STEPHEN MAGUIRE

The Camrose Canadian - February 27, 2009

St. Patrick's Day celebrated early
By Murray Wood

The Camrose Resort Casino will be celebrating a little early this year.

The casino’s St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 6 starting at 8 p.m., when Belfast, Ireland’s Stephen Maguire hits the stage. Along with the Irish music, the casino will be having food specials, draws for prizes and it will be serving green beer.

Maguire’s concert will not have a cover charge. Normally, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17.

Maguire, who now lives in Western Canada, is following in his father’s footsteps as a musician. His dad, Patrick Maguire, played in a band with Van Morrison. Stephen has toured with Van Morrison, as well as Charley Pride and Bonnie Tyler. He lists his musical influences as Morrison, The Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye, Tim McGraw, The Kinks and Queen.

Maguire grew up listening to his parents’ record collection, including The Mamas and the Papas, The Beach Boys and Irish traditional music. As his interest in music grew, his dad taught him to play the guitar and soon after, he began songwriting.

Maguire started out acting, landing roles in Grease, Oliver, The Snowman, The Hot Mikado and West Side Story, performing at leading venues in Northern Ireland, including the Grand Opera House, Lyric Theatre and Belfast Waterfront. He also appeared at the Manchester Apollo Theatre and His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. He performed his first solo concert in 1998 with the Northern Irish band Cahuna at Belfast’s famous Ulster Hall. After a few years, he started his solo career so he could write, play and produce his own material.

A memorable sporting gig for him was appearing in the pre-game entertainment at Belfast Giants games, where Steven met his wife, a Saskatchewan-native, who was interning with the professional hockey team.

In 2008, Maguire released his debut solo album in Canada followed by a three-month tour of the prairies. Playing at festivals and venues throughout the summer and fall, Stephen’s song “I’m Yours Tonight” was selected by SaskMusic for the iSong Card distributed at the Canadian Country Music Awards.

He released his new single “True” in February and is currently touring the prairies.