Tommy Peoples

File:Tp1web.jpg

Tommy Peoples, September 2009

Tommy Peoples (born 1948) is an Irish fiddler who plays in the Donegal fiddle tradition.

He was born near St. Johnston, County Donegal, in Ireland. He has been a member of well-known traditional Irish music groups, including 1691 and The Bothy Band as well as performing solo since the late 1960s. He plays in the unique fiddle style of East Donegal.

After moving to Dublin in the 1960s, where he was employed as a Garda (member of the Irish police force), he subsequently moved to County Clare and married Mary Linnane, daughter of Kitty Linnane, long-time leader of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. He now resides in his home village of St Johnston. His daughter Siobhán Peoples is a noted fiddler in her own right.

Tommy Peoples is currently the Traditional Musician In Residence at The Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, County Donegal.

In July 2015 he launched his self-published book "Ó Am go hAm - From Time to Time". The book combines a fiddle tutor by Tommy, along with illustrations by himself and a complete notation of 130 original tunes by Tommy, again notated by himself. The book also includes many stories and incidents from his life, and musical career. The book is currently available direct from Tommy from his own website http://www.tommypeoples.ie/,

Website

http://www.tommypeoples.ie/

Discography

With The Bothy Band

• The Bothy Band (1975)

Solo

• An Exciting Session with One of Ireland's Leading Traditional Fiddlers (1976)
• A Traditional Experience with Tommy Peoples: A Master Irish Traditional Fiddle Player (1976)
• The Iron Man (1985)
• Fiddler's Fancy: Fifty Irish Fiddle Tunes Collected and Performed by the Irish Fiddle Legend (1986)
• Traditional Irish Music Played on the Fiddle (released in 1993, but recorded in 1982)
• The Quiet Glen/An Gleann Ciuin (1998)
• Waiting for a Call (2003)

With Paul Brady

• The High Part of the Road (1976)

With Matt Molloy and Paul Brady

• Matt Molloy . Paul Brady . Tommy Peoples (1977)

With Paul Brady

• Welcome Here Kind Stranger (1978) Remastered on CD in 2009 [Peoples plays on four tracks]

External links

• Tommy People's web site
• Ceolas Artist History - Tommy Peoples
• Interview with Tommy Peoples by Fiddler Magazine