Green Linnet

In 1976 Newton took over control of the now Green Linnet label, became its sole owner in 1978, and moved it to Danbury, Connecticut in 1985. Newton's love of Irish music had been sparked during a visit to Ireland where she heard traditional music for the first time in a small pub in County Clare.

• Name — Green Linnet Records • Parent — Compass Records • Founded — 1973 • Founder — Lisa Null Patrick Sky • Distributor — Ryko Distribution • Genre — Celtic • Country — U.S. • Location — Nashville, Tennessee

Green Linnet signed Altan, Capercaillie, The Tannahill Weavers and many other significant bands and musicians. From its founding until its sale in 2006 Green Linnet was one of the most influential Celtic music labels, releasing hundreds of albums by a wide range of Irish, Scottish, Breton, Galician and Irish-American musicians. In 1992 a subsidiary called Xenophile Records was added to feature world music from Madagascar, Nigeria, Cuba and other countries. In 1997 Green Linnet launched Celtophile Records to offer budget-priced compilations. There was also a Green Linnet/Redbird series that featured singer-songwriters.

A linnet is a red-breasted song bird known for its trills and twitters. However, in the Irish rebel song tradition, the name "Green Linnet" has a specific meaning. It was the code name for Napoleon Bonaparte who they hoped would break the chains of British rule. Indeed, in the early 19th century the Society of United Irishmen (the Irish independence organization led by Theobald Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet), allied themselves with France against Britain, but as history would prove, to no effect. The songs, however, were passed down to latter generations.

• 3 Way Street • Ad Vielle Que Pourra • Altan • Joe Burke • Kevin Burke • [Buttons & Bows] • Dennis Cahill • Capercaillie • Liz Carroll • Celtic Fiddle Festival • Celtic Thunder • Cherish the Ladies • Jack Coen • Johnny B. Connolly • Seamus Connolly • Brian Conway • Michael Cooney • Terry Corcoran • Kevin Crawford • Johnny Cunningham • Marty Cutler • Deanta • Tony DeMarco • Joe Derrane • Oisín Mac Diarmada • Tom Doherty • Seamus Ennis • Ensemble Choral Du Bout Du Monde • Fairport Convention • John Faulkner • Ffynnon • Green Fields of America • Martin Hayes • The House Band • Irish Tradition • Andy Irvine • Eileen Ivers • Ron Kavana • Brian Keane • James Keane • Jimmy Keane • Pat Kilbride • Kips Bay • Kornog • Donna Long • Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies • Lunasa • Manus Lunny • Joanie Madden • Debby McClatchy • Billy McComiskey • Manus McGuire • Susan McKeown • Matt Molloy • Mick Moloney • Pan Morrigan • Moving Cloud • Martin Mulhaire • Brendan Mulvihill • Paddy O'Brien • Robbie O'Connell • Eugene O'Donnell • Jerry O'Sullivan • Old Blind Dogs • Orealis • Niamh Parsons • Rare Air • Red Clay Ramblers • Reeltime • Relativity • Tommy Sands • Sileas • Daithi Sproule • Andy M. Stewart • Patrick Street • The Tannahill Weavers • Teada • Touchstone • Trian • The Tulla Céilí Band • Brooks Williams • John Williams • Wolfstone