Write a commentOn April 29, the Oswego Music Hall welcomes The Burns Sisters to the Main Stage at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street in Oswego.
Ithaca natives, The Burns Sisters have shared the stage with many great folk legends—Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Odetta, Willie Nelson, and even the Boston Pops. They have played at Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, Thailand, and Ireland. Annie and Marie Burns as a duo create uplifting, transcendent music filled with warmth and conviction. Stirring and reverent, their passionate, seductive harmonies and lyrics are bursting with spirit and soul. The Burns Sisters are renowned for their pure harmony, beautiful lyrics and joyful energy.
Still in and just out of high school, the sisters pursued their individual musical callings. Marie had moved to Florida and started her musical career in San Antonio, Florida. She fell in love with old time country and bluegrass music while living in the South. With a little convincing from Annie (who had been gigging around town when not in school), Marie returned from Florida and joined forces with her two sisters. They had heard Ithaca had a great music scene, so they moved to Ithaca and started working as The Burns Sisters; writing and recording their own songs and launching albums through Columbia Records and Rounder records. Marie and Annie now release on their own label Sisters Music. The two have written and produced together and apart approximately 20 CDs.
The Burns Sisters have been through many different configurations over the years. They started as a trio. At one time, all five sisters sang together, but they returned to the original trio. Two years ago, Jeannie Burns left the band to follow her heart westward to the Austin music scene. Marie and Annie followed their hearts to Ireland where they played established music festivals in the West of Ireland. There, they started to look into their own family history, and to learn the true Irish history of the famine and the great migration. The Sisters were compelled and inspired to write and record their new project Looking Back, Our American Irish Souls. The Celtic infused Americana album is gathering attention in Ireland, Wales, UK, Scotland, Canada, and here in the USA.
“Looking Back, Our American Irish Souls, I think it's a truly magnificent, quite superb piece of work. Your beautiful voices blend so perfectly, the vocal performances and the playing throughout is perfect too...and so moving...you have injected new life onto some old classics (From Clare To Here, Ned Of The Hill, Free-Born Man, and Too Ra Loo are just excellent versions...and even the sometimes-abused Danny Boy is treated with grace and feeling giving it the dignity it deserves.), and your take on Kilkelly is by far the best version I’ve yet heard. And, I believe Workhouse - given the theme - should be heard by EVERYBODY on this island NOW.... The engineering/ production is as good as it gets", PJ Curtis - renowned writer, music producer and poet. “Annie has a bell-like, steady, warm and heartfelt voice. It is so pleasurable to listen to someone who uses her instrument in such a commanding and sensitive way”, Rosanne Cash - American singer-songwriter and author. For further information, visit https://theburnssisters.com/home or view a video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkD6WyToak8.
Shows start at 7:30 PM and doors open at 7:00 for all National Stage concerts. For a complete performance schedule and ticket information, visit the website at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ or stop at the river’s end bookstore, 19 West Bridge Street in Oswego.
The Season Finale on May 13 will feature Annie Sumi & Travis Knapp and will have an earlier start time.
Ticket prices for the National Stage range from a low of $15 to $20 at the door. Children 16 and under are half price and under 5 are free. Purchase tickets at any concert (cash or check only), online or at the river’s end bookstore.
The Oswego Music Hall venue is located in the McCrobie Civic Center, on 41 Lake Street in Oswego, and is wheelchair accessible. It is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and the Oswego Harbor. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Light refreshments will be available.
The Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception over 40 years ago. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through various tasks — from running the sound board to making popcorn. Students can also earn credit for community service. To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Michael Moss at [email protected].
Find more information online at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/, Facebook, Instagram or email [email protected].
Concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and New York Legislature. Other major supporters are the City of Oswego and Shineman Foundation.
2023 Music Hall Calendar 45th Season
Spring 2023
National Stage
- April 29 Burns Sisters Band
- May 13 Season Finale featuring Annie Sumi & Travis Knapp
Open Mic Guest Hosts
- April 28 Steve Watson
