Bill Monaghan

Composer, Arranger, Performer

Bill Monaghan

    He has been called varied, eclectic, surprising…Bill Monaghan has been crafting musical compositions
since his high school days in the Philadelphia suburbs. A writer of songs, musical plays,
children’s ballets, and thematically charged CDs like his 9/11 In Memoriam, Bill is at home finger
picking folk songs, story-telling in his energy driven rock songs, or reflecting in his touching love
songs and ballads.
     Bill recently signed with Canadian-American Records for distribution of his Some Assembly Required
CD, and three singles, “You Belong There,” “All That Your Heart May Desire,” and “When the
Rain Comes,” which debuted at number 28 on the Top 40 Independent Country Song Chart for
August 2008.
     From his Some Assembly Required CD release party and the September 11 In Memoriam Tribute
Concert in 2007, to his near sold-out Celtic Pride/St. Patrick’s Night performance at the Sellersville
Theater in 2008 and 2009, Bill continues to deliver his diverse mix of song, story, emotion, and journeys
to bigger and more widespread audiences. The Word: A Gospel Opera, a full length spirited
stage drama, has moved audiences with more than 55 performances in the tri-county area since its
inception. The heart-warming “All That Your Heart May Desire,” in memory of his brother Michael
who died in the US Navy, sets the theme for an annual memorial concert, presenting local artists
and performers joining together to raise scholarship money for high school students in need. Bill's
recent mission work in Africa, and working firsthand with the Ugandan people has become an influential
force in much of his work, strengthening and making his harmonies and rhythms even more
authentic. Onstage, Bill can be seen solo or with his band, and he has played such venues as Sellersville
Theatre, Virgin Megastore (NY), Stockton Inn, Grape Street Pub, Dr. Watsons, and as a featured
artist at many local charity concerts.
     “Fresh! Jimmy Buffet meets Nancy Griffith and Paul Simon. Certainly an album of poppie
folk. All-in-all a very pleasant mix of music.”
[David Hermanson on CDbaby.com, on Bill’s Some Assembly Required CD]
      “This poignant album…never lags as it presents a wide variety of sounds through the
eclectic styles of the songs…Mr. Monaghan never resists the opportunity to touch back to
his Irish roots as he does in “Father to a Son” and he even boasts his inner southern
gospel singer in “Angels and Prayers.” ...diverse instruments…such as the cello in the bittersweet
evocative and hopeful “Garden of Reflection.” …acknowledges the rebirth of patriotism
in America that succeeded September 11th, declaring “Today’s the day America is
baptized in the fire and Americans become Americans again.” …a beautiful tribute to the
lives lost on September 11, 2001 and provides a hopeful message for the future.”
"In all his musical endeavors, Mr. Monaghan never holds back, pouring heart and soul
into his songwriting."
[Karen Orzechowski, The Viking Voice, Spring Ed. 2008,
on Bill’s 9/11 In Memoriam CD]