Pete St. John
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Pete St. John is an Irish folk singer-songwriter, most notable for composing Fields of Athenry.
Pete St. John is a prolific composer of widely sung modern ballads; his other most famous song is "Dublin in the Rare Old Times". His songs often express regret for the loss of old certainties (the latter song regrets the loss of Nelson's Pillar and the Metropole Ballroom, two symbols of old Dublin, as progress makes a "city of my town")
[edit] Biography
Pete St. John (Peter Mooney) is a Dubliner. Educated at Scoil Muire Gan Smal, Inchicore and Synge Street C.B.S. he served his time as an electrician and then emigrated to Canada. Moving on to Alaska, Central America and the West Indies he worked as a professional athelete, truck driver, logging camp labourer, Pr/Sales Official and finally electrical contracting executive in the U.S.A. He became deeply involved in the Peace Movement and International Civil Rights before returning to his native city of Dublin in the late 70’s.
Finding the face of his city greatly changed he began writing songs in a very distinctive and unique style depicting the social conditions around him. Redundancy became the core element of his work and the city soon recognised his talent with the major folk artists recording his songs with great succsss.
The critical and commercial success has continued with Pete’s songs becoming a quintessential part of the repertoires of most of Ireland’s leading singers and musicians. Pete has been acknowledged by his peers both at home and abroad with awards of merit from:
- The Irish Republic Music Writers
- The Irish Association of Songwriters and Composers
- The U.S. Irish Cultural Society
- The U.S. Brendan Cup Committee
- Irish Music Rights Organisation Songwriter of the Year
- Beaumont Foundation Cultural Award 2000
- Goal/Rwanda Award
- The Peace Train ‘89 Award
- Omagh Awareness Award
- Stenaline UK Songwriter of the Decade
[edit] External links
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