Well known in the Philadelphia area, the duo of Timlin and Kane has been playing to great acclaim for audiences throughout the East Coast and beyond for over thirty eight years. Gerry was born in Ireland where he developed an early interest in traditional Irish music and Tom Kane, born in Philadelphia of Irish/Welsh stock, heard the music from his earliest remembrances. Over the years, Gerry's love of music expanded to include Scottish, American, Canadian, and Australian folk music as well. He moved to the USA in the early seventies where he teamed up with Tom. While playing the clubs and pubs of that time, Gerry and Tom played popular folk music and began to incorporate more Irish traditional and folk music that their audiences continue to enjoy.
Gerry started singing and playing guitar back in 1965 in his home town of Coalisland, County Tyrone, Ireland. He learned his first songs at home, where songs indigenous to that part of Ireland were sung by his mother who restricted her appearances to the kitchen! He was soon influenced by renowned area traditional Sean Nos (unaccompanied) singers, such as George & Sarah Ann Hanna and Paddy Tunney. He then began to study every aspect of traditional Celtic music, from intricate vocal styles to accompaniment on guitar, penny whistle, and bodhran,. from which he developed his unique approach to his presentation of his music to his audience.
Tom played music professionally from his high school years stating out as the bass player in a South Philly wedding band and then as a soloist playing the music of the times in cabarets, colleges and concerts here and in New York City before Uncle Sam called in 1967. Shortly after returning home, Tom met Gerry and has served as accompanist to Gerry’s presentation of songs and as lead instrumentalist on mandolin, fiddle, banjo or guitar for the tunes. For over thirty five years now Gerry and Tom have appeared at many festivals and have headed the bill at a great many concerts, clubs, and dinner shows.
Since 1972, Gerry and Tom have played at nearly every major musical festival in the region, including the annual Musicfest and Celtic Classic, both in Bethlehem, Pa., the Buffalo (NY) Irish Fest, The Philadelphia Midwinter Festival, the Fredricksburg VA Festival, the Bonnie Brae Festival (NJ) among others. They’ve shared the stage with The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, Paddy Reilly, Brendan Grace, Ronnie Brown (The Corries), Alistair McDonald, Alisdair Fraser, Mick Maloney, John Cunningham, Eugene O'Donnell, Skip Healy, Siobhan Egan, Kips Bay Ceili Band, DeDanaan, The Battlefield Band, The Alexander Brothers, The Dubliners, Johnny McAvoy, Robbie O'Connell, James Keane (Dublin), and Tommy Sands. They performed for the Gov. Robert Casey Inauguration upon special request, as well as fundraisers for two Primate Cardinals from Ireland. They have also made numerous television appearances, and taken part in many radio interviews and music programs
Gerry’s latest and grandest venture to date was the opening of his own restaurant, The Shanachie Irish Pub in downtown Ambler PA in the fall of 2004. He now performs there regularly as a soloist and with Tom, his singing partner of over 30 years. In addition to Timlin and Kane, many wonderful performers grace the stage at The Shanachie with a weekly Traditional Session Night and Pub Quiz Night kicking off each week's entertainment. Also a number of recordings are available that feature Timlin and Kane as well as Gerry solo. Please go to theRecordings page for a complete listing and ordering information.
Timlin and Kane continue year after year to delight audiences with their offbeat humor which is a great part of their appeal as well as pure and compelling presentations of the traditional and contemporary Celtic music they love They are invited back year after year to all the major venues they play as their music and approach is always fresh and the audience always entertained.
Gerry and Tom welcome all inquiries, and can be reached at:
Coalisland Music and Tours
215-527-8219
Or better yet, stop in and see Gerry at the The Shanachie!