Gaelic Park is proud to assemble such a wonderful list of featured entertainers. Below, you will find short introductions, links, photos, & scheduled times for many of these performers.
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American English - are hailed as the best Beatles tribute band ever. This band is dedicated to making the concert experience authentic and does so by recreating a Beatles concert performance complete with the hair, accents, costumes and even the rhythmic head-bop. This show is so great, it is promoted by Sam Leach, the original Beatles promoter. American English has shared the stage with The Grassroots, The Neville Brothers, Three Dog Night, The Ides of March, Eric Burdon, The Buckinghams, The Doobie Brothers, Badfinger and many others. American English has also been featured on WGN, CBS, FOX, 190 North, The Travel Channel, BBC, ABC and NBC. American English was also awarded the 2005 Suburban NiteLife 10th Annual “Best of the Burbs Award”. |
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Annette Griffin - She has entertained United States Presidents, Heads of State, The Royal Family, The King and Queen of Sweden and countless celebrities.
Annette is a native of Ballymoe, County Galway, Ireland. She credits her Mother , Frances Griffin[a gifted artist] for inspiring her to pursue a singing career. Her natural musical gifts were enhanced by the study of voice and music at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. Her rich knowledge of Irish music was broadened by her early membership with the Bunratty Castle Singers. Annette's extraordinary vocal techniques and musical knowledge were further refined by voice training in California, and with Dr. Veronica Dunne College of Music, Dublin, Ireland.
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Declan Nerney & His Band - Co. Longford Having recorded 8 top-selling albums to date, and established some great self-penned songs, together with song-writing maestro Henry McMahon, songs like Marquee in Drumlish, Anna from Fermanagh, Up in the Mornin', Christmas Hooley, Barry & Dunne, Three Way Love Affair, and many great cover versions like Stop the World and Let Me Off, Take this Job, Walkin' on New Grass. These powerful productions got Nerney on stages right around the world, places that he never dreamt of on that boreen all those years ago.
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Denny Diamond, as Neil Diamond - "Which Mr. Diamond is it - Denny or Neil? Singer, musician and Neil Diamond impersonator Denny Diamond presents an evening of Neil Diamond music, drawing from 300 Diamond songs such as "Song, Sung Blue," "Sweet Caroline" and "Cherry, Cherry." The Daily Herald |
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Fenians - are an electrifying Irish musical quintet based out of Orange County, CA. The lads offer a mix of their original creations, and contemporary and traditional songs. Their foundation is decidedly Celtic, but there is no mistaking the complimentary influences of Rock, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, and World music.
The Fenians have garnered an impressive list of accomplishments and honors, headlining theaters and festivals across the U.S. and Ireland, including: the House of Blues (Hollywood), The Galaxy, and the Coach House (Orange County), The Milwaukee Irish Fest, Gaelic Park Irish Fest, the Stonehill Irish Festival in Boston, and The Quays in Galway, one of Ireland's premiere live music venues, to name but a few. They were also inducted into the Guinness Wall of Fame.
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Gaelic Storm - It has now been more than a decade since Gaelic Storm's career lifted off with their appearance in the blockbuster film Titanic. Since their big-screen debut 10 years ago, the band's fan base continues to multiply with each new album, turning the one-time-pub-band into one of the premier touring acts in the Celtic/World music genre. Their compelling originals and fresh arrangements steeped in Celtic traditional melody combined with their unique blend of world rhythms continue to broaden the musical horizons of the Celtic music genre creating new standards for generations to come. Highlights from their decade-spanning career include seven Billboard Chart topping albums, a DVD, a full-length concert film, song placement on two EA Sports Games, a 2008 Hallmark greeting card featuring their song "Kiss Me I'm Irish", countless television and radio appearances, and of course, an appearance in James Cameron's Titanic. Gaelic Storm has sold out hundreds of theatres and performing arts centers and has now played to audiences totaling in the millions. |
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Infinity - Infinity continues to break attendance records at Clubs and Festivals across Chicago and the Midwest. The thing that sets this band apart is the unbelievable Vocals. It’s the real thing, no sampling here! Infinity has a high energy performance and a Platinum Songlist. But more importantly, they maintain the intangible ability to include the audience and make them feel as part of the show. Infinity enjoys thousands of fans young and young at heart, which sing along and become the chorus to their music. This is the difference between performers and genuine entertainers. Perhaps this is the reason for the perpetual following and return to area Festivals and Clubs across Chicagoland year after year.
Infinity is influenced by many bands including Journey, Bon Jovi, Boston, Styx, REO, Van Halen, and Foreigner. But if you listen closely you will here echoes of Chicago in Vince's playing, Led Zeppelin in Kevin's voice, Queensryche in Lenny's Guitar playing, Dream Theater in Dennis's Keys, Rush in Jim's Bass, and Steve Perry in Bob's Voice.
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The Kreellers - The Kreellers are a high energy Celtic Rock group hailing from Detroit, Michigan. This four-piece powerhouse has been unstoppable, performing over 100 shows in 2009, recording the music for Fuji’s Enviromax Battery ad campaign, and writing and recording new tunes for their upcoming CD. Still steeped in traditional Irish sound, the band’s mix of rock, funk, and even punk elements has created a sound that has won over fans, critics, and even skeptics throughout the North and Midwest and has made them one of the most sought after Celtic acts in the region.
