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ARTISTS:

Chris Grotewohl - banjo

Chris started playing the 5-string banjo in 1972, at the age of fifteen. His early influences were Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, J.D. Crowe and Earl Scruggs. While primarily a bluegrass player who made occasional forays into jazz and blues, Chris's initial exposure to Irish music happened in the 1980's, through recordings by the Bothy Band, whistle player Mary Bergin, and the banjo player Charlie Piggott, of the group De Dannan. He became interested in playing Irish dance tunes on the 5-string banjo, but it didn't seem possible to him until he heard Bela Fleck play a couple of reels single-string style at a banjo workshop in Winfield, KS. Chris changed his approach, and has been "under the influence" ever since.Chris began concentrating on Irish traditional music about ten years ago, playing in sessions in Kansas City and with fiddler Rebecca Pringle. In addition to the local musicians with whom he has played, he counts fiddler Paddy Glackin, Tommy Peoples, Kevin Burke, Liz Carroll and Andy McGann as constant sources of inspirations. The bouzouki playing of Roger Landes and the piping of Kieran O'Hare continue to influence Chris's playing. He Know plays with the "Tiehackers" with Dan Grotewohl, Zan McLeod and Paddy League

Roger Landes - bouzouki 1-12; guitar 2,9

During his decade with Scartaglen, Roger Landes developed a highly personalized, driving and energetic style of accompaniment on the bouzouki, becoming one of the most accomplished Irish-style accompanists in this country. Roger is also one of the few players to master the intricacies of traditional Irish melody on the bouzouki, mandolin and guitar.

Zan McLeod - guitar 1,4,5,10,11; dumbek 4,11

Zan was well versed in rock and bluegrass styles when he first began playing Irish music while performing with Mike Cross in Chapel Hill, NC. Shortly thereafter he formed the group Touchstone with former Bothy Band member Triona Ni Dhomhnaill. Since that group's breakup in 1985, Zan has become one of the most sought after guitarists in Celtic music and has performed with such notable figures as Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, Seamus Connolly, Paddy Keenan, The Greenfields of America, Seamus Egan, James Kelly and may others.

Valerie Plested - fiddle 1,4-9,10-12

A San Antonio native, Valerie took up the fiddle at the age of sixteen after hearing Ohio group Fannigan's Isle. Her first lessons were from Jim Fox. She has since studied with Eileen Ivers, Brendan Mulvihill and James Kelly, but she lists New York fiddler Brian Conway as her primary influence.

Albert Alfonso - bodhran - 2,3,7,8,9

Albert took up the bodhran in the early '80s when he got his one and only lesson from Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh of DeDannan. He has since become widely respected as an innovator on the instrument, performing on occasion with Altan, The Greenfields of America, Solas, Mark O'Connor, and Tim Britton. Albert is also quickly becoming known as one of the finest bodhran makers - his unique, tunable drums are now greatly in demand.

Connie Dover - keyboards - 7,9,12

Connie Dover is widely considered to be one of the finest vocalist in Celtic music. Her critically acclaimed solo recordings, "Somebody", and "The Wishing Well", have achieved international success, and she was one of four vocalists featured on the best-selling 1995 Narada release "Celtic Voices". With all the attention given to her singing, Connie's considerable talent on keyboards is not widely known. This she brings to three of the sets recorded here.

Kieran O'Hare - uilleann pipes 1,5,10

A native of Kansas, 25 year old Kieran is at the forefront of the newest generation of uilleann pipers. Raised in a musically rich household, he took up the pipes, flute, and tinwhistle in his early teens. Kieran lived for 3 years in Dublin, where he completed a degree at Trinity College, and was an instructor at Na Piobairi Uilleann, The Piper's Club. Kieran O'Hare is now based in Baltimore, where he is a full time player and teacher of Irish music.

Lane Turner - rhythm eggs 7