'Irish' rocker Billy Walsh finds comfort on stage
Billy Walsh's grandfather Patrick Walsh hailed from County Mayo in Ireland, and when the musician came from Boston to Clinton for a gig in the early 1990s, he found he wasn't alone.
"It seemed like the whole town said they were from County Mayo," said Walsh, laughing.
He and his wife Mary later moved to town for in 1998.
"I've been here for 10 years, so I'm a newcomer, but I like to think of myself as a late arrival to Clinton," said Walsh, part of the six-member Billy Walsh Band, which has been entertaining folks in Massachusetts for 20 years.
The band recently released a new 18-song CD titled "Irish," which features Celtic music with acoustic guitar sounds. The band will play a CD release concert at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, April 5, in Clinton Town Hall. The performance will include a 45-minute acoustic Celtic concert followed by an electric guitar-based rock 'n' roll set.
"We want people to come out and dance, as if at a political event or a party, we want them to sing along, have some fun and dance," said Walsh. "There will be wine, beer, soda. This is not a folk party, we want people to relax, enjoy themselves, get up and talk to each other. What I want people to know is it's a great cause and it's a big band. It's something I do - it's my life, I'm a teacher and a musician."
Cleveland rocker
Walsh grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, along with 10 other siblings, including five older sisters, three younger sisters and two older brothers. As a child, he enjoyed listening to popular bands, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, while also indulging in Motown and country classics.
"We played sports like football, basketball and baseball. We went to church and to school as part of strict Catholic upbringing," said Walsh. "I always enjoyed listening to music, but it wasn't until after college that I became serious about playing."
Walsh moved from Ohio to the College of the Holy Cross of Worcester in 1971. His father, Edward, wanted him to become a doctor, but Walsh majored in philosophy and religious studies while continuing his affinity towards music. He began playing guitar and songwriting.
After college, he hitchhiked across the United States for a year to visit his brothers. He lived in Kansas City and Lake Tahoe, Nev., "roofing houses and banging boards with one of my brothers." He also worked at the Illinois Public Action Council while living in Chicago. Eventually, the pull of music drew him back to the East Coast.
Walsh settled in Boston so he could "be in one place and play music."
He then married his wife Mary and the couple had two children, Matthew and Billy Jr. Walsh sold hot water systems, windows and doors for a brief stint when his children were young, and later taught at St. Mary's High School in Cambridge. The couple eventually moved to Jamaica Plain.
Walsh has taught a variety of subjects including math, science, English, Asian studies, theater and music. He continues teaching to this day, and said his profession has been the perfect fit for him.
"You learn about how windows are put in a couple days, but the life of the mind is stimulating," said Walsh making the switch from window installation to teaching. "It gives me something to keep learning. I love ideas and I love kids."
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