Pat Cooksey. U.S.A. Vsit.

Subject: Pat Cooksey. U.S.A. Vsit.
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 09:42 PM

Just back from a concert in Austria, I wish to all a very happy


Just returned from a new year concert in Vienna, I have an e.mail
from Florida, from Washington, and also from New York, asking if it
is possible I can play in the U.S.A. in July or August 2003.
I was planning to come to Florida at the invitation of several
Mudcatter's but after visiing the U.S.A. Embassy in Frankfurt I found
it was not that simple, they asked me for work permits, visasfor visit, etc, etc.
I would love to play in America, all I would like to do is sing
the songs I wrote which are popular there.
Mudcat has an answer to everything, what shoud I do.
Happy New Year from Bavaria to you all.
Best wishes,

Pat Cooksey.

Subject: RE: Pat Cooksey. U.S.A. Vsit.
From: mg
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 08:52 PM

good luck. I don't know the rules but I understand they are burdensome. can you come just for a visit and play just for fun or does it have to be self-supporting?

Subject: RE: Pat Cooksey. U.S.A. Vsit.
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 10:00 PM

Pat -- the tourist visa is presumably easier to get, but it won't allow you to work in the US. Which doesn't mean you can't play.

It may be worth your while to contact any pros you might know who tour the US regularly (I don't know whom you know, but folks like Andy Irvine or Jez Lowe come to mind) and ask their advice on how to proceed.

Sure would be great to see you here! ("Here" being Northern California). I could hook up some opportunities...

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Pat Cooksey. U.S.A. Vsit.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 02:49 AM

People do it all the time, Pat, so it must be reasonably easy. If you run up against a roadblock, I'll be glad to contact some people anf figure things out for you. I worked for the U.S. Government as an investigator for 25 years, so I know how to deal with red tape.

If you'd like to make it as far as Northern California, I think we can find you a few people to host house concerts here. I'd sure like to meet you and hear you sing.

-Joe Offer (click to e-mail)-

Subject: RE: Pat Cooksey. U.S.A. Vsit.
From: GUEST,John Barden
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 05:04 AM

Hello to you Pat also from Bavaria.

I have been living in Bavaria for over a quarter of a century playing and singing Irish songs. I originally come from Longford, just up the road from Mullingar. I have recorded one of your songs and would love to get in contact with you. Perhaps I can also help to get you some gigs in Bavaria. How could we make contact? You can try out my website at:

www.john-barden.de

and my e-mail address, tel. no and all other details are all in there.

Regarding visa and work-permit for the USA, I think your best bet here is definitely to contact Andy Irvine. He has had some real hassles on this last year, so his experiences might be very valuable.

Hoping to hear from you.

Good Luck

John