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Wicked Tinkers
Bio:
Prepare yourself for a wild ride with WICKED TINKERS! Pioneers of the growing Tribal Celtic movement, the Tinkers have been playing haunting, heart-pounding bagpipes and irresistible tribal drums as a professional touring band since 1995. With the addition, several years back, of the mesmerizing drone of the Australian didgeridoo and Bronze Age Irish horn, the magic was complete. Sit back and be transported to an earlier time in Scotland and Ireland, when battle cries filled the air and strange, unheard-of creatures roamed the night. Or better yet, get on your feet and let your body move to ancient rhythms and forgotten sounds.
Don't think this is dry, dusty music for museum shelves – WICKED TINKERS merge the best of modern, almost rock-and-roll energy with the hypnotic, insistent grooves of their Gaelic ancestors. Rare is the bystander who comes away without feeling a surprising, sometimes bewildering connection to long-forgotten primal emotions ... half-memories of ages past and experiences nameless yet somehow familiar. WICKED TINKERS creates music to set your jaw, put a fire in your belly, a glint in your eye and a dance in your feet.
(Wicked Tinkers's WebSite)

Tempest
Bio:
Celebrating 23 years of Celtic Rock!
Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing
Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 23 years
have seen the San Francisco Bay Area based act release fifteen critically acclaimed CDs and play more
than 2,000 gigs. It's also enjoyed an evolving line-up that's enabled its musicianship and creativity to rise
with each new member-something highlighted by the group's current roster.
LIEF SORBYE - lead vocals, mandoguitar, double neck mandolins
ADOLFO LAZO - drums
MICHAEL MULLEN - fiddle
GREGORY JONES - guitar
BRIAN FOX - bass
(Tempest WebSite)

Black Irish Band
Bio:
Hailing from the historic Gold Rush Country of America,
the five member Black Irish Band of twenty-three years and twenty-three albums, have a musical style that is as timeless as the rugged landscape of the west, a tribute to the people whose lives were spent building the world we now take for granted. The band has a large compliment of traditional maritime and railroad music, as well as ethnic tunes in their repertoire. They excel at Irish & Scottish, Italian, and American folk music with an assortment of original songs and traditional western ballads. The bands musical style captures the spirit of the Celtic immigrants of this land, the men and women who tamed the Wild West and forged a new land.
The band has sold over 130,000 albums independently to date, and their music has been featured on College Radio Stations, National Public Radio, and on Satellite Radio Programming. Their recent original song, "Grizzly of Old California", which features the vocals of Michael Martin Murphey, has been broadcasted on stations throughout the world. The band also boasts sixty-five music videos on You-Tube
(Black Irish Band's WebSite)
Black Eyed Dempseys
Bio:
Name your band after one of the greatest fighters in Irish history and you'd better be prepared to crank out some musical fisticuffs and all bets are off showdowns.That's exactly what BlackEyed Dempseys do and why they are fast becoming a favorite in the Northern California music scene. Now they are bringing their punk-Irish-vision to ever increasing audiences.
BlackEyed Dempseys blend traditional Celtic playing skills with rock 'n' roll hooks. Their sound has the familiarity to be instantly recognizable. When you hear them you know it is the Dempseys. They are engaging, and appealing to fans of all ages. Their live shows bring a raucous energy that cannot be denied. The Dempseys are proud to say that they have fans in Ireland and America and BlackEyed Dempseys have the support of Guinness/Diageo USA.
Stage presence, brilliant arrangements, traditional tunes and original compositions is what BlackEyed Dempseys deliver each time they take the stage. Their distinctive sound and command of their instruments combined with the band's enthusiasm and desire to connect with every member of the audience sets them apart.
The melodies of Mark Repking (banjo) and Keith Jukes (accordion); harmonies of Moe Crummet (guitar); the driving bass of Quinn Brentson and the rhythm of Josh Wagner's drums meld with Jamie Hill's bar hardened vocals and searing guitar to prompt a new look at Irish tradition.
The All Hallows Fantasy Faire writes: BlackEyed Dempseys ~ a hair-raising performance!

For More Music, Check Out Our the Information on Our Special Guest Solo Artist Here!
Celtica Pipes Rock
Explosive Show

With their unique sound of blazing bagpipes, mighty drums and the power of a rock band, CELTICA takes by storm all audiences from Highland Games and town festivals, to bankers and punk rockers. In addition to their high-energy music and fire juggling, flamethrowers on their instruments guarantee an exciting show: an event that‘s sure to please all the senses!
( Celtica's WebSite)

the 27 Annual
Sonora Celtic Faire
March 8th, 9th & 10th 2013

Bio:
Born in Delaware and raised in Maryland, Scott Williams took up the hammered dulcimer in college after a spontaneous purchase of one at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. A few months later, he was playing Christmas carols for the family church Christmas Eve service.

With Celtic, colonial, medieval, rock, and Renaissance influences, Scott has developed a repertoire of songs on the hammered dulcimer which he now performs at Downtown Disney, Scottish and Celtic festivals, street fairs, and shopping malls throughout
Orange County, Central and Northern California, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Scott plays and records the majority of what he calls his "backing tracks." These tracks are studio mixes of guitars, cello, bass, drums, mountain dulcimer, mandolins, and synthesizers to create the foundation of his music. As you listen, everything but the Celtic harp is performed and arranged by Scott to accompany his live hammered dulcimer.

