This is your chance to check out some of music’s rising stars! Performances are included in festival admission. We have tables and chairs set up in front of the stage, but you are more than welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Please be courteous and pick a spot that won’t obscure the view of others.
Click here for a printable music schedule or scroll down for complete details.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10:
Hendy – Eleyet McConnell – Dawna – Angela Perley
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17:
Mill Street Blues – Al Son Del Iya – Fo/Mo/Deep – Teeny Tucker
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
Johny O Project – Ladies of Longford – Dulahan – Bastard Bearded Irishmen
Hendy
September 10, 2022 – 1:00-2:30pm
Hendy plays a mix of genres including Classic Rock, Country, and Blues
Eleyet McConnell
September 10, 2022 – 4:00-5:30pm
Immersed in a multitude of genres for over 40 years, Angie Eleyet possesses a talent that will captivate you from the first moment she sings. Fierce. Soulful. edgy. Her musical tastes are so diverse, yet you will hear the many influences in her sound from Beth Hart, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Janis Joplin, and Bad Company to Merle Haggard, The Eagles, and some gospel freats. Her stage presence will draw you in quickly and she takes you on a journey you will never forget.
Well-known to the local music scene Chris McConnell has developed his musical expertise over the last 50 years. He has years of experience in live performance, touring, and studio work. His journey as a musician began at the age of 10 and continued through the years in countless projects including winning a regional star search and a home-grown album with WTUE in the early 80’s. He has a passion for writing and is a strong vocalist in his own right.
Together, their ability to tell stories through their lyrics captivates listeners. Their chemistry is palpable whether playing in an intimate, storyteller-type venue or with a full powerful band. Their songs attract music lovers from all backgrounds.
Dawna
September 10, 2022 – 6:00-7:30pm
Dawna is an eclectic rock band from Columbus, Ohio. The group began their musical path in the summer of 2018 when Frontman/Songwriter, Jesse Henry and keyboardist Ryan Paradise collaborated with power trio, The High Definitions.
Jesse Henry writes; Hello friends and music lovers, A few years ago I was commissioned by the Wayne National Forest in South Eastern Ohio to write songs about the nature, history, people and experience of the forest. I had always wanted to combine my interest of the woods with songwriting. I spent a month conducting interviews, taking hikes, camping, reading and recording with Ohio musicians who all have ties to the WNF.
Today is the release of “Southeastern Ohio Hills” featuring Jorma Kaukonen. A song that portraits the towns, families and landscape of the Wayne. “SE Ohio Hills” as well as the previously released “No Boundaries,” a spiritual, are the start to an 8-10 track nature-songwriting album that will document our National Forests. I plan to go to 8 other National Forests to compose music that represents their unique spirit and natural beauty.
Your support of this project, “Songs of Our Forest”, will allow me to continue one of my dreams, but also donate 50% towards a non-profit that is committed to conservation, sustainability and promotion of recreation in our National Forests. The “Wayne Songs” will benefit ORCA who works tirelessly on the Bailey’s Trail System.
Each National Forest will select a local beneficiary for each of their songs.
I plan to record and co-write with musicians who have a connection to their local National Forest and to continue this process until all songs have been released.
Angela Perley
September 10, 2022 – 8:00-10:00pm
Angela Perley has spent the past decade onstage and on the road, creating her own cosmic swirl of alt-country, psychedelic rock, and amplified Americana along the way.
It’s a sound that’s earned the Ohio native a following both at home and abroad, from sold-out crowds in her native Columbus — where songs like “Electric Flame” have become staples of the FM radio — to audiences in Europe, where Perley’s debut album, Hey Kid, peaked at Number 6 on the EuroAmericana chart.
Originally launching her career as the frontwoman of Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons, Perley has since gone solo, funneling the sonic stomp that ran throughout 2014’s Hey Kid and 2016’s Homemade Vision into the personal, poignant punch of solo records like 2019’s 4:30. She continues the momentum with her newest single, “Here For You.” Written and produced by Perley, the single serves as a love song to oneself — a personal, guitar-driven pep talk, delivering during a time of unprecedented challenges.
