The Carr Bothers

Billy, David, Michael Carr

David, Billy, and Michael Carr grew up in Houston, Texas and as a part of an Irish family who understood the values of community, supporting their heritage and enjoying life.  Their great-grandmother “Mama Hattie” taught them how to cook, their grandmother, Irene, taught them how to run a bar; and their mother, Billie Carr was a democratic political activist.  She held strong political views and was active in the civil rights movements.  Through watching her, the boys learned what it meant to take a stand for your beliefs no matter the opposition. 

It should come as no surprise that as the boys grew up they found their own creative ways to support the community politically and also support Irish music and culture.  The thing about the Carr brothers is they have managed to spend 25 years working diligently supporting the Irish community while on the surface it appeared they were simply having one rather extended, creative party. 

In 1984 the Carr brothers opened Mama Hattie’s Hamburger Restaurant and Irish pub, named for their great-grandmother.  Shortly after, they began the Irish Stew Cook-off with proceeds benefiting Committee Ten, to bring Catholic and Protestant children from Ireland to live together in Texas.  In the years that followed the Carr brothers raised funds for numerous organizations including Family Time Crisis Center, The Irish Society, The St. Patrick’s Parade, and the McBride Principal.  They also provided meeting space for the Ancient Order of Hiberinians in Humble as well as practice space for Paul Tynan’s Irish Dancers.  They are members of the 100 club of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Commission and the Irish Society.  In recent years they have worked behind the scenes for the St. Patrick’s Open and the Stew Cook-off.  They can be seen at most Irish music events playing bones and bodhrans.

While others may have thought the Carr boys were just feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty, they were actually employing some otherwise unemployables, contributing to peace in Northern Ireland, fighting discrimination, supporting family, and mentoring others to continue Irish traditions in Houston.

While it is difficult to distinguish the efforts of one brother from another, each adds his own unique personality to their work.  David loves cooking and entertaining and uses these elements to support Irish music and culture.  Billy founded the infamous Boozaliers Stew Team and the Mama Hattie’s All Bones Marching Band.  Michael, the quintessential host, greets everyone with a drink and a joke.  He has played in every Irish Open and attended every Colt 45’s/Astro’s Opening Day baseball game. 

They are supported in their efforts by their family.  Mike is married to the lovely Vanessa McGraw Carr.  David has two children, son James and his wife Contessa Carr and daughter Jennifer and husband Eric Allmon.  He recently became a grandfather and has already started singing Irish Rebel lullabies to Ms. Bethany Brooks Allmon.

With this history and their combined commitment to all things Irish, it is no wonder that the St. Patrick’s Parade Commission has selected them as Grand Marshalls for the 51^st St. Patrick’s Parade.