2007 could just be the year of the Elders. The tremendously popular local Irish rock band is heading places, and it most likely won’t be your local pub.

The Elders released their sixth album, Racing the Tide, in mid-2006, which has already secured a national distribution deal that will expose the sextet to the rest of the United States. The band also has a popular DVD, “Live at the Gem,” on rotation at PBS stations.  And they’ve received several recent designations, ranging from top album of the year on paddyrock.com to second place in the most recent Celtic Music Awards.

The band is famous for their high-energy rock shows that exude a fiery Celtic-influence and comical story telling that is true to the culture they represent. For almost a decade, the Elders have combined folk, bluegrass and traditional Irish to create their unique, lively sound that will have you up on your feet and tapping your toes no matter where you are. They have a dedicated following of fans throughout the world -- some so dedicated that they’ll travel with them as they play throughout Ireland this March. But that’s just the type of band they are: nice enough to invite you along on vacation, friendly enough to share a story with you and if they’ve seen you at a couple of shows, they may even buy you a drink.

The charismatic group is comprised of musicians who each have a strong history in the local and regional music scene:  Norm Dahlor (bass, banjo, guitar and vocals), Brent Hoad (violin, mandolin and vocals), Joe Miquelon (keyboard and saxophone), Steve Phillips (guitar, mandolin and vocals) and Tommy Sutherland (drums and percussion). Ian Byrne, (vocals and percussion) from County Wicklow, Ireland, brings the band’s Celtic authority full-circle.

The band has been a headliner on the Midwest Irish festival circuit for years. Watch for them to become more prominent nationally as festival – and concert organizers for that matter – realize that an Elders performance brings out the masses.  

--Laren Mahoney (email) 

Video Downloads
[From "The Elders Live at the Gem"]
"Michael's Ride" (25 mb)
"Men Of Erin" (21 mb)