Perley was still in the early stages of touring behind 4:30 when the Covid-19 pandemic brought her steady schedule of shows to a halt. For years, she’d been getting used to rolling with the punches — booking her own shows, growing her own business, and graduating from barroom gigs in the midwest to hard-won opening slots for the likes of Lucinda Williams and Tyler Childers. Her newly minted single, “Here For You,” (out 9/30/21) was written as a timely pick-me-up; call it a battlecry from a self-made star who’s never been shy about taking the road less traveled.
Like the rest of Perley’s catalog, “Here For You” blurs the lines between genre and geography. A highway anthem for daytime driving, it blends southern slide guitar with midwestern grit, glued together by the singing and sharp insights of an International Songwriting Award-winning frontwoman. “Here For You” is a classic song for the modern moment — a contemporary version of the timeless sound that’s been blasting forth from car dashboards and hi-fi stereos since the early 1970s, an era that Perley, with her platform shoes and breezy folk-rock, easily evokes.
“Here For You” also marks the first taste of a new album that Perley has been creating at home and at Earthwork Recording Studio, the same Ohio destination where 4:30 was tracked. Mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Dave Collins and featuring guitar contributions from longtime collaborator Chris Connor, the track shines new light on a musician who has spent years, according to No Depression, “laying down an interesting mix of folk, Americana, and ’60s-tinged psychedelic rock that floats seamlessly between Bob Dylan and Procol Harum, sometimes within the same song.”
For Angela Perley, it’s always been about the songs — and with “Here For You,” the song lives on.
Mill Street Blues
September 17, 2022 – 1:00-2:30pm
Mill Street Blues, an acoustic blues trio that feeds the soul! The Mill Street Blues Band members are very talented and true to the Blues and R&B….they’re on the ‘softer’ side….not rock fusion…very enjoyable
Brian Peters – vocals harp & guitar
John Henry – vocals guitar & bass
André Scott – cajon
Al Son Del Iya
September 17, 2022 – 4:00-5:30pm
Al Son Del Iya is a local salsa band from Columbus, OH founded in 2007 by Peruvian percussionist Waltinho Casanova, a hard hitting conguero and die-hard salsa fan. With culturally diverse musicians, Al Son Del Iya plays year round in local businesses, private events, and festivals. You may recognize the band from their recent performance at the 2017 Dayton Hispanic Heritage Festival.
The band’s name, Al Son Del Iya, goes back to the root of Salsa. Al Son Del Iya translates to the beat of the Iya, an African drum brought to the Americas by the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria primarily used for entertainment and religious rituals. Salsa is a direct descendant of those rhythms, born in Cuba then enriched by Latino immigrants in New York during the 60-70’s. Today, Salsa unites us all with it’s upbeat and contagious groove. Al Son Del Iya aims to provide an authentic Latin American “Salsa Gorda” or “Fat Salsa” music experience, just like the sounds you would hear around any coastal town from Peru to Panama, along with Cumbia and Merengue.
Fo/Mo/Deep
September 17, 2022 – 6:00-7:30pm
fo/mo/deep = An Eclectic Groove Oriented – Funky Jazz Trio.
We are a Jazz/Funk/Fusion Trio based out of Columbus, OH. We have released 4 CD’s and, our music has been played around the world on internet, satellite & terrestrial radio stations. fo/mo/deep groove is rooted in the experimental school of the 70s…a time when jazz, soul and funk were one and the same. Seeking to defy the ordinary, this diverse trio of seasoned pros keeps things stirred up with unpredictable energy that moves.
fo/mo/deep, just released “Syzygy” October 1st (2019) as a Jazz/Funk Trio & it’s a funky good time. The previous discography includes the albums Eclecticism (2010), A Beautiful Bang (2012) and The Groovy Goodness (2014).
fo/mo/deep members include:
Ron Holmes, Electric & Upright Basses
Andre Scott, Drums
Robert Mason, Piano / Organ / Keyboards
Teeny Tucker
September 17, 2022 – 8:00-10:00pm
TEENY TUCKER HIGHLIGHTS & BIO
Teeny Tucker is one of the most talented, dynamic, exciting, and creative personalities on the current Blues scene. Teeny creates “crowd frenzy” wherever she goes.
Check out the latest Teeny “buzz!”
