Beannacht is the acoustic duo of Tom Johnston and his niece, Deirdre Forrest. Since November 2009, Beannacht (the Irish word for "blessing") has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of Irish, classic rock, folk, and blues music in their original songs. Both Tom and Deirdre write songs that are from the heart and soul, and that speak of true emotions and true life situations. Their lyrics are interwoven with rich vocals and instrumentation.
The duo began by taking their songs to various open mics and coffeehouses in New Jersey. Beannacht quickly developed a reputation for music that stood on its own. In March 2011, Beannacht was named "Best New Artist" at the Jersey Acoustic Music Awards in Asbury Park, New Jersey, one of five categories they were nominated in. They were also nominated for an Asbury Music Award in November 2011.
With their debut record, "Gra na Firinne" (the Irish for "love of truth"), Beannacht looks forward to sharing their music with an ever-widening audience. The record provides listeners with a glimpse of the honesty and variety of the duo's music. "Gra na Firinne" is the first chapter in what will be a long and exciting journey for Beannacht!
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