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The following featured musicians have been selected
to perform at NTIF 2008.
Amberhawke
Amberhawke is known for their wide variety of
Celtic music and unique musical treatments - lively
pub tunes guaranteed to have you singing along,
stirring marches, beautifully sung ballads and toe-tapping
tunes. Their arrangements vary as much as the musical
selections - sing along songs share the stage with
intricate four part harmonies and traditional tune
sets line up next to mouth music back-ups for a
sometimes surprising, always entertaining and wonderfully
spirit lifting performance. Amberhawke is comprised
of Linda King, Michael William Harrison, Jeff Gard
and their newest member, Mimi Rogers.
www.amberhawke.com
Behan
Irish music has always been about family - family
by blood and family by friendship. Anyone in North
Texas who has heard BEHAN has become an honorary
member of their family. From the grandparents to
the youngest grandchild, they have always encouraged
audiences to join in and share their music and joy.
BEHAN includes brothers Barney, Michael, and Joe
Behan with brother-in-law Joe Morris and lifelong
friend Rusty George. Influences include The Clancy
Brothers, The Dubliners, and The Irish Rovers. So
pull up a chair and join in the fun and laughter
of traditional music and song. Bring your "sing-a-long"
voice!
www.behanmusic.com
Beyond the Pale
Beyond The Pale delivers a wild ride with stunning
vocal harmonies and dazzling acoustic instrumental
flare. Weaving the traditional music of Ireland
and Scotland together with original and contemporary
songs and world instrumental pieces, this quartet
effortlessly spins out fiery reels and jigs, original
songs, both humorous and haunting and some familiar
selections with a Celtic twist. This is music from
around the world, including Celtic, Bluegrass, Contemporary
Folk, Mexican Polkas, Eastern European and Scandinavian
tunes, Americana/Appalachian and even a little Texas
Swing! Expect the unexpected as Beyond The Pale
cooks up a tasty acoustic stew on fiddle, flute,
hammered dulcimer, accordion, guitar, bodhrán, whistle,
concertina and saxophone.
www.beyond-the-pale.com
Bounds Street
Looking for Bounds Street on your local map?
Search no further - it's right at the crossroads
where traditional Celtic tunes and songs meet the
bands own original material. It's Celtic Music with
a Groove, honoring a rich traditional repertoire
with a fresh contemporary twist. Bounds Street is
Tim Avalon (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo), Mary
Fitzgerald (bodhrán, guitar), Heather Mitchell (bouzouki,
flute), Chico Sittman (Jews harp, sound), and Susan
Wellman (vocals, pennywhistle). Catch their CDs,
Diaspora (1998) and May Morning Dew (2003) - and
turn onto Bounds Street for your next céilí, festival,
or event - you'll enjoy the trip!
www.boundstreet.com
Brothers 3
Brothers 3 is an energetic, unique band that
has become an enormously popular fan favorite at
music festivals and concert venues across Texas.
Performing the songs and melodies from European
folk tradition set in contemporary musical settings,
with special emphasis on the rich musical resources
of the British Isles, Brothers 3 seamlessly integrates
the old and the new by blending traditional songs,
poetry, and instrumental tunes with Jazz, Pop, Rock,
and World Beat harmonies and rhythms. 20 different
instruments ranging from washboard to wind synthesizer,
4 vocal harmonies, dozens of musical styles, LOTS
of drums plus a unique sense of humor and fun combine
with unusual musical arrangements and terrific talent,
making for an unforgettable show.
www.brothers3.us
Cór Gaeilge Texais
Cór Gaeilge performs a wide range of Irish and
Scottish Gaelic songs in the traditional, unaccompanied
style. Organized in 1997, the group has performed
at céilithe (céilís), benefits, and festivals, including
the West Belfast, Northern Ireland Féile an Phobail
in 1998. Cór Gaeilge performs a diverse range of
songs - from hymns to drinking songs, and marches
to lullabies. The group also teaches song and language,
locally and at festivals, as an important element
in maintaining interest in the ancient linguistic
and musical heritage of the Gaels. Cór Gaeilge Texais
are Jonquele Jones, Denice Brown, Marie Paddock
and Michelle Tietz.
www.geocities.com/corgaeilgetex
The Irish Rogues
The premier pub band in Dallas, the Irish Rogues
have been together for 27 years, entertaining crowds
with their infectious style and good humor. Besides
regular gigs at Trinity Hall, the Rogues can be
found at festivals, private parties and clubs all
over the area at one time or another. With their
ever-present song books, and their good time charm,
the Rogues never fail to draw a sing-along crowd.
