FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 6, 2002
promise to come to the states. I’ll
learn some Irish songs.”
Before John and Doris
returned to the states they
purchased a few Clancey
Brothers tapes and found sheet
music at a shop in Portland. The
challenge was met and the little
group began to practice
performance in Heppner. Other
performances in 1988 included a
talent show in Pilot Rock, the
Wagon Train, the Morrow County
Fair and Rodeo in Heppner and
the Umatilla County Fair in
Hermiston.
In 1989 M ichael Duffy
moved to La Grande to attend
school at Eastern O regon
University. The Irish group was
Photo by Matt Johnson of Howdyshell Photos
back to the original members -
The Irish Singers (left to right): Ivan Meads. Hermiston. Paul Green, Pilot Rock, Kreg Hawkins John and Leo Doherty, Scott
(deceased) Michael Duffy, Athena, John Doherty, Portland, Dan Emert, Pendleton, Scott Sager, Sager and daughters, Shelley,
Pilot Rock, Leo Doherty, Pilot Rock.
Kelly and Jodi, and Paul Ellis.
Practice continued at the ranch
during
lambing season and again
Ranch.
Between
shifts
in
the
Story by Bonnie Sager
Doherty and the Irish Singers
lambing shed, the men played and the band played in Heppner for
began.
sang and enjoyed long afternoons St. Patrick’s Day. In June they
In 1982 Jam es J. “Jim ”
No one can remember the
played for the Wagon Train
and
evenings
w ith
the
Farley invited Ted Smith of the exact date but it was lambing
where Ivan Meads, an electrician
sheepherders
and
tenders.
Pendleton KUMA Coffee Hour season in the early 1980s. John
and guitar player from Hermiston,
John
and
Scott
remarked
that
to come to the Farley Motor and Scott Sager were enjoying a
Company Showroom in Heppner February afternoon at the Doherty they really should leant some Irish joined the men.
Practice continued at the
tunes. John had “a beautiful
to share stories, jokes, and music
Sheep Ranch between John’s
brogue so rich and sweet” as sheep ranch during the lambing
with family and friends. Thus
shift in the lambing shed. As Scott
began 20 years of Irish festivities strummed his guitar, the men sang stated in the words to the Irish season of 1990. Some nights the
song “Tim Finnegan's Wake.” It men went to the lambing shed and
in the town of Heppner, Oregon.
songs they remembered from
was
time to expand their music sang for the night watchman. The
Contributing to the flavor of their youth. John had a few copies
lambing shed is located on the old
repertoire.
the day with song and guitar were o f the music his brother Joe
road
betw een Vinson and
In
1985
John
and
Doris
John Doherty and Scott Sager.
Doherty used to sing so they tried
Gurdane
about two miles from the
Doherty
took
their
family
to
They got their start practicing in their luck on the Irish tunes.
Doherty
Ranch-in the north fork
Ireland
to
visit
family
and
friends.
the lambing shed on the Doherty
Before his death in April of
of
Butter
Creek Canyon at the
While
enjoying
the
afternoon
in
an
Ranch on Big Buttercreek. As the
1981, Joe was well known
Irish
pub
it
became
John’s
turn
to
foot
of
the
round hills 15 air miles
years went by their group grew
throughout Umatilla and Morrow
sing
a
song
for
the
others.
This
is
from
Pilot
Rock.
with guitar, banjo, bass violin, counties as an exceptionally fine
a
custom
in
pubs
—
each
one
There
are
no city lights near
piccolo, flute and organ, and they
Irish tenor. He often sang at mass
takes a turn singing a favorite Vinson to dim the view o f the
expanded their repertoire with
in Pendleton and Pilot Rock and
song. The only song John could heavens. On frosty February
trips to Ireland. John Doherty and for funerals in both counties.