TEENY TUCKER CD NOMINATED FOR 2 BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE AWARDS: 2018-2019
1) TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
2) TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Teeny Tucker, and her Band, have been featured headline performers at some of the world’s most prestigious MAJOR Music Festivals in the USA, Canada, and Europe. Major Festival performances include venues such as; the Burghausen International Blues Festival, Duvel International Blues Festival, Salmon Arms International Blues Festival, Beaches International Blues Festival, Waterfront International Blues Festival, Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, B. B. King Homecoming Festival, White Mountain Boogie and Blues Festival, Cincinnati Blues Festival, PA Folk/Blues Festival, Pocono Blues Festival, Vermont Blues Festival, Monterey Blues Festival, D C Blues Festival, Tinner Hill Blues Festival, Old Town Blues Festival, North Atlantic Blues Festival, Camping With The Blues Festival, Briggs Farm Blues Festival, Spring Gulch Blues Festival, Niagara Buffalo Blues Festival, Penn State Concert Series, Attuck Theatre Concert Series, Blues At The Beach Festival, 2 Left Feet Blues Festival, Destination Blues Festival, and Live Oak Jazz & Blues Festival.
2019 New Teeny Tucker CD (PUT ON YOUR RED DRESS BABY) is nominated by Blues Blast Magazine in two (2) different categories. The CD is nominated for “Traditional Female Blues Artist of the Year,” and it is also nominated for the best “Traditional Album of the Year.” (This CD was produced by Robert Hughes for TeBo Records.)
2018 Teeny Tucker continues to amaze cheering crowds at many major Festivals such as White Mountain Boogie & Blues Festival, Live Oak Jazz & Blues Festival, B. B. King Homecoming Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, and many more …
2017Teeny Tucker accepts the Blues Hall of Fame award on behalf of her Father’s 1964 classic smash hit “High Heel Sneakers.” The song was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the 2017 HOF induction ceremony.
2016 Teeny Tucker, and her Band, are featured performers at some of the most prestigious MAJOR Music Festivals in the USA, such as; the Chicago Blues Festival, B. B. King Homecoming Festival, White Mountain Boogie and Blues Festival, Cincinnati Blues Festival, PA Folk/Blues Festival, Summer Series In The Air, and a return command performance at the Live Oak Jazz & Blues Festival.
2015 Teeny Tucker is selected to be the MC of “Women in Blues” showcase at the IBC in Memphis. Teeny continued to “WoW” audiences at MAJOR Blues Festivals, such as Destination Blues, Briggs Farm Blues Festival, Buffalo Niagara Blues Festival, Camping With The Blues, Live Oak JAB Festival, and many Prestigious Central Ohio venues. Teeny, and Robert preformed with living members of the B B King Band at the B B King museum in MS.
2014 Teeny Tucker appears “live” at the 35th annual 2014 Blues Music Awards. Teeny’s stunning performance brought the audience to their feet, and was listed as a “top ten” highlight by the Memphis Blues Foundation.
2014 Teeny Tucker delivers a command Penn State University “forum” seminar performance. Teeny’s seminar received the ONLY STANDING OVATION of the “forum” series. The seminar subject was “Women in the Blues and How to Overcome Obstacles.”
2013 Teeny Tucker is nominated for 2014 Traditional Female Blues “Artist of the Year” by the Blues Foundation of Memphis Tennessee. (BMA)
2013 Teeny Tucker is nominated for Blues Blast Female “Artist of the Year.”
2013 New Teeny Tucker CD “Voodoo To Do You” is released to critical acclaim; “Teeny Tucker is the best female Blues vocalist on the scene today,” proclaims ~James “Skky Dobro” Walker, of Blues Blast magazine. “It’s such a fascinating, and intriguing concept album!” ~Roberto Rossi~ (Mystery Train) “Many CD’s today are not worthy of listening to from start to finish, but “Voodoo To Do You” by Teeny Tucker is one terrific tune after another.” ~Linda Yohn~ “Tucker’s voice has never been stronger and more emotional.” “Ms. Tucker has fun with the lyrics and in doing so tosses her hat into the ring of the Best Female Blues singers.” ~ChefJimi—Blues411.com~
2013 Teeny Tucker’s “Voodoo To Do You,” is ranked number FIVE on the March 2013 “Living Blues Radio chart.
2013 Teeny Tucker, and her co-writer/Bandleader, are selected as finalists in the prestigious International Song-writing Competition, (ISC) for their song “Love Spell” from the 2013 CD “Voodoo To Do You.”