Take home a CD that can be purchased at the festival.
The Irish Rogues are Earnie Taft, fiddle; John Hodgins,
accordion; and Ed Macke, guitar.
www.IrishRogues.com
Jiggernaut
Jiggernaut is not your typical Celtic band, nor
are they your typical rock band. Jiggernaut is a
powerful combination of Celtic, rock and folk music.
Drawing from years of experience playing rock-n-
roll, the rhythm section lays down a solid foundation
allowing the bagpipes and vocals to soar. Passionate,
energetic and always fun, Jiggernaut appeals to
audiences from six to sixty, their tunes and songs
tell ancient stories and teach lessons of today's
world, in a style entirely their own. What is Jiggernaut?
Celtic musicians with a rock sensibility? Rock musicians
with a Celtic sensibility? You be the judge...
www.jiggernaut.com
Jigsaw
Instrumentally, Jigsaw is talent rich, blending
a large variety of instruments and vocal harmonies.
Kevin Alewine plays flute, guitar, mandolin, tenor
banjo, whistle and sings. Peggy Fleming plays fiddle
and remains the lead vocalist of the group while
husband Ken Fleming plays button accordion, Anglo
concertina, tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin, whistle
and vocals. As the name implies, Jigsaw interlocks
multiple talents to form one of Texas’ finest ensembles
playing traditional Irish music. Whether the venue
is a concert, pub, festival, wedding or special
event, Jigsaw is an audience pleaser.
www.trad-music.com/jigsaw.htm
Jim Flanagan
Jim Flanagan is a native of Ballyvourney, County
Cork, Ireland. His love of traditional songs (both
in Irish and in English) is best revealed in the
festival setting. He is a “Guest Artist” at Augusta
Irish Week in Elkins, West Virginia, where he is
coordinator of the Elderhostel and teaches classes
in Cultural History and Songs and Ballads. As a
native speaker of Irish, Professor of Anthropology,
and long-time resident in South Mississippi, he
brings knowledge and experience to his songs and
stories.
www.flanagansongs.com
Legacy
Legacy has drawn the rapt attention of music
fanatics wherever they play. In the top flight of
bands performing music from the Irish tradition,
these talented multi-instrumentalists perform an
extensive repertoire of traditional tunes and songs.
Their skill is undeniable, their arrangements complex
and challenging, and their performances tight and
energetic. Said Dirty Linen magazine: "This band
fills the bill....a delicate combination of full-speed-ahead
attack and subtle finesse." Legacy’s lineup includes:
Valerie Plested (fiddle, vocals), Justin Murphy
(flute, whistles, guitar, bodhrán, vocals), Don
Penzien (guitar, bodhrán, whistles, vocals), and
Tim Britton (Uillean pipes, flute, whistles, vocals).
www.LegacyIrishMusic.com
Loescher & Kenneth
Wolf Loescher and Mark Kenneth bring together
a deep passion for Celtic music and a love for ripping
it up on stage. Wolf’s earnest vocals and his rhythmic
bouzouki align perfectly with Mark’s tasteful and
provocative accordion; while the tunes featuring
Wolf’s thrumming djembe and Mark’s no-holds-barred
white-hot accordion unfailingly bring people to
their feet. Wolf and Mark, the undeniable on-stage
energy that drove Texas Celtic rock crowd favorite
Jiggernaut, now showcase their talents to the fullest
in smaller, more intimate settings and stages.
The North Texas Caledonian Pipes & Drums
The North Texas Caledonian Pipes & Drums is a
recognized leader among pipe bands in the Southwest
and a major competitor throughout the United States
and Canada. The Band has established this standard
of excellence in performance and competition under
the skillful leadership of a number of dedicated
Pipe Majors; most recently that of Pipe Major Don
Shannon.
Founded in the mid 1970's, the North Texas Caledonian
Pipes & Drums is dedicated to furthering the great
traditions of Scottish music and culture through
education and demonstration. The Band routinely
performs for civic, private, and commercial groups,
adding a unique flair to these functions. Over the
years, the Band has established a unique standard
of excellence in competition. The Band's titles
have included 1st place finishes in many competitions
throughout the Southwest.
