

The concert will help benefit a group dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of the battlefield in English history. The Tewkesbury Battlefield Society is a group of interested people who want to preserve, promote and interpret the history, archaeology and natural history of the sites associated with the battle for the present and future generations.

The battle was fought on 4th May 1471 between the Yorkist and the Lancastrian armies. According to Englsih texts on the subject: "The Kynge apprailed hymslfe, and all his hooste set in good array: ordeined three wards: displayed his bannars: dyd blowe up the trompets: commytted his caws and qwarell to Almyghty God, to owr most blessyd lady his mother: Vyrgyn Mary, the glorious Seint George, and all the saynts: and advaunced, directly upon his enemyes: approachinge to thier filde, which was strongly in a marvaylows strong grownd pyght, full difficult to be assayled." The Yorkists triumphed and 2,000 Lancastrians were slaughered. The location of the 2,000 bodies is unknown but is believed to be somewhere within the battlefield area.

The Jolly Rogues aren't going to make a cent off the trip, and are looking to pay for the adventure using proceeds from local concerts, compact disc sales, and donations.

This talented band of musicians and singers has a varied, intriguing repertoire of 18th and 19th Century material from period commemorative, tavern/drinking, romantic ballads, sea shanties, children's ditties, songs of revolt to music of the underground railroad, the Civil War, political views and a spiritual nature.

Included among the songs are those which invite listening (instrumentals), clapping and foot tapping or singing along with a solo or harmonic melody. Others may invoke a melancholy mood. Among the titles will be found "Rosen the Beau", "Lizzie Lindsay", "Captain Kidd", "All for Me Grog", "Yankee Doodle", "Star of the County Down", "The Parting Glass", "Rattlin Bog", "Boston Harbor Shanty" plus "Harvest Home", "Mermaid", "Boys of Blue Hill", "Johnny has Gone for A Soldier", "Three Jolly Coachmen", "Maid of Amsterdam", "Greenland Whale Fishery".

Depending on the program's purpose and musical selection, The Rogues appear attired in either 18th or 19th Century clothing or a combination of the two periods, adding to the color and charm of the performance. Each musical selection has a prelude explanation of the songs history, folklore and meaning. A myriad of emotions is expected to be experienced by the audience.

The Rogues are carving out a unique niche in local musical entertainment. Why not make them a part of your experience?

The Rogues are members of The Guild of Historic Interpreters (The Guild Music; The Hartwell Players and each has unique talents and brings individual experiences and background to the group. The following is background information on each member:

JIM MURRAY - Manager and singer, he plays the guitar and mandolin, has appeared in connection with a Tommy Makem fundraiser and been a warm-up for comedian Jimmy Tingle in addition to performing at such events as "Sail Boston 2000".

AL HICKS - A tenor with skills on the guitar and banjo, he began his career as a late 1960s folk music entertainer, appearing at local clubs and events.

PAUL HARTY - Playing a smart fiddle and guitar, he has founded and performed with such groups as "St. James Gate" (Irish), "Quarter Moon" (old country harmony) and "Blunt Instrument" (electric folk).

MIKE RYAN - A percussionists (colonial snare drum; Native American and Irish hand drum), he is also an 18th Century historical interpreter, re-enactor and researcher/writer. He managed a Kentucky band "Heavy Metal", performed with "The Regimentals", sang/played tambourine with the international folk group "Nobody's Children" (1968 West Berlin Folk Festival winners) and is a member of several colonial fife/drum units.

The Rogues have made public appearances at such events as the "Save Our Heritage" Fundraiser, Historic Pierce House, Lincoln, MA " "Sail Boston 2000" " "Bunker Hill Monument Site", Boston National Historical Park, Charlestown, MA " Sarah Carter Lectures "Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Lincoln and Lexington, MA Sites: North Bridge, Hartwell Tavern, The Wayside, Visitors' Center "Minute Man National Park Association events " "The Harnden Tavern", Wilmington, MA (fundraiser) " "Riverfest 2002", Concord, MA "NEFFA 2003 & 2004 "Boston Harbor Fest 2003 " Boston Seaport Festival 2003 "New Bedford National Park 2003 "Wilmington Arts 2003 "Old South Meeting House 2003 ""The Old Manse", Concord, MA "Tewkesbury & Billericay England July 1-11 2004 "2004 Our 2nd CD Captain Billy's Privateers "Preferred Vendor Boston Convention 2004".

