Len Graham (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Len Graham
Len Graham singing in Armagh for TG4
Background information
Born	1944 (age 80–81) County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Genres	Irish traditional Folk Celtic music
Occupation(s)	Singer author
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Gael Linn Shanachie Various others
Associated acts	Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin Joe Holmes Eithne Ní Uallacháin

Len Graham was born in 1944 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He is a famous traditional Irish singer and a collector of old songs. Many people see him as a top expert on Irish folk music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Len Graham grew up in County Antrim. His father was a fiddler, a musician who plays the fiddle. He often took young Len to local music gatherings. These gatherings are called "sessions."

In the 1960s, Len traveled across Ireland. He wanted to record and save old folk songs. He became friends with many singers, including Joe Holmes. In 1971, Len won the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann singing competition. This was a very important award for traditional Irish musicians.

A Career in Song and Storytelling

Len Graham released his first album in 1975. It was called Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages. He made it with his friend and teacher, Joe Holmes. In 1976, Len released his first solo album, Wind and Water.

Len loved working with other artists. He often teamed up with poets and storytellers. He collected many songs from older singers in Ulster. These included Eddie Butcher and Joe Holmes.

Len then started a 20-year partnership with storyteller John Campbell. They shared stories and songs together. During the 1980s and 1990s, they performed for many groups across Ireland. This was especially important in the north, which was going through a time of armed conflict. Len and John also gave talks about the shared culture of different groups in Northern Ireland.

After John Campbell passed away in 2006, Len began touring with storyteller Jack Lynch. Len also works with American singer Brían Ó hAirt. They tour North America every year. Their shows often feature two singers performing together. This was a common tradition in Ulster when Len was young. They also share songs that are similar in Ulster and the Appalachian/Ozark regions of America. Their performances include lilting (a type of singing without words), traditional dancing, playing spoons, and tunes on the tin whistle and concertina.

Many songs that Len Graham collected are now famous worldwide. Other well-known bands and singers have recorded them. These include Altan, De Dannan, The Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies, Andy Irvine, and Karen Casey.

Len has released over twenty albums of songs. In 2008, he gave a special talk and performance. It was at the Library of Congress in the United States. His book, Here I Am Amongst You, was published in 2010. It is about the songs, dance music, and traditions of Joe Holmes.

Awards and Special Recognition

Len Graham has received several important awards for his work:

• 1992 – He won the Seán O'Boyle Cultural Traditions Award. This was for his work collecting and singing songs in Ireland.
• 2002 – He received the National Music Award for Traditional Singer of the Year.
• 2008 – He got the Keeper of the Tradition Award from the Tommy Makem Festival of Traditional Song.
• 2008 – He won the United States' Irish Music Award for "Sean-Nós Singing." This award recognized his many albums over thirty years.

Personal Life

Len Graham is married to Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. She is also a traditional singer. They both focus on the songs from Ulster. They even recorded an album of children's songs together, called "When I was Young." They live in Mullaghbawn, County Armagh. Len is the uncle of Dónal O'Connor, who is a fiddler and music producer.

Discography Highlights

Len Graham has released many albums. Here are some of his notable works:

With Joe Holmes

• Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages (1971)
• After Dawning (1978)

Skylark

• Skylark (1987)
• All of It (1989)

With Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and Garry Ó Briain

• When I Was Young (1996) (children's songs)

With John Campbell

• Ebb and Flow (1998)
• Two for the Road (2001)

Solo Albums

• Wind and Water (1977)
• Do Me Justice (1983)
• It's of My Rambles (1993)

In 2009, a song from his album Wind and Water was included in a special collection. The song was "The Knight Templar's Dream." It was part of Topic Records' 70-year anniversary box set, Three Score and Ten.