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Makem & Spain Brothers - The Makem Brothers, Shane, Conor and Rory, were born in Drogheda, County Louth, about an hour north of Dublin. They continue the lineage of one of Irish music’s dynasties, begun by their grandmother Sarah Makem, who was sought after by song collectors for her store of traditional Irish songs. Their father is Tommy Makem, the modern day Bard of Armagh. Now considered an icon, he helped to bring Irish music out of the corner and into the international spotlight, where it has remained ever since. The Spain Brothers, too, learned Irish songs at their father’s knee. Mickey’s rich, baritone voice and Liam’s mastery of stringed instruments quickly found a home when the Makems met the Spains and the brothers realized the power of their combined talents. But folk songs are engrained in both families and their songwriting contains the timeless qualities of folk classics, songs of the worker, songs of the sea and Irish culture. They tell the tale of Ireland and its people - a culture that has undergone terrible strife, but remains strong. |
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Noel Cassidy of Co. Longford - is now recognised as one of the finest Country singers in Ireland today, a fact acknowledged by record buyers and dancers alike. A consummate professional, Noel has enjoyed considerable success since making the decision to concentrate his efforts on a full-time career in the music business. That was 1989. Since then Noel has built up an impressive reputation, not just as a live performer, but also as a number of hit singles among them, Southern Dixie flyer and We'll Sweep Out The Ashes.
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Paddy Homan & Friends - Paddy Homan, a Cork man now living in Chicago, sings traditional and contemporary Irish songs that reflect many aspects of Irish history and culture. He is a balladeer of the best of Ireland's rich musical heritage.
Paddy's first CD, "Far from the Land", launched in March 2005, enjoying receptive acclaim during Cork's European Capital of Culture celebration that year, followed by a debut tour in the USA. The Cork Southern Star, wrote : "If you enjoy a good Irish song performed with passion and feeling, get yourself a copy of 'Far from the Land'". |
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Sandcarvers - This is some good Celtic rock. The Sandcarvers have blended well the two genres of music, and have even added a little whisper of folk sound--but not so much that it is a distraction from the sound. Make no mistake, these guys rock. Take a clue from the CD title however (Craic—kind of a “good time” reference in the Irish culture—not a street drug!) they have fun doing it too! There is the lightness of heart one would expect to hear from a Celtic group, along with the good-time jam session of a popular rock band.
Enjoying a good measure of success as a reward for their talent, this band has had an opening spot for some big names, including Black ‘47, BROTHER and The Young Dubliners. While the band knows how to rock the house in their fun, blended style, they also can be soft and melodic, as in “Carrickfergus” which, with its rich vocals, really speaks to one’s heart. - “Dealin’ Craic” by The Sandcarvers. Catherine L. Tully, Celtic MP3s Music Magazine
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Screaming Orphans, Co. Donegal, Ireland - The Screaming Orphans are four funny, high-spirited, musically-obsessed sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran in County Donegal Ireland.
While we can never forget our roots in traditional Irish music, we draw on a diverse set of influences ranging from Simon & Garfunkel to REM with a strong focus on melody-driven songs with pop and rocks strains. |
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Scythian - Dubbed by The Washington Post as "one of DC's most energetic and eclectic bands" Scythian (sith-ee-yin) falls nothing short of a "party band". Their high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music has one goal in mind - to get people on their feet and dancing. The crowd is an essential element of each show and Scythian relies heavily on crowd participation to get people involved and loosened up. As The Washington Post states, their results are always the same: ""the band's enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses." Led by a pair of young raging fiddlers, Scythian has a great respect and admiration for the traditional - the foundation of their music; nevertheless, Scythian is not afraid to wink at convention in search of a little fun, lending them an appeal to young and old alike. Click here for song samples. |
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7th Heaven - has set attendance records at major night clubs across the tri-state region. Record sales nearing 40,000 units sold and digital offerings are available on iTUNES, Amazon, and such. This is the premier Chicago festival act according to prominent talent buyers in Illinois. The critically acclaimed website "Barstar" refers to 7th Heaven as one of the 3 best bands in Chicago.
7th Heaven performed the National Anthem at the United Center before the Bulls/Lakers game which was televised worldwide. This is the band your neighbors will be buzzing about for the rest of the summer. While the festivals only last a short time, for 7th Heaven's fans, old and new a like, they will remember the experience of seeing and hearing them now because, as their song says - THIS SUMMER'S GONNA LAST FOREVER!
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Slide - Dublin - named after the liveliest and most exciting of the tune rhythms from the South of Ireland. Consisting of the youngest acclaimed artists from bands that have stretched across a few generations, Dé Danann, Stocktons Wing, Liam Clancy's Band through to Damien Dempsey Band and Danú, Slide collectively have honed an electrifying fresh sound building on their deep roots and teaching expertise in Irish Traditional Music and are “...taking Irish music to a new place”. |
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Tommy Goodwin & Sharon - Sharon O'Meara is a native of County Monaghan. She comes from a musical family, her father Francis McKenna was All Ireland Violin champion and her mother, brothers and sisters sang and played various instruments. Tommy Goodwin is one of the most well-known Accordion players in the Tri-State area. Originally from County Kerry, Tommy's style of button accordion can be heard at the many festivals and Irish bars throughout New York. |
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As well as a number of great groups and performers, such as: Bernie Glim & Country Roads,
Joe Cullen & Kathleen Keane, The Irish Musicians, Kathleen Keane & Friends, Mulligan Stew,
Sean & Charlie, Patrick Guinee, Dan McGuiness Duo, and The Ray Gavin Band,
Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society, The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band,
Pat Daly & The Sounds of Green, Week Back, Gerry Haughey & Sean O'Donnell,
Murphy Roche Irish Club, The Girls of Murphy Roche, Shari Sarazin, Yvonne Healy,
The Irish Music School of Chicago and many more!
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** Please Note: Schedule Subject To Change **
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