Dear Reader - Make sure to read to the end of the letter if you are a singer or have always wanted to be in a Theme Night!
But first a reminder - the last few places in the Theme Night Club are still available - and there is a big offer landing in the inbox of members this week - join us here!
The Big Thing
I have been enjoying lots of Dolly Parton stories - especially this letter she wrote to a fellow star…
Where else but Sligo?
It was February 2019 - the occasion of our first trip to Vicar St.
We had a tradition back then that we couldn’t let one show pass without announcing the next theme.
I had been listening to the Bruce Springsteen Live In Dublin album over and over again and it struck me that it was the perfect music for a Theme Night. Accordions, guitars, banjos, horn section, great backing vocals and fantastic sing-along songs.
So I announced it in Vicar St.
And once people heard the name Bruce Springsteen there was a big cheer! The tickets sold out in record time and when the show came around in May we all had a whale of a time - the music was such fun to play.
Then I met a few Bruce fans after - and they weren’t hugely impressed, to say the least! The Live in Dublin album is quite different from his more established style of music and some hardcore Bruce fans wanted to hear more of that. We have had fun about it since and I always thought we’d do a Bruce night again in the future.
Fast-forward to 2026 and we’re starting a season of Theme Night shows.
The first one kicks off in less than three weeks and the theme is Poets of Popular Music, and it will include music from Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and…..yes Bruce Springsteen!
And I promise you there won’t be an accordion in sight!
Theme Night Social:
Art Deco Sat September 19
Hawk’s Well Theatre Sun September 20
Tickets available now!
What’s New?
Kevin Egan started his first job in the motor trade over 25 years ago.
He has a wealth of experience in what can be a colourful industry and I know from chatting to him that he was keen to document the story of his business.
He has certainly done that here - Kevin is a real forward-thinking person but also a great storyteller - and he has plenty of them to tell!
The podcast looks and sounds great too - I really enjoyed it - congrats to all involved!
It’s called The Kevin Egan Cars Story - listen here or wherever you find your podcasts to hear an entertaining account of the ups and downs of life in the motor trade.
Finally…
Amazing piano track on this song - I’d love to do it on the show actually.
Can any of you guys sing it?! Or know anyone who can?
Please get in touch if so - professional or amateur it doesn’t matter!
Till next time - Kieran.
