Coinciding with the release of the group’s second CD of Irish music and Civil War ballads, the 69th PA Irish Volunteers hope for fundraising boast with their film debut
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2006: For the most part, the 69th PA Irish Volunteers work tirelessly and anonymously throughout the year, participating in Civil War reenactments, marching in parades, being present at tombstone dedications and playing their unique blend of Irish and Civil War music in taverns and venues throughout the region. They are not motivated by the thrill of the spotlight, but rather by the opportunity to raise money for the cause that they hold so dear: commemorating the lives of Civil War heroes who helped to preserve the Nation during one of its most fragile and tenuous stages.
It was during one of their annual outings at the Sumneytown Tavern in Lansdale that the 69th PA Irish Band came to the attention of husband and wife, Faith Sherry and Keith Feighan, co-founders of independent film company, Anomaly Films. “When the 69th started to play, we were immediately fascinated by them,” recalled Sherry. “Their music is great and we loved that they were all in their civil dress. Keith liked them so much that now two years later, he decided to write them in to our latest film.”
Anomaly’s new film, entitled, “Placebo,” recently started shooting in the Montgomery and Bucks County areas. Several members of the 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers will be used in a scene where they will have the chance to perform their music. In addition, one of the songs from their newly release CD, “In Their Honor,” will be used in the film score. It is a surprising but delightful opportunity for the group to bring their music to a much wider audience. Robert A. Levine, DDS, one of the members of the 69th band, initially got the call from Faith Sherry. “I was obviously taken off guard and was not sure if the call was a hoax or not, but Faith was so sincere and professional that I quickly realized it was for real,” said Levine. He quickly put out the call to the other members of the band who will assemble at Crazy Carl’s Bar in Schwenksville on July 23rd to shoot their scene. “All of our members have jobs and families and other things that occupy their weekend,” said Levine. “But needless to say, everyone I talked to was willing to drop everything to participate.”
The 69th joins a cast of up-and-coming young actors who graced some of the last few years’ most popular movies, including Chris Heuisler (Freaky Friday), Bourke Floyd, (Big Momma's House 2), and Scott L. Schwartz (OCEANS 11, 12, and the upcoming 13). Screenwriter and Anomaly co-founder, Keith Feighan, will be at the helm as director as well. Although their company is relatively young, Feighan and wife, Sherry, completed three award-winning short films, and have done work for the ABC Family channel and The Philadelphia Theater Company. Just this past May, Anomaly was one of six teams selected to participate in a special film competition to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Red Cross.
The 69th PA Irish Volunteers’ film debut coincides with the release of “In Their Honor,” a haunting collection of 19 Civil War ballads and Irish music (with 7 original songs) that pays tribute to the patriotism and ultimate sacrifices of the courageous men of the 69th Pennsylvania Regiment, as well as honoring our nation’s fallen soldiers in all eras and services.
All proceeds from the band’s CD sales are donated to organizations honoring the memory of Civil War heroes. This includes battlefield preservation and support of the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), the Friends of the National Park at Gettysburg (FNPG), Antietam National Battlefield, as well as tombstone dedications and classroom education programs and scholarships. “There is no group of its kind like the 69th Pennsylvania that has done more for preservation,” said Jim Lighthizer, President of the Civil War Preservation Trust, a non-profit organization with over 75,000 members nationwide.
Since 1999, the organization has raised over $80,000 to support projects that preserve and honor America’s history, ranking it as one of “The CWPT Top 250” all-time donors to battlefield preservation. All funds that were raised for the production of the two CDs have come from over 100 local as well as national businesses.
Captain John Kopich, leader of the 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers since 2002, is hoping that the publicity from the film will help boost their fundraising efforts, their primary objective. “If you see our band perform, there is no question that they enjoy what they do and have great pride in the fact that they are bringing this wonderful music back to life, so to speak,” said Captain Kopich. “But it is really the money that can be raised through the sale of these CDs that is the motivation. We need funds to be able to continue to fulfill our organization’s core mission, which is to preserve and honor Civil War history.”
