| Theiss & O'Connor Biography | ||
Venues: Alpine Village The Artistry (Mayville) Borders Books: Fox Point, WI Madison, WI Greendale, WI Rockford, IL McHenry, IL Crystal Lake, IL Wilmette, IL Cafe Forte Cafe Metro Cardinal Stritch University Carroll College Carthage College Cedarburg Cultural Center Cedarburg Performing Arts Center The Coffee House Concert in the Park Series (Mayville, WI) Concert on the Green Series (Mequon, WI) Concert on the Lawn Series (Darien, WI) Elm Grove Women's Club Friday Night Live Series, Waukesha, WI Ground Round Restaurants The Hansen Theatre Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops Mequon, Shorewood & Brookfield WI Id and Ego Irish Fest (Milwaukee) Irish Fest Center Irish Cultural and Heritage Center The Irish Trader The Italian Community Center (Milwaukee) Jitterzz K.O.G. Cafe Martha Merrell's Books & Cafe Marquette University: Mug Rack Brooks Union Varsity Theater Midwest Center (Milw.) Milwaukee Auditorium Miramar Theater Musical Mondays Lake Park (Milw.) Next Door Coffee House Numero Uno O'Donoghue's Irish Pub Olympia Resort Ozaukee County Fair The Pub (Oconomowoc) The Plymouth Center Royal Oak Pub Rockford, IL Someplace Else St. Norbert College St. Patrick's Parish (Racine) Storefront Manor Summerfest ('72) US Coast Guard Auxiliary UW-Milwaukee: Kenwood Inn Fireside Lounge Union Ballroom West Bend High School Auditorium Weyenberg Public Library (Fine Arts Series)
TV/RADIO: |
Theiss & O'Connor consists of Bill and Lin O'Connor and Larry Theiss. They are frequently joined by other musicians. Over the years they have been accompanied on stage by Tom McGirr (bass), Brandon Herbst (bodhran), Lori Otto (flute), and others. Most recently Chris O'Connor has joined them on bass and Tim O'Connor on guitar, bass, and mandolin. The group originally formed in 1967 when Larry and Bill met at an "open sing" at The Coffee House in Milwaukee. They each played in separate groups (The WPT Cable Company and the New East Town Singers) for a time, but finally decided that, with Lin, they could create the sound they were after. They have played at colleges, coffee houses, night clubs, and festivals in the Midwest, some of them listed on the left. Their three-part vocal harmonies are accompanied by accomplished guitar work. Their sound is tight, powerful, polished and refreshing. They have performed a mix of original, traditional, and Irish-American folk tunes, but have also been known to throw in occasional unexpected songs of a different genre. After a twelve year hiatus to raise a family and to explore other musical ventures, they reunited in 1996. They have since performed at various venues throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. They have performed on television several times and have had songs from their CDs played on local, state, and international radio programs. They have recorded four CDs as a group and a half dozen more in other efforts. Larry has three classical guitar Christmas recordings as well as two recordings of religious music. Bill and Lin collaborated with Mary Ellen Backes on a Christmas CD and Bill has released an album of some of his original songs. Larry has published several of his songs in two song books and Bill's An Irish Blessing has also been published, sung by various choirs, and recorded in a joint effort by the Irish Fest Choir and the Omagh Community Choir (2001). They continue to put their unique talents into all their musical efforts. REVIEWS
"They
put on a great show...making a good bunch of music."
"Intricate finger-picking and three part harmony in a
classical folk style."
"If you're at all into folk music...I wouldn't miss
these people. You'll like them. I promise."
"Larry and Bill provide wonderful acoustic guitar counterpoint
that provides a musical landscape for songbird Lin O'Connor and the
ensemble's liquid, wistful harmonies."
"The sweet vocal harmonies of this folk trio will leave
you longing for the magic of Ireland...Sit back, close your eyes, and let
their lovely, wistful sound transport you."
"The evening last night was a
real winner! I can't remember when we have had such a crowd pleaser. To
paraphrase a local Great Harvest Bread Company commercial , "Fine music,
great people"!
- Tom Lindem Royal Oaks Pub, Rockford, IL
"It
doesn't get any better than that." |