…by Andy Redmond
The first time I met Billy was 2001. I was new to the area and just started a Celtic band. Looking for venues to play, most bar and club owners were hesitant to book the band without a first hearing. Even an offering to perform for free wasn’t melting the icy stares. A band member told me about Billy Briggs and his place, TirNaNog. As fate would have it, a chance visit found me watching and hearing Billy onstage, a rotund bear of a man, cigar at the side of his mouth, strumming a banjo and singing in a tone usually reserved for the high level professionals of our craft. Impressed was an understatement! Between sets, I introduced myself and inquired about performing. “What kind of Celtic music?” he asked. “Irish, Scottish songs along with lots of instrumentals, jigs, reels with American variations mixed in.” I said. Billy’s next question was, “Any rebel tunes?” Not sure what answer he was looking for I just figured I should tell the truth. “Sure, Billy, tunes from 1916 and 1798 but, we don’t specialize in them. We include them as part of a greater whole.” I was sure he would think I was some idiot or worse, an academic looking for a venue to teach history. Instead, he looked me square in the eyes, puffed on his stogy and said, “That’s good, bro, to many rebel bands around. Be nice to mix it up a little. Next month, first Friday, see how it goes.” So TirNaNog became one of the first places Na’Bodach could play. A club date that lasted once a month for four years! During that time, I knew Billy as a talented, gracious and fair man. I saw what he did for the Trenton Irish-American community.
He led the way in procuring funds to assist those in Ireland who needed financial aid. His example of unselfishness made it easy for the rest of us to find time to donate our talents to fund-raising events. He worked tirelessly to raise the collective conscience of all things Irish. My band continues to perform thanks in no small part to a man who took a chance. More than that, I am a better man for having known him. Rest in peace “Irish” Billy Briggs.
