On the Entertainment Stages
Kansas City boasts a strong and popular Celtic tradition, and our local musicians are always favorites wherever they play. The bands are lively and apt to have you stepping along. Don't miss the performances you'll see on two stages at the Games -- come enjoy the region's best in Kansas City.
See the Entertainment Schedule for times and performances.
Featured Performers 2008
THE ELDERS
(Main Stage)
High octane and progressive, yet rooted in tradition, The Elders have set the Celtic/American music scene on its ear with a skillful mix of amped-up roots rock, powerful vocals, blazing instrumentals and top-notch song writing.
They create original music that transcends the stereotypical notion of Celtic music and they deliver it with passion and fire. The songs are mystical, comical, political and cultural while covering a wide variety of topics such as poverty, civil war, family bonds, spirituality, love and friendship.
The Elders continuously attract capacity crowds throughout the US and abroad. Their fan-base is ever-expanding, consisting of people of all ages, from all walks of life, many who follow the band from gig to gig, sometimes driving for hundreds of miles to see their energetic performances.
Our Friday night Ceilidh is headlined by The Elders in concert at 8:30 p.m. Come open the Games Friday night with The Elders and enjoy Kansas City's Scottish weekend with us. The Elders online at www.eldersmusic.com/
 "Named the Elders for good reason. Decades of combined experience have taught the band smart stagecraft, superb showmanship and taut professionalism. Many superstar acts would envy the level of audience participation the Elders achieve." - Tim Finn, KANSAS CITY STAR
"The Elders are simply the best contemporary Irish band in America! See them live and you'll understand why they have such a following everywhere they've played." - Doug Clifton KCUV radio - Denver
Play The Elders video "Michael's Ride" (24 MB)
BARLEYJUICE
(Main Stage)
Barleyjuice is contagious. iTunes recently included "Whiskey To The Sea" on their Celtic Essentials Collection. Celtic Mp3s named Six Yanks Best Celtic Rock CD of 2006. Highlander Radio's online listeners voted "What's Up Yours?" Song of the Year in 2005. Fox's King of the Hill used "Jig Set" in their St. Patty's Day episode, and "Donnie Scot" found its way into the Sly Stallone film, Driven.
With four albums to date in their sporrans, these six yanks are currently one of the most beloved pan-celtic bands in the USA. Frontmen Kyf Brewer and Keith "Swanny" Swanson lithely cover lead vocals, guitars, accordion, harmonica, mandolin, bouzouki, and bagpipes. Both piped in the Loch Rannoch Pipe Band, and performed in Edinburgh's Millennium March for Prince Charles. While Swanson was once a member of New York's legendary Flailin' Shilaleghs, Kyf's been a pro performer since his first band, The Ravyns, produced the hit "Raised on the Radio" for the 1982 film Fast Times At Ridgemont High.
Backing Brewer & Swanson are a mad quartet of characters: captivating fiddler Billy Dominick, whose roots stray back to bluegrass in the middle of the most authentic jigs & hornpipes; drummer Gregor Schroeder, a powerhouse of driving decadence; whistler/banjo player Jimmy Carbomb (after the drink), a kiltmaking bard who fascinates fans with his ability to whistle and smoke simultaneously; and hopping bassist Eric Worthington, musical snake-charmer of the deep and dulcet.
The ayes have it - Barleyjuice is a grand group of talented tunesmiths and prodigious performers, and the absolute best time you can have at a festival without removing your kilt. Don't miss their Saturday night performance on the main stage at 9:00 p.m. Visit their website at www.barleyjuice.com/.
 "The musicianship is top-notch, and the chemistry between these guys is pretty electric - you can feel their enthusiasm bursting from the speakers." - Kyrby Raine, Ink 19
"That's a lot of instruments in the hands of very talented musicians and when you add in the voices you get magic. Kyf Brewer's voice is remarkable. Shades of Ronnie Drew, Shane McGowan, and Van the Man, but it is very much his own, crafted to deliver the songs he writes in the style he has written them, yes, that's what this band is all about - style." - Shay Clarke, Irish American News / Chicago
Play the Barleyjuice Video (27 MB)
BOB REEDER
(Tent Stage) Irish-American musician Bob Reeder is a captivating and versatile performer, entertainer, singer/songwriter and events/music producer. Armed with his 6- and 12-stringed acoustic guitars, banjo, cittern, and bagpipes, Bob has shared his music in pubs from New York to California, from Canada to Mexico; on radio interviews and network TV.