2012 Teeny Tucker appears at many major Blues Festivals. (Virginia Beach Blues On The Beach, Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, PA Blues Festival, Smokin’ On The River Blues Festival, Huron Red White & Blues, and many more.)
2011 Teeny Tucker is nominated by the Blues Foundation of Memphis Tennessee, for the “Best Traditional Female Blues Artist” (Koko Taylor Award)
2011 Teeny Tucker is nominated for Blues Blast “Traditional Female Blues Artist of the Year.”
2011 Teeny Tucker’s “Sun Session” TV episode plays on PBS TV stations in 376 USA Markets. Recorded live at the world renowned Sun Studio in Memphis TN.
2010 “Monterey Bay Blues Artist of the Year” ~ First won by Etta James
2008 Teeny Tucker – Nominated for “Best Female Blues Artist of 2008” – BluesBlast
Following her 2008 critically acclaimed CD, “Two Big M’s,” Teeny Tucker and her band lay down one of the best CDs of the year! (2010) James “Skyy Dobro” Walker
“Teeny’s new CD (Keep the Blues Alive) may be the best 2010 Blues CD from a Female, or, for that matter, anyone.” – Blues Underground
“One of the 10 best closers in the business” – Larry Letts – Marquette Blues Director
“Teeny always has em’ on their feet … she does it at every performance” – Michael Clarion – Poconos Blues Festival Director
“Teeny’s one of the very best, as proven on this fine recording.” ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
Two Big M’s ranked 15th in the top 25 best new 2008 releases – by Bob Davis of Soul Patrol.
“Tucker’s emergence into the front line of contemporary blues women” – Living Blues
“Two Big M’s is her best vocal effort to date.” – Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records
“Teeny is blessed with genuine star quality.” – Columbus Monthly Magazine
Teeny Tucker Background and other Points of Interest
Although Teeny was born into blues royalty, (daughter of Tommy “Hi-Heel Sneakers” Tucker), one need only to hear Teeny to know that she has cultivated and developed her “gifts” into her very own uniquely compelling world-class package. As a child, this Dayton Ohio native began singing in the church choir. This experience, like so many other soulful success stories, undoubtedly began to chart the course of Teeny’s music career. The paths which would lead to her abilities to interpret with soulful, bluesy, and uniquely stylistic renderings was set.
A 1994 performance at the Apollo Theatre won over the notoriously cruel and scrutinizing audience, which earned Teeny a standing ovation. Encouraged by the Apollo experience, Teeny started her professional singing career in November, 1996, when she caught the attention of a German blues promoter and manager who had promoted European tours for her father. Since then, her musical journey has seen Teeny performing at many of the major blues festivals in the U.S., Sweden, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy. Teeny was chosen for the cover of July/August 2004 edition of King Biscuit Time Magazine accompanied by a featured story of her musical journey.
Teeny has been invited to appear on the same bill with great blues artists such as: B.B. King, KoKo Taylor, Etta James, Buddy Guy, The Holmes Brothers, Calvin Owens, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Deanna Bogart, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush, John Mayall, and many others.
Teeny wrote the lyrics for 8 of the 11 songs on her second CD, titled First Class Woman, which received substantial airplay on XM Satellite, Music Choice and blues radio stations all over the country. Her songwriting abilities earned Teeny a place as a top-ten finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Teeny is a two-time, top-three finalist in the International Blues Challenge, which is held annually in Memphis, Tennessee.
In 2008, Teeny Tucker was invited to appear on the MAIN STAGE of the Monterey Blues Festival. She also was nominated for the “2008 Best Female Blues Artist” of the year by BluesBlast Magazine. Teeny’s last CD, Two Big M’s, was ranked in the 15 spot on the Bob Davis list of 2008 top 25 releases, and reached the number 6 spot on the Living Blues chart. Two Big M’s was selected by the Blues Foundation as one of the six finalists for “Best Self-Produced Blues CD of the Year.”
