GREATER HARTFORD IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL

Formed in February 2006, Flynn529 evolved from some of the musicians at the legendary Eamonn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Loudonville, NY. Gaining new fans each time they crank it up, Flynn529 has performed in a variety of venues around the "Great Northeast" from small intimate pub settings to festival stages with the likes of Greenwhich Meantime, Rathkeltair, BarleyJuice and Hair-Of-The-Dog (how's THAT for some shameless name-dropping?!).

Their music is a stew--- with healthy proportions of Celtic and American folk tradition, a teaspoon of the blues, and a few dashes of those 60s and 70s AM/FM radio chestnuts you find yourself humming on the way to work. Expect to hear original compositions and covers of anything from the Clancy Brothers to Johnny Cash to John Hiatt. These guys love to play any song they get their hands on and wouldn’t mind you hooligans coming out to party, drink, sing, and laugh all night with them.

Unforgettable Fire, or "UF", was born on New Years Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 tribute bands to ever perform in America. After over thirteen years of playing in some of the most prestigious venues on the East Coast, UF has formed a reputation among many to be one of the closest experiences to being at an actual live U2 show. The members of UF are also very dedicated fans of U2, and will not settle for anything less than complete authenticity. In addition to performing a very impressive array of U2 material from pre-Boy to the most recent How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and beyond, the band does everything in their power (from wardrobe to lighting) to recreate the live U2 concert setting for their audiences.

One of UF's last founding members from 1995, drummer George (Larry) Levesanos, still performs with the band. George is a veteran drummer on the New York City music scene and has performed in many other projects before forming UF. Joining the band in the summer of 2001 was singer Tony (Bono) Russo. Over the years, Tony has brought UF to a new level of authenticity as he is regarded as one of the country's top Bono look-a-likes. In late 2002, bassist Craig (Adam) Kiell added his top notch musicianship, experience, and stage presence to the band and has been a crucial part of the solid rhythm section ever since. Late 2004 brought Mick (Edge) Normoyle to the band to complete the last piece of its puzzle in its quest to have the truest, most authentic live U2 sound. All four members of UF are talented musicians in their own right, but together they are committed to bring their audiences the best possible U2 show that they can deliver.

Together since 1993, Hair Of The Dog has entertained thousands of fans of all ages with their unique blend of Celtic folk/rock. Their high energy sound, smooth four-part harmonies and tight instrumental attack has made them one of the top Irish acts in the world.

Hair Of The Dog has shared the stage with many other well known Celtic groups such as The Clancy Brothers, The Wolfe Tones, Cherish The Ladies, Donal Lunny's Coolfin, Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Black 47, Gaelic Storm, Solas, Seven Nations, The Prodigals, Off Kilter and Glengarry Bhoys.

The band has released four smash hit CDs: "Release The Hounds," "at The Parting Glass," "Let It Flow" and "Donegal." In January, 2008, the Kingston, New York Freeman Times said that "Hair Of The Dog plays with a cohesive oneness that most bands never get. They are a regional music treasure." The Dog was also recently mentioned in Billboard Magazine as one of Irish Music's biggest sellers. In 2005, Hair Of The Dog was featured on a charity compilation CD called "One Child At A Time." Other artists included U2, James Taylor, The Chieftains and Carly Simon.

Greenwich Meantime is quickly becoming a hot commodity on the North American Celtic and World Music scene. Now in their sophomore year, the band has just released the follow up to their 2006 critically acclaimed debut CD. The newly minted "Proof" is just hitting stores and is being submitted to radio. The first single "Every Single Thing" was played over two thousand times in its first week alone on myspace and has already been added to several FM stations in Canada.

This year will see the band play many of the Northeast's Celtic festivals and theatres, and doing concert series appearances. Their music is also being included on a compilation CD called "Rootstomp" along side artists such as Enter the Haggis, Seven Nations, and The Prodigals to be released in the spring of 2007.

