2010 Celtic Festival Performers - Bios
Fiddlers 3
Mass-Appeal, Intensity, and Virtuosic skill; these are the trademarks of the Celtic-folk band, Fiddlers 3. Known for transforming every venue they play into an animated party, Fiddlers 3 is a wildly-energetic spectacle on an unparalleled scale!
It was late 1996 when three siblings Stefan, Andrian and Elaina stepped onto a church stage with their violins after only a few short months of lessons. Their ages at the time were 12, 10 and 9. Joining them was Mom Mary Ann on accordion and Dad Lorne with a set of spoons and washboard to complete the group. Today, the family continues to bring to the stage their own eclectic blend of Celtic-Folk music. The group's success inspired all three of these championship fiddlers to go on to study music at McMaster University. After witnessing their performance, the intensity, passion and drive of their music will leave you speechless and with all the foot tapping you may need a new pair of shoes.
Fiddlers 3 have received "International Acoustic Music Award 2008", "2008 TOP 10 CD of the YEAR" Award and have been named "Ontario's Best Performer/ Entertainer (Variety) 2007" and "Entertainer of the Year 2006" by Festival & Events Ontario. They have performed with acts including Ashley MacIsaac, The Chieftains, Teenage Head, Natalie MacMaster, The Barra MacNeils, Colin James, Alannah Miles, Tom Wilson, Slainte Mhath, The Irish Descendants, J.P Cormier, and Great Big Sea.
In late 2007 after intense demand, Fiddlers 3 released their highly anticipated 3rd CD 'Volume 3: The Rhythm Chapter' and it gained immediate approval from fans and critics alike. 'ENCORE!' released in 2003, won the Kweevak CD of the YEAR (Critic's Choice) Award 2004 and Viewer's Choice Award 2004. Fiddlers 3 are the only Canadian band to win both awards simultaneously in the same calendar year. This award followed the success of their debut self-titled CD, which won the Viewer's Choice Award in 2003. In the download charts of Napster, eMusic, Apple iTunes, and Sony Connect, Fiddlers 3 are consistently listed as the #1 download.
No matter what the venue - corporate function, festival stage, theatre performance - the energetic rhythms and enthusiastic melodies of Fiddlers 3 have their audiences - young and old - always wanting more.
"WE DARE YOU TO KEEP YOUR FEET STILL!" ®
For more information, read the Fiddlers 3 press release, PDF Bio, and visit www.fiddlers3.com.
The Gobshites
The Gobshites are an acoustic Irish themed folk-punk band in the style of The Pogues. Their line up includes Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Tin Whistle, Bouzouki and Accordion. You may have seen them these past three years in the South Boston Saint Patrick's Day Parade or heard them on the Don Imus Radio Show. They have played The Shamrock Fest in DC, The Providence Fleadh, multiple Harpoon Brewery Festivals and Irish 2000 in Albany. They have opened for many Irish acts including Black 47, The Tossers, Gaelic Storm, The Young Dubliners, 7 Nations, Derek Warfield and The Street Dogs.
"The Gobshites are a gifted bunch of merrymakers, who will put a smile on your face and make you want to sing along."
Tommy Ramone - RAMONES/Uncle Monk
The Gobshites live are a churning martini of Good songs and Bad intentions.
Larry Kirwan - Black 47
Please check us out at www.gobshites.com and www.myspace.com/gobshites
Fergus
Fergus is a five piece contemporary Irish group from Worcester,
Massachusetts. The band performs the songs of Irish songwriters
and arrangers of the last 60 years, original songs and arrangements,
and traditional Irish Music. The sound of Fergus blends elements of
American music (jazz, funk, rock, country) and world music
(electronica, Indian, Latin, Celtic) with Irish music in an acoustic
setting. Since its formation, the band has become one of the most
sought after Irish bands in New England.
Fergus was formed in 2007 as a trio (Voice, Guitar, Bass), the band
quickly found itself in demand through out New England. They
released their first EP "Seven Hills" in early 2008, the CD sold out
within the first six months. In 2009 Fergus became a five piece
(adding drums and fiddle) in an effort to realize a larger sound for
the band. They went into the studio in late 2009 to record their first
full-length CD "Green St."
Fergus has performed at festivals and clubs through out New
England and opened for artists such as Lunasa, Derek Warfield And
The Young Wolfe Tones, Benny McCarthy and Oisin McAuley of
Danu, and Rattle the Boards. The band has also had the privlege of
performing for former President Willam Jefferson Clinton as well as
many former and present senators, congressmen, and prominent
Massachusetts politicians.