Scott has four studio albums, The Burning of the Piper's Hut (American folk / colonial), The Road to Lisdoonvarna (Celtic), Home for the Holidays (Christmas), and Tristan of the Western Sea (massage / yoga / meditation).

Since the hammered dulcimer is such an unusual instrument, people are very drawn to it. Children, especially, find it mesmerizing. "It's perhaps the best part of this adventure," Scott says, "…watching the expressions on children's faces, talking to them, and the best is letting them play the dulcimer. There are always several that leave an impact on me whenever I play. It's very heartfelt and magical."
(Hammer Hands Music WebSite)
(Scott Williams WebSite)
Hammer Hands Music
Scott Williams
Lion Harp Music
Aryeh Franfurter
Bio:
Since 1994, Aryeh has been delighting audiences around the globe with his passionate, enduring and evocative music. His uncommon approach to the Celtic harp and folk harp repertoire, his multi-instrumentalist abilities and his numerous critically and commercially successful albums have earned him credit as a musician, recording and performance artist of extraordinary talents and abilities.

Aryeh Frankfurter currently pursues a career as a full time free lance musician, performance and recording artist based in San Francisco/Bay Area region of California. His notable performances include anywhere from playing in an intimate setting for Prince Charles and Lady Camilla Bowles Parker to extremely large audiences of 3400 in the outdoor ampitheatre Dalhalla in Rattvik, Sweden, to Sweden's oldest and largest music festival, Musik Vid Siljan, to Harpcons 2000, 2005 and Festival of Harps 2003, 2005 and 2006. His music has been featured on the internationally syndicated music program Echoes (PRI) as well as countless other radio stations throughout the world.
(Lion Harp Music WebSite)

Sequoia
Bio:
Sequoia is a
musical trio of friends who have been playing for special events and weddings in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties for the past sixteen years. They specialize in Celtic and American music, ranging through sweet airs and ballads, jigs and reels, and humorous vocals. Playing a variety of instruments, focusing on hammered dulcimer, guitar, and bass; They also include mandolin, octave mandolin, and flute in Their arrangements.
Sequoia is Norm and Pam Ivie, and Chris Miller.
Golden Bough
Bio:
Rooted in the traditional Celtic music of the seven Celtic nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, The Isle of Man, French Brittany and Spanish Galicia), Golden Bough has become a popular and in-demand group on both sides of the Atlantic.

Since their formation in 1980, this trio of modern day minstrels has traveled great distances to numerous countries, to bring their music to enthusiastic folk fans the world over. Backing themselves on an array of acoustic instruments; Celtic harp, guitar, octave-mandolin, mandolin, accordion, violin, penny-whistle and bodhran, they blend their voices in the pristine harmonies that have become a Golden Bough trademark.. To date they have released over 30 recordings. In the recording studio, as well as on stage, Golden Bough captures the essence and joy of traditional music.
( Golden Bough's Website)

Story Road
Avalon Rising
Check out our Awsome Line up! 11Bands!
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Bio:
Acclaimed traditional musicians Colleen Raney, Stuart Mason, and John Weed are teaming up to become one of the most exciting new groups on the West Coast. Meet Story Road.

Among the best Celtic singers of her generation, Colleen Raney is inspired by the Irish and Scottish songs and tunes that she grew up with in the rich Irish community in Seattle, Washington. Through her gorgeous voice and deft arrangements, Colleen manages to credit her background and stake claim as a serious presence in contemporary Celtic music.

“Singing with a deep love for the tradition, and for the dark poetry of Celtic song, Colleen has been drawing new life from the old ballads and renewing our love for Celtic music.” –Devon Leger, Hearth Music.

John and Stuart are members of Molly’s Revenge, a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band known for its unique and infectious enthusiasm. Molly’s Revenge has performed at many of the top folk festivals and performing arts events in the USA, and prestigious events in Australia, Scotland, and China. They have appeared on stage with John Doyle, Liz Carroll, Aaron Jones, and other top Celtic artists.
(Story Road's WebSite)

Bio:

Oakland, California-based Celtic rock band AVALON RISING is known for its unique sound -- a blend of original rock, Celtic, and Medieval music. Their rich acoustic/electric sound features brilliant male and female vocals over intricate instrumental arrangements, supported by a vibrant rhythmic background. Their line-up includes electric and acoustic guitars, electric violin, Celtic harp, flute, bass, mandocello, drums, and vocals.

With a repertoire that includes both original and traditional songs and ranges in feel from driving Celtic tunes to haunting harp-based ballads, Avalon Rising will enchant and excite you. Their music has been compared to Tempest, Loreena McKennitt, and Dead Can Dance with touches of Jethro Tull and the Grateful Dead.

Avalon Rising has been performing in the Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest for over fifteen years at clubs, festivals, pubs, benefits, and conventions. Festival performances include the Euro-American Festival in Jinan, China, the Livermore Scottish Games, the Modesto Scottish Games, the Sonoma County Fair, the Harmony Festival, the High Sierra Music Festival, and many more.

They headlined at the Oscar Party for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: The Return of the King. Their music has been used in a Boston Globe commercial, and can be heard in several movies, including Cost of a Soul, Valley of Fear, and Far From the Sea.
(Avalon Rising's WebSite)