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Tim O'Brien
Over the last 30 years, Tim O'Brien has become one of the most respected and beloved singers and musicians in the ever-growing Americana explosion. Nominated for three Grammys and the winner of the 1993 International Bluegrass Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year, he is well known for his pitch-perfect voice and amazing talent with multiple instruments. Throughout his career he has played everything from swing to traditional, bluegrass to country. His reputation as a perfect representative of this fusion was cemented when he was recently asked to serve as president for the IBMA, an organization that believes in honoring "all the roots and branches," according to O'Brien. He realizes that it takes more than just a random collection of songs to make up an album and, as a result, consistently produces CDs that are on a plateau above those of most of his contemporaries. Naturally, he runs the risk that some people won't like the particular theme he chooses for an album, be it his Bob Dylan covers of several years ago, or the Celtic/Appalachian thread he follows in The Crossing. Fortunately, commercial acceptance isn't his primary consideration, as he recently made known in Bluegrass Unlimited. He's all the better artist for it, and his fans are all the happier. Tim will be joined by featured musicians fiddler Casey Driessen and concertina, flute, and button box player, John Williams. Téada
In just three short years, Téada has exploded onto the international touring circuit, capturing the imagination of many with a creative and spontaneous musical approach, seeking to capture the intricacies of traditional art form within a contemporary band context. Having first come to attention through an appearance on the innovative Irish television series, Flosc, in 2001, Téada went on to undertake highly successful tours of the United States, Finland and Germany throughout their initial two years as a band. The following year, 2003, saw audiences hearing for the first time, an expanded 5-member line-up featuring accordionist Paul Finn from Laois. The re-release of Téada’s debut album worldwide later in the year by US label, Green Linnet, saw the band being awarded the prestigious “Best Traditional Newcomers 2003” award from Irish Music Magazine. After headline performances at all the major US Irish/Celtic festivals over the summer months, and a visit to Germany in October, the band have most recently welcomed Sligo flute-player, Damien Stenson, to the line-up. Sliabh Notes
Sliabh Luachra, in the south-west of Ireland, is well-known for its unique style of Irish traditional music, particularly its distinctive repertoire of slides and polkas. The area has long been an inspiration and source of influence for Dónal, Matt and Tommy, and this can be heard very much in their music. Their concert repertoire and recordings also feature exciting tunes and songs from other sources, including the American tradition, which is particularly fitting given the theme of this year’s festival. Individually, Dónal, Matt and Tommy have long had an interest and involvement in the playing of American music – Tommy through his singing of some great songs, including ‘From the Heart’ on the first Sliabh Notes CD; Matt through his playing for some years with ‘The Lee Valley String Band’ in Cork, and with ‘Chris Meehan and His Redneck Friends’ in Dublin; and Dónal because of his involvement with ‘Four Men and a Dog’ in Ireland. The Elders
The McKrells
The McKrells bring Bluegrass together with its Celtic roots, toss in the heartfelt fervor of folk and put it all out there with the energy of rock. Leader Kevin McKrell has come into his own as a songwriter, with a song that the Fureys took to the top of the charts in Ireland and Australia. The group boasts award-winning instrumentalists - Chris "Lee" Leske (banjo); Craig Vance (guitar); Brian Mellick (percussion); Doug Moody (fiddle) - who provide show-stopping complements to the original and traditional tunes. The McKrells' name on the marquee has proved to be a sure-fire sold-out show any place where they have played regularly. This genre-bending, no-holds-barred approach to the music has earned them support slots for Solas, Altan, Fairport Convention and Travis Tritt. After a decade with Donnybrook Fair and working as a solo in the Eighties, Kevin McKrell has now put together the band that he heard in his head for years. Paddy Keenan
