Welcome Kind Stranger is a weekly radio programme rooted in story, song, and the shared musical heritage of the Celtic world. Airing every Sunday at 5:00 PM on KRVS 88.7 FM in Lafayette, Louisiana, the show is hosted by Tony Davoren and offers a thoughtful, unhurried journey through traditional, folk, and contemporary Celtic music.
Each episode draws from across the Celtic nations and regions, featuring Irish, Scottish, English, Welsh, Breton, Galician, and diaspora traditions. Listeners can expect a rich mix of songs, instrumental tunes, and spoken word—woven together with stories, poetry, reflections, and personal memories that give the music its deeper context.
The feel of the show is intimate and welcoming, like a good session or a quiet fireside conversation. Whether exploring ancient ballads, newly written folk songs, archival recordings, or modern interpretations of old traditions, Welcome Kind Stranger celebrates the living, breathing nature of Celtic music and the people who carry it forward.
Tony Davoren is a musician, broadcaster, and cultural storyteller whose life has been shaped by the music, song, and traditions of Ireland and the wider Celtic world.
Originally from Hollywood, Wicklow Ireland and now based in Louisiana, Tony brings decades of lived experience to Welcome Kind Stranger, his weekly radio show on KRVS 88.7 FM, where music, memory, and narrative meet.
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As a performer, Tony has toured and recorded internationally, working with acclaimed ensembles and artists including Anúna and the global phenomenon Riverdance.
His musical journey has also included time with bands such as Celjun and The Here and Now, and recording collaborations with artists including Sinéad O’Connor, The Chieftains, and Sting. He is also Director and Co-Founder of Louisiana's biggest Irish Music festival, Celtic Bayou Festival held annually in Lafayette, La.
Tony's contributions have been featured in the Irish traditional and folk music of the blockbuster film Sinners, introducing age-old sounds to new audiences worldwide.
His vocals also appeared on "Eilean," a single by the Celtic dance collective Jiggy, which soared to the top of the world music charts. Through Welcome Kind Stranger, Tony continues to share music that is timeless, intriguing, and profoundly human, inviting listeners to pause, listen attentively, and feel at home with the melodies.
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