Hi friends!
Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! Another year is in the books. As a band, we find ourselves grateful to be so heartily blessed. Who knew our little trio would make it through its first year, let alone its first decade?
In our tenth year, each season of 2025 brought us new friends and new experiences. To keep things organized, we have loosely grouped our year into four seasons.
Here are some of the year’s highlights, organized by quadrant.
Winter 2025 (January through March)
Tour: The start of this year could best be characterized as ‘filled with music festivals and St Patrick’s Day.”
During this time period, we had the distinct pleasure of playing the Southeast Florida Celtic Music Festival, alongside the Sean Healy band (brilliant talent), Seven Nations (luminous legends), and our dear, (ass-kicking) Canadian friends, the Mudmen.
Trip: We were invited to perform at the St. Augustine Celtic Music Festival, which is the most well-attended festival of its kind in our state. There, we got to hang backstage with legendary acts like the Screaming Orphans, Syr, Albannach, Seven Nations and Jamison’s. Like the pros do, we drank oceans of coffee, pretty well all day. It was a trip.
Birthday: Our 10 Year Anniversary as a band was on Saint Patrick’s Day of 2025. It was an auspicious day for us. We did not expect to last a decade, so when we did, we made a green birthday shirt (not to be confused with birthday suit), and our fans loved it!
Spring 2025 (April through June)
Gig: We usually take a couple weeks off after Saint Patrick’s Day, because it’s an insane schedule leading up to the event each year, and it’s nice to have a little time to chill out. We had a few festivals to play, including the Dunedin Highland Games, which is always a treat. The energy among the listening crowd up there is really fun to witness. We love our friends north of the Skyway. We miss you and will be seeing more of you this coming year.
John Barron at the Shebeen: In May, John played a solo mandolin performance at The Shebeen, at its old home on Siesta Key. It was a great performance of songs played to an appreciative crowd, in a great venue. There’s a lot of excitement around the Shebeen’s new location, which is reportedly beautiful and well-appointed.
Tour: In June, we traveled with thirty lunatics on our third Irish Trip. Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Sligo ann a cool spot in Donegal (Read more about our upcoming Ireland tours).. The chemistry on the bus was unbelievable, and the performances were highly memorable. Also the whiskey. One unique moment was singing and playing upstairs at the Ha’ Penny Inn. We could look outside and see the Ha’Penny Bridge, one of Dublin’s most iconic Liffey bridges.
Summer 2025 (July through September)
Gig: This summer, we spent a fair amount of time just resting upon our return from Ireland. Since we began a decade ago, we haven’t done stuff like that. It’s a great way to feel rejuvenated. We always enjoy playing Celtic Summer Jam at the Freckled Fin. This year it was with friends Drunken Shrubbery and Fresh Air Breaks.
Trip: Early September brought us a trip to Boston to see The Pogues, The Waterboys, The Scratch, Glen Hansard and The Pogues. Damn right, we said The Pogues twice. It was a cultural experience. We were well taken care of by Jen, who always has our backs. We hung out at the show (and after) with dear Sarasota friends Debbie, Eileen, and Dana. We got pretty drunk at The Black Rose, watching Celtic Clan. Yes mom, we took an Uber home. Good times in Boston, to be sure.
Tour: Late September brought us up to St. Augustine and Ann O’Malley’s. On the same run, we played at The Wexford in Savannah, and then saw our friends Celtic Conundrum play up there as well. It was amazing to catch our friends the Byrne Brothers in North Myrtle Beach, where we also performed. We had such a fun time watching Barley Juice play their set. That band is a lot of fun. That evening, we ended up among friends Brooke and Regina at The Knot. Thanks, friends, for your kindness.
Autumn 2025 (October through December)
Festival: We agree: these seasons aren’t perfectly calibrated. But at least they’re organized. We had such fun at the Best of the Bay festival, where we shared the stage with the Wandering Hours. We had a chance to see the West Coast Black Theater Troupe perform, which was amazing.
Gig: We got to witness some mighty steinhoisting and competitive key relay racing at the annual Celtoberfest. At Motorworks Brewing Company, Celtoberfest opened with Pipers, then Drunkin Shrubbery, then us. The night ended with Black Thorn Brigade, a super strong Celtic rock band. Those folks are really nice people, and great players.
Tour: Early December saw a quick jaunt up to St. Augustine and Savannah. Touring together is always pleasant, and this excursion was no exception. On the trip, we made new fliers, which worked, and met an excellent Irish music due called The Maybelles. Our last gig of the year is at the Irish Pub on 4th, in St. Pete. In truth, we have missed our people from the other side of the Skyway.
Thank you for your love and support. Ten years into finding and creating our music and sound, we would not be here without you.
Sincerely,
Beau, Zach and John
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