The Irish Singers becam e a After Joe died, John was asked remember was “ The Battle of nights during the dark o f the
New Orleans” made popular by moon, stars seem close enough
traditional part o f the KUMA
to accompany the organist at
the American recording artist,
to touch. How can we ever forget
Coffee Hour and will be honored
mass in Pilot Rock. When the
the sight of 5000 ewes, pregnant
this year for their many years of organist moved from town, John Johnny Horton.
with
their lambs, breathing heavy,
Jo
h
n
’s
cousin
Kevin
providing music for the annual
asked Scott to accompany him on
rem
arked,
“John,
you
really
heads
turned to the door of the
celebration.
his guitar.
lambing
shed where Scott is
should
learn
some
Irish
music!”
There is no finer place to
This was the beginning of
softly
playing
“Will Ya Go Lassie,
John
answered,
“Kevin,
if
you
enjoy Irish music than a sheep
many trips to the Doherty Sheep
Go”.
We
won’t
forget - - nor will
ranch. And that is where John
John and Leo and the night
watchman. Those were nights to
remember.
Lambing, docking, shearing
ind shipping - - these were all
>ccasions to gather and sing. A
leal would be shared in the
itchen at the ranch - - the
lerders and night watchman
rere always invited, as well as
friends from town. Big meals of
fried chicken, mashed potatoes
ind gravy, salad, bread, pies and
lakes were served. It was a
lishwasher’s nightmare.
In August o f 1990, John
»oherty turned 50 years old.
»oris had a party in his honor at
the ranch. Along with the visiting,
:ating and drinking, there was
lusic. The big Quonset hut was
their shop and a perfect place to
;ather and sing. Paul Green
joined the Irish Singers that night.
Paul currently lives in Pilot
Rock and works for Ramsay-
MCGG’S SPRING FENCING SALE
Gerding Construction. Paul is a
former San Francisco 49er where
he
was a quarterback. He plays
BARBED WIRE
T-POSTS
guitar and sings with the Irish
2 pt. D/W Ranch Hand
2995 group. Paul comments, “I’ve had
5i/t # 1 2 5 hv-wghts 1 90
some great times (with the Irish
4 pt. D/W Ranch Hand
3295
6 ’ #125hv-wghts
2 °°
Singers) - - I just wish I could
BarbLess D/W Ranch Hand
2950 remember them all!”
The last Irish group practices
RAILROAD TIES
at the ranch were in 1993. The
GALVANIZED
ranch was sold that year after the
Railroad Tie #1
STOCK 2 x 2 x 4 5995
sheep were sheared in May. A
1 0 5 °
way of life came to an end but
TANKS 2 x 2 x 6 7995
the Irish Singers continued. When
2x2x8 9995
Gordon, one of the herders on the
Doherty Ranch, died, the Irish
PRESSURE TREATED POSTS
Singers were there to lay him to
rest. He was buried at Vinson
4” x 7 ’ post
479
PANELS
Cemetery, in the Doherty family
4” x 8’ post
539
gravesite.
=± E
¿ft:4^
In 1994, M ichael Duffy
5” x 7 ’ post
639
1 4 50
Cattle Panel 52" x 16’
returned to the Irish Singers.
5” x 8’ post
7"
Practice was held at Sager’s and
Combo Panel 52” x 16’
1 6 90
the singers added Andy Emert on
violin and the voices of Jack
H I-Q U A L
HI-QUAL
HI-QUAL
McGuire and Jeanine Rieff. Jodi
and Kelly Sager played flute;
HEAVY DUTY GATES
GENERAL DUTY
PANELS
Scott, Paul and Mike played
16’ range panel
9285
GATES
12’ gate
92°°
guitar; the Doherty brothers sang
16’ heavy duty panel 12 500 10’ gate
and the voices of Mike, Paul and
14’ gate
10600
67°°
Scott were added to the mix. They
16’ gate
114°°
12’ gate
74°°
played at the Great Pacific in
Pendleton the night before
H eppner’s celebration. The
HI-QUAL ROUND
Fencing Sale
crowded room rang with Irish
good through
BALE FEEDERS
music and song.