Celtic Clan as it currently stands formed about 5 years, are based in
Boston MA. USA but can be seen and heard in the strangest of places-maybe
even in your home town!
Being primarily an Irish band,but also delving into all facets of popular
music,Celtic Clan can best be described as "a band for all reasons". They blend Irish, Rock’n’Roll, Top 40, Comedy and Traditional with equal fervour and can go from a slow ballad to a rousing "ELVIS PRESLEY" in the  "blink of a tonsil".
Their instruments range from Guitar, Bass, Fiddle, Tin-whistle, Tenor banjo, Concertina and
percussion with a bit of Uilleann-pipes thrown in! Audience participation is a large part of their
performance and sing-along songs are featured in abundance.
They currently have a CD called "TO BEAT THE BAND".

Michael Babick, singer, guitarist, and songwriter has been a professional musician for over 25 years. His inspiration for Celtic music comes from researching his lineage; trips to Ireland solidified his sense of heritage.

The Barley Boys have taken their live performances from the local pub scene to the festival stages across the nation. The band has reached a new presence in the Celtic music scene of today. The Barley Boys have played such venues as The Bethlehem PA Celtic Classic, The Long Island Irish Festival, Irish 2000 Festival in Altamont, NY and The Newport Irish Festival in Rhode Island.

"The Rising combines the most progressive modes of Irish Music to create a new and inspiring form of Irish Trad-Rock. The Rising have not only the traditional musicians who have helped to form the scene, but the new blood that drives the music to it's unique potential. The heart of Ireland lives in the music of the Rising in a new and thrilling way."

The members of The Rising found each other the old fashioned way - out on the road. The Rising plays upwards of two hundred shows every year nationally, internationally, and in the New England area. The band's chemistry and new take on Irish traditionals is both rousing and refreshing. The band is most at home on stage, and their performances are as fun for the band as they are for their audiences.

ETH's live show is a musical feast- viscerally dynamic, emotionally uplifting and intellectually stimulating. The band's oeuvre darts effortlessly from the trad strains of, say, The Chieftains and the Pogues to the frenetic pop of early Elvis Costello and even to the Latin-tinged spirit of the Buena Vista Social Club and beyond, complete with Lewington's deft guitar playing, the reeling of Brian Buchanan's flawless fiddle, the diverse rhythmic machinations of bassist Mark Abraham and drummer James Campbell, and Downie's transporting pipes, not to mention the near-perfect vocal harmonies. In fact, if you're game, the group's undeniable power is documented in Live at Lanigan's Ball, a film chronicling an Enter The Haggis performance at Plattsburgh, New York's Hartman Theatre in December of 2003, originally taped for a PBS special, and now available on DVD.

That’s the goal if the band has its way. Already veteran world travelers, Paul, Peg and Richie continue to add to their list of places visited and venues played. Formed in 1996, Paul Baker, Peggy Goonan-Baker and Richie Reece bring an eclectic collection of music to the stage. From true-to-heritage traditional music to contemporary pieces, Brigid’s Cross is a never-ending show from start to finish. Audiences are pulled into a vortex of humor and pure musical sound that keeps fans coming back for more.

The Faithful, as their hard-core fans are called, come to the shows wearing t-shirts with the latest hip tribute to a frothy pint and temporary tattoos sporting the BC logo. They even have Cross Coozies to keep their drinks cool, and they know all the words to all the songs. They’re global, stretching across the United States to Irish shores, and they all have something in common – their love of Brigid’s Cross. All have been indoctrinated into the BC world, providing the audience participation that is such an integral part of Irish music. The Faithful meet at shows and festivals and online in chat rooms, all because of one band.

Over the years, the band paid its dues playing Irish pubs throughout the New York Metropolitan area and along the eastern seaboard.

Today, the HRB’s resume includes performances across the United States at venues ranging from well-known Irish pubs to larger arenas such as Shea Stadium. The band has performed with top Irish artists including the Saw Doctors, the Young Dubliners, and The Prodigals. HRB has also performed numerous shows with their longtime friends and mentors, the Marshall Tucker Band.

The band has produced five albums to date. The current CD, “Live... From County Fairfield”, was released in March of 2007.

There will be children’s and adult rides as well as games of chance, day passes.