Two Irish Immigrant musicians, The Black Donnellys, embark on a quest to set a Guinness World Record playing 60 shows in ALL 50 states in just 35 days! Racing against the clock, they examine the pursuit of the American Dream from an immigrant’s perspective and how music connects us all. Will they make it?
“This Is My Home” chronicles the crazy and hectic schedule of Dave Browne and Dave Rooney, also known as The Black Donnellys, as they try to induct themselves into the Guinness Book of World Records for playing 60 shows in all 50 United States in just 35 days. The lads are originally from Dublin but are now based in Las Vegas where they are resident musicians at the Ri’ Ra’ Irish pub at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, right on the infamous Las Vegas Strip. But as the old saying goes, “It’s a small world” so let me backtrack.
When I was still living in Dublin in 1990, I was 18 years old and had just graduated from the Liberties College where film studies were a part of the curriculum. One of my closest and best friends, Ken Costello (we’re still best friends over 30 years later), who attended the Liberties with me, knew Dave Browne as the creator and member of the Irish band, The Way It Is. Ken wanted to direct a music video for the band for one of their hit songs, “Too Much of Love,” and he approached me about appearing in it. The song was about a young couple who fall in love and then break up, usual teenage angst and I got to know Dave through making the video. It aired on Irish television back then but Dave and I lost touch over the years until he reached out to me in regards to “This Is My Home.” I said I’d love to give it a review and I have to admit, watching the film made me very proud to be Irish and I couldn’t have picked two better ambassadors to represent Ireland than the two Daves.
The movie follows both Daves as they set out to create a new world record by traveling to all 50 United States to play 60 shows in 35 days. It’s one massive road trip and of course, for any of you that have traveled across the US, there are great memories to be made on trips of this type and while “This Is My Home” is filled with plenty of humorous and entertaining moments, we also get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. Utilizing an RV, both Daves and their crew travel from state to state, absorbing the surrounding cultures and making the best of every situation that arises. And believe me, they encounter their fair share of disastrous circumstances. From one of their drivers breaking his toe to the RV going on fire, to venues suddenly canceling their agreed-upon appearance and to flights being canceled due to erupting volcanoes in Hawaii, the lads most certainly had to overcome many calamities but always did so with a great Irish sense of humor.
Throughout the film, the viewer is reminded of just how difficult it was for us Irish throughout the years. From the Potato Famine of 1845 to the over eight hundred years of ruthless British rule, the Irish never wavered in their determination to better themselves, even if that meant having to leave home to travel abroad to the US, Canada, Australia, or any other country. As a result of the Potato Famine in 1845, over two million Irish citizens left the Emerald Isle to try and prosper in America but at that time, they were hated by Americans and were looked down upon as poor and disease-ridden and were accused of being criminals and rapists. Sound familiar? America has always been a melting pot of nationalities and cultures and has always welcomed immigrants with open arms as immigrants helped build and shape America. Living in America can offer opportunities to people they might not have had in their homeland, wherever that might be and throughout “This Is My Home,” we discover that both Daves had applied for their green cards with Dave Rooney receiving his while on tour and Dave Browne still waiting for his.
“This Is My Home” tells the story of two men who left Ireland and came to America, like millions before them, wanting to live the American Dream, and finally realizing that goal. It is never easy to leave your home, no matter what the circumstance and for many, while living in a new country can offer a new life, you always feel the calling of your homeland. I left Ireland in 1994 and while I have achieved a life I wanted within the entertainment industry, there are times when I get very homesick and while a quick visit back to Ireland always feels great, I then miss my home here in America. In many ways, for a lot of immigrants who live abroad, it can, at times, feel like limbo, wanting to go back home but then realizing that your new life is elsewhere. “This Is My Home” reaches out to all immigrants who have left their homes to live overseas and who have been able to better themselves and their lives as a result. America is the greatest country in the world and “This Is My Home” is the greatest testament to that.
“This Is My Home” will be available on Digital & On-Demand March 17th
