The Elders

Artist Information

Biography

Since forming in 1998, The Elders have set the music scene on its ear, thanks to a skillful blend of American roots rock and amped-up Celtic folk; a cross-pollination of elements that is high-octane and progressive, yet rooted in tradition.

It didn’t take long to establish themselves as one of the top American Celtic-rock bands, headlining the biggest Celtic festivals in North America & Europe, and quickly gaining critical attention in prestigious publications such as PASTE Magazine, Music Row Magazine, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Goldmine Magazine, TRAD Magazine (France), Chicago Sun-Times, Kansas City Star and many more.

Employing a variety of instruments including guitars, drums, banjo, accordion, mandolin, piano & fiddle, these six gentlemen collectively create music that transcends the stereotypical notion of Celtic music. Powerful four part harmonies, blazing instrumentals and song writing that is unaffected by fads, trends and the giant maw of mind-numbing commercialism.

Their 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 – They tell us stories of people, places and events - some recent, some distant, some real and some imagined.

Radio embraced several tracks from their previous album, “Gael Day,” released in 2009, and their latest album “Wandering Life & Times,” released in 2011, resulting in top 25 positions on the national Americana Radio chart.

The band is also familiar to many television viewers, thanks to the more than 130 PBS stations across the nation that aired their "Live at the Gem Theater" Concert Special.

To date, The Elders have produced 6 full-length studio CDs and 3 live CD/DVDs
The most recent project is "The Elders Hoolie" DVD recorded live at the historic Uptown Theater in Kansas City, MO on St. Patrick’s Day 2012.



ELDERS CATALOG:
2000 CD – “The Elders”
2002 CD – “Pass it on Down”
2004 CD – “American Wake”
2005 DVD/CD - “Live at the Gem Theater" (Live)
2006 CD – “Racing the Tide”
2007 DVD/CD – “Alive & Live in Ireland” (Live)
2009 CD – “Gael Day”
2010 CD – “The Best of The Elders”
2011 CD - Wandering Life & Times”
2012 DVD/CD - "The Elders Hoolie" (Live)




ELDERS PRESS:

"Thrilling, propulsive, fantastic Celtic-pop. The Elders are a real find ... a band to shout from the rooftops about. Robert Oermann - MUSIC ROW Magazine

"The key to the band’s success is in its flawless blending of the Celtic storytelling tradition with contemporary instrumentation and, perhaps more importantly, their ability to write original songs that sound as timeless and authentic as the ancient jigs and reels that have inspired them." Brian Baker - PASTE MAGAZINE

“The Elders have developed a reputation for bristling live shows and, even better, for exceeding their lofty reputation.” Tim Finn - Kansas City Star

“This Kansas City powerhouse is still growing musically, as evidenced by ‘Wanderin‘ Life & Times,’ strong story-telling and poetic lyrics backed by carefully thought-out musical accompaniment, at the same time capturing much of the energy and eclecticism of a live Elders show.” Mark Sisti? - Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events?
“Wanderin’ Life & Times is without a doubt my favorite cd from 2011. Go out and buy this album. Afterwards, find out where they’re playing and go see them. I can only imagine how good of a show they put on.” An enthusiastic 4! (out of 4)
Jason Hohl - 67 Music

"Rocking music, thoughtful stories, and wonderful poetry."
Stephen McSweeney? - Celtic Music Magazine?



"This band started off great and has only gotten better over the years. The rich arrangements create strong moods from anthem sounding songs to more folky things. Their timeless sound deserves to be heard."
Jamie O'Brien - Philadelphia Irish Edition

"What I hear is absolutely amazing ...The Elders are without a doubt one of the greatest finds this century." Charles Dewhurst - Lochbroom FM, Scotland

“Songs of magic and mayhem and of better days ahead … contemporary Irish Folk Rock at its very best.“ Shay Clarke - IRISH AMERICAN NEWS

“Great melodies, harmonies, musicianship, and song writing. The Elders are on a short list of great Celtic-Rock acts from around the world that I would speak proudly of.” John Bowles - Paddy Rock Radio

"There is no other group in Ameri-Celt that brings the past, present, and future in a more telling way!" Sean Smith - Celtic Beat

"The Elders are marrow deep in their unique art, and it's not only pleasing as hell, but infectious...These boys don't just pick and grin, they damn near set their instruments on fire" Mark Tucker - Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange

