Entertainers Bios
Seamus' trademark is his ongoing
interaction with his audiences. From the moment he steps on
stage, he starts talking to them - and encourages them to
talk back! He is quick with a quip and likes nothing better
than to discover someone in the audience who is similarly
inclined. Fast-paced humor is very much a part of what
Seamus does, whether he's telling a series of rapid-fire
jokes or launching into a lyrical parody. In fact, Seamus seems to be having such a
grand time and he makes it all look so effortless that it is
easy not to notice what a superb musician he truly is. He
will segue seamlessly from an Irish ballad about a dying
town to a rollicking reel and then move into American music,
equally at home with folk, pop, country or traditional.
Accompanying himself on guitar or bodhran, his musicianship
is much in evidence as he moves through a vast range of
styles. The Dublin City Ramblers
have thrilled audiences worldwide with their unique blend of
Ballads,
Folk ,Humour, Wit and
foot-tapping music. Their impressive career
has spanned more than 35 years, with over 30 albums, top ten
hits,
several awards for
best Ballad/Folk Group and, to top it all off, 8 Gold
Albums. It is certainly no wonder
that they are classed as Ireland’s Number One
Group! They have performed
at most Major Festivals worldwide, including headlining The
Milwaukee Irish Festival, The Cleveland Irish Festival,
Hollywood Irish Fest, Florida, Miami Irish Fest, Ft
Lauderdale and most USA, Canadian & other festivals
throughout the Globe! A passion inspired by
their respective musical backgrounds; skills honed in the
Glengarry melting pot music scene; an
against-the-trend-pig-minded-approach to playing their
self-penned songs in the battle scarred pubs of Eastern
Ontario, were the necessary ingredients that spawned what is
now an internationally acclaimed alternative-roots band:
The Glengarry
Bhoys. Described as bold,
unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative, The Glengarry Bhoys'
hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian
musical idioms has evolved into a sound that is weighty,
authoritative, and extremely entertaining. The Bhoys combine the
best of the old and the new. Their music shows the
influences of the Musical heritage of Glengarry, Canada -
the mixture of French Canadian and traditional Scottish is a
signature characteristic of the region they call home. In
addition, the heartfelt, inspired songwriting by Graham adds
a contemporary feel to the time-honoured instrumentation.
The stunning vocals from Wright, Miranda Mulholland and Zig
Leroux mixed with the fluent piping, virtuoso fiddling and
thrilling percussion makes this an amazing crossover
success. Paddy
Keenan
was born into a
Travelling family steeped in traditional music. His flowing,
open-fingered style of playing can be traced directly from
the style of such great Travelling pipers as Johnny Doran,
as well as that of his own father and grandfather, both of
whom played in the same style. In the 1970s Paddy was a
founding member of the legendary Bothy Band, and his
virtuosity on the pipes, combined with the ferocity of his
playing, made him, in the opinion of many, its driving
force. Since the break-up of The Bothy Band Paddy has
pursued a solo career, playing festivals and concerts all
over the world. He has composed and arranged music for
several film projects; most recently, he's been working on a
documentary film in Mali. In 2002 Paddy was awarded
Ireland's TG4 Traditional Music Award (Gradam Cheoil) as
Traditional Musician of the Year. Generally acknowledged as
the most accomplished uilleann piper performing today, Paddy
is certainly one of the most brilliant musicians of his
generation. Barleyjuice is
contagious. iTunes recently included "Whiskey To The Sea" on
their Celtic Essentials Collection. Highlander Radio's
online listeners voted "What's Up Yours" Song of the Year in
2005. Fox's King of the Hill used "Jig Set" in their St.
Patty's Day episode, and "Donnie Scot" found its way into a
Sly Stallone film. The "ayes" have it - Barleyjuice is a
grand group of tunesmiths and musicians, and the best time
you can have at a celtic fest without removing your
kilt. Scythian started several years ago as
nothing more than a group of street performers. Raised
playing classical music, necessity drove Scythian
(pronounced sith-ee-yin) to play at street corners in hopes
of earning a few bucks for gas money. Although the need for
petrol got Scythian started, it was the great times they had
and the appreciative listeners they met that kept them
going. It was through the encouragement of these friends
that Scythian became a full fledged band and we thank
you. As far as the name goes, "What the heck
does Scythian mean?" you may ask. Well, join the growing
number of the befuddled. Hopefully this will settle the
rabid curiosity that keeps you awake at night: The Scythians were a bunch of
pre-Mesopotamian barbarians who didn't use forks or
phonics. The Dady
Brothers The Dady Brothers are
skilled and versatile singers and fine
multi-instrumentalists. Performing professionally for over
30 years, they have taken their talents to venues all over
the Unites States, Central America, Canada, and Ireland.
Their talent combines country, bluegrass, folk, and Celtic
styles. John and Joe have
performed more than 5,000 concerts at churches, concert
halls, nightclubs, music festivals, schools and libraries.
