Brian

Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meaning "high" or "noble". For example, the element bre means "hill"; which could be transferred to mean "eminence" or "exalted one". The name is quite popular in Ireland, on account of Brian Boru, a 10th-century king of Ireland. The name was also quite popular in East Anglia during the Middle Ages. This is because the name was introduced to England by Bretons following the Norman Conquest. Bretons also settled in Ireland along with the Normans in the 12th century, and 'their' name was mingled with the 'Irish' version. Also, in the north-west of England, the 'Irish' name was introduced by Scandinavian settlers from Ireland. Within the Gaelic speaking areas of Scotland, the name was at first only used by professional families of Irish origin. It was the fourth most popular male name in England and Wales in 1934, but a sharp decline followed over the remainder of the 20th century and by 1994 it had fallen out of the top 100. It retained its popularity in the United States for longer; its most popular period there was from 1968–1979 when it consistently ranked between eighth and tenth.

Brian (mythology)

In Gaelic mythology, Brian was one of the three Sons of Tuireann along with Iuchar and Iucharba.

In Oidheadh Chlainne Tuireann (The Tragedy of the Sons of Tuireann), the three set out to kill their father's enemy Cian. Cian is the father of Lugh, one of the greatest of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Cian shapeshifts into a pig to disguise himself, but the brothers shapeshift into dogs and hound him. They kill him, dismember his body and try to cover up their crime. In recompense, Lugh makes them quest all around the known world fetching magical weapons, which Lugh plans to use at the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh. They succeed in obtaining all that Lugh demanded, but return to Ireland badly wounded, pleading for Lugh to heal them; but he refuses.

In at least one version of this tale, Brian is the clever and subtle one, while his brothers Iuchar and Iucharba are bumbling and easily overawed by Brian. This tale of the Sons of Tuireann has sometimes been likened to an Irish Argonautica.

Bing (Brian)

Bing (1942–26 October 1955) was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.

An Alsatian and Collie cross, Bing (originally named "Brian") was given to the army in 1944 when his owners, the Fetch family from Loughborough in Leicestershire, were no longer able to feed him due to rationing. He was trained at the Army War Dog Training School near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. On joining the army Bing was given the number 2720/6871 and first saw action with his handler and trainer Lance Corporal Ken Bailey in a Recce Platoon with the 13th Parachute Battalion, part of the 6th Airborne Division, over Normandy on D-Day on 6 June 1944. He had to be 'helped' out of the 'plane with a piece of meat before landing in a tree and having to be rescued; later he was wounded in action. His injuries were treated at the Vet Kennels near Stockport. Bing was trained to locate the enemy and protect military personnel, and served in France until September 1944.

Introduction

Introduction, The Introduction, Intro, or The Intro may refer to:

Intro (R&B group)

Intro is an American R&B trio from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. The trio consisted of members Jeff Sanders, Clinton "Buddy" Wike and lead singer/songwriter Kenny Greene. Intro released two albums (for Atlantic Records): 1993's Intro and their second album, 1995's New Life. The group had a string of US hits in the 1990s. The hits included the singles "Let Me Be The One", the Stevie Wonder cover "Ribbon in the Sky", "Funny How Time Flies" and their highest charting hit, "Come Inside".

Intro's Kenny Greene died from complications of AIDS in 2001. Intro recently emerged as a quintet consisting of Clinton "Buddy" Wike, Jeff Sanders, Ramon Adams and Eric Pruitt. Adams departed in 2014, with the group back down to its lineup as a trio. They are currently recording a new album to be released in 2015. The group released a new single in 2013 called "I Didn't Sleep With Her" and a new single "Lucky" in October 2014.

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

Introduction (music)

In music, the introduction is a passage or section which opens a movement or a separate piece, preceding the theme or lyrics. In popular music this is often abbreviated as intro. The introduction establishes melodic, harmonic, and/or rhythmic material related to the main body of a piece.

Introductions may consist of an ostinato that is used in the following music, an important chord or progression that establishes the tonality and groove for the following music, or they may be important but disguised or out-of-context motivic or thematic material. As such the introduction may be the first statement of primary or other important material, may be related to but different from the primary or other important material, or may bear little relation to any other material.

A common introduction to a rubato ballad is a dominant seventh chord with fermata, Play  an introduction that works for many songs is the last four or eight measures of the song, Play  while a common introduction to the twelve-bar blues is a single chorus. Play