Saturday,
The following year found the
Round
group practicing in Paul Green’s
March 23rd
Tombstone Saver
basement-John and Leo Doherty,
Scott Sager and Paul Green, Jack
359°°
P R O D U C TS
Mcguire and Andy Emert who
tuned his fiddle and rosined his
bow. Ivan Meads returned to the
singers, adding another guitar to
1-800-452-7396 *989-8221 * 350 Main • Lexington, Oregon
the mix. Again they played at the
Great Pacific, in Heppner and for
For farm equipment, visit our web site at www.mcgg.net
the Wagon Train.
St. Pat’s Committee honors John Doherty & The Irish Singers
-
m
if
-
M orrow C o u n ty G rain G ro w e rs
4=
. In 1996 while playing at the
Great Pacific, Kreg Hawkins
from Pendleton remarked to the
group that he sure enjoyed their
music. Kreg and Dick Kaiser had
teamed up for years in a duo they
called “Darrel and Daryl.” Kreg
played a fast m andolin and
enjoyed harmonizing. Scott invited
Kreg to join the Irish Singers in
Heppner and he accepted. Dan
Emert joined the Irish group the
same year. His fiddling skills were
a notable asset. Dan lives in
Pendleton, has a degree in biology
and works for Interpath
Laboratories. Dan and brother
Andy Emert played with the Irish
Singers in Heppner that year.
Joining the fiddlers were John and
Leo Doherty, Scott Sager, Paul
G reen, Ivan M eads, Kreg
Hawkins and Kelly Sager. The
singers played upstairs at the Elks
Club in Heppner and downstairs
for the patrons in the bar. Angel
Gambino of Detroit, Michigan,
and fellow law school friend of
Kelly Sager also played with the
Irish group.
In 1997 the Irish Singers
purchased hats for their members
and a five-channel sound system
from Gina M eengs. Their
organization was growing and the
sound improved year by year. Rod
Bonifer from Athena and Ashley
Ward, daughter of Jim and Susie
Ward from M orrow County,
joined the singers at the Great
Pacific and in Heppner. Twelve
band members went to Heppner
in 1997 - - John and Leo Doherty,
Scott Sager, Michael Duffy, Paul
G reen, Jack M cG uire, Ivan
M eads, Kreg H aw kins, Dan
Emert, Kelly Sager, Rod Bonifer
and Ashley Ward.
In 1998 the Irish Singers
purchased another hat and a dark
green shirt with the words “St.
Paddy’s Players” embroidered on
the front. John and Leo Doherty,
Scott Sager, Paul Green, Ivan
M eads, M ichael Duffy, Dan
Emert, Jack McGuire, Ashley
Ward, Kreg H aw kins, Dick
Kaiser and Kelly Sager played at
the GP. All but Kelly traveled to
Heppner the next day. Heppner
added a “Ceili” to their list of
attractions. Michael Duffy was
the master of ceremonies and the
Irish Singers performed.
In 1999 there was enough
money in the “tip jar” to purchase
a “snake” and “head” to add to
the sound system. John and Leo,
Scott, Paul, Kreg, Ivan, Dan
Em ert and M ichael Duffy
traveled to Heppner for the St.
Patrick's Day events. On March
17 which was a Wednesday that
year, the Singers drove to Kelly's
Bar in Milton-Freewater for a
feature performance. Since 1995
they had performed for Katherine
Kelly at her home outside Milton-
Freewater. Now she had a new
establishment on Hwy. 11 and
w anted the band there to
celebrate. Another tradition is
bom.
In August of 1999 the Irish
Singers were asked to perform
for the newly formed “Friday
N ight A live” celebration in
Pendleton. They played on a
bandstand in front of the Great
Pacific. A nice crowd turned out
for the event.
Performing in Heppner in the
year 2000 were band members
Leo Doherty, Scott Sager, Kreg
Hawkins, Jack McGuire, Ivan
Meads, Dan Emert, Paul Green
and Michael Duffy. For the first
Time to spiff
up the town
It’s time to get our town
spiffed up for the annual St.
Patrick’s Celebration.
The Chamber of Commerce/
O regon
D epartm ent
of
Transportation highway litter
pick-up will take place on
Tuesday, March 12 from 5-6 p.m.