2009 was another banner year. Major festival appearances included Monterey Blues Festival, Briggs Farm Festival, Beaches in Toronto, Canada, DC Blues Festival, Hot Licks, Redwood, Oldtown, Creekside Blues Festival, Knoxville, TN Alive After Five New Years Eve Celebration, and more. Throughout the year, Teeny worked on original material for her upcoming 2010 CD release, Keep the Blues Alive.
2010 began with a smash appearance creating a crowd frenzy at the River City Blues Festival. Reviewer Steve Welles declared Teeny “the highlight of the Saturday lineup.” Other 2010 festivals include Duvel Blues Festival in Belgium, Music In the Air Festival, a return trip to the Monterey Bay Blues Festival, Hudson River Blues Festival in NYC, TAWAS Blues Festival, Vermont Blues Festival, Marquette Blues Festival, Columbus Jazz and Blues RibFest, Recording a 30-minute “Sun Sessions” episodewhich will air on PBS in 2011 in every major market in the USA and more. Also, 2010 is the year in which the much anticipated, and critically acclaimed, Teeny Tucker CD, “Keep the Blues Alive,” was released.
I’m sure glad that I didn’t have to select a single, so I made it easy and simply added all 11 songs from the outstanding album “Keep The Blues Alive” to my playlist on the RadioIO Blues channel for the listening pleasure of my audience over there. I think that she is a young woman with a bright future, because she knows exactly where she came from. Hopefully somebody will hear something and maybe this time next year some of the folks at places like BET just might be featuring Ms. Teeny Tucker? ~ Bob Davis (Soul Patrol)
Another spectacular release! Teeny will reel you in with her exquisite voice as it is strong and soulful with an abundance of sincere emotions coming straight from the heart. You will definitely enjoy the outstanding vocals of Teeny Tucker on her irresistible CD, Keep the Blues Alive. ~ RadioIndy Review Team
In December of 2010, Teeny Tucker is nominated by the Blues Foundation of Memphis Tennessee, for the “Best Traditional Female Blues Artist” (Koko Taylor Award)
Teeny plays, and consistently creates “crowd frenzy” at MAJOR Blues Festivals such as: Salmon Arms Roots and Blues Festival BC, Monterey Bay Blues Festival, Poconos, Hudson River NYC, Beaches in Toronto, Vermont, Briggs Farm, Heritage Blues Festival, Attucks Theater Norfolk, Furnace Blues Blast Festival, TAWAS, Riverfront, Berghausen Germany, Marquette, Duvel Blues in Belgium, Beaches International Canada, DC Blues Festival, OldTown, Hot Licks Blues, and many, many more. Experience the “real-deal, allakazam Blues-wham” of Teeny Tucker at an appearance near you!
NOTE: Besides the many coveted musical accolades which have been presented to Teeny, she always willing to contribute her time and efforts to her family and community. On February 15, 2011, Teeny Tucker was selected as the 2011 Federal Carter G. Woodson Award winner. The award will be presented to Teeny on February 23, 2011, at the Black History/Carter G. Woodson Program 1-2pm.
Johny O Project
September 24, 2022 – 1:00-2:30pm
Johny O is a band from the Urbana area. From Las Vegas to Ohio’s Favorite Trio Featuring Classic Rock, 80’s, 90’s & More!
Ladies of Longford
September 24, 2022 – 4:00-5:30pm
About Ladies of Longford
Celebrating 19 years of their special brand of music, the Ladies of Longford serve up a unique blend of Contemporary Celtic, Traditional Irish and fresh acoustic styles. They are most often defined by their superb vocal harmonies and excellent musicianship. They have performed on stage with several national and internationally known Irish artists including Chloe Agnew (Celtic Woman), Eileen Ivers (Immigrant Soul), Cherish the Ladies and Aoife Clancy to mention a few. From the living rooms and back yards of intimate house concerts to the huge sound stages of renowned festivals, this high energy all woman band shares it’s inspired gifts of melody and performance to a vast range of fans. The group consists of Hilda Doyle and her two daughters, Stephanie Doyle and Heather Doyle Fraser and Elizabeth Blickenstaff.
