{"id":2204,"date":"2012-02-15T15:51:09","date_gmt":"2012-02-15T15:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shadowplays.com\/blog\/?page_id=2204"},"modified":"2012-02-15T15:51:09","modified_gmt":"2012-02-15T15:51:09","slug":"take-that-sinner-boy-home-an-interview-with-barry-barnes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shadowplays.com\/blog\/?page_id=2204","title":{"rendered":"Take That Sinner Boy Home: An Interview with Barry Barnes"},"content":{"rendered":"Tweet<\/a>
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Barry Barnes of Sinnerboy<\/center><\/div>\n

They may not have been the very first band to pay homage to Irish legend Rory Gallagher, and they certainly won’t be the last, but Barry Barnes and Sinnerboy are regarded by many of the Gallagher faithful to be the ultimate in tribute bands. Rory’s brother and longtime manager, Donal Gallagher has called them his “favorite boy band”, and considers them “the definitive Rory Gallagher outfit.” One of the few bands that play all Rory all the time, they were Donal’s choice to play the first London tribute to Rory Gallagher at the Irish Arts Centre in Hammersmith in 2003.
\nFor Barry Barnes, the singer, guitarist and driving force for Sinnerboy, it is all about keeping the memory of the late, great Irish legend alive. He first saw Rory Gallagher live with his band Taste in 1969 and has been a fan ever since. “Rory walks in, plugs his Stratocaster into the Vox — and, well, it changed my life really. It was magnificent, absolutely magnificent, and I’ve been a total fan ever since.”
\nAfter Rory’s death in 1995, Barry resolved to keep the Irishman’s memory alive by playing his music wherever and whenever he could. His band has played all over the world, and his annual tribute show in England is the longest running Rory Gallagher tribute festival in the world. Recently I had a chance to ask Barry about his life on the road, and his unceasing promotion of Rory’s music. <\/p>\n

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Take That Sinner Boy Home<\/h3>\n

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Shadowplays:<\/strong> Barry, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule for this interview. You’ve recently reformed the band. How’s the new line-up coming along?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> My pleasure! The band\u2019s coming on really well, we\u2019ve been doing a full day each week at Nick\u2019s place in Wales. We\u2019re going out to Ireland the week before the first gig and staying at a friend\u2019s empty house in Co. Donegal where we\u2019re going to set the gear up and rehearse solidly to really tighten things up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> I understand Nick Skelson is on bass and Jon Clayton on drums. They were both members of “Nunz with Gunz”. Has “Nunz” disbanded then? Or are the boys double dipping?<\/p>\n

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Sinnerboy<\/center><\/div>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Well the boys seem to have suspended all activity with \u2018Nunz\u2019 at the moment, but that\u2019s not to say the band\u2019s defunct \u2013 I\u2019ll have to ask them!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> With the new rhythm section, has Sinnerboy’s sound changed a bit? Jon’s old band, Brutal Deluxe, was a heavy, heavy metal band. Will Sinnerboy have a heavier sound? A “Top Priority” Rory sound?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Yeah I think that\u2019s bound to happen with a drummer like Jonny but Sinnerboy has always had a \u2018heavier\u2019 edge whoever was playing with me which is probably because I\u2019m a bit of a rocker myself at heart. I do have to pull Jonny back from his double bass drum pedals though!!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Speaking of lineup changes, One of the topics of discussion in any Rory fan group is what everyone’s favorite Rory lineup is. Obviously any lineup with Rory is good, but what’s your favorite lineup and why?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> That\u2019s a tough one, each lineup produced it\u2019s own magical moments but I have a soft spot for the Ted McKenna era, the memories of Rory running onto the stage, plugging in and belting out \u2018Shinkicker\u2019 are really strong. I think as far as creativity in Rory\u2019s playing goes the 75-78 period always leaves me gob-smacked!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Sinnerboy has also undergone several lineup changes. You, Steve Richardson and Dave Burns were the original lineup? When did Steve Tansley come on board?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> About 2005\/6 he was a friend of Daves\u2019 already so a natural replacement when Steve Richardson left.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Barry, the splitting up of Sinnerboy took us by surprise. Did you see it coming? Steve and Dave have joined up with Tony Dowler. Steve was with Tony Dowler before, wasn’t he? Back in the old Bill Baileys days?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Yeah it took me by surprise too! I was heartbroken at first because I thought I may have to stop \u2013 Finding a replacement for one musician would be hard enough but both at once? It was a real body blow, but fortunately for me Nick and Jonny saved the day and now all I can think of is the future, and how lucky I am to be able to keep going onwards and upwards!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Was the split mainly a financial decision? I imagine it’s hard to make a living as a tribute band, particularly a Rory Gallagher tribute band home based in England. Much easier as a Cream, Zep, or Hendrix tribute band, don’t you think?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> I don\u2019t really know what motivated their decision, but what you say is very true \u2013 lots of miles, lots of discomfort, lots of time away from loved ones and for very little financial reward \u2013 I see the tribute bands to the more populist groups making really good livings but I don\u2019t envy them \u2013 I\u2019ve got the best job!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Do members of most tribute bands have day jobs? Or play in other bands? Do you have a second career as well? I saw something about Barry Barnes Photography.<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> I was a still life and fashion photographer for 35 years and enjoyed that career but Rory\u2019s death really shook me and I wanted desperately to keep him in people\u2019s minds, you could say Rory\u2019s passing galvanized me into changing EVERYTHING!
\nMy Rory Career is all I do now \u2013 I play grueling solo tours too, hours and hours on the road on my own, setting up equipment, and sleeping where I can. It\u2019s a tough life especially when you\u2019ve driven hundreds of miles to a gig, then set up and sound-checked, sometimes all I want to do is go to bed but then the Rory fans arrive and I\u2019m in my own little heaven!<\/em><\/p>\n

