MOONCOIN CEILIDH BAND
The Band...Mooncoin
has been in existence since 1985. Originally founded by Barry, the band has
featured various members over the years.
We have several reserve members and the line-up may vary depending on who
is available, however it usually consists of 4 players + caller.
The current usual
lineup is:
Barry (the reluctant leader!) -
melodeon, concertina, flute, harmonicas, whistle. Barry's interest in folk
music started when as a teenager he would travel to Barn Dances and Ceilidhs
in the west country. At one such event he bought an old concertina, and he
has been playing for dancing ever since. His melodeon playing provides the
basic driving melody for the band, varying that on some numbers with concertina,
harmonica and whistle.
Emerald - caller. Emerald is our lively caller,
expert at encouraging people to dance and teaching them the moves, she started
ballroom dancing at school, before joining a Morris Dance side and then moving
on to ceilidh dancing and calling.
Bill - guitar, vocals. Bill Nelis complements
the band with his bilingual bar room ballad singing (between dances) as well
as his subtle rock-solid rhythmic guitar playing in the dance tunes.
Chris
- Tin whistle, fiddle, bouzouki, celtic harp.
Steeped in Celtic music and with over 20 years as a professional musician
and several albums behind him, Chris provides a mixture of accompaniments
and melodies on his instruments, which can range from magical harp airs to
foot-stomping Appalachian fiddle tunes.
(Note: Please ask on booking if you require the celtic harp).
Graeme - mandolin,
banjo. Graham's melodic mandolin and driving banjo lead playing blends well
with the other melody instruments in the band; on other numbers he provides
a strong mandolin or banjo chord rhythm.
Alice
- fiddle. Mooncoin's first reserve player when a
band member isn't available. As well as her fine fiddle playing, Alice will
also sometimes entertain with a clog dance!
