Lead singer/songwriter Ric Blair has an illustrious resume. Ric has
served as a personal guitar instructor for Sheryl Crow, has composed
film scores for Morgan Freeman and Danny Glover, and was the lead guitarist and a roommate with Rich Mullins in the early years.
Ric played on Rich's first CD which they recorded in Amy Grant's basement studio.
During that same year Ric wrote a song entitled "Never for Nothing"
which became a number one hit for Grammy nominee Margaret Becker.
In 1995, Ric founded The Blair Band to return to his Irish/Scottish and acoustic folk rock roots. Ric plays acoustic and electric guitar, bodhran, piano/keyboards, and bass (not all at the same time though!) and sings lead vocals. Ric also writes and
produces most of the Blair Band's recordings.
Ric is the son of an Irish mother and a Scottish father. Ric has
traced his Scottish roots back to John Blair who was the personal Chaplin to
Scottish hero William Wallace. Other Blair ancestors also fought along
side with Wallace. Blair means battlefield in Gaelic.
Yun Kim Blair
(Pennywhistle/Vocals/Keys/Irish Dance/Choreography)
Yun is a multi-faceted performer, singer, dancer and choreographer.
Yun's pennywhistle work is featured on countless CDs that are distributed throughout the world. She is a trained classical pianist, and is an accomplished Irish dancer. She also choreographs world champion Irish dance troups that perform with the Blair Band. Yun was born in Seoul, Korea, and is often introduced as being from "Far Eastern Ireland". You won't want to miss Yun's
passionate whistle playing and Irish dancing during the next Blair Band
performance.
Patrick D'Arcy
(Uilleann Pipes/Low Whistle)
Patrick is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and is a graduate of the Royal
Irish Academy of Music. Patrick currently lives in Los Angeles where
he is often hired to play on TV and film music scores. Patrick is also a
multi-instrumentalist and plays uilleann pipes, pennywhistle, low
whistle, bodhran, mandolin, and guitar.
Patrick has played for Quincy Jones and is often hired by
U2's Bono to perform for different occasions. Patrick also conducts
Irish music workshops around the country. Not only is Patrick one of the
most respected and gifted pipers in the country, he is also one of the
funniest, quick-witted, and pleasant people that you could ever
meet.
Jeff Durham
(Djembe/Percussion)
Jeff is the longest living original member of The Blair Band and has
toured the world with Ric since 1995. They have many great road stories
to tell as they have traveled together from Scotland to Hawaii playing
music. Jeff plays a unique hybrid djembe/perc kit that he invented
himself. Many other pro-percussionists have since tried to borrow Jeff's
self-assembled, acoustic groove machine.
Jeff is not only a musician but a comedian, actor, and published film
script writer as well. Jeff is a powerfully passionate percussionist, and it is an incredible treat to watch him perform during The Blair Band shows. Jeff will also keep you in
stitches as he shares his natural yet unpredictable sense of humor in
concert.
Celtic Fiddle
Deb Shebish
Melanie Parobek
Kim Barnes
Influences
The Beatles
The Chieftains
Dougie MacLean
The Bothy Band
Lunasa
Jackson Browne
Neil Finn
The Blair Band is a Celtic, acoustic, folk rock group on Celtic Isle Records,
distributed by Koch Distribution and by STL Distribution in the UK and Europe. On tour in the UK and across the United States, The Blair Band has been impacting audiences everywhere with their positive uplifting brand of Celtic music.
The Blair Band is a passionate, high energy force with an innovative organic sound. The Band performs a combination of rock and folk-rock influenced, stirring original songs along with fiery Scottish/Irish traditional instrumentals. They have also been referred to as
David Gray meets The Chieftains. When you see The Blair Band in
concert you will not only be moved by their infectious energy and passion, but you will be impressed by the incredible musicianship of each band member. A typical concert involves not only uplifting inspired music, but also spirited Irish dancing by Yun Blair and world-reknowned Irish dance troups.
The Blair Band is comprised of an eclectic family including a Dubliner,
a Korean-American, and the rest of Scottish/Irish and European heritage. The
resulting by-product of this uncanny musical club has yielded the most magical
and electrifying combination of traditional Celtic music and acoustic
rock that you will ever hear! A quite sensational and unique sound to say the least!
