All-female Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies was formed in 1985 in New York. They take the name “Cherish The Ladies” from a traditional Irish jig. At one time the members of the group consisted of Joanie Madden (flute, whistle and harmony vocals), Mary Coogan(guitar, banjo, mandolin), Heidi Talbot (lead vocal, bodhran), Mirella Murray (accordion), Roisín Dillon (fiddle) and Kathleen Boyle (piano). The group has been a launchpad for many of the top female musicians in Celtic music including; Eileen Ivers, Winifred Horan (of Solas), Cathie Ryan, Heidi Talbot, and Liz Carroll.
The current lineup, along with group leader Joanie Madden and founding member Mary Coogan from New York on guitar, consists of All-Ireland Champion Mirella Murray from Connemara in County Galway on accordion; fiddler Roisín Dillon from Belfast, Northern Ireland; piano player and harmony singer Kathleen Boyle from Glasgow, Scotland, on piano; and Michelle Burke from County Cork on lead vocals.
|
