An Irish Night with Andy Cooney at the Shell

No stranger to Ridgewood, Andy Cooney and his Irish song stylings return to the Kasschau Memorial Shell tonight.

Cooney has played the shell for the past decade or so, and continues that tradition with Thursday's 8:30 p.m. performance.

"It's a good, high-energy, fun, Irish night," Cooney said.

Called "Irish America's Favorite Son" by The New York Times, Cooney has been a mainstay of Irish music the better part of two decades. Cooney has released 15 albums and is best known for his hits "My Kathleen," "Boston Rose," and "The Irish Wedding Song."

Recently, Cooney released two albums—a Christmas record and an original one. The Magic of Christmas includes 12 holiday songs, medleys and duets. While It'll Be Me features more Irish tunes, including the titled track, which is written by Larry Gatlin—who also sings. 

Tonight, Cooney will take the shell stage with his four-piece band and proceed through his own repertoire, in addition to Irish standards and patriotic anthems. He'll be manning the keyboard for the show.

A Long Island resident, Cooney is right in the thick of his local summer concert schedule. "We play variety of these town concerts. Some are big, and some are small. This Ridgewood one is a biggie."

Cooney said he's had a good run playing the village.

"The sound in the shell is usually great, and the people that run it do a lovely job," he said.

However, weather conditions could be an issue either way for tonight's show. 

"I am concerned, but I am hopeful that it cools down," he said, adding thunderstorms could be an issue. Cooney said the performance would be moved inside in the case of rain.

Residents are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the free show under the stars.

Cooney will be selling albums and offering information for his Irish-themed cruises. Visit his website for more information.