While in England on this trip, the Rogues also intend to visit Billericay, England on July 10, 2004 to help a group raise money to come to America in 2005. The town of Billerica, MA was named in honor of the four people who came over from Billericay, England on the Mayflower, and they intend to have representation on our shores when the town celebrates an anniversary in 2005.

To make a donation, you can contact the Rogues at (866-543-1050); 314 Main Street unit 205, Wilmington, MA 01887 or Email shamless1@juno.com. The group's web site is www.jollyrogues.com

I downloaded the songs "The maid from Willington" and "Boys from Blue Hill". I like the shanty-music. It is easy listening music with a historical value. We in Holland have also many shanty-choirs. You can find most of them on the internet. In my radioprogram I play often one or more songs. But I want some music from America, England, Scotland,etc.

--Ad van Eijk

Ridderkerk, netherlands

10/25/2002

Quote: Three-year old Allison is a big "Jolly Rogues" music fan. Her dad obtained a copy of the CD "Capt. Billy''s Privateers" and played it around the house and in the car. Now, whenever Jay buckles Allison into her car seat for a ride and asks what CD she would like to hear for the trip, she begins chanting "J-o-l-l-y R-o-g-u-e-s...J-o-l-l-y R-o-g-u-e-s... J-o-l-l-y R-o-g-u-e-s".

--Allison

Concord, MA

4/14/2005

Yesterday evening I was in Bad Zwischenahn (Concert with the Shantychoir Oldenburg, the Square Riggers from Delfzijl en The Jolly Rogues from the USA). That was first class

--Conny Beckmann

Dahme, Baltic

6/26/2005

UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

7:00PM - Concord Library Presents the Jolly Rogues

Concord, Massachusetts

Saturday, July 16, 2005

6:00PM - JOLLY ROGUES AT Breakheart Reservation

Saugus, Massachusetts

Sunday, July 17, 2005

2:30PM - Bryant Homestead Craft Festival

Cummington, Massachusetts

Friday, July 22, 2005

7:00PM - Citizens Park Concert Series

Woburn, Massachusetts

Saturday, August 06, 2005

7:30PM - JOLLY ROGUES AT THE ISAAC WINSLOW HOUSE

Marshfield, Massachusetts

Sunday, September 04, 2005

6:30PM - Windjammer Weekend

Camden, Maine

Saturday, September 10, 2005

4:00PM - THE BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH

PLATTSBURGH, New York

PAST APPEARANCES:

Saturday, June 11, 2005

9:00AM - Dahme Germany Sea Shanty Festival June 10-12,2005

Germany,

Thursday, June 09, 2005

8:00PM - Jolly Rogues in Bad Zwischenahn Germany

Germany,

Sunday, June 05, 2005

1:00PM - Jolly Rogues at Sarotoga national Historic park

Stillwater, New York

Saturday, June 04, 2005

8:00PM - Jolly Rogues at Saratoga Historic Park

Stillwater, New York

Saturday, May 21, 2005

1:00PM - JOLLY ROGUES AT LITTLE FARM NEWBURY MA FESTIVAL

Newbury ma, Massachusetts

Saturday, May 14, 2005

6:30PM - Lincoln Library

Lincoln, New Hampshire

Saturday, April 09, 2005

12:00PM - New England Folk Festival

Natick, Massachusetts

Friday, March 11, 2005

8:00PM - Jolly Rogues ST. Patricks Day Party

Wilmington, Massachusetts

Saturday, December 11, 2004

6:30PM - STRAWBERY BANKE CANDLELIGHT STROLL

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire

Saturday, September 11, 2004

2:00PM - New Bedford Whaling Musuem Saturdays at Sea

NewBedford , Massachusetts

Saturday, August 14, 2004

11:00AM - League of NewHampshire Craftsmen Fair

Concord, New Hampshire

Thursday, July 22, 2004

7:00PM - NewBedford Historic Whaling National Park

NewBedford, Massachusetts

Saturday, July 10, 2004

8:00PM - Billericay England

Billericay England,

Saturday, July 03, 2004

8:00PM - Tewkesbury Battlefield Society

Tewkesbury,England,

Thursday, July 01, 2004

7:00PM - Tewkesbury England

Tewkesbury, England,

Sunday, June 06, 2004

1:00PM - Concert at Saratoga National Historic Park

saratoga, New York

Saturday, June 05, 2004

7:00PM - Van Alstyne Homestead

Canajoharie, New York

Saturday, June 05, 2004

8:00PM - Canajoharie library & Art Gallery

Canajoharie, New York

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