NEWS RELEASE

Legendary group The Irish Rovers at the Capitol Theatre

(Moncton, February 8, 2010) – The Capitol Theatre presents The Irish Rovers on Friday, February 26^th at 8 p.m. These international ambassadors of Irish music have charmed and entertained people around the world for four decades, and continue to delight audiences with their exciting stage shows.

Throughout the years, The Irish Rovers have maintained their timeless ability to deliver a rollicking, rousing performance of good cheer – one that will soon have you singing and clapping along. Their songs have become anthems of revelry and joy among generation after generation of fans.

The story of the Irish Rovers starts in Canada, where the 16-year old George Millar and 23-year old Jim Ferguson, both new emigrants from Northern Ireland, met in Toronto at an Irish function. They ended up singing together ‘til dawn; and so the Irish Rovers were launched. After other members were recruited, the folk clubs of California became the learning grounds for the young Rovers. In 1966, “The First of the Irish Rovers”, a live album recorded at “The Icehouse” in Pasadena, was released. It generated enough excitement to warrant another album, and from this release came the million selling single “The Unicorn”, the band’s signature song to this day. Through the 70’s and early 80’s, the Rovers brought their magic to television with a weekly series for the CBC, and later, a series on the Global Network. In 1980-81, The Rovers once again soared to the top of the pop and country charts with “Wasn’t That A Party”. This real-life celebration was written by their friend, U.S. folk singer Tom Paxton, after he witnessed one of the band’s famous post-show parties. It has gone on to become an international anthem of good cheer.

The Irish Rovers continue to perform in theatres around the world, with original members George Millar and Wilcil McDowell. Will Millar retired from the band in 1995; and sadly, Jimmy Ferguson passed away in 1997. Joe Millar retired in 2005, and his son Ian Millar has since joined the group. Completing the Irish Rovers line-up today are John Reynolds and Sean O’Driscoll, a multi-instrumentalist. The Irish Rovers are still passionate about performing and will continue to tour and entertain their legions of fans.

Tickets for The Irish Rovers at the Capitol Theatre are now on sale at the Capitol Theatre Box Office, l’Escaouette, Frank’s Music, Monument Lefebvre and l’Université de Moncton, at $30.50 to $34.50. Tickets are also available by phone at (506) 856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922, or online at www.capitol.nb.ca.

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INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS

Geneviève Maltais, Capitol Theatre – 506-383-6711 / communications@capitol.nb.ca

Damian Banyard, SL Feldman & Associates – 416-598-0067 / damian@slfa.com

http://www.irishrovers.info   ●  www.capitol.nb.caIr