Our next Spotlight Artist is Fergus Begley. I first met Fergus in 2000 at the after-party when we both ran in the annual Concern Run. At the time I didn’t know he was a musician. We became friends, as I would see him at many industry events (he works for Heineken). He is so well known in the NYC bar industry that the name of his album is “Sure Everyone Knows Fergus Begley”. He is a great entertainer, and over the years I have seen him perform in many NYC pubs, including Blackstone’s, Rogue, Stout, Hudson Beach Cafe, Slane, Tir na nOg and Thady Con’s (R.I.P.). Fergus answers our questions below:
How long have you been performing?
Too long! Thirty years. I started in Ireland with my brother Mick ( who is still playing music around West Cork). I was in bands: the Below Average Blue and White Band, Finnegan’s Lake, One Damn Good Band. I have been performing in NYC for 15 years.
What are some of your favorite venues to play?
Rosie O’Grady’s is a great place to go on Saturday nights for the craic and to hear good Irish and American music. Also Tir na nOg and Rogue.
Rosie O’Grady’s
800 Seventh Ave (52nd St.)
New York, NY
(212) 582-2975
RosieOGradys.com
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Tir na nOg
5 Penn Plaza (33rd St. & Eighth Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 630-0249
TirnanOgNYC.com
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Rogue Restaurant & Bar
757 Sixth Ave.
(between 25th & 26th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 242-6434
RogueNYC.com
What are some of your musical influences?
The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Elvis, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison.
Where can we buy your music?
My debut CD, “Sure Everyone Knows Fergus Begley”, can be purchased on my website FergusBegley.com or at any of my gigs.
What other musicians do you perform with?
Tony DeMarco, Buddy Connolly, Vonnie Quinn, Gabriel Donoghue
Tell us a story about playing in NY:
While playing in Rosie’s packed with Pitt U supporters, the team and coaches (Pitt had just won the Big Ten), I played Country Roads not knowing it was West Virginia University’s school song. Didn’t go down very well. I was lucky to get out alive.
Any advice to someone just starting out?
Know and play to your audience, don’t just play songs you like to play. Play some some that they like to hear. Make sure they have a good time.
Can you recommend any other local acts we should feature on MurphGuide?
Tony DeMarco, Enda Keenan ( who plays alternate weeks in Rosie OGrady’s), Padraig Allen, Allan Gogerty.
Thanks, Fergus!
You can catch Fergus this Saturday, July 10 at Rosie O’Grady’s. For future gigs, check out his website.