“The lyrical and musical excellence of these songs will stick in your mind long after the final track has played.” Ray Sidman - GOLDMINE Magazine

“Simply put, one of the finest performances I have EVER seen, any genre, any venue!” Timothy Ace Holleran - Fairfield County Irish Fest (CT)

“See The Elders live and you’ll understand why they have such a following everywhere they’ve played.” Doug Clifton - KCUV radio Denver

"It was quite a pleasure having The Elders at our fest. It was so cool to see how the audience morphed into a crazed mob during your Saturday night set. I look forward to your return." Julie Rhyner - Pittsburgh Irish Festival

“I cannot say enough positive things about The Elders – their program was first class. This outstanding band literally had people dancing in the aisles.” Douglas McFarlane - Williams Center for the Arts

Instrumentation

Ian Byrne - Vocals, drum, Flutes/Whistles, bodhrán
Steve Phillips - Vocals, Guitar, mandolin
Brent Hoad - Vocals, mandolin, Fiddle
Norm Dahlor - Banjo, Vocals, Bass
Joe Miquelon - keyboards
Kian Byrne - Drums, mandolin

Discography

1. CD–“The Elders” 2000
2. CD–“Pass it on Down” 2002
3. CD-"The Best Crowd We Ever Had" 2004 (Live)
4. CD–“American Wake” 2004
5. DVD/CD-“Live at the Gem Theater" 2005 (Live)
6. CD – “Racing the Tide” 2006
7. DVD/CD – “Alive & Live in Ireland” 2007 (Live)
8. CD – “Gael Day” 2009
9. CD- "The Best of The Elders Vol.1"
10. CD - "Wandering Life & Times" 2011
11. DVD - "The Elders Hoolie" 2012

Official Website

http://www.eldersmusic.com

Links

• Twitter
• Facebook
• MySpace
• The Elders youtube channel
• Elders Official Website

Audio

• Building a Boat
  Listen  
• Common Man
  Listen  
• What a House We Could Build
  Listen  
• Galway Girl
  Listen  
• Forever Friend
  Listen  
• Send A Prayer
  Listen  
• Whiskey on the Fire
  Listen  
• Wanderin' Life & Times
  Listen  
• Racing The Tide
  Listen  
• BETTER DAYS AHEAD
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Better Days Ahead
• Ballymun Road
• Racing the Tide
• Men of Erin
• Send a Prayer
• Dear God
• 1849
• Aunt Louise
• Moore Street Girls
• LuckotheIrish

Video

Message in the Bottle-Dublin Irish Fest 2011~.mov

Send a Prayer SYR 9-11-10 med.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• REVIEW EXCERPTS [+ Show ]
  

  LIVE SHOW REVIEW EXCERPTS “As local emperors of Celtic roots-rock, The Elders have developed a r...LIVE SHOW REVIEW EXCERPTS
  
  “As local emperors of Celtic roots-rock, The Elders have developed a reputation for bristling live shows and, even better, for exceeding their lofty reputation ... many superstar acts would envy the level of audience participation the Elders achieve.” Tim Finn / KANSAS CITY STAR
  
  "The Elders proffer rootsy Celtic rock immersed in American tradition. Their latest cd, GAEL DAY, is a genuine foot-stomping testament to old-world charms; the Elders' live show, likewise, is a riotous barroom affair that is as invigorating to watch as it is to join"
  The Onion, Madison, Wisconsin 3/18/10
  
  "The 2007 Great American Irish festival was a huge success and in large part because of the Elders. People are still talking about the absolutely fantastic shows you put on." Mark Sisti Great American Irish festival / Herkimer, NY
  
  "It was quite a pleasure having The Elders at our fest. It was so cool to see how the audience morphed into a crazed mob during your Saturday night set. I look forward to your return." Julie Rhyner, Pittsburgh Irish Festival
  
  “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
  
  “I cannot say enough positive things about The Elders – their program was first class. This outstanding band literally had people dancing in the aisles.” Douglas McFarlane / Williams Center for the Arts
  
  “Simply put, one of the finest performances I have EVER seen, any genre, any venue!” Timothy Ace Holleran / Fairfield County Irish Fest (CT)
  
  
  
  CD REVIEW EXCERPTS:
  
