Margaret "Peggy" Loyd

February 23, 2003

Dear Friends & Family,

My band, Cairde, has just released its first CD entitled, "Blessings Rare."

The title of the CD comes from a phrase in a song I wrote, "The Man Who Brought the Cradle," which is the second track on the CD. The song, written in first-person, is based on a true story of someone near and dear to my family, Statia, who emigrated from Ireland to America at age 19.

The CD is filled with traditional Irish jigs, reels, and polkas, along with several well-known Irish folk songs such as "I'll Walk Beside You," and "Sonny's Dream" with three-part harmony; "Ride On" with great fiddle and flute instrumentals; and "I'm Here Because I'm Here," with myself playing the bodhran.

In addition to my song, my bandmates Judy and Laura, have contributed three original tunes written in traditional Irish style.

The CD features a "GREAT mix" of the band's songs & music -- to quote one of our loyal fans, Amie Clark of Jackson, Ms.

And how does it stack up among our Irish friends?

" It's wonderful! I'm enjoying listening to it. It's really, really good," says Mary Murphy, past president of the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas and native of Kilkenny, Ireland. "I've been listening to traditional Irish music since I was five years old and I should know!"

"It's great!" says Breda Ryan, co-chair of the Little Rock St. Patrick's Day Parade and native of Nenagh, Ireland.

"We listen to it in the car all the time," says Geri and Mike Spillane of Tipperary, Ireland.

To order 'Blessings Rare,' send your check or money order for $17.00 (includes postage and mailing fees) made payable to "Peggy Roach Loyd" and mail to:

Peggy Roach Loyd
8 Feldspar Court
Little Rock, AR 72212

Your CD will be mailed within one week of receiving your order.

Or, look for a copy of Cairde's 'Blessings Rare' at one of the following stores in St. Louis: Music Folk in Webster Groves, The Shannon Shop in Kirkwood, or The Kerry Cottage in Richmond Heights.

Thank you for your past and ongoing support of my musical endeavors. You are my "cairde" one and all!

Peg

P.S. In case you've forgotten, "Cairde" is the Irish Gaelic word for "friends." : )

P.S.S. Please forward this message to anyone you know who enjoys Irish or Celtic music. "Go raibh maith agat!"

August 9, 2003

Dear Family & Friends,

Just a quick note to share some special news with you. See below or click on the link below for more information.

Peggy

Waltons Irish Songwriting Competition Winners
CONGRATULATIONS TO
1st Place - Kim McKee of Montana, for "The Pattern"
2nd Place - Kim McKee of Montana, for "Lost Souls Grave"
3rd Place - Declan Forde of Northern Ireland, for "The Girl With the Emerald Eyes" Honorable mentions go to
Laurel Leahy of Wisconsin, for "When Peace Settles Here"
Declan Forde of Northern Ireland, for "Molly O"
Mike Cavanaugh & James Schulz of Montana, for "Sarah Daly"
Margaret [Peggy] Loyd of Arkansas, for "The Fiddler's Feet"

http://www.irishfest.com/contests/song_writing_contest.htm

The song, "The Fiddler's Feet" is about the dancing feet of Irish fiddler, Liz Carroll, and the memorable events from the Mississippi River Celtic Music Festival, (also known as the St. Louis Tionol), in April 2000 and in particular, the "hangover" session at John D. McGurk's Pub in Soulard.

For more information contact:

Margaret "Peggy" Loyd
Cairde
Little Rock, Arkansas
IrishPegofAR@aol.com
CairdeIrishBand@aol.com
http://www.celticmusiclive.com/cairde