Tag Archives: Anne Feeney

Anne Feeney – Folk Singer-Songwriter, Activist and Friend of the Mother Jones Festival – RIP

Posted on by
Reply

Anne Feeney, American folk singer, songwriter and trade union activist died on 3rd February 2021. Anne visited Cork in 2013 and in spite of serious health issues was determined to return and sing at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival.

When she did return in 2014 Anne sang at the Cork Singers Club on the opening night and later in a concert with Si Kahn at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival in 2014. Anne and Si’s rousing version of Solidarity Forever literally raised the roof of the Firkin Theatre on that evening of  Thursday 31st July.

  • Anne Feeney at the Plaque for Mother Jones in Shandon, Cork
  • Anne Feeney in the Maldron Hotel, Shandon, Cork
  • Anne Feeney and Si Kahn Poster – 2014 Festival
  • Have you been to Jail for Justice - Anne Feeney
    Have you been to Jail for Justice – Anne Feeney
  • Union Maid by Anne Feeney
  • Dump the Bosses Off Your Back – by Anne Feeney
  • Anne Feeney and the Two Lauras from the Cork Singers Club


Her labour activism and love of Mother Jones was derived from William Patrick Feeney, her grandfather who was a union organiser. Anne’s unique “Business Card” states her occupation simply as Folksinger/Agitator. The card also contains the quote from Utah Phillips “Anne Feeney is the best labor singer in North America” 

In tracks such as “We Fought Back“, “How Much for the Life of a Miner“, “How Long?“, “Whatever Happened to the Eight Hour Day?”, her songs about respect for workers and working class solidarity display an uncompromising edge.  Anne always let people know which side she was on.

Direct and honest and her lyrics reflect this. She sang of Santiago Cruz, Fanny Sellins and Mother Jones, and sang with Pete Seeger, Si Kahn, Loretto Lynn and Billy Bragg and so many others at concerts and fundraisers all over the place.

The US Labour Heritage Foundation awarded her the Joe Hill Award in 2005.

Anne Feeney spent a lifetime of activism and her songs and albums reflected her total dedication to the fight against injustice. She always maintained that songs and music empower people to challenge and question oppression.

Anne loved Ireland, and she travelled all over the country during her Enchanted Way Tours. Her 2010 album Anne Feeney: Enchanted Way, demonstrated her versatility with some Irish classics like “Raglan Road” and “Hey, Ronnie Reagan!” Her website and blog demonstrate her never-ending activism and her practical support for the labour movement throughout America and elsewhere.

In the preamble to her 2008 Album, Dump the Bosses Off Your Back she stated,

“The working people of this country are an amazing lot. Against all odds, they will walk off their jobs and strike, enduring significant hardships sometimes for months and even years – and why? To protect future generations of workers – and to preserve elusive concepts like “dignity” and “respect”. The generosity of the American working class and their willingness to help others is downright awe-inspiring.” 

Anne Feeney

Anne herself was truly inspiring and was supportive of our efforts to keep the memory of her hero Mother Jones alive and is fondly remembered by her friends on the Cork Mother Jones Committee.

To her daughter Amy Berlin and son Dan and her family and friends we express our sympathy and solidarity.

American folk / Activist Legends in Concert

Posted on by
Reply

Si Kahn & Anne Feeney

Two American folk musicians, union and environmental activists, both legends in their own right, to appear at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival, Cork on Thursday, 31st July 2014.

The concert takes place at the Firkin Crane Theatre, Shandon on the historic northside of Cork city starts at 8.30pm.  Booking is €15 from tickets.ie, the Maldron Hotel and from Plugd Records @ Triskel Arts Centre.

 

 

 

Si Kahn, whose songs have inspired many

Posted on by
Reply
Si Kahn
Si Kahn

Si Kahn, singer, songwriter, writer, community organiser, union activist and environmental campaigner will play in a joint festival fundraising concert with Anne Feeney at the Firkin Crane Centre on Thursday 31st July at 8.30.

