Podcast: Play in new window | Download
To access the above podcasts click play to listen now or right click and Save Target As to download and listen later.
Welcome to Ben Sands page on Podcasts.ie. Ben hails from the frontier town of Newry, County Down on the East coast of Ireland. He was born fourth in a family of 5 boys and 2 girls on a small farm near the village of Mayobridge, in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains. Ben’s branch of the Sands clan has a long history of music, singing, and storytelling and his father, Mick, was a legendary character whose songs and fiddle playing were spiced by a wealth of wit and adventure. His mother, Bridie, a fine singer and accordion player, was the daughter of the noted Burren poet, Owen Connolly, whose wife was related to the Bronte family.
This heritage of creativity and performance was drawn upon to make the hard grind of day-to-day life on a small farm not only bearable but often memorable and the family home in the townland of Ryan became a very popular “Ceili-House”, the focus for singers and musicians from miles around.
Ben tried his hand at any instrument that came about the place and after early excursions on piano and fiddle he added further adventures on guitar, whistle, uillean pipes, tenor banjo, bazouki and mandolin. In due course he became a cornerstone of the illustrious Sands Family, performing and recording with that widely travelled and acclaimed band since the early 1970s.
While The Sands Family continue to tour and record in their own inimitable fashion, Ben has lately followed brothers Colum and Tommy Sands as a successful solo performer and recording artiste. To his acknowledged accomplishments as a song-writer, instrumentalist, , harmony vocalist and arranger, Ben brings a solid reputation as a “great singer of great songs” from a diversity of sources. These days his own compositions are well featured in his concerts as well as in the performances and recordings of a growing number of notable artistes.
Ben Sands’ songs, music and stories paint pictures of an ongoing legacy inherited in those early, influential years on a small farm in County Down and enriched by his colourful, musical, adventure-some journeys through life.
To Find out more visit Ben Sands.com
Ben’s Gig Guide
#1 by Helane Todd on June 6, 2012 - 9:02 pm
Quote
I accidently shut off the pod cast, so I will have to start it again. I so enjoyed hearing Ben’s voice, as I usually only see the typed word. He has such a wonderful rich sounding voice. He has a delightful accent and is easily understood. I love his music. His songs are warm and gentle and tell you about his life and the people around him. I would so love to see him perform in person. He is a special musician and man.
#2 by Helane Todd on June 6, 2012 - 10:19 pm
Quote
This is my third listening of the Pod Cast. I so enjoy listen to Ben’s wonderful voice. It is a shame Ireland is sooo far away from Southern California. Would give a king’s ransome to watch that man perform. Whoever produced these thank you so much. I have really enjoyed listening. Next you will have to have him moving ..like a U tube, performance. What a talented man!!
#3 by admin on June 6, 2012 - 10:32 pm
Quote
Ah Helane if you could see Ben, you might have to look at me too when I present podcasts and I would not wish that on anyone, I have a face and figure for radio. We are an audio production company based in Ireland and we just do what we feel we do best and that is audio. The good news is that Ben is as warm and gentle as person as he sounds and as nice as he is talented.
Kind Regards
Jho from The Podcast.ie Team
#4 by Helane Todd on October 7, 2012 - 10:18 pm
Quote
Thank you Jho for your response. I did not see it til months later. I am not that familiar with electronics….particularly computers. I have to smile at myself..didn’t know that Jho was a man’s name..I thought it was initials for something..here we spell your name differently..Joe. The way you describe Ben is exactly how I have felt about him. We do keep in contact with each other via the marvels of the internet. Good Luck from your new American Friend, Helane
#5 by admin on October 8, 2012 - 12:42 am
Quote
Perhaps next time you are in Ireland we can meet for tea and I will tell you why Jho and not Joe. Good to have a new American friend and a fan of Ben Sands