Noteworthy Artist Alumni |
Clandestine |
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Clandestine stopped touring in 2003. (Some of their CDs are still available at www.piperjones.com/music.html)
They recently reformed with new member, Al Cofrin, on Irish cittern, folk guitar, and medieval bagpipes (who took the place previously occupied by Jen Hamel).
More information is available at www.clandestineceltic.comThis Houston-based Celtic band has exploded on the music scene in the last few years. Clandestine is E.J. Jones on Highland bagpipes, Jennifer Hamel on guitar and vocals, Gregory McQueen on fiddle and Emily Dugas on percussion and vocals. Their roots are solidly planted in tradition but their youthful verve and innovative arrangements bring the music to life. The original numbers by E.J. Jones and/or Jennifer Hamel blend seamlessly into the total show. Their exemplary musicianship led to their being the only American band invited to compete in the "New Band Competition" in the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, in France and placing in the finals in 1997. They have just been invited to return in 2000. Their sound is so contemporary and exhilarating that it had the overflow audience moshing in the front of the stage at the 1999 Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA! "There are several bands playing Celtic music in America - Clandestine, for my money, is the best on the continent right now." ~ Brian McNeill |
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Dave's True Story |
DTS has decided to take a hiatus.
Kelly is working on a solo recording, Dave is writing new songs and
Jeff is playing bass with everyone in Manhattan.
Featuring Dave Cantor's intelligent, quirky lyrics, Kelly Flint's smooth-as-silk vocals and Jeff Eyrich's upright bass for a solid rhythm track, this jazzy folk combo keeps showing up in the most fascinating places. On two compilation CDs put out by Pottery Barn, alongside Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. As the band for Katrina Witt on NBC's "Divas on Ice". On the soundtrack of the hit movie, Kissing Jessica Stein, where they had two songs, including "Crazy Eyes" (which is playing at the pivotal moment when Jessica receives the forementioned kiss from Helen). In a half page article in the New York Times. They have six independent CDs whose combined sales have passed 50,000 units. Their most recent releases illustrate their diversity. Nature presents their newest originals. They quickly followed that with Project Remix, featuring the songs from Nature reworked by turntableists and scientists. A month later, they released Simple Twist of Fate, a collection of Dylan covers done as only DTS can. This is a group that gives "eclectic" whole new meanings. They have a rare knack for connecting with their audiences, with Dave telling the tale of the inspirations for his unique songwriting while Kelly passes around her newest collection of baby pictures to the audience. An evening with Dave's True Story is groovy, spontaneous, and entertaining. This is a Story worth hearing. "It's been said, "You're born. You die." If you're lucky, you learn to walk upright, keep the Devil interested but waiting, and gasp in wonderment at Dave's True Story's new album, Nature." ~ Dane McCauley, Chronogram |
Noteworthy Friend: Linda Dunn |
Linda Dunn, who originally designed this website, is also
a songwriter. Here's a short bio and a link to her record company so you can buy her CD.
She still does design work also.Linda is a new voice on the Americana scene in more ways than one. She can wrap her smoky alto around a bluesy-country tune, kick the slats out on a rockin’ number or bop through a pop parody. Armed with a Masters degree in Creative Writing, this is a tunesmith with attitude. When one of her demo tapes found it's way to Bob Dawson, Mary Chapin Carpenter's engineer, he contacted her to offer to produce her next release at the renown Bias Studios. The result is a stunning debut album, Linda Dunn, with production qualities that match the strength of the artist’s skills. Whether introducing us to her worn-out "Guardian Angel" or eulogizing Jimmy Hendrix "In the Chelsea", Linda is a lady with something to say and the talent to say it in a way that engages both our intellect and our emotions. "Intelligent, sassy, literate and playful - a rare combination" ~ John McCutcheon." |
Aengus Finnan |
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Aengus is keeping busy in his native Canada with producing the Shelter Valley
Festival and renovating a space for a gallery so has put touring on hold.Born into a theatre family, Aengus Finnan worked as an actor, research diver and teacher before finding his true calling as a songwriter and troubadour. Since his first paid gig less than four years ago, he has toured the breadth of his native Canada several times, starting with rooms of a dozen people and building to sold-out shows. His debut recording, Fool's Gold, was nominated for "Folk/Roots Album of the Year" (Canada Music Week) and picked up by Festival for distribution. A single received a "Songs From the Heart" award from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals. A new album, North Wind, was released on the Borealis label in 2002. Aengus has just received the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal for his significant contribution to Canada, to their community, and to fellow Canadians. This stunning success stems from a combination of solid songwriting skills, a comfort with the stage and a fierce dedication to this music career he has chosen. With a flourishing career in Canada, Aengus decided it was time to establish himself in the States. Performing triumphs at both the Northeast Folk Alliance and the 2002 International Folk Alliance formal showcase coupled with being picked as one of six winners in New Folk at the Kerrville Folk Festival have him well on his way. (US bookings only.) "Finnan's songs remember what was forgotten, restore what was lost and redeem what might have been." ~ David Newland, Toronto, ON |
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Hot Soup! |
Noteworthy Productions has represented Hot Soup since 1996 and
is proud to have been part of moving them from a regional phenomena to a national touring group.
All things have a time and it is time to grow and change in different directions.
They will be moving their bookings in-house and we hope you will continue to support their music.
