What exactly IS folklore… and tradition (in 2018)? Host Shannon Heaton talks with accordion players Billy, Sean and Mikey McComiskey and folklorist Maggie Holtzberg about stories that transcend the bellows of the button box. Learn why it’s important to “sustain, enshrine, and pass on living traditions.”

There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below.

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Special thanks to Susan Walsh, Chris Stuart, Brian Benscoter, Randall Semagin and Sebastian Winterflood for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music.

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Music Heard on IMS Episode 16 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated

Tune: “Free the Heel” (reel), from Rehearsal, circa 2013 Artist: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Tune: “St. Patrick’s Day,” from Cover the BuckleArtists: Seán Clohessy, Sean Mccomiskey, Josh Dukes, Matt Mulqueen, Kieran Jordan

Tune: “Hometown Lullaby,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Pound the Floor ,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “The Blackthorn” from Joe Cooley Artist: Joe Cooley

Tune: “The Diamond,” from Out of the BoxArtist: Billy McComiskey

Tune: HORNPIPE from Live at Millennium Stage Artist: Billy, Sean, Mikey, Pat McComiskey

Tune: “After Hours Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Triumph Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: Silver Spear, from Kitchen Session Artist: Sean McComiskey, Cleek Schrey

Tune: Ratholdran Castle, from Trian II Artist: Billy McComiskey, Liz Carroll, Daithi Sproule

Tune: “When the Cock Crows it is Morn” from Live at Millennium Stage Artist: Sean McComiskey, Josh Dukes