After almost two decades in the Irish music business, Joanie Madden and Cherish the Ladies are calling it quits.
"I know it's unfortunate," said Ms. Madden, "but these things happen. After so many years on the road, we get tired and begin to have things like family and health issues, and you know someday you're going to have to make that decision."
"It will be somewhat difficult, since we've been doing this for so many years," said accordionist Mirella Murray, "but we've all done other things in the past that we can fall back on. For example, Mary Coogan was a teacher, so she'll probably go back to that."
Cherish the Ladies has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, drawing much of their inspiration from Irish and English folk bands of the '60s and '70s, such as the Chieftains, Fairport Convention, and the Clancy Brothers, but giving it their own unique twist with Joanie's expert whistle and flute playing, and great female vocalists such as Cathie Ryan, Aoife Clancy, and Heidi Talbot.
Surely, they will be missed.
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But not today.
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HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!
