| Biographies
for the folks involved with Celtic Crossroads: Click
here for the Cafe Buzz item about this fantastic evening of entertainment
on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, Maryland.
The
Rogues Based in Houston, Texas, the Rogues are international performers
with appearances all over North America and Scotland. Their genuine warmth and
interaction with audiences has made them a favorite at festivals, Highland Games
and Celtic music venues. The Rogues have entertained celebrities and statesmen,
and have shared the stage with Natalie McMaster, The Battlefield Band, and Steeleye
Span. In nine years, they have produced six albums and a DVD, and with their fourth
and fifth releases--Off Kilter and V.0--combined, have been nominated for six
Grammys. Visit them online at www.therogues.com.
The Rogues are:
Randy Wothke (snare drum, bodhran, doumbek, drums,
percussion, keyboard) help found The Rogues in 1994. He has a degree in Music,
has almost completed a Masters degree in Music Conducting, and has taught percussion
for nearly 25 years. Randy has competed at numerous Scottish Highland games throughout
the United States in the open snare drum classification and he has twice competed
in Scotland with the World Champion Hamilton Pipe Band Through his pipe band experiences,
Randy has performed for the Queen of England, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor,
Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, and has opened for Rod Stewart. Traveling
around the country with his wife Sharon, he devotes his efforts full-time to managing
the band's business, performing and writing music. Nelson Stewart
(bodhran, guitar, bass, keyboard), the newest member of band, has a wealth of
musical experience in such diverse genres as rock, Celtic, folk and jazz. He plays
many musical instruments and is a founding member of The Swinish Multitude. Nelson
has recorded with various artists as a studio musician and has shared the stage
with such popular groups as Our Lady Peace, Big Sugar, Ashley MacIsaac, Leahy,
Kilt, and The Mahones. He is also the lead singer and songwriter for The Fictionmakers.
During the week, Nelson teaches English and music in Hamilton, Ontario, where
he also conducts a stage band. In his spare time he enjoys playing ice hockey
and writing and recording music at his home recording studio. Lars
Sloan (bagpipes), who was raised in Michigan, has been playing the bagpipes
since he was 7 years old and began winning competitions at age 9. By the time
he was 18, he had climbed up through the ranks to the open class. He has won over
40 trophies and two hundred medals competing in the US, Canada, and Scotland.
Lars has played for mayors, governors, and two presidents, and has performed privately
for Lady Bird Johnson, Clint Eastwood, Jane Seymour, and Kevin Costner. In 1983,
he opened the Hamilton School of Piping in Houston, Texas. He is the originator
of the old Clandestine band, the Hamilton Pipe Band, the Houston Police Pipe Band
and the Walter Rose Memorial Pipe Band. Lars has been with The Rogues since late
'96 and is an innovative composer of several of their best-loved tunes.
Jimmy Mitchell (bagpipes) started playing bagpipes at the age of 10 at
the renowned St. Thomas Episcopal High School, considered by many to be the top
piping school in the world. After graduation, Jimmy successfully competed with
the Hamilton Pipe Band for 10 years, which has earned several US and world titles.
He has also competed in solo competitions all over the U.S. and has earned many
awards, including two Piper of the Day awards, and third place at the prestigious
Nicol Brown Invitational. In his travels, he has played for Prince Charles and
the Republican National Convention. Studying under some of the world's best players,
his mastery and steady control of the bagpipes has earned him the nickname "The
Rock."Jimmy has a degree in Business Administration, and with the exception
of a one-year sabbatical, has been playing with the Rogues since 1995. He assists
with band business and composes some of their music. The Willow Band
The Willow Band was formed in March 2002, after E.J. Jones asked his friends Rosie
Shipley and Gerry O'Beirne to help him record an instrumental album of primarily
original music called The Willow. Gerry produced the album and added vocals and
original compositions, and Rosie accompanied the majority of the tracks on fiddle.
These three incredibly talented musicians produced an amazingly beautiful album,
which they decided they wanted to share with live audiences. Their unassuming
and engaging personalities work dynamically on stage to captivate audiences, and
their combined skill on their instruments makes this group an all-star lineup.
This show is their debut in the Maryland area. Visit them online at www.thewillowband.com.