shadowplays:<\/strong> So why Rory, Barry? Why put in all the long hours and hard work and little pay to play the music of a man that most have forgotten?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Good question! But easily answered, it\u2019s not to do with hardship, or finances or anything more than I absolutely adore what I do and I absolutely adore Rory and his music! \u2013 when I look at the pleasure on the audiences faces as they remember Rory always thrills me \u2013 It\u2019s all worth it!<\/em><\/p>\n

shadowplays:<\/strong> I first started doing the Shadowplays website because I just couldn’t believe how many had forgotten Rory. I just wanted to smack them upside the head and say, “How could you forget this?” And then there was the media and supposed “blues experts” who would parade out your usual suspects: Clapton, Page, Beck, etc. when talking about the Blues Revival, but never a word about Rory. Did it grate on your nerves as much as mine?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Ha! Now you\u2019re talking my language Milo! It makes me so angry! I picked up a guitar magazine at Nick\u2019s from 2008 \u2013 it said on the cover \u2018Top ten greats of slide guitar\u2019 you can guess the rest of the story! Of course the players mentioned were all great players indeed \u2013 and I was very pleased to see Tampa Red come out on top but an article in a respected guitar magazine entitled top ten greats of slide guitar with no mention of Rory Gallagher? Come on guys!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Rory\u2019s old sound engineer, Robin Sylvester, talked about how great that slide was, how it could make paint blister! At the end of \u201cCrest of a Wave\u201d you can just make out Robin remarking, \u201cflawless\u201d! And don\u2019t get me started on Guitarist Magazine! A while back they did the top 50 greatest guitar tones of all time. Rory checked in at 31. 31!! Slash was in the top ten for crying out loud! How are the young folk suppose to find Rory if the media and musos don’t name check him?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> It always surprises me when they do \u2013 it\u2019s mostly down to listening to their parents bringing them up on Rory.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> So let’s talk about how YOU first found out about Rory. You first saw Rory and Taste at the Manchester Free Trade in ’69. How did you hear of Taste? Through your brother? Isn’t he a big blues fan?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> I wanted to buy the album everybody was talking about, it was the debut album by Led Zeppelin, You couldn\u2019t buy records like that in many shops in those days, in Manchester you could buy them at \u2018Rare Records\u2019 a shop in the city centre. So with my hard saved 15 shillings (about 1 Euro) I walked into the store \u2013 and they didn\u2019t have the record! As a 17 year old 15 shillings was hard to come by so I spent it on an album because I liked the cover \u2013 it was \u2018On the Boards\u2019 and is now the album which if I was given the choice of ONE record only to listen to forever, it\u2019s that one! Later that year I went to see taste play the Free Trade Hall \u2013 I was disappointed when I walked in that he didn\u2019t play with great big amplifiers, Just a small Vox on a kitchen chair \u2013 but my disappointment went when he plugged in \u2013 and my life changed big time!<\/p>\n

