The concert is sponsored by Hesston College, and Peace Connections of Newton. A freewill offering will be taken for Circles Initiative, an organization committed to engaging the community in dealing with the issues of poverty in Harvey County.
Internationally-acclaimed baritone and peace ambassador Tony Brown from Hesston College will sing one selection with Sands. When Brown visited Northern Ireland for the third time in the fall of 2007, he and Sands sang in two prisons in Belfast and visited with leaders involved in the conflict in that country.
According to Brown, Sands is a well-traveled folk singer who promotes peace and goodwill throughout the world. Sands wrote songs sung by Joan Baez, and collaborated on songs with Pete Seeger. “It was exciting to be involved with someone of his stature,” Brown said. “He’s accomplished a lot of good things during his lifetime.”
“I am honored to be reunited with Tommy,” Brown continued. “We both have a keen interest to promote peace in the world and use music as a powerful tool to change lives and foster reconciliation.”
Brown’s contacts with Sands started during his first visit to Northern Ireland in the fall of 2003, when he was a guest on Sands’ radio show in Belfast.
The upcoming spring 2009 concert tour called “The Troubles: Through the Eyes of a Troubadour,” features music from Sands’ soon-to-be released CD, Let the Circle Be Wide. The CD offers 14 original compositions steeped in the Irish music tradition.
A native of northern Ireland, Sands dreams of an Ireland without conflict. Touring the world with his music of peace, he recently returned home from Israel and Palestine. Before the year is out, Sands will travel to nine countries, including a few weeks in Afghanistan and Cuba, where he will bring his “template of possibility” to the people and politicians.
While Sands’ charm and warmth on vocals and guitar create an intimate solo concert setting, the addition of daughter Moya on vocals, fiddle, brodhran, and tin whistle, and son Fionán on the mandolin and banjo for this upcoming performance promises a fuller and more dynamic sound, where music and dancing lift the spirit.
For more information about Sands, visit his website at www.tommysands.com .
For more information about the concert, contact the Hesston College Alumni Relations Office at 620-327-8109, or toll-free at 866-437-7866 (866-HESSTON)