Around the World

Gerry O'Beirne makes music at Sage Arts

Gerry O’Beirne is an Irish songwriter and guitarist from Dublin, Ireland, but just try to catch him at home. He's a jet-setting gypsy, making music around the world.

After a visit to Alaska, Gerry stopped by Sage Studio for a few days to work on his next album. Then whoooosh! he was off to New Zealand.

“I’ve been a Gerry O’Beirne fan for years,” said Sage Studio engineer Daniel Protheroe. “He’s a 24/7 musical guy. He takes a party with him wherever he goes.” It’s a party of winsome songs and beautiful 6 and 12-string guitar music.

When Santa Barbara harpist Lorin Grean heard that Gerry would be at Sage Studio earlier this year, she jumped on the next plane...

... so they could finally record together. Gerry, Daniel and Lorin go way back. They met in 1983 when Gerry played a house concert in Santa Barbara. “Instead of coming in next year, I‘m doing it right now,” she said. “Gerry and I have often talked about maybe I could use him on a recording, and it came to fruition right here at Sage Arts.”

Why does Gerry, a world traveler choose to record at Sage Studio?

“Because they get the best guitar sound I've heard,” he said.

He’ll be back in the fall to finish his album. Until then you can go to his web site to listen to song snatches from Half Moon Bay; it’s one of Daniel’s all-time favorites.

Gerry’s songs speak of a yearning for home, love, and the spiritual qualities of place. He has called many places home: Ireland, Africa, England, California and Mexico. But after hearing his music, you’ll find that ‘home’ is anywhere he can sit with his 12-string guitar and play.