It was my brother who first got me into the blues \u2013 I love him for that!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> How many times did you get to see Rory? Did you ever meet him?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> I saw him 20 times which I thought was a lot until I started meeting people on our tours that have seen him hundreds of times! No, sadly I never met the man, I was too shy!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> When did you first pick up the guitar? What kind of bands were you in? When did you form Sinnerboy?<\/p>\n

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Barry Barnes in his youth<\/center><\/div>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> My dad bought me a guitar for my 16th Birthday \u2013 a Watkins Rapier 33 \u2013 I loved that guitar, I used to play in local rock bands playing the music of the day, Hendrix, Cream, Purple, Free etc, and of course I\u2019ve always played the music of my hero! I formed Sinnerboy in 2000 (One of my better decisions!)<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> You played your first tribute to the man, at the Pomona in Gorton, Manchester in 1996, a year after Rory’s death. So this wasn\u2019t Sinnerboy’s first gig? Who played?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> No, Sinnerboy was four years away then \u2013 I played with my band \u2018Fat Cat Bobby\u2019 with my friend Paul Westwell on harmonica who still jams with Sinnerboy occasionally, the rest of the people that played were other guys from local bands who I bullied into coming along and playing for free \u2013 we were just jamming Rory really, but it was great!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> I understand Rory’s brother Donal heard about it and left a message for you to get in touch. Do you remember what you and Donal talked about?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Not really, I was so shocked that Rory Gallagher\u2019s Brother had phoned me I think I just talked total bollocks!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> This started a long line of English Tributes to Rory Gallagher, mostly at the Dukinfield Town Hall but also at the “Boardwalk” in Sheffield and at Hammersmith among others. Who was involved in organizing these tributes, and how supportive was Donal?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Help has come and gone at the tributes but I\u2019ve always been supported by two mighty men \u2013 I\u2019ve already mentioned Paul Westwell, who has always been there, (and who built the famous giant Strat) and then there has always been Dave Warner, a lovely man and a tireless campaigner for Rory! Donal has always been hugely supportive and has helped in numerous ways over the years, he\u2019s a great guy and a great support.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> The second tribute was at the Flint St. Social Club, I think, followed by several years at Dukinfield Town Hall, then to the Boardwalk in Sheffield in 2004, then back to Dukinfield. Have I got the chronology right?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> You\u2019re spot on with the chronology, Milo, but you\u2019ve missed out the last three years \u2013 \u2018The World Famous Cavern Club\u2019 in Liverpool!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Cavern Club Promo<\/center><\/div>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Yes, the Cavern Club! You moved the tribute there in \u201908. This year\u2019s tribute at the Cavern Club is coming up this Saturday. Have you gotten your mod clothes ready or will you be going tarten? Along with your band,Sinnerboy<\/b>, this year’s tribute at the Cavern will also have Against the Grain<\/b> from Scotland and Top Priority<\/b>, a tribute band from Liverpool. What about the early days, Barry. Back in the late ’90’s, during the first few tribute gigs at the Dukinfield Town Hall, what other bands joined you on stage?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> \u2018The Jed Thomas Band\u2019 was a big part of it then, Jed and the same boys are still treading the boards too \u2013 lovely guys and great musicians, then there was my special friends from Germany \u2018Brute Force and Ignorance, Dave McHugh and Aftertaste, The Bill Baileys, and I used to put bands together out of all the local musicians to play special Rory songs, one year we did the \u2018Rory Gallagher Big Band\u2019 – Me, Paul (Harmonica) Paul Minshull (Piano) Denis Brennen and Frantzl Gerd-Albers (Drums) John Berry (Bass) Sara Nadin and Graham Attwood (Horns) John Brett and Steve Ernshaw (Guitars) and Chris Waite on vocals \u2013 we filled the stage that night, two drum kits too!!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> I imagine you’ve seen your fair share of Rory tribute bands come and go over the years. Not many have flied the Rory flag as many years as you though. Who stands out in your mind as both friend and supporter of the cause? When you first started playing the tributes, who was there before you and who remains there still?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Markus Kerkeling and his band \u2018Brute Force and Ignorance\u2019 from Germany were the band that convinced me that it could be done! That you really could play Rory authentically and not just interpret the songs your way. Up until that time there was only Jed and Dave McHugh who I knew were playing Rory and they also were really great at it but for me Brute Force were the band to take notice of, and what does it tell you when I say that all those guys, Jed, Dave and Markus are still at it, lots of other Rory bands have come and gone but the original guys are still there \u2013 and still fantastic!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> It tells me that Rory could instill a fierce loyalty in his fans. That some may use his music as a stepping stone to further their own careers, but others play his material out of sheer love of the man and his music. What are your fondest memories of the Dukinfield shows?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Always the big audiences \u2013 and the smiles on their faces!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Sinnerboy also makes the trek to the festivals in Ireland — Ballyshannon, Belfast, Cork. Did you play any of the gigs Tony Moore would organize around Cork back in the early days? Any idea what Tony is up to nowadays?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Oh yeah we\u2019d all cram into a little bar in Co. Cork called \u2018The Meeting Place\u2019 it was tiny and there seemed to be hundreds of us there! But we all got in and supported each other, it was great! Tony is not as up front on the Rory scene now \u2013 he played the biggest part of all in getting us all together, just about the most influential man on the Rory Tribute scene! He now plays his guitar in an Irish traditional band \u2013 I must ring him soon and catch up!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> The big draw now is in Ballyshannon. Barry O’Neill has turned that festival into a huge to do. Has some of the Rory-ness been lost on the way though? I read stories about some of the younger crowd casting a bit of a dark cloud over the proceedings. Or is it just the normal headaches associated with the bigger crowds?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Absolutely \u2013 it\u2019s the same at all festivals, it does attract some kids who are not really interested in the music but that does not detract from the festival itself \u2013 and in no way has it lost ANY of how you put it \u2018Rory-ness\u2019 on the contrary, as with Tony Moore before him Barry picked up the baton in Ireland and has created a unique event in honour of Rory, I cannot praise him and his team enough for what they have done in Rory\u2019s memory.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> It’s important for the youth to be involved in it, not just us old geezers. Rory’s music needs to stay fresh, don’t you think?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> That\u2019s one of my favourite things that has happened \u2013 there are lots of young bands that have got together not because they saw Rory, because they were too young, but because they saw Sinnerboy! How proud do you think I am of that?<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Did you play with former mates, Steve and Dave at Ballyshannon this year, as a final encore? Tony Dowler played too, didn’t he?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Yeah we played three great gigs \u2013 a real fitting ending to our partnership. They played some gigs with Tony too, The Hellhounds are a great band!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> With the dissolution of Sinnerboy, you started doing more solo acoustic shows to fill the Rory void, or had you always scheduled in a lot of solo acoustic work?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> It was way before the dissolution of Sinnerboy, Milo \u2013 the old guys didn\u2019t want to play so many gigs with me and I had to do something to keep paying the rent and it was either learn how to do it solo or\u2026.GET A JOB! (Horror) I love it now!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Last October you came out with an acoustic album simply titled, “Rory”. Well that says it all, doesn’t it? Tell us about the album. How long was it in the making? Who guested? Where was it recorded?<\/p>\n

