Iconic music duos, featuring harmonious vocals or strong creative partnerships, have shaped music history, ranging from folk-rock to pop and soul. Top examples include Simon & Garfunkel, Hall & Oates, the Everly Brothers, and Sonny & Cher. Other notable duos include The Righteous Brothers, Tears for Fears, and Steely Dan.
Kilkenny also boasts some great duos and surely high up on the music ladder must be the combination of John Travers and Billy Barron. Both men have performed in every club, pub, hotel and theatre venue across the 32 counties of Ireland. Their talent also stretches over Europe and further afield.
But today, we are not going down that particular music path. Rather, we shine the spotlight on a particular charity that both John and Billy are involved with. Both of these artists have teamed up with ‘Crosscause, who as a charity, set up in 1998 to assist with special needs orphans in Romania.
John and Billy are both highly respected instrumentalists and since Noah was a child, they have allocated an enormous amount of time to charity work. Over the years Mr Travers has worked with such bands as 5th Degree, 2nd Degree, Johnny Fean ( Horselips), Dana and The Miami Showband
while Mr Barron has performed on stage with Jim Cantwell big band, Tony Stevens Ben Reel and Bobbie Carey.
Speaking to The Observer , John Travers said that both himself and Billy were delighted to have the opportunity to work with Crosscause. “I know and appreciate the work that Conor and his team from Crosscause do, and Billy and myself are happy to do our small bit to assist”, said John. Recently , John and Billy recorded an ‘instrumental Beatles CD’ featuring such classics as ‘Across the universe’, ‘Norwegian wood’, ‘Yellow Submarine’ , ‘love me do’ ,’Elanor Rigby’ and more.
Both men are joined on the cd by Mick Duffy.
Crosscause activities began in 1998 when a group of volunteers started working with special needs orphans in Romania. With the gained experience, they have now been able to expand further into Eastern Europe and West Africa. In 2003 Crosscause became an officially registered Irish charity led from day one by Conor Hughes. Since 2015 the charity has been accountable and monitored for good practice by the Irish Charities Regulator. Two decades of hard work by so many self-funded and multicultural volunteers has seen enormous progress.
The aim is to seek those most in need and marginalised in society and help them live their best possible life and reach their potential.
Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer newspaper, Crosscause CEO, Conor Hughes praised the work by volunteers of the organisation. “For all the years, in all the countries, it is our volunteers who have been the foundation of our work” said Mr Hughes. Conor continued: “A common trend among them all is is their selfless desire to help those who need a helping hand”. The CEO went on to say that it is always heart warming and an honour to witness the dedication within the team and the commitment to hard work.
Conor said he was grateful to people like John Travers and Billy Barron who have produced a cd with all proceeds going to Crosscause. “Without people like John and Billy we would be lost and their work is truly appreciate, said Mr Hughes.”
Conor told The Observer that he is humbled to be responsible for the running of the organisation and to hold that position of responsibility. Concluding his chat with this paper Conor said he would always take responsibility for the day to day management of the projects and the teams and said he would ensure that all donations would reach those most in need.
‘Instrumental Beatles is available to purchase from John Travers while further information on Crosscause can be found at www.crosscause.ie
