Why Does Tom Courtney get to play for the President of the United States?

I'm an American and I've never been asked. I even voted for the guy.

Tom Courtney, on the other hand, was invited. No surprise; the President is a musician.

Tom hails from Dublin, capital city of Ireland, and one of the world's greatest music cities. The heritage shows in Tom; like many of his people he has more music in one hand that most have in their whole family. You only have to hear him once, on CD, or live onstage throughout the greater Boston area, to appreciate why Tom Courtney is a class act.

Tom isn't just an "Irish Musician"; his musical influences are varied; from U2 and Van Morrison to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom's sound is unique. Known for years as an accomplished guitarist supporting many different Irish and contemporary acts, his success as a solo artist is not surprising; Tom has the VOICE--that clear, sweet Irish tenor. Dressed all in black like an Irish Johnny Cash, he mixes elements of Celtic music with Bluegrass, Rock, Folk, and Blues.

In a career that has taken him all over the world, from Dublin's melting pot to London's marquees, to Asia's rocking nightspots, and now here in my home town of Boston, MA USA, Tom has embraced and blended the many ethnic and musical experiences he's had into a unique style, and into his performances. and it works.

Tom now has his own recording studio, and spends more and more time writing and producing for other bands, and for TV and radio, but most often you will still find him up on stages all over his adopted home of Boston, singing and playing for the audiences that come back again and again.

Let's hope the next President has good taste in music, too.

David Canty