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Barry Barnes solo album<\/center><\/div>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Mostly in Athens, plus two live tracks from Dublin and two studio tracks in England (and woof woof in Limerick!) It took longer than it should to mix because the studio in Athens had to close down after I recorded it, but I\u2019m happy with the end result, My great friend Manos Kampouris plays some stunning guitar on it and I\u2019m joined by Paul Westwell on a couple of tracks and Tracy Smith, O.B Mclaughlin and Dave Burns help out on \u2018Barley and Grape Rag\u2019 I\u2019m really proud of the album (Available from www.sinnerboy.co.uk<\/a>) Unashamed plug there!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> A well deserved plug! Interesting that many of the tracks were done in Athens. Greece has a surprisingly large number of Rory Gallagher fans. Rory only ever did two shows there, yet they occupy a huge slice of the demographics on the official Rory Gallagher Facebook page. About one fourth of all RG Facebook fans are from Greece. In fact, the city of Athens alone has more RG Facebook followers than any other country. Sounds like a country with excellent musical “Taste”. How do they treat you over there?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> What? Greece is my second home! I love the Greek people, It\u2019s my favourite place in the world! I have many, many friends there and get there as often as I can, I\u2019ve even got a Greek version of Sinnerboy! Manos Koutsakis and Manos Deloitis play with me on Drums and bass there \u2013 and I\u2019ll be back next year!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Well, I had a feeling Sinnerboy would go over well there. Your solo album is a mixture of Rory covers and Rory-covered Blues standards. I think the only blues song on the album not performed at one time or another by Rory is Son House’s “Death Letter Blues”. Why Death Letter Blues?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Because it goes to the darkest region of the soul, that song IS the blues \u2013 nothing scares me or moves me like THAT song. I hope it doesn\u2019t sound pretentious but I often just go into a trance when that song is working correctly \u2013 transported to another place \u2013 I\u2019m talking bollocks again aren\u2019t I?<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Not at all. I remember reading an interview of Rory where he talked about how Robert Johnson\u2019s music scared him, that he was just that good. Rory’s choice of tunes from these blues legends was atypical, diverging from what the modern blues guitarists would include in their repertoire. Do you have any favorites, besides the included Death Letter Blues that Rory didn’t cover that you would have liked to have seen him cover?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> He played so many concerts and so many acoustic spots that probably nobody knows everything he played \u2013 I would have liked him to cover some Bukka White!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Barry Barnes © naamanus<\/a><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Bukka White and that resonator! He played it so good and loud, like an electric guitar! Rory mentioned listening to him on the US Armed Services radio when he was growing up, but I can\u2019t think of any Bukka White songs on the Rory bootleg recordings I have. One of the things that marked Rory’s take on the old Blues tunes was how he made them his own. One only has to listen to songs like Bullfrog Blues, Messin\u2019 with the Kid, or Out on the Western Plain to see how Rory made them his own, to the point that it’s now Rory’s version that people cover. Do you have particular favorites from his covers?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> My favourite would be \u2018Empire State Express\u2019 It\u2019s Rory and Son House so it\u2019s got to be a hit with me!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Empire State Express — from his album \u201cFresh Evidence\u201d. He recorded it on St. Patrick\u2019s Day in one take, sitting in the drum booth using the drum mikes. I often wonder what the blues “purists” think of how Rory made these songs his own. I imagine there’s those who don’t want those old songs to stray very much from the original.<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> I think that is exactly what the blues is \u2013 interpretation. The early blues men were just taking what they had heard being chanted by their parents in the cotton fields (Much of it in African languages) and then translated into vocal lines and guitar riffs, then Muddy Waters invented electricity! If there are those who don’t want those old songs to stray very much from the original I feel sorry for them, they are missing out on so much!<\/em><\/p>\n