The Willow Band are: E.J. Jones (Highland bagpipes, Uillean pipes,
flutes, whistles, bombarde) from Houston, Texas, is best known for his work with
the band Clandestine over the last six years. With Clandestine, he toured the
U.S. extensively, performed at the Festival Interceltique de Loriant several times,
and recorded four albums. E.J. has received significant critical acclaim for both
his playing and compositions. On his own, he competes in open-class Highland piping
around the U.S. and has competed with World Champion Pipe bands in Scotland. He
teaches, records, and pipes in Houston when not touring. Visit him online at www.piperjones.com.
Gerry O'Beirne (6 & 12 string guitars, slide guitar, ukulele, vocals)
was raised in West Ireland and in Ghana, West Africa. Gerry is a self-taught master
of the six and twelve string guitar and is a renowned songwriter. Many of his
songs have been recorded by prominent artists on the Irish music scene, including
Maura O'Connell, Mary Black and Cathie Ryan. His first solo album, Half Moon Bay,
was chosen as one of the best 12 independent releases of 2000 by Performing Songwriter
Magazine and as one of Folkworld's top ten albums of the year. Gerry has toured
around the globe with several bands and artists including Patrick Street, The
Sharon Shannon Band, Midnight Well, The Waterboys, Andy M Stewart, Martin Hayes,
Kevin Burke and Andy Irvine. Visit him online at www.gerryobeirne.com.
Rosie Shipley (fiddle) a native of Baltimore, has been playing the fiddle
since she was three years old. As a child, she studied under master fiddler Brendan
Mulvihill, and as a teenager, she attended at the Gaelic College of Arts and Crafts
on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. She is well versed in both traditional Irish
and Scottish music, especially from Cape Breton. Rosie has performed in festivals
on the East Coast and in Nova Scotia, and currently performs with Willow and Cherish
the Ladies. She conducts workshops and runs a private music studio for Irish and
Cape Breton music. She recently released her first solo album, at home,
featuring the music of Ireland and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Visit her online
at www.shipwhistle.com.
GUEST
MUSICIANS
Lori Poteat (fiddler) has performed as a violinist
for orchestras and various chamber groups throughout the U.S. and abroad for over
ten years. After receiving a degree in music theory, her fascination with music
of various world cultures has led her to pursue a Master's degree and Ph.D. in
ethnomusicology. Charmed by the music of the Celtic lands, Lori has performed
at many festivals and folk venues with her band, Celtic Soul, who actively tour
the eastern United States. They recently released their fourth CD. To learn more
about their music, visit them online at www.celticsoulband.com.
Klaus Weiland (mandolin, guitar) started playing guitar when he was
17 years old, and in a very short time became famous on the German folk scene.
In the early '70s, Klaus played guitar and sang with Hannes Wader, the "Bob
Dylan of Germany." He is a self-taught master of the guitar, bouzouki, mandolin,
banjo and other string instruments. During his musical career in Germany, he composed
music for a ballet which was performed at the State Theatre and a tune which became
famous as a television station call sign. He disappeared from the German music
scene to travel the world, but has returned in the last 10 years to make additional
CDs and give concerts in Germany. Currently, he lives with his family in Texas.
Visit him online at www.klausweiland.com.
SPECIAL
GUEST ARTISTS
Gregory Isaac (Director, Master of Ceremonies)
is an accomplished Shakespearean and repertory theater professional. He recently
moved to Chicago from his hometown Atlanta and has worked regionally with various
companies. Among them: The Goodman Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare
Theatre, The Writers' Theatre, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival, About Face Theatre,
Theatre in the Square, Theatre at the Center, The Jewish Theatre of the South,
The Shakespeare Festival of Dallas and The New American Shakespeare Tavern. Most
recently he appeared as Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona with Shakespeare
on the Green in Lake Forest, IL. Christopher Davis (comedian) is
an actor, author and performance artist who holds a B.A. in Philosophy (cum laude)
from Villanova University. Also known as "The Renaissance Man,"Chris
has been entertaining and educating audiences of all ages since 1988. He has the
honor of performing each year for a great many schools, from kindergarten through
college. His educational programs make history and literature more accessible
and enjoyable for his audience, while giving them the chance to actively participate.
