SONGWRITER MERRIMAN TO BRING IT HOME
ONE OF the finest singer-songwriters to ever emerge from Wexford will return home for an intimate gig in Wexford Arts Centre at the end of this month.
Liam Merriman is very well known and respected on the Irish music scene and while his recordings have earned him much praise over the years his work with Waterford’s, Healing Arts Trust, has seen him work in hospitals all over the country as an advocate of music therapy and healing.
A professional hospital musician and trainer, at any given time he can be found anywhere from neonatal intensive care units, oncology, acute and chronic mental health settings, to working with those affected by Dementia and Alzheimer’s, in addition to providing end-oflife and bereavement support. He has worked in healthcare facilities in Ireland, Europe and the UK.
Having lived in County Waterford for many years, where he is renowned on the local music scene, he recently bought a house in County Wexford and his forthcoming gig in the town, which will take place on Friday, April 27, will be a very much welcomed homecoming for the down-to-earth songsmith.
Merriman brings his unique sensitivity and life experience to his work and as a performer he captures the essence of everything that is magical and powerful about songwriting.
His latest release, ‘Acoustic Rivers’, was recorded in Nashville, and offers a gentle insight into a world perceived by someone who brings music to people who find themselves thrown into vulnerable and challenging circumstances during their lives.
The power of music is something that Merriman is acutely aware of and it’s also why he is so highly regarded as a songwriter and as a person.
He has been a musician with the non-profit Kids Classics initiative for almost 10 years; the organisation brings live music interaction into hospitals nationwide in conjunction with the National Concert Hall.
Whether it’s his hospital work, writing, gigging or recording, a guitar is never far from Merrimans hand and his command of the instrument is a joy to behold when witnessing him in a live setting.
A seasoned performer he regularly tours overseas and has appeared at some very prestigious music festivals. His songs reflect the varied aspects of his life and with someone who regularly encounters the sadness of palliative care to the joy of the newly born it’s likely everyone attending the Arts Centre gig will find something they can relate to in the material.
‘Acoustic Rivers’ will be his sixth album and will feature 13 tracks - including a couple of folk instrumentals and 11 original songs, performed, for the most part on two, finger-picked acoustic guitars.
For the Wexford gig he will be accompanied by the equally talented Bill Stuart. For more information or to book tickets contact the Wexford Arts Centre box-office on 053-9123764 or go to www.wexfordartscentre.ie