Bristol’s Stone Church Coffee House at the First Congregational Church opens its seventh season on September 28th with a doubleheader,split bill featuring talented performers Mike Carroll and The Miller Family.
Mike Carroll was born in Ballybofey, County Donegal, Ireland. He has been an entertainer all his life, singing, playing guitar and writing songs. In fact, he first became known for penning Irish lyrics and many of his ballads went on to become hits for top Irish recording artists such as Tommy Mulvihill, Noel Henry, Paddy Noonan, Phil Coulter, Sean O'Neill and many others. Mike has also has some serious Rock and Roll roots. In the early 60s, his band John Bull Breed played at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany 6 weeks after the Beatles played there. They played every day from 6pm until 4am, and his band mate was John Lodge, the future bass player for the Moody Blues. Returning to England, they formed the M & B Five in Birmingham, and they were the opening band for the Rolling Stones. After Mike had moved on in his musical career, the M & B Five went on to change their name to the Moody Blues.Since those days, Mike has played in countless venues. His hit "You Touched Upon My Life" was the centerpiece of a tribute to the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey, meeting President Gerald Ford and Muriel Humphrey. He has played the famous clubs, John Barleycorn and Flanagan's, in New York City. He has also played Carnegie Hall at a St. Patrick's Day concert with the Chieftans and Richard Harris. In 1990, he was named "Irish Man of the Year" by the Brevard County Irish-American Citizens Club.He has remained unquestionably loyal to Irish music. In the 80s, Mike spent three years as the top Irish entertainer aboard the luxury cruise ship the QE2. Finding himself in a pinch for a drummer, he hired fellow Irishman Aidan Graham who played drums with him for a time. Famously for locals, Aidan settled in Bristol, RI and opened a popular Pub. The presence of his friend is what first drew Mike to Bristol where he has lived for nearly 20 years.
The Miller Family, Ruby May, Evelyn and Samuel from Smithfield, Rhode Island, are fun-loving siblings who have been teaming up with local master artists to hone their musical skills since they were 7, 9 and 11. They are dynamic multi-instrumentalists studying classical piano as well as traditional music on guitar, fiddle, whistle, bodhrán, harmonica and concertina. Their energetic performances at a variety of venues in Rhode Island include the Scituate Art Festival, the Blackstone River Theater and the Providence Performing Arts Center. The highlight of 2012 was traveling to Cavan, Ireland and competing as a trio in the world’s largest traditional music festival. Their love of all things Irish doesn’t end with music. They are also world-class Irish step dancers whose most recent accomplishments include competing in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast in 2012 and Boston in 2013. Infusing their performances with toe-tapping rhythm and rich vocal harmonies, they bring a unique interpretation to traditional music.
Bristol’s Stone Coffee House is an affordable, family-oriented, handicap-accessible musical venue. Doors open at 6:45PM and the show starts at 7:30PM. Tickets are available at the door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15.00 per person; students are half price; children 5 and under are free. For ticket information or to purchase tickets in advance, please call 253-4813 or 253-7288.The First Congregational Church is located at 300 High Street (corner of High and Bradford Streets) in Bristol, RI.
