|
 Brian has been playing traditional Irish
music for over 40 years, starting out in Buffalo, New York. He helped establish
the Buffalo Feis, then brought his talents to Detroit.
Brian can be heard most Friday nights from
September through May at the Gaelic League, playing the music for Kitty Heinzman
and her group of Ceili dancers. He has donated hundreds of hours--playing
at fundraisers, contributing his talents with the Fraternal Order of United
Irishmen (FOUI) Chowder Society, organizing music and playing for the St.
Patrick's Mission annual festival in Detroit. He has contributed his music
for many local Irish dancers. The Pallottines awarded Brian the Man of the
Year honor in 2002 for his contributions to the Irish community.
Brian regularly performs at both weddings
and festivals, either solo, as he sings and plays accordion, or accompanied by
the other members of Arranmore. At one time or another, he has played with
nearly every Irish musician in the Detroit region, and many more outside of
Detroit.
 Over the years, Brian has had the opportunity to play with
countless musicians throughout the country. He regularly plays as both a
solo musician, accompanied by electronic equipment such as a midi
accordion that allow him to perform as a one-man band, and as a member of Arranmore, where he is joined by three others musicians.
Brian's solo
music spans the gulf of Irish music, from a vast catalog of music for step
and ceili dancers to the traditional Irish tunes celebrating love and country. If
you've heard an Irish tune, Brian can play it, singing vocals as well. He
specializes in Irish ballads such as "The Town I Love So Well" and "Homes of
Donegal." You
can download a sample of Brian's dance tunes, which were recorded on The Best of
Charlie Taylor: Irish Selections
(mp3 format):
"Selection
of Irish Reels"
"Selection
of Irish Jigs"
Additionally, Brian now has a CD of dance
tunes available. Information can be found here.
Arranmore has been together and playing around the Detroit area
for over fifteen years. The band is named after the island of the same
name just west of Donegal, Ireland, near the hometown of Brian's parents.
 Arranmore is available to play for dances, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays
and other events seeking a mix of Irish, country and fifties and sixties music.
Windsor resident Mick Reid sings, plays guitar and fiddle, and serves as the MC
of the group. Mick's parents were both from County Antrim, Ireland.
Bob Paige hails from Sommerset, England, before landing in Canada.
Bob has
been playing drums since he was a lad. He has played in pipe bands and
shows before connecting up with Arranmore. The Michigan original Will
Derry sings and plays guitar. Before joining Arranmore, Will played
fifties rock along with Irish music. |
