Burning Gods

The Burning Gods came together as a visionary blending of musicians from several well-travelled and experienced contra dance bands in the US. Taking the art of contra dance music to a new level, introducing musical forays new to contra dance, and turning up the heat, the Burning Gods came together for the first time in a magical weekend that instantly put them on the map and in great demand throughout the US, requested by numerous dance organizers and callers. This group plays only limited and selected engagements, and will fire up your dances with a groove that is their own fusion of old time and Celtic fiddle and banjo, overflowing with the soul of blues and funk, spiced by Middle Eastern and Latin influences, all driven by the roots of rock. This band does dynamics like no other, and can have dancers burning with energy one minute, and chilling to the sweetest fiddle ever heard, on the next turn. Contra dancers from Florida to Vancouver, from Boston to San Francisco, have heard and revered all of these musicians; now LEAFers can experience the fiery collaboration of the Burning Gods.
The Burning Gods are:
Tom "Burning God of Iron" Troszak: guitar, asheko drum (Rocket Boys, String Beings).
Stuart "Burning God of Thunder: Kenney: bass, banjo (Wild Asparagus, The Sevens).
Rex "Burning God of Music" McGee: fiddle, banjo (John Cowan Band, Footloose, Rocket Boys).
TJ "Burning God of Love" Johnson: mandolin, fiddle (Rocket Boys, Lift Ticket).
Forrest "Burning God of Youth" Kelly: djembe, dumbek, bodhran, (Rocket Boys, Rising Appalachia).

Our philosophy: (from the website)
Many cultures define a god as a being with the power to create. Humans fit this definition whether they admit it or not. Many musicians will tell you that they do not create the music they perform, but merely act as channels for the music itself. Yet the fact remains: without musicians there would be no music. Performance is indeed an act of creation, however humble.

All performers need an audience, or this creation misses its highest goal. The hearers of this music want to sing and dance, and their creative energy closes the circle to become an essential part of the performance itself. In some the flame of creative passion burns brightly, and when these join their creative powers the result is truly greater than the sum of its parts. We small gods choose to use our powers only for good, and we want you to be a part of what we create together.

"No man is the god of all creation, but we are all gods of small creation". Tom Troszak