The YankCelt Band is back with five shows planned for MarchDate: 3/9/2009 Fresh off his appearance with Steve Martin on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Letterman Show," Craig Eastman will once again be performing his magic on the fiddle and mandolin with Bo Fitzgerald and the YankCelt Band beginning March 11.
March 2009 shows:
• March 11 -- The Harp, Amherst
• March 13 -- Elks, West Springfield
• March 14 -- Cedars @ St. Anthony's, Springfield
• March 15 -- Black Moon Music Lounge, Belchertown
• March 17 -- Hu Ke Lau, Chicopee
The band has entertained people in the Western Massachusetts area for almost 20 years. Formed in 1990, the original ensemble includes Bo Fitzgerald, Jeff Sullivan, Craig Eastman and Guy De Vito.
Bo Fitz was a front man for the Dustmen, a very popular group during the 1970s and '80s. Fitzgerald's strong vocals easily distinguish the group from others.
Craig Eastman made his mark in Western Massachusetts as one of the premier fiddle/mandolin players. His band, the Sun Dogs, was a favorite in the area for several years. Eastman currently resides in Los Angeles and has several movie soundtracks to his credit, including the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, "The Alamo," "Pearl Harbor" and many more.
Jeff Sullivan, another Dustmen alum, hails from a family tradition of button box accordion players and also plays guitar and tenor banjo with YankCelt.
Guy DeVito brings years of solid sensibilities to the bass chair having started his career with the rock band FAT. He also recorded and produced Bo Fitz's album, "The Minstrelsy."
In 1998 Steppenwolf's Ron Hurst joined the band on drums. Billy Klock later replaced Hurst and has been and integral part of the sound since 2001. Klock is a well known drummer in the area whose credits include the Bobby Darling Show.
Galway, Ireland's Mixie Clarke was asked to make a guest appearance with the band in 2004. He's been making the trip over from Ireland ever since singing and playing accordion. Clarke was formerly in the Irish Tradition in the early '70s and later played with the famous Harvest Home Band for many years, in the Boston/Cape Cod area. Clarke also did several St. Patrick's Days with the Dustmen in the late '80s.
If you've never experienced the YankCelt Band and its unique fusion of sound, this may be a last opportunity. Putting this group together each year is no easy feat and certainly no guarantee on another year. Join the party this St. Patrick's Day. This is a rare treat and once you hear them you too will be among the fans hoping that they'll return for just one more reunion!
Please visit www.yankceltband.com for more information about this year's appearances.
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