Poor Man's Fortune
Old tunes for new ears. New tunes in old traditions.
Poor Man’s Fortune plays new music... no fairy tales,
just fiery tunes that are a century or so older
than your average hip-hop jam, arranged for modern
ears and played on traditional instruments with
verve and exuberance. Poor Man’s Fortune plays old
music... dance music. Real music that’s been around
awhile but still sets toes tapping. Prodigious talent
and a profound repertoire of eclectic tunes from
Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, France and England.
Flutes, fiddles, pennywhistles, accordions, dulcitares,
bombardes, percussion and bagpipes… delicately combined
to explore the endless possibilities of old and
new music alike.
www.poormansfortune.com
Seamus Stout
Your pint has never tasted as good as it does
with Seamus Stout. This “upbeat Celtic” group has
established themselves in the North Texas area over
the last seven years as a crowd favorite at many
area festivals and pubs. With Jan (pronounced “Yon”)
at Fiddle and Mandolin, Jarrod at Whistle and Irish
Flute, Cory at Guitar, Damon at Bodhran and all
singing, these guys provide a lively set that will
keep your toes tapping, your hands clapping and
a smile on your face. From the first jig to the
last reel, you’ll love your pint of Seamus Stout!
www.seamusstout.com
Shift
Shift has been an active part of the DFW Celtic
music scene for over two years. All three members
of the band have a background in traditional music
and lend their talents to this trio's exhilarating
blend of tunes and songs. Jason Huntley's fiddle
rips and roars through fast-paced instrumentals,
while taking on softer, melancholic tones for slow
airs and songs. The guitar playing of Emily Bryant
provides the rhythmic undertone, both fast and slow,
that sets the mood for the band. The percussive
rhythms of the traditional Irish bodhran are brought
to life by Scottish drummer Craig Scotland.
www.goodantmedia.com/shift
Spriggan
Spriggan plays a lively mix of traditional as
well as contemporary Celtic and immigrant songs
and dance tunes. Performing with warmth and enthusiasm,
Spriggan has a fun, energetic stage presence with
an evocative and rich sound. From Dallas-Fort Worth,
the band blends four talented musicians: Gypsy Youngraven's
vibrant vocals and dynamic percussion (vocals, guitar,
bodhrán, mandolin), Candace Winship's spirited fiddling
(fiddle, mandolin), multi-instrumentalist Chris
Arterburn (flute, penny whistle, concertina, bass,
bouzouki, djembe) and the driving rhythms of Michael
James (6 & 12-string guitars).
www.spriggan.org
Threadneedle Street
Threadneedle Street: If you’re looking for great,
traditional instrumental Celtic music, look no further.
You’ve found it here on Threadneedle Street! This
lively quartet delivers terrific toe-tapping dance
music from all the Celtic nations. Come and join
Peggy Turner, Jim Brunke, Bobby Bush and Melina
Shaffer as they take you on a musical tour from
the Shetlands to Bretagne.
www.threadneedlemusic.com
Trinity River Whalers
Celtic-Americana blends into bluegrass as the
Texas-based, Trinity River Whalers chart their way
among a treasure trove of traditional and contemporary
tales adding a few of their own twists and turns.
From horse-races and the lottery to whaling and
sailing to love and lust, the Whalers’ catch is
varied fare, served up with harmony and wit. The
‘equal opportunity’ Whaler crew is comprised of
Randy Christian on harmonica, accordion and percussion,
Kathleen Jackson with ‘Fred’, her upright bass and
song-writers Micheal Price playing rhythm guitar
and Marj Troyer on lead guitar and mandolin, with
all four singing leads and harmonies.
www.trinityriverwhalers.com
Tullamore
Now in their eleventh season, Tullamore is one
of the Heartland's premiere Celtic bands. Mark Clavey,
Mary Hanover, and Rachel Gaither deliver the music
of Ireland and Scotland in rich and clear vocals,
tight harmonies and instrumentals, and cool and
clever arrangements. The Kansas City trio draws
from diverse musical experiences and influences
for their hallmark sound - a contemporary American-folk
body with a traditional Celtic soul. Across the
country, and across the ocean - from arts-centers
and theatres to Irish Festivals and Scottish Highland
Games to pubs, coffeehouses, and folk clubs - Tullamore
draws rave reviews from their audiences everywhere
they go.
www.tullamore.info
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