Bio
Perhaps we should let the facts speak for themselves
Barry Mc Cabe hails from Virginia, Co. Cavan, Ireland, but his music has taken him all over the world. He’s performed extensively across Europe, the US, and even Egypt, sharing his unique blend of Celtic-blues with global audiences.
A standout in Barry’s career is his collaboration with renowned uilleann pipe player Davy Spillane, resulting in the critically acclaimed album “The Peace Within”. Many regard it as the birth of Celtic-Blues, with Spillane’s contributions from his work with Riverdance and collaborations with artists like Bryan Adams, Van Morrison, and Chris Rea adding a special touch.
Barry also supported legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher on his final European tour, playing venues like the Paradiso in Amsterdam, a site made famous by The Rolling Stones. His band Albatross headlined the Waterpop Festival in Holland, performing for a crowd of 20,000.
Over the years, Barry has had the privilege of working with several iconic musicians. Mick Taylor (formerly of The Rolling Stones) joined Barry for the release of “Beyond The Tears”, and they performed together throughout Europe. Snowy White (famous for “Bird of Paradise”) also appeared with Barry at numerous European festivals.
Barry’s version of Fred James’ “Full Moon on Main Street” won the Sheheshe Music Award in the U.S., and his original song “One of These Days” was recognized as one of the world’s top six blues songs by the Backas Jazz Society in Finland.
In a special tour, Barry played 12 concerts in 12 days across all 12 provinces of the Netherlands to raise funds for the War Child charity, and he continues to support the cause through various other projects. He has also worked with the Irish Youth Foundation and the Red Cross.
Throughout his career, Barry has shared stages with rock and blues legends like Status Quo, ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet, Rory Gallagher, and many more. His music has reached radio audiences worldwide, from Europe to Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
With albums like “Beyond The Tears”, featuring special guests such as Mark Feltham (Rory Gallagher Band), Johnny Fean (Horslips), and Pat McManus (Mama’s Boys & Celtus), Barry continues to push the boundaries of his musical vision.
Reflecting on his journey, Barry says, “I grew up in a small town with dreams of playing music all over the world. That dream has come true many times over.”