Cait Sargent: Lead vocals, bodhran
Brendan Keenan: Guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, vocals
Tom Lubelczyk: Upright and fretless bass, vocals
Myra MacLeod: Fiddle
Pete Himmer: Drums and Percussion
"Fergus is pioneering a new direction in Irish music all the while
respectful of the tradition in which they are so obviously steeped in."
Kevin Crawford, Lunasa
"A great band with a great attitude."
Benny McCarthy, Danú & Rattle The Boards
For more information, visit www.fergusband.com/.
Jug o'Punch
Legendary Celtic performers and Central Massachusetts favorite, the Jug o' Punch has been entertaining audiences in Massachusetts and beyond for nearly 40 years! Their residency at The Old Timer Restaurant in Clinton is legendary. They have played at festivals, in pubs, on television and radio and in one particularly memorable instance, under a tin roof while hail was pelting down! Though band members and repertoire have changed over the years, 'The Jug o' Punch' has always delivered a rollicking good time, including a great performance at last year's Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival under the Pavilion in the Celtic Nations Pub.
Current Members:
Jim McCrohon: banjo, bass pedals, harmonica, tin whistle, bodhran, vocals
Eamon Marshall: button accordion, vocals
Barry Sullivan: guitars, tenor banjo, vocals
Eddie Biggins: guitar, vocals
For more information, visit Jug o' Punch MySpace page and www.reverbnation.com/thejugopunch.
The McInerney School of Irish Step Dancing
The McInerney School of Irish Step Dance was established in 1983 by Mary McInerney Zona, TCRG. After a long and courageous battle, Mary succumbed to cancer in July, 2009 leaving behind her loving family, a host of loyal friends, and a legacy of love and commitment to Irish dance. Her younger sister, Clare McInerney Gentilucci, a former champion dancer herself, assumed the leadership role at the McInerney School.
Clare has been involved in Irish dancing since the age of four, winning numerous regional and national awards as well as the World Championships in Ireland. Clare began her study of Irish step dance in New York City where she danced with the O'Sullivan School of Irish Dancing through 1977. From there, Clare moved to Worcester where she continued her education in Irish dance at the Michael Smith Academy in Boston.
Under Clare's leadership, the tradition of success established by Mary has continued to flourish. Within the past year alone, the McInerney dancers have shared the stage with such world-renowned performers as the Chieftains, the Merry Ploughboys, and Eileen Ivers. They were also present to welcome the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, to Worcester in the spring of 2009. Additionally, the school continues to enjoy competitive success with dancers successfully competing at the local, national, and international level.
The McInerney School, located locally in Auburn, Massachusetts, is pleased to share the talents of our students, all from the Central Massachusetts area, with festival attendees. It is our pleasure to keep the tradition of Irish step dance alive and carry on the legacy of love and commitment established by our founder, Mary McInerney Zona.
For more information, visit marymacdancers.homestead.com/Home.html.
The Worcester Fire Brigade Pipes & Drums
The Worcester Fire Brigade Pipes & Drums was formed in October 1994 and since that time, has gained a reputation as one of the top fire service pipe bands in the region.
Aside from traditional events such as St. Patrick's Day or Memorial Day parades, the band performs at various functions such as sporting events, government and business conferences, not to mention various fire department memorials, functions and fund raisers. Since its inception, the band has had the regrettable yet honored duty of playing many Line of Duty and Active Duty funerals from firefighters all across Massachusetts. The band has performed with such groups as the Drop Kick Murphys and the world famous Chieftains.
In 2003, the band opened its ranks to membership outside of the Worcester Fire Department. While there is still a heavy representation from the Worcester, band members come from many departments in the Commonwealth including: Shrewsbury, Leicester, Oxford, Charlton, West Boylston, Milford, Framingham, Cambridge, Amherst, and Westfield.
Today it is one of the few fire service bands in Massachusetts whose members are comprised only of current and former members of fire service agencies from around the Commonwealth.
For more information, visit www.worcesterfirebrigade.com.
* Note: if the sound file doesn't play automatically when clicked, you may download the sound clips here. Just right click and save to your PC and then play.
Fiddlers 3: Jerusalem Ridge
Gobshites: Questioningly
Gobshites: Shane's Dentist
Fergus: The Clankey Jig
Fergus: P Stands for Paddy
Jug O'Punch: Brennan on the Moor
