Celtic Connections 2009

Tim O'Brien (b. March 16, 1954 in Wheeling, West Virginia) is an American bluegrass, old time and celtic musician. O'Brien plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki and mandocello and is an accomplished vocalist. He moved to Boulder, Colorado in the 1970s and became part of the music scene there. In 1978 he founded the bluegrass group Hot Rize. Hot Rize had its own offshoot band called Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers.

Robby Hecht’s music represents a return to the early 70s golden era of acoustic pop where thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics were blended with timeless melodies to impact mainstream music and culture. His debut album Late Last Night, produced by Lex Price (Mindy Smith) and mixed by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Josh Rouse), was released in May of 2008 and features an impressive list of guest performers including Mindy Smith, Jeff Coffin, Thad Cockrell, Jill Andrews of The Everybodyfields, John Deaderick (Patty Griffin), Andrea Zonn (James Taylor) and more.

Fiddlers’ Bid are internationally respected as leading exponents of their unique musical heritage and rich fiddle tradition and are global ambassadors for Shetland. A dynamic four fiddle front line joins with a powerhouse of piano, bass, guitar and Scottish harp to create a “display of stunning virtuosity”. Since their formation in 1991, the "flying fiddles and furious talent" of Fiddlers’ Bid have astounded audiences all over the world with their expressive, high energy music and performance. "Beware: Fiddlers’ Bid is infectious and habit-forming”.

Combining their love for traditional and folk music as well as original songs and tunes the Paul McKenna Band have been playing to audiences throughout the UK since 2006. With a contemporary approach to songs, although not straying too far from their roots, their arrangements are both fresh and innovative. Their exciting sound is created through outstanding vocals, driving Guitar and Bouzouki, intense Fiddle playing, a warm pairing of Flute and Whistles and dynamic Bodhrán and percussion.