Tickets for the concert are available through www.tickets.ie or from Plugd Records at the Triskel Arts Centre, the Maldron Hotel or phone 086 1651356.

Si will hold a songwriting workshop at the Maldron Hotel on Monday 28th July at 8pm. All singers/songwriters or those interested in songwriting are very welcome to come along and meet Si, where he will hold a practical session.

We can confirm that Si will also speak about his life and his current campaign to protect Bristol Bay in Alaska on Friday afternoon 1st August at 2pm.

Si’s songs of family, community, love, work and freedom have been recorded and performed by hundreds of artists, including Planxty, Patrick Street, Eleanor Shanley, Dolores Keane, the Fureys, the Dublin City Ramblers, Dick Gaughan, June Tabor and the Oyster Band, Alec Campbell, Brian McNeill, Eddi Reader, Peggy Seeger, Renaud, Kathy Mattea, John McCutcheon, the original Red Clay Ramblers, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Blue Rose, Robin and Linda Williams, Hazel Dickens, Laurie Lewis and to Rozum, the Dry Branch Fire Squad, Charles Sawtelle, and Rosalie Sorrels.

Anne Feeney for Cork Mother Jones Festival

Posted on by
Reply

AnneFeeney

Anne Feeney

The Cork Mother Jones Committee is proud to announce that renowned labour and union activist, folk musician and singer is also on her way to the 2014 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival. Each year Anne organises a tour of Ireland and this year for the first time she will include the festival in Cork as part of her itinery.

Anne was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania in 1951; she was deeply influenced by the Civil Rights movement and the anti Vietnam War movement. Her grandfather, William Patrick Feeney, was a mineworkers’ organizer who played his violin at labour and union rallies, and was also a key role model.

Her first public concert was at an anti-war rally in November 1969. Anne graduated from the Pittsburgh School of Law in 1978, and worked as a trial attorney for 12 years. She served as president of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union in 1997 and 1998.

She is a member of the IWW (Mother Jones was among the founders) and the American Federation of Musicians.

Since 1991, Anne has toured North America and many other countries to participate in labour rallies.

Her solo albums:

Look to the Left (1992)

Heartland (1994)

Have you been to jail for justice? (2001)

Union Maid (2003)

If I can’t dance (2006)

Dump the Bosses off your back (2008)

Enchanted Way (2010)

The track Union Maid on the 2003 Union Maid CD which was written by Woody Guthrie and sung by Anne was recorded at the grave of Mother Jones at Mount Olive, Illinois on October 9th 1994. She has recorded songs written by Ewan McColl, Peggy Seeger, Si Kahn, Tom Paxton as well as many of her own compositions.

Many consider that her rendering of the famous union song written by Florence Reese, Which Side Are You On? to be the definitive version!

Anne was once described by Utah Philips as “the best labour Singer in North America”. while her music has been recorded by many artists including Peter, Paul & Mary.

“Few women have taken Woody Guthrie’s path……but Anne Feeney has made a career of it.” Labour History Foundation.

Her business card proclaims her hell-raising activities and lists her business as folksinger and agitator.

Anne paid a visit to the Mother Jones plaque in Cork last year.

Anne paid a visit to the Mother Jones plaque in Cork last year.

Anne was diagnosed in August 2010 with small cell lung cancer, yet Anne has continued to tour and travel. She visited Cork briefly in 2013 to see the Mother Jones plaque and will now return for the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival from 29th July till 1st August.

Anne will play a joint concert with Si Kahn at 8.30 at the Firkin Crane Centre in Shandon on Thursday evening 31st July.

She is leading a Labour History Tour to Ireland which will take in the Spirit of Mother Jones festival in Cork.

For details of how to join the tour contact Innisfree Tours or anne@annefeeney.com or visit Anne’s website on http://www.annefeeney.com.