  "The key to the band’s success is in its flawless blending of the Celtic storytelling tradition with contemporary instrumentation and, perhaps more importantly, their ability to write original songs that sound as timeless and authentic as the ancient jigs and reels that have inspired them." Brian Baker - PASTE Magazine
  
  "Thrilling, propulsive, fantastic Celtic-pop. The Elders are a real find ... a band to shout from the rooftops about. Robert Oermann - MUSIC ROW Magazine
  
  "These guys really do play a style of music fused in a fashion no others have captured quite so well. The Elders are marrow deep in their unique art, and it's not only pleasing as hell, but infectious." Mark Tucker - Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
  
  "The Elders are without a doubt one of the greatest finds this century."
  Charles Dewhurst of Lochbroom FM, Scotland
  
  “The Elders’ music is far from common. The lyrical and musical excellence of these songs will stick in your mind long after the final track has played.” Ray Sidman - GOLDMINE Magazine
  
  “Great melodies, harmonies, musicianship, and song writing. The Elders are on a short list of great Celtic-Rock acts from around the world that I would speak proudly of. John Bowles - Paddy Rock Radio
  
  "The Elders’ songs are up-tempo, high-energy and delivered with passion and fire …but they are clever… a solid 11.5 on the 'rollicking' end of a scale from 1 to 10." The Humm - Almonte, ONTARIO
  
  “The Elders are on top of their game with their new album Gael Day. Songs of magic and mayhem and of better days ahead … contemporary Irish Folk Rock at its very best. “
  Shay Clarke - Irish American News
  
  “On Gael Day, Kansas City’s biggest Celtic-rock band stays true to its Celtic roots, but, thanks to some of its best songwriting ever, it streamlines its rock foundation. Kudos, too, to the production, which is lean and clean, yet captures something close to the relentless energy that fills the band’s live shows.”
  TIMOTHY FINN - The Kansas City Star
  
  “When it comes to top notch contemporary Irish American music, The Elders are the real deal. Six phenomenally talented musicians, these men are a songwriting and performance powerhouse that delivers onstage as well as in the studio. Their latest release, Gael Day, is a wonderful mixture of rock, folk music, and storytelling at it's finest.”
  Wendy Donahue - Cleveland Celtic Podcast
  
  Gael Day gives us exactly what we’ve come to expect from The
  Elders, and that’s a good thing. Those familiar with the band’s prior releases
  know they’ll be greeted by infectious musical hooks that will lead into a rousing
  or stirring vocal tune, so catchy you’ll swear you’ve grown up listening to it.
  Mark Sisti Mohawk - Valley Irish Cultural Events
  
  This band started off great and has only gotten better over the years. It’s so nice to hear an
  Irish rock-type band actually develop its own sound rather than chase after somebody
  else’s. Their timeless sound deserves to be heard.
  Jamie O'Brien - Philadelphia Irish Edition
  
  Fans of Celtic rock music across North America, in Ireland, and now in Europe have adopted The Elders as favorites in large part as a result of their energetic live shows. With their dynamic new album, The Elders have that much more material with which to please their audiences. Listen to "Gael Day" and open up this boisterous can of Celtic whoop-arse.
  Bill Gresham - Writer/friend of The Elders
  

Setlist

All original except where noted:

Better Days Ahead
Racing the Tide
Building a Boat
Wanderin’ Life & Times
Forever Friend
Station Number 9
Please Come Home
Appalachian Paddy
Seven Years
Common Man
What a House We Could Build
Whiskey on the Fire
Saint Brendan Had a Boat
Turnpike (traditional)
Men of Erin
Ghost of Ontario
Haverty Boys
Only Good News
Raging Sea
Send a Prayer
Michael’s Ride (Shawn Davey)
LuckotheIrish
Green & Gold
Gonna Take a Miracle
Galway Girl (Steve Earle)
Between Far & Away
Moore Steet Girls
Brentski’s Medley (traditional)
Saint Kevin
Packy go home
1849
Devil’s Tongue
Ten Pound Earhole
Keepin' the Faith
Red Headed Man
It’ll Be Alright
Decoration Day
Love of the Century
Old Land
Banshee Cry
Ballymun Road
Kathleen
Right with the World
American Wake
Hard Line
Story of a Fish
Fisherman’s Blues (Water Boys)
Kathleen
Cousin Charlie
Buzzz's Jig
Fire in Hole
Message in the Bottle (Police)

Basic Requirements

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