Johnny Faa: News

Three members of Lubbock’s Irish band, Johnny Faa, to tour China as guests of the UK Wind Ensemble, which was invited by the US-China Cultural and Educational Foundation to tour the People’s Republic of China in May, 2008. The invitation stemmed from the UK Wind Ensemble CD Distilled in Kentucky, which has subsequently been recommended for a Grammy nomination. The two-week tour will include performances in Suzhou, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, and Beijing.We will spend two weeks in China performing at a variety of venues throughout the country. A number of the UK Wind Ensemble performances, complimented by Johnny Faa, will be part of cultural and musical showcase festivals related to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Steve Cooper, Angela Mariani, and Chris Smith, will be featured with the University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble. The flexibility of the three-piece ensemble should allow for some spontaneous cultural exchange opportunities that, logistically, are prohibitive for a large ensemble. Watch the journal for updates and accounts of these experiences..

The following is part of a nice note we received from Dianne Crowley following Monday, March 10th performances at Nat Williams and Ella Iles Elementary Schools in Lubbock:

"...Johnny Faa, a group of musicians specializing in Irish music, performed for several hundred enthusiastic students and teachers at Nat Williams and Ella Iles Elementary Schools in Lubbock on Monday, March 10th.

As the director of the TTU College of Education's K-12 International Education Outreach program, I have the privilege of hiring outstanding performing groups. Johnny Faa is one of the best! They offer a very entertaining and educational program for students and adults alike. The history of Irish music comes alive through traditional melodies, dance tunes and stories told through song. The performers give an explanation of the instruments they play and their significance in Irish music as well as some interesting facts about Ireland. This interactive and educational program is highly entertaining and will keep you singing and dancing an Irish jig long after Johnny Faa has left."

Dianne Crowley, Senior Director
K-12 International Education Outreach
College of Education
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Johnny Faa is available to entertain at private parties or social gatherings. We can put together a unique, customized, performance, catered to your preferences. Click on our 'contact' menu link to inquire about fees. http://johnnyfaa.com/contact.html

Just click on the "links" menu button for links to web sites of our instrument makers.

Regular events:

Tuesdays: set-dance with Paul Conklin
Wednesdays: Irish & Scottish dance with Irene McNamara
Thursdays: coffeehouse session with Johnny Faa
Fridays: pub session with Johnny Faa.
Saturdays: Chris Smith’s Irish music teaching session

Weekly Irish traditional music pub session each Friday, 6:30 pm.

O'Reilly's Irish Pub
1718 Buddy Holly Ave.
Lubbock, TX

Johnny Faa's first CD, entitled "Last Night's Fun" is now available. Be sure to order gifts for the holidays so your friends and family don't forget you love them!
You can order on line at http://www.cdbaby.com