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Meet the Artisans, A-M
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The Bilge Pumps
So, what do you do with a drunken sailor? Put him on stage and make him sing!
The Bilge Pumps are one of the silliest singing pirate stage acts you're likely to come across, and they've ransacked stages from California to Louisiana. Based in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, they're only too happy to help you celebrate any occasion (and we do mean any occasion). Find out more at www.thebilgepumps.com
Words for the Wise: Beware of stages that look like ships, complete with water.
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Danny Birt, Author, Composer, Music & Massage Therapist
Danny Birt claims a lively Irish-Californian heritage, growing up all over the western half of the United States. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Music
Therapy and psychology from Loyola University New Orleans, a liberal arts degree from New Mexico Military Institute, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Music Therapy at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Read more about Danny at www.dannybirt.com.
Words for the Wise: "Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end." –Spock
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The Brobdingnagian Bards
Scottish and Irish folk songs combined with the Lord of the Rings music and a wee bit o'Celtic fun. The Brobdingnagian Bards (pronounced brob-din-nahg-EE-en) are The Original Celtic Renaissance music duo
from Austin, Texas. Their unique brand of folk music on the autoharp, recorder, and mandolin has made them one of the most-popular Celtic music groups online where they give away thousands of free Celtic MP3 downloads daily.
After 10 years of performing together, the Brobdingnagian Bards went their separate ways. Andrew McKee started a new group called Flynn's Folly (www.flynnsfolly.com) and Marc Gunn (www.marcgunn.com) continues to share his love of podcasting and performs solo.
Read more about The Brobdingnagian Bards at www.thebards.net
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Meg Davis, Musician and Composer
Meg Davis has been producing and publishing original music since the age of 14 and was chosen as the 'Best Young North American Songwriter' in 1978 by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. A consumate folklorist, Davis worked as an archivist at both the Library of Congress in D.C. and Cecil Sharpe House in London between tours, and collected rare and beautiful indigenous music wherever she traveled. Meg Davis' career involved touring and performing traditional Irish, Scottish and American folk music with artists ranging from Ewan MacColl to Bill Monroe to Joanie Madden and included unique appearances with movie legends such as Lillian Gish. Playing venues near and far from the Kennedy Center in D.C. to the old Troubadour in London, and adding her vocal and instrumental talents as solo soprano with several international choirs, Meg Davis continues to be loved the world over for her ringingly clear vocals and sumptuous guitar work. Original music composed and arranged by Meg Davis has been performed and recorded by many world class musicians including the great Irish band, De Dannan, and used in movies and television documentaries in Canada, Sweden and Norway. In 1993 Meg Davis retired from stage performing due to Multiple Sclerosis. She continues to dedicate her time to composing music and creating varied forms of fiber arts.
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Marc Gunn, musician and songwriter
Marc Gunn is an accomplished professional performer, songwriter, and producer who brings a powerful and expressive voice to Celtic music. He is accomplished on an unusual instrument - the autoharp – and has expanded his traditional work in Irish and Scottish music to fuse the roots of Celtic with blues, jazz and folk music. He delivers exciting live shows as well as compelling and original recordings, and has 12 solo albums to his credit to date.
Marc's early background in folk and rock music led him to discover the roots of both genres in Celtic music. He worked for many years at Renaissance festivals and events across the country as lead vocalist of the Brobdingnagian Bards, headlined a "Lord of the Rings" Oscar night party, and is a regular at Dragon*Con, the world's largest fantasy and science fiction convention. Recent work
includes parody albums setting cat-inspired lyrics to traditional Irish music, and adaptations of traditional Celtic music to contemporary rhythms and forms.
Learn more about Marc Gunn by visiting http://www.marcgunn.com
Words for the Wise: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow- mindedness.” -Mark Twain
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The Heritage Brass Band
The Heritage Brass Band is a volunteer reenactment band based in Dallas, Texas. Dressed in authentic uniforms, they play period music from the Civil War, Indian Wars, and WWII. Much in demand in the Texas area, the Band has perfomed for dances, ceremonies, reenactments, living histories, funerals, parades, and movie premiers. Appearances have included Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Livingston, Corsicana, Gainesville, Denison, Waco, Hillsboro, Old Fort Concho, and Old Fort Belknap. The Band regularly appears at the Texas State Railroad in Palestine, and often marches in the Fort Worth Stock Show Parade.
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Lee Martindale, Author, Bard
Asked once by a reporter to describe herself in ten words, Lee responded, "Poet, songsmith, teller of tales, lover, student, teacher, warrior... Bard." Find out more about the bardic world by visiting www.harphaven.net.
Words for the Wise: Come equipped with arch conversation and merry reparte, or be prepared to find out why the pen (and bardic tongue) are mightier than the sword!
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Brenna McKaye, Author
"In a few words, I pursue my heart, whether it's music, writing, or otherwise creating. I don't know how to be any other way. The good thing is, it shows up in whatever I'm doing, and I'm rather proud of that."
Words for the Wise: Coffee, dark chocolate, and good company, not necessarily in that order.
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