Two Old Friends perform at Rey Center

Thanks to the generous support of the NH Humanities Council, Two Old Friends, Emery Hutchins and Mac McHale, performed an evening of music at the Rey Center to an enthusiastic crowd!

Over the centuries, immigrants from the British Isles have come to the Americas, bringing with them their musical styles, tastes, and instruments. Using the concertina, bodhran, mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar and banjo, Emery and Mac played traditional Irish songs and tunes. They performed American country music the way it was conceived in the early 20th century and demonstrated how these tunes are often derived from the songs of the Irish, but have been influenced by other cultural and ethnic groups (particularly African American) to create an original American sound.

Emery Hutchins and Mac McHale, Two Old Friends, are music preservationists and performers. They are the founders of the Irish folk band Northeast Winds. Mac later formed The Old Time Radio Gang and Emery was part of the Celtic group Angel Band. They have performed locally and internationally for 40 years.

We look forward to having them back again next year!