Michael Hynes � Biography (Courtesy of the Artist�s site, 2007)

I was born in March 1957 in a place called Smithstown in the parish of Kilshanny. I was lucky to have been reared at a time and place where the old traditions and way of life were still very strong, indeed my earliest memories are of house dances in our old thatched home in Smithstown._Well, the music came from many sources beginning with my Great Grandfather, a man called Micho Queally from Kilfenora, a noted flute player in the North Clare area in the late 1800�s and at the turn of the century. I remember the old people (R.I.P.) talking of him as one of the musicians the old dancing masters called on when they visited the area. I learned my first few tunes from my father Michael Hynes (R.I.P.) who was a good whistle and flute player and a great set dancer and my mother Peg, who had an exceptional ear for a good tune and song, her brother Gus McNamara, my uncle of course, was one of the best concert flute players I heard when I was a young lad. When I reached my teenage Years I started to Wander, Especially to Doolin, the traditional music capital of Ireland at the time and a meeting place for all and sundry involved in the music. Its there I met and heard some of Irelands greatest musicians both local and beyond. Names like the Russell's, Killourhys, Willie Shannon to name but a fraction of the local musical talent and first heard musicians of the calibre of Tommy Peoples, Matt Molloy, Seamus Tansey, Cathal McConnell who were regular visitors to Doolin at the time. One of the highlights of Doolin in those days were the great house parties at places like Jamsie Coillte's (Jamsie Woods' house) and the Ivy Cottage, many the time I played there with my brother P.J., Gussie Russell, Christy Barry, Jimmy Devitt and many more who thankfully are still going strong._As per usual at the time though, economic reasons forced me to leave my local place and all the rich culture therein, I emigrated to London in the 1970�s but luckily didn�t find it wanting when it came to music. One of my first ports of call was "The Small Favourite" off Holloway Road where players such as Bobby Casey, Brendan Mulkere, Danny Meehan, Jimmy Power, John Carty, Brian Rooney, the McCarthy family were regulars at the Sunday noon gig there and played many sessions and gigs with these and many more great London based musicians, too numerous to mention individually._After nearly a decade in London, my partner Breda and I returned to County Clare and we live in a lovely part of the world called Cloughaun in Lisdoonvarna. Upon our return, I renewed many old musical acquaintances and as ever, with traditional music, one of the great things about it is that you are continually making new acquaintances and friends. One of these is the great Newmarket-on-Fergus fiddle player Denis Liddy. One night I was asked to fill in for another musician at a gig in Lahinch, and that was my first meeting with Denis. I was immediately impressed, not alone with his musicianship, but with his approach and respect for the tradition. Since that time, we have played everywhere from Shannon to Shanghai!_This CD evolved organically and naturally, more or less from our first meeting. This is a statement from us of our approach to the music and to our depth of gratitude to the great people that have helped us along the way. We sincerely, thank them all and hope you enjoy this CD.