Why are they called Ladies of Longford? The Doyle family is originally from County Longford Ireland. They have five CD’s to their credit and individually each of these talented ladies have either solo CD’s and/or CD’s with the other groups. You can always purchase one of their great CD’s at a show or on their website.
Dulahan
September 24, 2022 – 600-7:30pm
Dulahan’s music is a Celtic hybrid that pays homage to the traditional but incorporates all the varied musical influences of the four members into its unique sound. The result is a unique blend of creative songwriting and musical energy that draws on both contemporary and the traditional Celtic but also unmistakenly contains subtle hints of a Roots/Americana feel as well.
The interplay of the multiple layers of acoustic instrumentation, combined with the powerful 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies within the bands’ original compositions generates a sound that connects with fans of the traditional and the contemporary and draws new fans wherever their music is heard.
Kyle Aughe is a founding member of Dulahan and has been singing since he was very young, both on his own and in church choirs.
He began playing the acoustic guitar while in high school in Dayton, Ohio and almost immediately became fascinated with the art of songwriting which remains his first love to this day.
Kyle performed solo in small clubs in Columbus, Ohio while attending Ohio State University. Looking for a bigger sound to back up his original songs, he formed the country-folk band Green River in the mid 1970’s in Dayton. In search of a more layered acoustic-electric sound he founded the country-rock band Bramble, which was known for its fusion of acoustic instruments (guitar and piano) with the traditional electric and steel guitars of the 70’s, as well as strong 2- and 3-part harmonies.
Kyle was introduced to Celtic music initially through the live performances of some of the genre’s powerhouse Irish instrumental groups such as Dervish, Solas, Altan and Lunasa. It was exposure to the more vocal oriented Celtic artists like the Tannahill Weavers, Andy Stewart and The Old Blind Dogs that peaked his interest in writing and performing Celtic flavored compositions.
Dulahan was formed in 2001 and has increasingly featured Kyle’s Celtic themed songs as the core of their sound. His songs blend a variety of influences both traditional and contemporary celtic, with a touch of American Roots and forge the hybrid sound that is Dulahan. As with all the members of Dulahan, Kyle is a multi-instrumentalist. In the studio or in the course of a live performance, he will play guitar, banjo, bouzouki and harmonica.
Kyle and his wife Kathleen live in Dayton and have three children, Dylan, Mackenzie and Cassidy.
Leo Butler is a natural fit for Dulahan, growing up in a household where traditional Irish music was a staple. Raised on the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makum classics , he brings a great insight and traditional perspective to the bands sound. He is equally at home on a version of an old pub favorite or creating the perfect feel for the bands original material.
Leo is close to an original member of the group, joining the band very early on. His melodic whistle and flute lines are the dominant instrumental thread throughout all 8 of Dulahan’s CD releases and run the gamut from beautiful airs to rollicking whistle, flute or pipe solos galvanizing Dulahan’s songs.
Leo’s incorporation of the Highland bagpipes into Dulahan’s sound has allowed the band to explore songs that border on the edge of the Kilt Rock genre without abandoning their core acoustic nature. A number of the bands popular, high-energy live songs feature the dynamic interplay of Leo’s pipes and Greg’s fiddle work.
A very capable singer in his own right, Leo is a key contributor to the bands multi-part vocal harmonies . Leo is the proud father of two children, Ian and Megan, and lives with his wife Cindy, in Moraine, Ohio.
A talented instrumentalist and singer, Mark Sandlin adds key layers and texture to Dulahan’s music. His vocals, tasteful instrumentation and musicianship accentuate the band’s original sound. A veteran of regional bands Little Maggie and The Sky Kings, Mark has been actively involved with music since his elementary school days.
In addition to skillfully playing every stringed instrument on stage at a Dulahan show, Mark typically handles the challenging low harmony or high harmony parts in the band’s multi-part vocal arrangements (although not at the same time!). Mark has an incredibly diverse range of musical influences that span many genres and artists from Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to King Crimson and David Bowie.
Mark is also an experienced audio engineer and his introduction to Celtic music began in 2002 when he performed the audio engineering duties on Dulahan’s first CD project, the self-titled DULAHAN. Both Mark and the band considered it a good fit and he again was brought on as the recording engineer on the follow up project NOT AGAINST MY OWN. After working so closely with the band on both projects, he was a natural choice to replace founding member John Guy, who left the band in 2006.