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If you just ape the old record, then it’s a one-dimensional thing. I try to adapt and interpret the songs at the same time. It\u2019s good to capture the original feeling, but there’s no point in doing it just verbatim. I know certain guys who do that and it doesn’t get them anywhere. But then some ultra-purists feel you shouldn’t tamper with these songs or even attempt them. I think it’s one way of keeping the music alive and bringing it another step forward.”– Rory Gallagher<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Barry Barnes:<\/strong> Well there you go \u2013 even Rory agrees!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Who are your favorite blues musicians past and present?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> My personal favourites \u2013 Son House, Bukka White, Tampa Red, Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon, Bessie Smith, Sonny Terry and Brownie MgHee.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Mark Feltham said once that as much as he liked listening to Rory play those old blues numbers, what he really liked was hearing him play his own songs. What are your favorite Rory songs, both to listen to, and play yourself?<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> I\u2019ve always loved playing Moonchild and Hot Coals, and I couldn\u2019t single out any favourite Rory songs, Maybe Tattood Lady would be my all – time favourite \u2013 I love Wicked Sadie, she makes me laugh because she gets raided by the police and the chief ends up wearing her nickers on his head \u2013 priceless!!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> I love the way Rory changed that song up through the years \u2013 adding the flamenco intro, and that chukka-chukka muting of chords (if that makes any sense!!) On your solo album you’ve done a nice acoustic version of Moonchild. That is something I love to hear: acoustic renditions of electric songs. Are you familiar with the Belgian guitarist Jacques Stotzem? Jacques talked about trying ” to catch the original spirit [of a Rory song] and perform it on acoustic guitar. Not playing it note for note but getting the emotion and energy right.<\/p>\n

Barry Barnes:<\/strong> You mean Jacques does the same thing as me? I don\u2019t know him, you must introduce me, that\u2019s exactly what I think!
\nI\u2019ve just looked him up on Youtube \u2013 Bloody Hell he\u2019s amazing!!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shadowplays:<\/strong> Maybe one day Jacques will play at the Ballyshannon festival. He\u2019s done quite a few Rory songs, accompanied by female singer, G\u00e9raldine Jonet, and he\u2019s told me he would love to play at the festival. Of course, Rory playing one of his own electric songs acoustically can\u2019t be beat. I loved it when Rory appeared on Irish TV in 1977 and played “Secret Agent” acoustically. MTV use to have a program called, “Unplugged,” back in the late 80’s. Rory would have blown them away.<\/p>\n