Carlow musician’s award brings him to the stage of Arizona’s Octoberfest

9/14/2005 - By: Suzanne Pender

A CARLOW musician has become the latest recipient of the Carlow Celtic Circle Joe T. Ford Award, thus ensuring his performance on opening night at Tempe Arizona’s Octoberfest.

Singer/songwriter Eric Butler, Palatine Road, Carlow was awarded the Joe T Ford Award for his contribution to their sister city’s programme between Carlow and Tempe, particularly in the area of their student exchange programme.

The bond of friendship between Tempe and Carlow remains as strong as ever while the student exchange programme continues to ensure that future generations still recognise this link.

Eric ensured a very pleasant stay for US students during their time here in Carlow last year so it therefore seems apt that the same friendship be afforded to Eric through the Joe T Ford Award.

The award includes a trip for Eric to Tempe during their renowned Octoberfest music festival, which encompasses a weekend of entertainment and musical performance.

As part of the award, Eric will be performing live on the main stage during the festival’s opening night bringing a little touch of Irish heritage and tradition to audiences through his accomplishments in both accordion and guitar.

As well as traditional Irish music, Eric is a classically trained pianist and also counts Bob Dylan and modern bands such as Coldplay among his great influences.

Following his performance in Tempe, Eric is off to Nashville and from there to New York where he’s already lined up to perform in the Porter House, a New York bar owned by Carlow native Fintan Seeley.

A group from Carlow will join Eric on the trip to Tempe, heading off on September 30.

Previous recipients of the Joe T. Ford Award include JJ O’Hara, Gala Hutton, Kevin Lacey, Garda Peter McConnon, John Comerford, Padraig " Snodaigh, Martin Conville, John Corish, Lillian Moran, Monsignor John McDonald and retired Garda Superintendent Noel Gallagher.