Formed by Grammy-winning fiddler and composer Mark O’Connor, The O’Connor Band debuted their album, ‘Coming Home,’ August 5 on Rounder Records.
O’Connor, a devoted student of America’s musical traditions, has picked his favorites from the distinguished family band lineage including the Osborne Brothers, whose 1956 hit “Ruby, Are You Mad at Your Man” is just one of the songs that The O’Connor Band covers on ‘Coming Home.’
Mark O’Connor is joined in The O’Connor Band by his wife, Maggie O’Connor, on violin and harmony vocals; his son Forrest on mandolin and lead vocals; Forrest’s fiancée, Kate Lee, on violin and lead vocals; Joe Smart on guitar; and Geoff Saunders on bass and banjo.
The result renews a vibrant tradition, much the same way Mark’s favorite family acts brought their own contributions to the music. After The O’Connor Band played at Music City Roots last week, the audience gave them a standing ovation. A unique band of three fiddles, their sound is one not to miss, we sat down with O’Connor family just before their performance to learn more about bringing the family together as a band, what’s it like traveling as a family, and a couple of must haves when traveling on the road. If you missed them at Music City Roots, The O’Connor Band will be back in Nashville on September 21st at 12th and Porter.
What has it been like to bring the family together for this album and tour?
Mark- Working with the family, it’s been a joy. I’ve been playing music for decades in the profession. Along the way I’ve shared some of that joy and influenced family members toward music. Then ultimately they get really good, then you’re like, okay, we can play on stage together and have people really like it, so that’s been really amazing. A journey that I never thought was possible for me. I feel very lucky right now.
What was it like the first time you played together as a family?
Forrest: It was a big deal, we really prepared. Our first gig was in front of 4,000 people. We rehearsed for days in a ballroom beforehand. It takes time to learn any type of music, but with our arrangements, there are a lot of pieces that are very involved. Compared to performing a traditional blue grass band, you can hit 2 or 3 chords and that’s it. So there was a little bit of a learning curve. And it was an outdoor festival, which may not be the most ideal first performance, because we had the biggest feedback in the first song. My dad said that if we can do it there, then we can do it anywhere.
What is it like traveling as a family?
Mark: Traveling has been pretty easy. We kind like hanging out any way. We can easily spend 16-hour days together, we get goofy, but we don’t wanna kill each other after.
Right now, Forrest and I are managing the group, making sure our family is well represented and taken care of. We like producing and arranging the material. It’s really in house, but we have a wonderful agency, crossover tours, we’re excited about that relationship.
And for Joe and Geoff to come into a family band situation and know how to do it, we just lucked out. They kinda of know the dynamics of the family band and it has all worked out really well.
What are the must haves for the road?
Good coffee, we always look for a local coffee shop when we travel. Chocolate chip cookies and a violin silencer so we can practice in our hotel room and not disturb others around us.
Here is The O’Connor Band performance from the Music City Roots show.
Download ‘Coming Home’ on iTunes or Amazon. Follow The O’Connor Band on Facebook for the latest updates.
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