01/02/2008 -

Reception for Tommy Fleming

Mayor of Sligo, Councilor Jonathon Mc Goldrick recently had the pleasure of meeting with Tommy Fleming and his wife Tina at a reception held in his honor at City Hall, Sligo.

It a true measure of any great artist that they are invariably modest about their gift, and Tommy’s quiet, unassuming nature has attracted as much plaudits as his singing talent.

He has had a hugely prolific and successful career at national and international level, and his performances and recordings have attracted critical acclaim wherever he has travelled.

As is often the case in the world of music, a chance encounter would shape Tommy’s musical path. After impressing the legendary Phil Coulter, Tommy would go on to perform in the Cork Opera House and the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Phil went on record as saying that ‘Tommy is the most exciting voice in the area of folk music that I have heard since Luke Kelly, with honesty and integrity in his voice.’

This ringing endorsement was the backdrop to the next major milestone for Tommy, as he brought his career to a new dimension with a tour of America which included dates at Carnegie hall and the Boston symphony hall.

In musical terms Tommy is a cherished icon, and has attracted huge international fame without losing any sense of his local identity. He wears his Sligo roots proudly, and his community in Aclare in particular are extremely proud of his achievements and follow his career with intense interest.

His undoubted talent is matched by his courage in terms of the diversity and scope of his recordings. With De Dannan he brought his talent to a global audience with concerts in Australia, china and the United States, but it is as a solo performer that Tommy has reached the pinnacle of his career.

His albums ‘Restless Spirit’, ‘Sand and Water’ and the ‘Contender’ show that Tommy continually expands the boundaries in terms of his musical horizons.

More recently his ‘Journey Home’ show, a compilation of Tommy’s favourite Irish classical songs, have introduced a new generation of loyal followers to Tommy Fleming, and his live performances and albums have entertained countless thousands of people over the years.

I will conclude by recalling a fond testimony by Oliver Sweeney of hot press magazine, who wrote ‘Tommy Fleming manages to link the various eras with seamless ease. In his hands, old songs are re-born, and new material is given life it might never have expected, and we are all enriched by the listening experience. Tommy Fleming, though his musical inspiration may come from another age, is a true star of the 21st century.’

Tommy, on behalf of the people of Sligo, can I say thank you for bringing so much joy to so many people with your gift.

Thank you