Former Warwick resident and broadcaster Carl Corcoran appointed to Ireland’s Music Network’s board of directors

When WTBQ celebrated the 10th anniversary of going back on the air, many of the guests asked: "Where is Carl Corcoran?"

The answer today is that living in Dublin, he travels during the week to serve as the Course Director of a Masters Degree in Songwriting at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the University of Limerick.

Citing his more than 40 years’ music industry experience with songwriting, publishing, management, performance and broadcasting, the Irish Music Network has recently announced the appointment of Corcoran to its board of directors.

An internationally known song writer and entertainer, Corcoran, who called Warwick home for 10 years, could be heard on WTBQ with his Irish music program, "A Drop of the Irish."

He also hosted a popular music and talk show on the station, which aired weekday mornings.

A passion for helping young musicians

“A recent appointment to the Board of Music Network,” he said, “is a wholehearted endorsement of my years dedicated to the music and arts communities here in Ireland. Music Network is a National music touring and development organization. Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and philanthropic investment from disparate sources including U2, Music Network embodies a vision and a policy that aspires to the development of music and it's accessibility nationwide by supporting concerts, audience development and outreach activities. The development of young professionals is something that I subscribe to with a passion.”

While living in Warwick Corcoran produced an award-winning CD, "Dancing the Dublin Reel," and he also performed live in numerous New York City clubs and local nightspots.

When he returned to his native Ireland in 1998 he began broadcasting daily on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE), the Irish Public Service Broadcasting Organization that would be the equivalent of NBC or CBS in the United States.

Corcoran retired from RTE in 2017.

“I don’t perform that often these days,” he said, “but I still write songs.”

Songs for that day in September

Corcoran had already co-authored two timely songs for the 10th anniversary of September 11 ceremonies held in New York.

His 9-11 song, “I Won’t Turn My Back on You,” co-authored with songwriter Jimmy Kelly, was recorded by the New York Tenors and performed as the featured song at several September 11th commemorative events.

The well-known singer, Ronan Tynan, one of the original Irish Tenors, performed the song at City Hall as well as with the United States Air Force Orchestra and Choir during a filmed concert on PBS TV.

Another Carl Corcoran song, “The Phoenix,” a 9-11 hymn co-written with Art McGann and sung by Corcoran, was scheduled to be a closing theme for a documentary on “The Irish of 911.”

His most recent endeavor, however, was to join Kelly again to co-write. “Atlantic Sky, “ a song that pays tribute to those who crossed the Atlantic to contribute to a great America.

The song is due for an American release by Alexandra Sharpe, a former member of the Celtic Woman, and also in an album by Ronan Tynan titled “Atlantic Sky.”

Corcoran began his music career in the 1970s.

Many of his Warwick fans may be surprised to learn that it was rock and roll, folk and pop that brought the young Dubliner to the pubs, clubs and coffee shops as both a singer and songwriter.

An offer to sign a recording contract produced three award-winning albums containing songs written by Corcoran who adopted the stage name, Jamie Stone.

News for old friends

Corcoran has some family news for his many friends in Warwick.

“Life is good,” he said, “and the most precious moment occurred last November when my daughter Sinead gave birth to my first grandchild, a bouncing beautiful boy, Fionn. My son Kevin is a full time music performer, composer and producer and my youngest Brendan is busy with his own music video production under the moniker Frendan.”

Corcoran has, from time to time, returned to Warwick for a brief time during one of his stopovers in New York City.

He fondly and frequently mentions having the beautiful environs of Warwick as his former base, especially the view during his surprise visits as he crosses Mt Peter.