Joe Holmes (singer) facts for kids

Joe Holmes (born 1906, died 1978) was a talented musician from Antrim, Northern Ireland. He was known for playing the fiddle, singing traditional songs, and a special kind of singing called lilting.

The Life of Joe Holmes

Joe Holmes was born in 1906. His brother, Harry, gave him his first fiddle. Harry brought it home after returning from the Great War. This was a very special gift for Joe.

Joe's first job was quite interesting. He carried a red flag in front of a steam roller. This job meant he traveled all over the country. He lived in a caravan during these trips. Joe always brought his fiddle along. He loved to play it while he traveled.

Some of his favorite fiddle tunes were:

• "The Boys of Ballycastle"
• "The Blackberry Blossom"
• "Royal Charlie"
• "Wellington’s Medal"
• "Rodney’s Glory"

Later, Joe stopped working with the steam roller. He started working in flax-scutching. This was a job at mills, first near Killyrammer, then in Ballymoney. After that, he found a healthier job. He became a green-keeper for the Ballymoney Bowling Club.

Music and Recordings

Joe Holmes made all of his recordings with another singer, Len Graham. They started playing music together in the 1960s. They often went to music sessions around Ireland.

Their first album was called Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages. It featured both solo songs and duets. It also included lilting. The album quickly became popular. People loved Len's strong singing and Joe's lively style. They became very popular at clubs, concerts, and festivals.

Sadly, Joe Holmes passed away in 1978. This was just two weeks after he finished recording their second album. That album was called After Dawning.

A Radio Tribute

On January 6, 1980, a special radio show honored Joe Holmes. It was a documentary made by David Hammond for BBC Radio Ulster. Many other musicians shared their memories of Joe.

Some of the people who spoke on the show were:

• Len Graham
• Geordie Hanna
• Frank Harte
• Jeannie McGrath
• Sarah Ann O'Neill
• Paddy Tunney

The program was named Joe Holmes: A Parting Glass.

Joe Holmes's Albums

With Len Graham

• Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages (Free Reed, 1976) – FRR 007
• After Dawning (Topic, 1979) – 12TS401

On Compilation Albums

• A Living Thing: Contemporary Classics Of Traditional Irish Music (Globestyle, 1997) – CD. This album featured many different artists. Joe Holmes and Len Graham sang two songs on it: "The Girl That Broke My Heart" and "The Parting Glass".
• I Once Was A Daysman & Chaste Muses, Bards & Sages (Free Reed, 2008) – FRRR-08/FRRRS-128 CD. This CD included remastered albums by Eddie Butcher and by Joe Holmes and Len Graham.

See also

• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann