Bright Star Of The West is a biography of one of the most important figures in Irish music in the 20th century. This is the first study focused on sean-nos a distinguished and beautiful repertoire and style and provides a unique exploration of gender and masculinity in Irish music. Bright Star Of The West is the winner of the Alan P. Merriam Prize of the Society for Ethnomusicology. Bright Star Of The West traces the life repertoire and influence of Joe Heaney Ireland's greatest sean-nós ('old style') singer. Born in 1919 Joe Heaney grew up in a politically volatile time as his nativeIreland became a democracy. He found work and relative fame as a singer in London before moving to Scotland. Eventually like many others searching for greater opportunity he emigrated to the United States where he worked as a doorman while supplementing his income with appearances at folk festivals concerts and clubs. As his reputation and following grew Heaney gained entry to the folk music scene and began leading workshops as a visiting artist at several universities. In 1982 the National Endowment for the Arts awarded Heaney America's highest honor in folk and traditional arts the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship. Although Heaney's works did not become truly popular in his homeland until many years after his death today he is hailed as a seminal figure of traditional song and is revered by those who follow traditional music. Authors Sean Williams and Lillis Ó Laoire address larger questions about song identity and culture. They explore the deep ambivalence both the Irish and Irish-Americans felt toward the traditional aspects of their culture examining other critical issues such as gender and masculinity authenticity and contemporary marketing and consumption of sean-nós singing in both Ireland and the United States. Comingling Heaney's own words with the