On the next three CD projects — THE BLINK OF AN EYE, MIST OF THE IRISH SKY and DULAHAN: LIVE AT BAINBRIDGE — Mark very capably handled the dual roles of musician and engineer. On the bands’ three most recent CD’s — LITTLE BITS OF TRUTH, 88 YEARS and SULTANA — Mark took on co-producer duties in addition to his engineering and performance roles.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen
September 24, 2022 – 800-10:00pm
Pittsburgh-based Bastard Bearded Irishmen is one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows today. Their sound is an original, ferocious blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, mixed with punk, gypsy and high-energy rock n’ roll.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen, or BBI, was originally intended to be a one-night-only tribute for a dear, departed friend. Jimmy Bastard and Ben Jaber shared a passion for Irish music and enlisted Dan Stocker on drums and Danny Rectenwald on mandolin to form the nucleus of the band.
What began as a tribute in local pubs, turned into three records, constant touring, and sharing the stage with everyone from The Rumjacks to Gogol Bordello. They have one of the best St. Patrick’s Day shows in the country. They’re hard-partying and always in good spirit. The group’s lineup is rounded out by Paul Dvorchak on fiddle, Ryan Warmbrodt on rhythm guitar, and Sean-Paul Williams on bass.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen concerts are a non-stop barrage of party anthems, dancing tunes and maybe even the occasional whiskey-fueled ballad. The experience is always organic, and sometimes, unpredictable. Jimmy climbs the rafters and Danny jumps into the crowd. Maybe you get to do a solo. Who knows? Quite simply, the guys want you to have as much fun as they’re having.
The band’s third album, “Drinkin’ to the Dead,” will be released wide May 2018. It’s a tribute to fallen friends and family, one of the reasons Bastard Bearded Irishmen formed in the first place; a respectful remembrance of those who have passed with an acceptance to go on and live your best life. Standout tracks include “Green Side of the Hill”, “Drunken Drinkin’”, the cover of “Dirty Old Town” by Ewan MacColl and the epic ending and album-titled “Drinkin’ to the Dead.”
“Drinkin’ to the Dead” is full of surprises and new stretches for the band. The album further demonstrates that Bastard Bearded Irishmen is not just a St. Patrick’s Day band.
One other special note: this is first album where mandolinist and background vocalist Danny Rectenwald steps out to lead vocals on four tracks. Jimmy Bastard still leads vocals and is the principal songwriter on the remaining songs.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen is sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Iron City Beer.
BBI was voted “Best Rock Band in Pittsburgh” four years in a row (’12,’13,’14, ‘15) by the readers of the ‘Pittsburgh City Paper’, and “Best Bar Band” (2014 & 2015) by ‘Pittsburgh Magazine’. The band continues to make a name for itself, both regionally and nationally. They’ve opened for Dropkick Murphy’s and Stiff Little Fingers on the “Shamrock N Roll” tour in Pittsburgh, played with Gogol Bordello, Street Dogs, Chuck Ragan, The Rumjacks, Gaelic Storm, The Mahones, Reel Big Fish, Guttermouth, Rusted Root, The Clarks, as well as rocking regional festivals, “MusikFest” (Bethlehem, PA), “Roar on the Shore” (Erie, PA), “MountainFest” (Morgantown, WV), “Flood City Music Festival”(Johnstown, PA), “OC Bike Fest” (Ocean City, MD), Dublin Irish Fest (Dublin, OH), Celtic Classic (Bethlehem, PA), Indy Irish Festival (Indianapolis, IN), Pittsburgh Irish Festival, and three rock cruises, Sail Across the Sun (‘16, ‘17, ‘18) with national artists Train, Michael Franti & Spearhead, among others, and was quickly a boat highlight.
BASTARD BEARDED IRISHMEN ARE…
Jimmy Bastard – Guitars/vocals
Danny Rectenwald – Mandolin/guitar/vocals
Paul Dvorchak – Fiddle/vocals
Sean-Paul Williams – Bass/vocals
Dan Stocker – Drums
Ryan Warmbrodt – Rhythm guitar