Michael Robbins: Guitars, bouzouki, bandurria Caeri Tomson: Lead vocals and penny whistle Howard Williams: Vocals, mandolin, bodhran and harmonica Reva Paget: Fiddle Anna Huthmaker: Bass and cello
Influences
Michael:
Robin Bullock, John Doyle, Arty McGlynn, Tony McManus, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Tony Cuffe, The Beatles, The Stones...
Caeri:
Michael Bolton
Howard:
Co1in Gr@nt Adams
Anna:
Street musicians
Reva:
Turtle Island String Quartet, Darol Anger, Bela Fleck,
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters
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The BorderCollies are a contemporary Celtic band, featuring a unique blend of traditional Celtic and folk influences in their music. Their signature sound incorporates tight instrumentation with three and four part vocal harmonies. Their latest CD, "Sticks and Stones", showcases the band's original compositions and their ability to interpret and arrange traditional material. Based out of Duluth, Georgia, the band performs regionally around the southeast at concerts, festivals, pubs and clubs.
History
Founding members Michael Robbins and Caeri Tomson first met while attending Swannanoa Celtic Week in July of 1999. Both were taking a contemporary Celtic composition course taught by Susan McKeown. Their first performance was given at the student showcase, and was attended by their instructors, Robin Bullock and Susan McKeown. The song was an adaptation of Cloghinne Winds by Briege Murphy, a haunting piece that is now featured on the new CD. Soon after returning to Atlanta, songs were written, material devoped and the band started performing as a duo.
Howard Williams was first to come on board to play mandolin, harmonica and sing. A veteran (and vegetarian) of the Atlanta music scene, Howard and Michael have played together for more than 20 years. A classically trained cello player, he plays mandolin & guitar in various bands in Atlanta such as SwamiGoneBananas and The Steve Williams Band. These days, Howard also performs on tenor banjo and bodhran.
Joining the band in November, 2004 is fiddler Reva Paget from Denver, Colorado. Reva has a Masters in Performance from ASU, and while in grad school was recruited by Yamaha and Zeta to demonstrate their electric fiddles at trade shows and workshops around the country. She's studied with Mark O'Connor fiddle camp crew and after teaching orchestra at Duluth High School for a year, she ran off, got married, taught private lessons, then got pregnant, moved to Brasil, had a baby, moved back and is playing with the Collies once again!
Also just joining us in 2004 is Anna Huthmaker on upright bass and cello. Anna is an amazing musician! Both Anna and Reva grew up in musical households. Anna's mother taught orchestra for many years while her father, Roland Huthmaker, is a fine violin maker. They run Huthmaker Violins in Duluth, which is truly a wonderful shop for all stringed instruments. Anna has a BM in Cello from Louisiana State Universityand an MM in Bass from Arizona State University and plays for the symphony when she's not running around with us!
Lastly, we like to mention that Zac Leger will be continuing to perform with us when he's not on tour with his own hot Celtic band Oisre. Zac is prominently featured on the new CD, "Sticks and Stones" and has played Uilleann pipes, high and low whistles and flute on "The Road From Swannanoa". He also wrote, co-wrote and performed on our "Laird of the Rings" CD.
Thank you sooooooo much for the absolutely WONDERFUL time at Sycamore Shoals! Fantastic music! Sparkling personalities! Joyful smiles and laughter! You folks have it ALL! Take care, --- Tom