The Blair Band is comprised of: Ric Blair on vocals/guitar/keys/bodhran, Yun Blair on
pennywhistle/vocals/keys/Irish dancing, Patrick D'Arcy from Dublin, Ireland on uilleann pipes/low whistle, Jeff Durham on djembe/percussion, and Kim Haller Barnes on Celtic fiddle.
Occasional guest artists with the Blair Band include world-reknowned Celtic fiddler Cait Reed, fiddler J'Anna Jacoby from the Rod Stewart Band, uilleann piper Eric Rigler of
Braveheart/Rob Roy/Titanic fame, and pipers Ivan Goff and Tommy Martin from Riverdance. Isaac Alderson and Tyler Duncan who are All-Ireland champions on pipes/whistle/flute and bodhran have also performed with the Blair Band.
The Blair Band's new release “Celtic Christmas” is an
exciting blend of ancient Irish and Scottish Christmas
songs that few have heard before now,
celebratory traditional celtic instrumentals, and
classic Christmas carols performed with celtic instrumentation.
It is a perfect blend of the old and the new but with a
very earthy warm fireside feel. You will hear the
haunting Scottish carol “Balulalow” which tells the
story of the angel proclaiming to Mary the birth of
Christ the Lord, God’s son and heir. You will also
hear the chilling classic “O’Holy Night” and Ric’s
moving original song “The Greatest Gift”.
Celtic fiddle, uilleann pipes, Irish whistles,
bodhran, acoustic guitar, piano, strings and ric’s
stirring vocals all come together to make this a
spine-tingling, heart warming, unprecedented Christmas
celebration.
The Blair Band's “Celtic Christmas” will provide the
perfect background to celebrate Christmas with your
family this year and for years to come.
CELTIC SESSIONS
This CD contains 13 tracks of some of our favorite and most often played traditional instrumentals including the CM Radio No.1 hit "Crosses of Annagh".
FIELDS OF FREEDOM
The Blair Band's 3rd release entitled Fields of Freedom is a meditative collection of traditional hymns and instrumentals. This CD features special guests Phil Keaggy and Sheila Walsh. Guitar legend Phil Keaggy produced Ric's original song "Alleluia" and sang goose bump provoking background vocals on "Be Thou My Vision". Sheila (who is originally from a town near Glasgow, Scotland) contributed truly heartfelt voice-overs for the Scripture meditations.
This is The Blair Band's 2nd release and features Eric Rigler on uilleann pipes and Cait Reed on Celtic Fiddle. This CD is an eclectic blend of original songs penned by Ric Blair infused with traditional instrumentals. This CD is a favorite of all ages as it is a collection of upbeat Beatle-esque rock songs along with thoughtful, soul-stirring ballads, and toe-tapping instrumentals.
This is The Blair Band's first CD recording. It is a timeless masterpiece of haunting melodies and deep, powerful lyrics. You will never tire of listening to Ric's heartfelt and thought-provoking songs. This is a CD that will stir even the toughest of men to tears!
Hey Blair Band! I hope you God is blessing all of you. Let me know if you are coming back to Texas during the Christmas tour. Have you worked with Donnie Boutwell? He is a great producer. I got to hang out with him a couple year ago in Nashville.
Just stopping by to see if you're interested in our project...
We've started a collaborative radio station - and we're looking for people to contribute to our output....have a look, have a listen and join up if you'd like to join in!!!
Hey Blair Band! I hope you God is blessing all of you. Let me know if you are coming back to Texas during the Christmas tour. Have you worked with Donnie Boutwell? He is a great producer. I got to hang out with him a couple year ago in Nashville.
More Psychotic Fun at your fingertips from your friend at the fringe!
The fully animated WASP FLIGHT Video is Finally Out and a complete blast!!
Poor little Wendy Wasp gets chased down by a pair of horndogs lookin' for love: Yellow Chopper Wasp and Jet Green Wasp. Little do they know, someone else wants all three of them for dinner. Who's coming out on top?
Catch the whole sordid story right on MySpace! The Vid is up!
And be sure to Shout Out! You know how lonely I get. hehehehehe ;)~
Brète
PS: I love to share, so, if you like the vid, I've enabled embedding. Just click Menu on the vid player and copy the embed code to your profile.
Hope all is well with you and the band, you will be pleased to know when you come back to Shell Point TVC we will have all new sound, lights and video/TV systems in place !! looking forward to having you back !
Online Now!