Paddy was born in Trim, Co. Meath, to John Keenan, Sr. of Westmeath and the former Mary Bravender of Co. Cavan. The Keenans were a Travelling family steeped in traditional music; both Paddy's father and grandfather were uilleann pipers. Paddy himself took up the pipes at the age of ten, playing his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, when he was 14. Paddy began playing around Dublin with singer/keyboardist Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, singer/guitarist Micheal O Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin, Matt Mollov, Tony MacMahon and Donal Lunny under the name of "Seachtar," the Irish word for "seven." Micheal O' Dhomhnaill had recently returned from Scotland, where he happened across a photograph taken in the 1890s of a group of tattered musicians. "The Bothy Band," it was titled, in reference to the migrant Irish laborers who worked in England and Scotland and were housed in stone huts known as "bothies." Micheal suggested that the band take this name, and the others agreed. Thus was born one of the most influential bands of the 1970s, The Bothy Band. The Bothy Band forever changed the face of Irish traditional music, merging a driving rhythm section with traditional Irish tunes in ways that had never been heard before. Paddy was one of the band's founding members, and his virtuosity on the pipes combined with the ferocity of his playing made him, in the opinion of many, its driving force. Paddy will be accompanied by guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan. John Williams and Dean Magraw
It is rare to find pure creativity and extraordinary musical talent in one performer, but when two are combined, the possibilities are endless. John Williams, an award-winning concertina, flute, and button box player, and Dean Magraw, an adventurous guitar master, combine their diverse talents and styles for an unbeatable concert. Williams and Magraw first joined forces ten years ago when they were invited on stage at The Cedar Cultural Center by fiddler Martin Hayes to improvise an encore of Irish jigs and reels. The resulting confluence of these three giants sparked an immediate electricity which opened the door to John and Dean's fruitful and enduring collaboration. Although both musicians are active on many musical fronts, they are continually surprised by the inspiration which ignites when they come together. Steeped in the love of traditional Irish music (and its Celtic relatives in other lands), John Williams and Dean Magraw bring a solid foundation of melodic integrity to the stage. Dean performed for two of John Williams' recent recordings to great critical acclaim, and the two are preparing to release their most recent duo recording this fall entitled Raven. The album is a traditionally innovative collection of chestnuts and road tested originals which soars from driven dance tune adventures to dark haunted airs. Ed Miller
Ed Miller is one of the finest singers to emerge from the Scottish folk revival, a guitar-wielding folkie who wins his audiences over with a sweet but powerful voice, a great ear for material, and equal doses of populist politics and wry humor. He learned his craft in the sessions, clubs, and festivals of the folk revival, both in Scotland and the United States. Ed is the host of a folk music program on Austin's NPR station, KUT-FM. He is a performer who has learned his craft in musical venues on both sides of the Atlantic, and a folklorist who brings his love of Scotland to every performance. Ed is well known in the Dallas area, and has earned a well deserved reputation as the "Token Scot" at the NTIF. Ed will be accompanied by guitarist Rich Brotherton and fiddler John Taylor.
Jed Marum
Jed Marum sings songs from Ireland, Scotland and North America. With
humor and history he brings a variety of songs and sounds to the
stage - old country airs and emigration stories - original and
traditional songs. He is known as a gifted singer, a polished
musician and a talented song-writer. Ireland's South East Radio
program host Nicky Rossiter says, "Jed Marum has a confident knack
of taking the history of Ireland and the United States of America,
combining them with music and creating some mini-epics." Performing with Jed are, Tom Leighton (accordion, melodian, bodhran
and bouzouki) and Curly Boy Stubbs (guitar, mandolin, dobro), plus
special guest Betty Blakley Waddoups. Tom
Leighton is well known for his ability to play several instruments
AT THE SAME TIME and for his infectious, energetic performances. "Curly Boy Stubbs" aka. Paul Mills is one of North America's most accomplished musicians and folk music producers. Paul has performed for many years under the stage name, Curly Boy Stubbs, a name favored by his best-friend and band mate, Stan Rogers. |
The North Texas Irish Festival is a production of the Southwest Celtic Music Association |
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