They have shared the stage with a wide array of
international artists including, Tommy Makem, Rick Danko
(The Band), Ani DiFranco, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Kate
Wolf, Arlo Guthire, and Bill Staines. Many thousands have
enjoyed the range of music presented by the Dady Brothers -
from thoughtful, original compositions to traditional Irish
ballads. Drawing a mixed crowd of all generations, their
light-hearted humor and good-natured wit accompanies them
onstage for each musical performance. "The Dady Brothers have
it all - taste, talent, and dedication." - Tommy Makem
"We sound like us" is the answer
anyone from Greenwich Meantime will give when asked that
obligatory question of who their sound is borrowed from.
This is, of course, the short answer. The long form is that
Greenwich Meantime plays the role of musical quilt maker
with great skill, and that the many influences that are
woven into the fabric seem to belong there. In fact the
whole thing flows together with surprising focus for a band
of young folks who've only been together for a
year. They are admittedly rooted in the
Celtic background of their Eastern Ontario and Western
Quebec upbringing. And indeed their place is on stage,
inside the music. As a band they are colorful and dynamic
performers. Their music is crafted with sincerity and
emotion that has a little something for everyone. And it's
true that there isn't anything else quite like
it. 'Penny Whiskey' is a brand new band with
the old world sound. The brain child of Kirk McWhorter and
Tim Leonard from the critically acclaimed Celtic band
'Kilbrannan' 'Penny Whiskey' promises to offer the best in
acoustic music from both Ireland and Scotland along with
home grown bluegrass and folk
influences. The foundation of 'Penny Whiskey' is the
melodic vocals of Kirk, who also plays guitar, banjo,
bodhran and whistles, backed up by the solid playing of Tim
on acoustic guitar and mandolin. The quartet is rounded out
by Jon Carlson on bass and Paul Kneis also on guitar and
mandolin - and of course, everybody sings... including the
audience! With audience participation songs, rousing pub
sings, comedy tunes and tearful ballads, 'Penny Whiskey'
offers something for everyone. Dave North
Trio Dave North, and the Trio
is a great favourite with local crowds. Dave, who hails from
Slough in England (near London) has an amazing repertoire of
traditional, modern, comic, and just plain obscure songs
that make any evening spent listening to the "Trio" an
enjoyable one. Marc plays the base and the banjo, while
Dianne is a whiz on the fiddle. Fred, of often joins the
Trio has a blues guitar style that won't quit, and when he
brings out his slide guitar, the audiences are enthralled.
Dave himself plays the guitar. The entertainment (whether
Dave alone, the Duo, the Trio, or the Quartet) means an
evening well spent. Seanache Seanache, the Gaelic term
for storyteller, originated in a little town called Kilrush.
This small town is located at the mouth of the river
Shannon, in County Clare at the southwestern end of Ireland.
It was in this small town that the founder of the band,
Gerry Dixon honed his craft; singing and playing traditional
Irish music and telling stories of his culture. Gerry was
greatly influenced by his family and renowned artists such
as Christy Moore and Finbar Furey. Like many others from
Ireland he not only sings, but plays a myriad of instruments
including the guitar, tin whistle and Bodhran. During his
travels, Gerry met another musician who shared a fondness
for Traditional Irish and folk music. Enter Joe Ernst, a
native of western New York. He accompanies Gerry with his
banjo, mandolin and guitar. In 2006 the O'Donnell Brothers
also Western New Yorkers joined the band,Colin on Bass and
Patrick on Fiddle. Together, through their music, they take
you on a memorable trip to the Emerald Isle.
Comhaltas and
Friends KINDRED is the husband and wife
team of David and Felicia Meyer. With Felicia Meyer's
incredible voice and guitar, and Dave Meyer's dynamic and
versatile cello playing, KINDRED brings to life both old and
new music in the Celtic tradition. Schooled in theatre and
classical music as well as folk and popular song, they bring
a compelling stage presence to their wide ranging repertoire
capturing the hearts of audiences throughout the United
States and Canada. The
McCruddens Gerry McCrudden hales
from Belfast and grew up in a very talanted musical family.
He has been performing for almost a half century in Europe
and the USA and has shared the stage with some of the great
legends of Irish and popular music. He brings the 'house
party' feeling to the stage with his music and stories.
Gerry is sometimes joined by his daughter Claire McCrudden
who also very talented in her own right. She is just as
liable to dance a jig as sing a song. Gerry now calls Raleigh,
NC his home and has been welcomed warmly there by the celtic
community both on and off stage. Gerry and Claire look
forward to seeing all their friends in Buffalo again this
year.
Kevin
& Samantha Kennedy KEVIN KENNEDY Born in Westport, Co.
Mayo, Ireland, and has performed across eastern Canada and
the United States. Hailed as a singer of great passion and
storytelling, whose rapport with an audience gives an
intimacy to each and every performance. Rooted but not
cemented in Irelands cultural heritage. SAMANTHA
KENNEDY Started performing before
she was old enough to drive. The sincerity of her delivery
shines through in her careful attention to the lyrics. A
consummate performer, she makes you believe she believes
every word she sings. Whether on a grand stage before
thousands or singing to a handful of people Samantha is
uncompromising in her dedication to the
performance.
Both Kevin and
Samantha are active members of
the award winning
Toronto Irish Players
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