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 Everyone knows about soup:
it is good and good for you - and your mother is pleased you had some! In the same way, Hot Soup serves up a blending of many fine
and diverse musical sensations to create a tasty dish that is warm and satisfying.
Comprised of Sue Trainor, Christina Muir and Jennifer Agner, the harmonic convergence of their
voices is magical and the tunes cover a wide span of rhythms and styles. Recognizing few boundaries,
Hot Soup will cover blues, folk, Celtic, swing, Calypso and novelty tunes in one evening. Whether presenting
known favorites or unique originals, Hot Soup's shows are high-energy, utterly charming and totally engaging.
"..voices harmonize beautifully and live performances sparkle" ~ Sing Out! |
The McKrells |
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The McKrells bring Bluegrass together with its Celtic roots,
toss in the heartfelt fervor of folk and put it all out there with the energy of rock.
Leader Kevin McKrell has come into his own as a songwriter, with a song that the Fureys
took to the top of the charts in Ireland and Australia. The group boasts award-winning
instrumentalists - Chris "Lee" Leske (banjo); Craig Vance (guitar); Brian Mellick (percussion);
Doug Moody (fiddle) - who provide show-stopping complements to the original and
traditional tunes. The McKrells' name on the marquee has proved to be a sure-fire sold-out show
any place where they have played regularly. This genre-bending, no-holds-barred approach
to the music has earned them support slots for Solas, Altan, Fairport Convention and Travis Tritt.
After a decade with Donnybrook Fair and working as a solo in the Eighties,
Kevin McKrell has now put together the band that he heard in his head for years."With their emotive vocals and fiery picking...the only thing between the McKrells and world domination is time." ~ David Malachowski, Metroland (Albany, NY) |
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Debi Smith |
Debi is spending quite a bit
of time touring with the Babes but will take a solo date if you make her an
alluring offer. You can contact her directly via her website.The long-haired beauty from the Four Bitchin" Babes has been called "Maria Callas in blue jeans". Her years of touring with her sister, Megan, as the Smith Sisters, took her to some of the most prestigious festivals and club, allowing her to hone her performance skills. Playing guitar, bodhran or piano, Debi Smith is as versatile stylistically as she is instrumentally, moving from a contemporary original into traditional folk, throwing in a country tune for good measure and punctuating the whole show with warmth and humor. Her amazing three-octave range and her superb writing skills are the cornerstones of a stunning solo album on Shanachie, More Than Once, which received a Washington Area Music Award for "Best Contemporary Folk Recording" in 1998. Debi's third solo recording, Red Bird Red, was released by Shanachie Records in 2001. "For me, Debi represents great songs sung with a God-given voice like few others. She is pure music. " ~ Tom Paxton |
Andy M. Stewart & Gerry O'Beirne |
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Andy had back surgery in December, 2005 and it is not clear when he will be touring in the
States again as there are concerns about his flying.Scottish singer Andy M. Stewart's voice and songs have graced the Celtic music scene for over 30 years. As the singer/songwriter for the legendary band, Silly Wizard, he gained international recognition for his lovely interpretations of the older songs of Scotland and Ireland and became known a master of songwriting in the traditional style. His original tunes, such as "...classic songs (delivered) with riveting strength and grace...austerely compelling ballads of love and exile and heartache...and mischievous comic numbers filled with those daft ingenious rhymes." ~ Scotland on Sunday | |
Tanglefoot |
Tanglefoot has decided to
move their bookings in-house. You can reach them through their website.Everything about Tanglefoot seems to be larger than life. These five guys from Ontario pull out all the stops in their high-octane, full-throttle show. They're fun, they're loud and they are writing great songs. Joe Grant, Steve Ritchie, Al Parrish, Bryan Weirmier and Terry Young bring a rare intensity and energy to their art which has them touring throughout Canada, the United States and Great Britain to wildly enthusiastic crowds. Every member takes a turn on lead vocals and then they put all that talent together to deliver a harmony sound that is simply breathtaking. Combining tradition with creativity, the hilarious with the poignant and the furious with the passionate, Tanglefoot fuses high musical standards with superior showmanship. "A spirited quintet of robust male voices with an unquenchable lust to perform that comes across the footlights like a cyclone" ~ Stephen Pedersen, Halifax Chronicle-Herald |
Terry Tufts |
Terry has decided to confine his touring to his native Canada.
The difficulty in obtaining visas played a large part in this decision.
He strides on to the stage with a wide grin for all, an imposing stage personality that CBC Radio has called "one of the finest finger-style guitarists in Canada". Terry Tufts has been making music for over three decades and his abilities have taken him to Australia, Finland and Sweden, in addition to pretty much every corner of his native Canada. Renowned for his skill on a myriad of instruments (dobro, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer and more), Terry also has a true, sweet voice with an impressive vocal range. Terry has six recordings to his credit, with three on the Borealis label. His most recent, Better Fight, covers a range of influences, including pop, folk and country. He can always be counted on for "honest, intelligent lyrics delivered with passion" (Ottawa Citizen) with texture provided by his tasteful instrumental arrangements. In the last two years, Terry has been making friends south of the border with The Way We Feel Tour (see below). Picked for a formal showcase at the 2005 NERFA Conference in New York, he put on a masterful show which should jumpstart a solo career in the US. He blends a well-travelled personal history into music without boundaries. "Melodies are breathtakingly beautiful, as is Tufts' pure and steely tenor, and his stunning guitar work is allowed to anchor every piece..." ~ Greg Quill, Toronto Star |
