Tommy and Saundra O’Sullivan’s paths crossed when she attended an annual traditional Irish music retreat in Midlothian, Texas, where Tommy was an Irish guest instructor on guitar and vocals.
As they explored singing together, they discovered her alto harmonies to be a perfect match to his tenor vocals.
The duo will bring those smooth harmonies to Morgantown on Saturday, with a show at 7:30 p.m. at The Encore, 720 Powell Ave., Morgantown.
Their performance in Morgantown is part of their first American tour in five years and is sponsored in part by Culture Ireland.
Tickets are available at theencorewv.com.
The O’Sullivans married in Houston, Texas, in March 2010 and now live in Dingle, Ireland. In 2011, they opened O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub in Dingle, which has gained a reputation for world-class traditional Irish music. In 2015, National Geographic cited O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub as the go-to pub for traditional Irish music on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
Prior to opening O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub, Tommy was a full-time touring musician. As a member of Sliabh Notes he recorded three albums. He also toured for years with Irish piper Paddy Keenan, with whom he recorded a duet album, “The Long Grazing Acre.” He has also recorded two solo albums, “Song Ablaze” and “Legacy.”
Saundra followed a career in the medical profession. As a flight nurse, she flew with Aer Evac and worked as an ER nurse at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. She brings to the table a strong background in choir and folk singing. These skills are heard on their first duet album, “Safe Home,” which they released in early 2018 with album launches on both sides of the Atlantic.
In late 2019, Tommy and Saundra enjoyed a visit to Dingle from Casey Driessen and family. They recorded a session with Driessen as part of the “Global Music Exploration Project.” A track from this session, along with many other collaborations from six countries is now available on the album “Otherlands: One.”
During lockdown Tommy and Saundra remained musically active. While in quarantine they took part in Janis Ian’s Better Times Project. Their version of Janis Ian’s song, “Better Times Will Come,” along with many others on the Better Times Project can be at bettertimeswillcome.com
They also did a recording for Southwest Roots Music, “Shelter in Place Sessions,” available on YouTube.
For more information, contact Tommy and Saundra at osullivanscourthousepub@gmail.com or visit tommyandsaundra.com