He also performs for businesses and non-profit organizations. You can contact
Chris at (610) 687-8667; P.O. Box 330, Wayne, PA 19087; or visit him online at
www.renaissance-man.com.
VOCALISTS
Gerry O'Beirne (see Willow Band)
- Gerry's official site is at GerryOBeirne.com
Click here for a previous Cafe
Buzz item about this amazing musician. Maia Rodriguez was born and
raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Syracuse University, Maia is an accomplished
vocalist, pianist and actor. She most recently returned from Japan where she performed
in a Broadway musical review for Tokyo DisneySea, reprising the singing roles
of Mama Rose, Evita, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Prior to that, she performed
with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, and was the musical director and songwriter
for the musical, Pirates, portraying the role of Treasure, the evil Captain¹s
wife. She has toured the country with her musical group, the Naughty Nymphs, and
produced their CD, "Bube's . . . Live!"Currently she resides in New
York City and is pursuing a career on Broadway. Heather (Bannon) Bell,
a native of Bowie, Maryland, Heather grew up in a military family, but was fortunate
to attend a high school with a strong emphasis in the arts. She has been involved
in music theater for the past 12 years, during which time she attended the renowned
Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. She has performed at several area
theaters. Her favorite roles were those from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored
Dreamcoat, H.M.S Pinafore, and a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
She is currently teaching, and resides in Mitchellville with her new husband.
Jenesse (Jordan) Wannall has been singing for as long as she can remember.
She has performed at folk venues, coffeehouses, and churches throughout the mid-Atlantic
for over 9 years. Within that period of time, she has produced 2 recordings and
has composed much of her own music. Jenesse currently resides in Hagerstown, Maryland
with her husband and 2 year old daughter. DANCERS The
Broesler School of Irish Dance
- The school boasts several national champions and are renowned in Irish Dancing
circles. Broesler.com Caitlin
Golding, age 14, began dancing at 8 years old. She has earned Open Championship
level, and is currently the 3rd placeholder at the National Championships. She
will be attending the All-Scotland and Great Britains Championships in October,
and also the All-Ireland and World Championships in 2004. Caitlin is an Honor
Role Student at C. Milton Wright High School in Bel Air. Maura Hodgetts,
age 16, dancing since she was 5 years old with Kevin Broesler School and she is
a junior at Garrison Forest School where she also plays lacrosse and sings in
the choir. Maura's accomplishments in dance includes winning both southern and
eastern regional competitions several times, and has won prizes at international
competitions in Ireland, Scotland, and England, including the World Championships.
Michelle Eiden, age 18, dancing since she was 6 years old. She
is a recent graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul High School, where she also played
varsity soccer and lacrosse. Michelle has qualified 2 times at the regional level
to compete at the World Championships in Ireland and Scotland. 2002 she traveled
to Glasgow to compete in her first World Championship, and this October will be
competing at the Great Britain Championship. Katie Fox, age 20,
began dancing when she was 7 years old. She has been with Kevin Broesler School
for 13 years. As one of Kevin's senior dancers, Katie has performed repeatedly
for such entertainers as the Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies, and Eileen Ivers.
Competitively, Katie has qualified eight times for the World Championships.
The Thistle Dancers (Scottish Highland dancing), formed in 1998,
have performed extensively throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington,
DC area at such events as National Tartan Day, the Potomac Celtic Festival and
the Scottish Heritage Festival. They have performed at the Smithsonian Institute
and City Hall in Old Town Alexandria. The dancers this evening (from left to right:
Katherine Forsyth, Sarah Painter, Leslie McIntyre, and Victoria Major) are all
premier, competitive Highland Dancers and perform under the direction of their
instructor and founder, Susan Walmsley. They are available for private functions
such as weddings, festivals, and celebrations. For performance information, or
instruction in either Highland dance or the Great Highland Bagpipe, please contact
Susan at:
703-913-6143 or e-mail her by clicking
here.
LEARN ABOUT THE ROGUES: www.therogues.com LISTEN
TO THE ROGUES: www.mp3.com/The_Rogues
Feature: Bernadette
Price
Original Web Design: Alexander
Servas
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