The best way to enjoy Bob’s gift of song is to spend an evening with him, traveling down many an old Irish path through hard-driving Irish songs or sensitive, intimate ballads.
WARNING: If you have a medical condition that discourages you from laughing, this isn’t a safe place for you. You will laugh harder than you have in a great while as you’re propelled along by rollicking toasts, audience sing-alongs, Irish ballads, rebel songs, limericks, and spontaneous banter on current affairs. Bob's website: www.bobreeder.net
KELLY!
(Tent Stage)
Kelly! is a new KC based band containing some of the finest players of Irish music KC has to offer. Led by the enchantingly dynamic voice of Kelly Dougherty, the ensemble offers the melodic, foot tapping sound of Mike Dugger on guitar and box, Turlach Boylan on tin whistle, flute, and mandolin, Mason Brown on viola de gamba and guitar and Dave Agee on fiddle. All are seasoned veterans of the Irish and Celtic music scene and offer sage experience and talent. Visit their website at www.kellyirishmusic.com.
ELLIS ISLAND
(Tent Stage)
Ellis Island is Mick Doyle and Dave Marsh, a duo who bring the Irish pub to America with traditional Irish songs and dance tunes. With strong vocals and over a dozen instruments, they deliver a versatile display of Irish music, humor and cabaret-style entertainment. Audiences will clap their hands and dance to traditional jigs and reels, sing along with ballads and pub songs, laugh to tales of Irish blarney, and wipe tears from their eyes to songs of Irish famine, war, and immigration. Find them online at www.ellisislandmusic.com.
ANTIOCH MIDDLE SCHOOL FIDDLERS
(Tent Stage)
Stephen Pelkey is currently the strings teacher at Clardy Elementary and Antioch Middle School. He moved to the Kansas City area from Houston, Texas in 2001. Mr. Pelkey has received several awards since his arrival in Kansas City including the nationally recognized Mr. Holland's Opus Award for his program at Clardy Elementary, the Dan Kahler Grant for innovative teaching and the 2005 Teacher of the Year Award from the Kansas City area Music Teachers Association. He organized the Fiddling/Jazz Group which performs in Gladstone and surrounding areas. This group consists of students in grades 6-8 and focuses on Old Tyme, Celtic, Scottish, Mariachi and Jazz music.
UNCLE DIRTYTOES
(Tent Stage)
With a specialization in Scottish music that borders on obsession, the Lawrence-based Toes have been delivering their brand of British style folk-rock to fans in the Midwest for over fifteen years. This year they headlined Lawrence’s Burns Night Celebration, as well as playing in conjunction with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Maria Anthony (guitar, flute, vocals) and Megan Hurt (violin, vocals) have been playing together in various musical arrangements since 1988, and as Uncle Dirtytoes since 1991. Veteran lead guitarist Roger Holden has been with the band since 1993, Mark von Schlemmer joined on bass and vocals in 1995 and Mike Fitzgerald began drumming with the 'Toes in 1996. Several years ago they were joined by Barry Barnes on percussion, and Darrel Lea on guitar and vocals is a frequent guest-toe.
Dirtytoes plays originals, traditional and classics, in styles which range from sweetly acoustic to full on Celtic psychedelic rock. Online at www.kchighlands.org/~dirtytoes/
THE KELIHANS
(Tent Stage)
Songs of family and friends, old times and legend. Pub rock with punk energy and working class harmonies.
Birthed from the midtown of Kansas City behind years of weekly duty at happy hour. Given to sometimes raucous, sometimes beautiful, deliveries of original tunes and heartfelt traditionals offered to honor a heritage that inspires us. Visit online at www.myspace.com/thekelihans
FLANNIGAN'S RIGHT HOOK
(Tent Stage)
 Flannigan's Right Hook is rising on the Kansas City music scene with some versatile, widely-based roots in Irish and American pop and rock. Well versed in classic standards, these three young men have an edge and energy that engages and lifts audiences across the metro. Humbly calling themselves the "8th best Irish band in Kansas City", bets are on that their ranking is moving up. Cameron Russell on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Shane Borth on lively and lyrical violin and vocals and Michael Cochran on drums and vocals are local lads with a growing fan base in the city. Expect to hear more good things of this threesome, who are scheduled to open for the Elders at Friday night's concert at the Games. Bring friends and enjoy their performance on the mainstage at 7:00 p.m. MySpace profile at www.myspace.com/flannigansrighthook
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