Liz McNicholl
Singer/Songwriter 
 
Liz McNicholl brings music to life.  She combines Irish traditions with the excitement of contemporary folk styles -- the likes of Dolores Keane, Mary Black, John Prine and Nanci Griffith -- all presented in her own lovely sweet voice.

Born Liz Dolan in Co. Meath, Ireland. Liz was the second youngest of seven kids and grew up on her Father’s farm. Liz always had a love for music and began her journey of performing on stage in local competitions and concerts. When she was 16 she taught herself how to play guitar & started to accompany herself singing.

In 1985 Liz ventured to the United States where she intended on only staying a year, needless to say, she fell in love with America and decided to stay. She married Aaron McNicholl from Co. Tyrone. They have 2 boys, Darragh (14), and Gavin (11), and are settled in Norwalk, Connecticut.

When Liz first arrived in the US she performed as both a soloist, and later with an Irish Traditional group called Heather Breeze & later with the Wild Geese.

When Liz married and had children, she took a break from performing and enjoyed a nine-year career as an administrator for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. All the while, however, she yearned to perform again, and in 1999 she returned to the music scene. Since then, Liz has played as a soloist and on ocassion sings with the world wide acclaimed all female group, Cherish the Ladies. Liz also has her own CT based acoustic band. Their music can be described as "Americana" with a touch of folk, bluegrass and celtic influences intertwined. The group comprises of Morgan Eve Swain on fiddle, Chuck O'Donnell on guitar/dobro/harmonica, John Hurley on mandolin/guitar and Fred McKay on bass. Liz and the band provide the perfect balance of strong vocals, harmonies and riveting instrumentals.

Liz has done opening acts for other artists, e.g., Keswick Theatre, PA - for Hal Roach, and has played as the main performer/band on some wonderful stages; The Levitt Pavilion (Westport, CT), Statesboro University (Savannah, GA), The Savin Rock Fest (West Haven, CT), Sono Arts Fest (Norwalk, CT), Milford Performing Arts center (Milford, CT), The Acoustic Cafe (Bridgeport, CT), The Towne Crier (Pawling, NY), The Red Lion (NY city), and many Irish festivals (Stone Hill, MA, Fairfield fest & North Haven festival in CT, Bethlehem Celtic Fest in PA, & Coney Island Irish fest in NY). Her repertoire ranges from playing Irish ballads to folk, country, and bluegrass music, and intertwines some of her own songs into her immensely diverse repertoire.

In 2002, Liz released her debut album, "Grand Central Station", in which Liz showcases her wonderful rich voice. Her unique style and versatility shines through in the diverse collection of Irish & folk songs. The title track was written by Liz, and describes seeing "NY in a different light" and can be heard on the home page.

The multi-talented Gabriel Donohue produced the CD , and accompanies Liz on an array of instruments. Liz is also joined on the album by some of the finest musicians around; Joannie Madden (from Cherish the Ladies), who displays her usual wonderful style on the flute and whistle, Eamonn O'Rourke with his amazing fiddle & mandolin playing who now plays for Kathy Mattea, & Steve Holley (formerly from Wings) shows his superb flair on the drums.

One of the songs featured on her album is " The Bravest", a song that was written by American Folk singer/songwritter Tom Paxton.  The song is in dedication to all the heroes who died on Sept. 11th 2001, and describes the chilling story of Firefighters climbing the stairs that day.