Posted online: Sep 6th, 2011

A Boston-based band, with strong Inishowen connections, is to receive the honour of performing at the NYPD’s 9/11 10th anniversary concert in New York next week.
Devri, who describe themselves as a “pub/festival/wedding band,” are led by Malin’s Declan Houten on vocals, mandolin, guitar and banjo. The other members are Kerry drummer Stevie O’Callaghan and self-proclaimed “Boston Yanks” Chuck Parrish and Larry Flint, on guitar and bass respectively.
Over the years they have been joined by “excellent” Inishowen musicians such as Kevin Doherty (Fiddle), Shane Devlin (Banjo), Johnny Towey (Box) and Martin McPhilimy (Piano).
Speaking to the Inish Times, the band members revealed how they became involved in the concert through their strong links with various charities, especially those to do with the fight against children’s cancer.
They said: “The Childrens Hospital in Boston is famous throughout America for its work and we try to help as much as possible.
“The Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums here in the City are very proud of their Irish heritage and they too, along with (singer) Pauline Wells, do so much for charity. So, I suppose it was only fitting that we would all come together at some stage for this excellent cause.”
The band described their participation in the concert as an “honour.”
They said: “The concert will obviously mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, what one of the Police Pipers calls ‘ Our Generations Pearl Harbour,’ but it also celebrates the resilience of the people of New York City; the families of those Police, firefighters, and emergency services who ran towards those buildings while everyone else was running away – men and woman whose surnames are every bit as common in Ireland as they are here; whose people came here for a better life, but with a loyalty to their new homeland and a willingness to serve.
“The concert will also honour our young men and women who wear the nation’s uniform and they will be represented by The Band of The United States Marine Corp.
“Devri are delighted and honoured to be involved again and hope to be so for many years to come.”
You can check out the band at www.devriband.com