Swinging

Sometimes, the internet intrudes on the “real world”. And sometimes, the real world intrudes on cyberspace.

The Crystal Swing phenomenon began when they came to the attention of ‘pantibliss’, the blog account of Pantibar, a Dublin gay bar. [Pantibliss in turn gives the credit to Robert Popper].

From there, word spread across twitter, and the youtube video was picked up by Sean Moncrieff. It was now “viral”. Mark Little has blogged about how word spread.

Then two things happened. First, Ryan Tubridy booked them for the Late Late Show.

Second,  Ellen DeGeneris introduced an American audience to the Midleton trio.

A bright spark in Bord Failte paid for a flight to Los Angeles to appear on the Ellen Show. Their twenty minute slot (yes, it’s a youtube hit too) is probably the board’s best money this year. Give that man or woman a payrise.

The television appearances introduced the band to their natural fanbase in rural Ireland.

Back on twitter, many of those who initially mocked the threesome cringe at the “old fashioned” image of an Ireland of showbands and country music that Crystal Swing represent.

The bloggetariat doesn’t like that. The joke wasn’t supposed to be on us.