Tallahassee Highland Games and Celtic Festival

The McIlroys

JOHN, PATTI AND KATIE

Scotland’s Musical Ambassadors

The McIlroys are native Scots from Edinburgh, Scotland. A musical family group who now make their home in Florida’s Capital City, Tallahassee. They perform the best of Scottish/Irish traditional and contemporary music on bagpipes, guitar, flute, bhodrans  and great vocals.  A truly international Act their show has been enjoyed by thousands throughout the world; U.S.A., BERMUDA,  SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, IRELAND & WALES,  AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST and CRUISE SHIPS. They are delighted to return to Tallahassee Highland Games & Celtic Festival on it’s 10^th Anniversary.

Scotland’s Ambassadors of Music.  www.the-mcilroys.embarqspace.com

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Scots on the Rock

In 1978, Michael Bailey, blues and rock guitarist, left his rock band and vowed he would never form or join another band.  Twenty-five years later, Irish uilleann and Scottish Highland bagpipes caught his attention, and Mike’s love for playing music was rekindled; inspired by the sounds of Off Kilter and Seven Nations with Neil Anderson, he dreamed of a band that married Celtic music traditions with a rock beat.  Dream met Destiny at a wedding in Central Florida when Mike and Paulo Gallo were introduced as bagpiper for the groom and guitarist for the bride, respectively.

Paulo had recently moved to Tallahassee from West Palm Beach and had been working on Caledon Wood and other Celtic tunes at the time of this serendipitous meeting.  It wasn’t long before Paulo and Mike arranged a session at the house of Jay Hess, Paulo’s family friend and experienced drummer.  Hearing the sound of bagpipes, Jay’s neighbor Robin Rodgers wandered over to take a closer listen and then turned back for home to grab his guitar and join the session; Robin’s love for his own Scottish heritage and experience as an electric and bass guitarist were welcome additions to the ensemble.  Enthused by the synergy in music and personalities, Paulo began sending music to his brother, Julio, in West Palm Beach.  Julio played bass to the recordings in hopeful anticipation of joining the band; eight months later he sold his house and relocated his family to Tallahassee.

The self-proclaimed band of brothers played their first show at Shenanigan’s in Tallahassee in the fall of 2008.  They have now become a crowd favorite at many local venues, festivals, and Tallahassee Downtown Getdowns.

www.myspace.com/scotsontherock

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Two for the Brew

Kevin Mangran & Dick Rixey

Two for the Brew formed 7 years ago and have been providing the southeast with rollicking entertainment ever since. Dick Rixey (vocals & banjo) and Kevin Mangan (vocals & guitar) are disciples of Makem & Clancy and have been doing their part to keep the Celtic song tradition alive. With their varied repertoire of Scottish, Irish, Ausie and English sea songs, drinking songs, ballads and rebel tunes, Two for the Brew offers something for every fan of Celtic music.

www.myspace.com/twoforthebrew

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Fair Play

Colleen Dunn, dance
Jessica Epps, flute
Jaime Hammack, flute/whistle/vocals
Laura Keith, fiddle
Tim Kerns, bodhran
Fred Slade, guitar/vocals

The talented members of Irish band Fair Play bring to their audiences an all round traditional Irish music experience. Familiar tunes, whether they be spirited jigs and reels or slow and beautiful airs coupled with a diverse selection of songs are sure to evoke visions of the Emerald Isle. Punctuate the music with the thundering rhythms, and beauty of Irish step dancing and, a Fair Play performance is complete!

Fair Play musicians bring to the band several years of performance experience and a diverse selection of traditional instruments such as fiddle, flute, penny whistle, bodhran and guitar. And, our premier step dancer is a veteran international competitor and experienced performer.

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Paddy Go Easy