Donegal X-Press

The Donegal (pronounced 'dä-ne-gäl) X-Press has emerged as one of the premiere Irish-American roots rock groups in the country. This high-energy, six-piece outfit has gained praise and fans from New York to Ireland, Baltimore to Nashville and beyond. DXP blends a unique combination of traditional Irish music with American country and blues, folk and rock, rhythm and funk, which John O'Regan of Roots Magazine calls, "…creative ferocity not seen since The Clash's London Calling period."

Brad Dunnells (guitar and vocals) and Jason Tinney (harmonica and vocals) began collaborating and writing songs in the late 1990s with the hope of rejuvenating Irish American culture. With this partnership, the Donegal X-Press was formed and it wasn't long before the band’s popularity and musical dimensions began to grow. Building on a core of traditional Irish pub songs, the Donegal X-Press added original songs and popular covers to their live set, creating a stage performance that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of audiences.

In the years since its formation, the group has gone from boozy bar crowds to sharing the stage with artists such as The Saw Doctors, Prodigals, Solas, Black 47 and the Wolfe Tones. DXP has also written and produced four albums of original music: Whiskey, Bars, A-Go-Go; Quinn's Diaries; Translations; and Stand Alone. In 2000, the Irish Voice (NYC) named the group among their "Best of 2001" and eventually dubbed them "Artist of the Year." In that same year, Brad Dunnells was the first American to the win the National Song Contest for Peace held in Cork, Ireland. The 1st place winner, "Omagh," is featured on Quinn's Diaries. In 2001, Donegal X-Press was named "Best Band" in the Baltimore City Paper's Readers Poll.