As in the past, participants
are asked to use the attached
SOLV litter bag to pick up any
trash or unsightly weeds along
highway frontage and leave the
bag by a highway sign for the
C ham ber
of
Com m erce
volunteers to pick up.
C ontact
the
project
coordinator to obtain an orange
marker flag for any hazardous
items in the clean-up area.
W e Print
Business Cards
Heppner G a z e tte -T im e s
6 7 6 -9 2 2 8
time singer John Doherty was
unable to make the trip to
Heppner. John and Doris had
moved to Portland and he was
“living on the road” in an 18-
wheeler. But the music survived
and in April of 2000 they bought
a “mixer board” to add to the
sound system. John returned to
Pendleton for the Friday Night
Alive performance which was
held in front of the Rainbow Cafe.
Matt Johnson took a professional
photo of the Irish Singers which
was placed on their web site.
The year 2001 began with
practice at Paul Green’s. Their
first perform ance was at the
Pendleton Elks Club on February
9. They played at Sam pson’s
Cafe in Pilot Rock on February
16, at K elly’s Bar in Milton-
Freewater on February 23 and the
DoubleTree in Athena on March
2 .
On March 5, their world
came apart. Kreg Hawkins and
Jerry Doherty had scheduled the
day to go four-wheeling in the hills
near G urdane. All w ent as
planned until early afternoon
when Kreg followed Jerry up a
long hill. When Kreg did not come
over the brow of the hill, Jerry
drove down to investigate. Kreg’s
4-wheeler had flipped and landed
on him, crushing his chest. He
died within a few minutes.
For the past six years Kreg
had been a spark of energy and
enthusiasm the band enjoyed and
respected. In a few short days
Kreg would be buried at the Helix
Cemetery. He was laid to rest
with the plaintive notes to “Danny
Boy” performed by Leo Doherty,
Scott Sager, Paul Green, Michael
Duffy, Dan Emert, Andy Emert,
Ivan Meads, Dick Kaiser and
Leo’s brother Jerry Doherty - -
the Irish Singers.
Perform ing at the G reat
Pacific was difficult but uplifting
for the band. They knew if they
could get through that evening
they would be able to meet the
rest
of
their
m usical
com m itm ents. John and Leo
Doherty, Jack McGuire, Ivan
Meads, Scott Sager, Paul Green,
Dan Emert and Michael Duffy
traveled to Heppner on March 17.
That evening they drove to
Milton-Freewater and played at
Kelly’s Bar and the next day gave
a perform ance at the V et’s
Hospital in Walla Walla.
Kreg’s last message to the
Irish was written the day before
he died. He had made
arrangements for the Singers to
perform at the Rainbow Cafe and
was giving last m inute
instructions. “Let’s make this a
good one and really kick some
music butt down there!” Kreg’s
parting words carried the singers
through the season.
Michael Duffy says, “We’re
not real formal but we sure have
a lot of fun - - for me personally
it’s very rewarding.” Our final
quote is from John Doherty. John
said, “ Ya know, in 1956 Elvis
Presley cut his first record. Well,
in 1956 I performed with a glee
club from St. Martin’s School in
Seattle at the King TV Studio.
Elvis went on to be successful but
I made it to Heppner and I’m
damn proud of it!”
A ppearances the Irish
Singers have made include six
weddings, at least eight funerals,
and at least 37 different
businesses and events.
Rebekah Lodge
holds card party
W inners at the Holly
Rebekah Lodge monthly card
party held Saturday evening were
Lyle Peck, high men and Luella
Taylor, high woman. Lows went
to Clarence Buchanan and Marge
Ball. Traveling (a free night's
play) went to Beverly Steagall and
Xaveir Azavedo (who gave his
prize to his mother-in-law, Dot
Halvorsen). Proceeds from the
party will be donated to the
Friendship Fund of the Order.
Hostesses for the night were
Joyce Buchanan. Virginia Peck
and Dorothy Jackson.
The next card party is
scheduled for Saturday, April 6,
and will be the last one until this
fall when play will resume in
October. All parties are open to
the public. Proceeds are dedicated
toward the upkeep on the IOOF
hall, various funds or projects
within the lodge or the community.
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