THERE may be some readers who find it curious - or perhaps grassroots commercial overkill - when they find so much attention to serial CD launches in this column, but that certainly isn't the intention of your humble correspondent.

Rather, what it reflects is a very genuine support network of community members to celebrate the accomplishments of those who are keeping traditional music alive and vibrant among us and have always made their way from place to place in a common bond with localities and groups who appreciate it. And in particular there is always something very special taking place when it is the hometown that is marking the occasion, and that is worth mentioning here.

While Brian Conway's latest recording Consider the Source issued on Clo Iar-Chonnachta - rooted in Connemara in Galway- received its first U.S. over the top reception up at Darby's Pub in East Durham during the Catskills Irish Arts Week in July shortly after its release in Ireland, his fellow New York City natives have been awaiting a Big Apple fete as well.

So fittingly enough, kicking off the Blarney Star concert series (www.blarneystar.com) this Friday, September 12 at 9 p.m. will be Conway displaying his fiddle prowess accompanied by Brendan Dolan, his regular touring partner. Singer Dan Milner will make an appearance as well since his rendition of "Matt Hyland," a particular favorite of Conway's appears on the CD.

And it would be safe to assume that Conway will show off some of his younger students during the performance because he likes to recognize their hard work and commitment to the standards of upholding the Sligo New York style of fiddling which is his forte.

The setting of Glucksman Ireland House (1 Washington Mews on Fifth Avenue half a block north of Washington Square Park) shows its support for traditional Irish music as presented by the Blarney Star concert producer Don Meade as best as it can given the space limitations of the historic mews house.

You can expect the house to be full, and while the two separate rooms that look into a central space where the performers sit and play may not present the best comfort or sightlines, but the intimacy and acoustics and spot-on sound work by Meade will make you forget that in a hurry when you hear the music with great clarity.

Having the chance to see Conway here in his native New York City play selections from the current CD will give ample evidence as to why he is already considered to be one of the finest Irish fiddlers that America has every produced, and that he is playing at the top of his game at the moment.

With this recording now out, he has been establishing his bona fides to the worldwide community as he has more freedom to perform and teach elsewhere, though it requires a huge effort to balance his professional career as a Westchester County district attorney with his personal and artistic endeavors.

The title of the CD is well chosen in that Conway has been fortunate enough to surround himself with many of the primary sources in Irish music who contributed so much to its preservation in New York City.

Born to parents Jim and Rose Conway from Co. Tyrone who treasured traditional music as a link to their homeland, he was reared with it in his Bronx home and came under the formative influence of Martin Mulvihill, Martin Wynne, Andy McGann, Paddy Reynolds and the Collins Family among others where the fiddle had the status of the first violin in Irish music.

Conway is not classically trained as a violinist, but his attention to detail is such that when he plays the reels, jigs, hornpipes, waltzes or airs as perfectly as he does on this recording, he demonstrates the essential beauty of the melodies with precise technique without sacrificing emotion or sentiment.

As great as his First Through the Gate CD was, this one is even better because of it and where Brian has traveled since then as the wider community has discovered and encouraged him.

There will be ample space to appreciate Conway, Dolan and Milner on Saturday, September 13 also up in another very important place in the New Haven area at the Irish American Community Center (9 Venice Place, East Haven) at 7:30 p.m. where Conway

has been presented before, most notably with his Pride of New York Ceili bandmates Joanie Madden, Billy McComiskey and Dolan. Reservations can be made through Pat Stratton at 203-281-8396.