AS THE RING ROLLS/THE CONTINUING SAGA
OF CLADDAGH RING -- Page 2
"THEN THERE WAS KANSAS CITY..."
Ted and Lisa's first concert with CR was at the Artichoke on August 1,
1992 (just two days shy of Claddagh Ring's 1st birthday). It was a very
positive experience for them, thank goodness, because a week later, we
had our first (and only, so far) Kansas City gig. What we didn't know when
we set the date was that there was a Jazz Festival going on, plus the local-quickly-going-international
Scartaglen was performing that night. Our inexperience with publicity found
us relying solely on the mailing list of the place we performed. We bought
soft drinks and ice, set up chairs, got some friends to help us, and waited.
A few members of Lisa's family, a couple of people from the Missouri Folk
Arts Society, and maybe one or two other people showed up. Being a young
group, we didn't handle the disappointment very well (we were already used
to playing for big crowds) and had one of our worst performances ever (see
why we never went back?). Ted and Lisa decided to stick it out a bit longer,
anyway.
MORE CHANGES
October 1992 brought about the last personnel change for Claddagh Ring
(so far...knock on wood [Wood?]) Bob Flaherty got a promotion that required
him to change to second shift, and work 10 hours a day, seven days a week
-- not very conducive to practices and performances. So, after our Halloween
concert at the Artichoke, Bob left the group. Lloyd Helms actually made
his debut with Claddagh Ring that same night, though not as part of the
group. He guested on a couple of numbers. We asked him to help fill out
the ring, and he did. His first appearance as a member of the group was
at a Christmas open mic at the Iron Horse in El Dorado.
History, Page 3
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