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Poughkeepsie Journal
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Friday, February 8, 2008
Wild Rovers rev up Irish tunes
By John W. Barry

Last October, I attended a concert at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House that featured percussion players from India, Nigeria and Puerto Rico.

But before that show, I grabbed a quick dinner at Mahoney's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Poughkeepsie.

Performing that night at Mahoney's was a band that played Irish music, which at first glance didn't interest me. As a kid growing up in a staunch Irish-Catholic household, I've heard enough Irish music to last a few lifetimes.

But this band was different, in its sound and stage presence. The group was The Wild Rovers and in between many of the songs I heard, the lead singer kept saying, "We play weddings" and "We're available to play weddings."

So when they took a break, I walked up to the table where they were eating and asked, deadpan, if they were free for weddings. The whole table - all four musicians - broke out in laughter.

I found out later the band was joking with a woman in the audience whom they knew, and who was engaged.

Monthly gig

And so began my professional relationship with The Wild Rovers, who return to Mahoney's Sunday, from 4-7 p.m. This band plays monthly at Mahoney's, on each second Sunday.

Jack Pendergast of The Wild Rovers said he loves the staff at Mahoney's, as well as the acoustics and aesthetics of the place, which sits on the original site of the Vassar Brothers Brewery.

"It's a lovely place," said Pendergast, who like Mahoney's co-owner Emmett Woods, lives in Pearl River, Rockland County, a bastion of Irish-American culture.

The thing that stood out about The Wild Rovers when I saw the band in October was its repertoire of songs extended far beyond the traditional tunes Irish bands often perform.

Two standouts from that evening were this band's interesting arrangements of "I've Just Seen a Face" by The Beatles; and "Big River" by Johnny Cash. But don't get these guys wrong - they are a band that plays Irish music.

"I love the melodies," Pendergast, a third-generation accordion player who also plays guitar and penny whistle, said of Irish music. "It just puts me in a good mood. I like the rebel tunes. They just stir something down deep in my soul. There's definitely something there. I'm attached to it somehow. I've grown up all my life listening to Irish music, since I was a baby."

Pendergast described the music played by The Wild Rovers as "toe-tapping, knee-slapping, beer-drinking, get-you-going kind of stuff."

Pendergast's links to Ireland run deep - as a child, he was an Irish step dancer and performed at Carnegie Hall. He said seeing a crowd enjoy his band's show is what gets him up on stage repeatedly, sometimes for four gigs in a single day.

"I'm not in it for the money," said Pendergast, whose grandparents hail from counties Clare, Kerry, Leitrim and Longford in Ireland. "I have no delusions of going to the Grand Ole Opry or being called to Ireland to play. I enjoy people smiling and tapping their toes."

Mahoney's is at 35 Main St., Poughkeepsie. Admission for The Wild Rovers is free. Visit www.mahoneysIrishpub and www.thewildrovers.com for information.

John W. Barry is the music writer for the Poughkeepsie Journal. Write him c/o Poughkeepsie Journal, P.O. Box 1231, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602, call 845-437-4822, or e-mail jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com.

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Hi Jack, I just wanted to thank you again for a wonderful performance last night. You and your band did a wonderful job and we hope we can get you back for a fourth year next year. I will see you in June, let me know what you need me to do on my end. Thanks and see you soon!!  -Lisa Kotz -- The Guard Pipes & Drums

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Oct 2006
You guys were great-- my Mom will be floating on cloud 9 for quite some time. We couldn't have asked for a better time. Thanks so much, and please pass along our thanks to the other guys. It is quite apparent that you guys enjoy what you do. We certainly enjoyed the entertainment. -Clare

Ps: driving back to Boston, MA on Sunday, I put your CD in.... my boys (3 and 5) loved it-- wouldn't let me change. You are earning another generation of fans!!

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Sept 2007
Jack, Since I got home from class tonight, EVERYONE I spoke to about the Flea Market said that the band was the BEST part of the whole event. That is from the Vendors, the Shoppers, the kids and the Pearl River Lions Club. Thank so much for your support of our organization. -David Wallach

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Aug 2007
Wild Rovers, I should have written this note about four months ago but life keeps throwing curves. You guys are great. It was my pleasure to hear you at Mahoney's on St. Pat’s day. You played all the songs I asked for, treated the table I was at as something special and over all contributed to one of the best St Patty days I have had in 50 years. Oh, and did I mention you guys were great? That said, I had asked about your CDs and said I wanted one, well, how do I get the first one and when are you going to have the second CD? -Don Ryan

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Sept 2006
Hi Jack, My wife and I want to thank you again for singing/dedicating "Danny Boy" to my father, in Beacon at the Irish bar on Sunday, September 25th. It was a peak moment watching the sun shine it's way into the bar during the song. I had a great day and listening to your group "The Wild Rovers". I look forward to hearing from you if you visit Southern CA in the near future. We are based in Capistrano Beach, CA. (mid-way between Los Angeles and San Diego)
-Best Regards, -Edward Fleming

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Feb 2007
Hello Jack, I wanted to thank you for another wonderful night of playing for us at The Guard's Welcome. It was so nice to see you all again! I think we have all dried out now and I wanted to say that we really enjoyed your music Friday night. We will be having this again, either the first Friday or Saturday in February so please let me know if you all are available. Thanks again, -Lisa Kotz --The Guard Pipes & Drums

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