Dan O'Connell came to the US from Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland in 1964. Dan came at a time when traditional music in Ireland was all but gone. Button accordion players were few and far between then, so Dan was mainly a self-taught musician. The music of Joe Cooley was an important influence on Dan, and as a child he would stay up nights listening to his playing on the radio. Dan brings an authenticity to the band with his style of accordion playing, as well as the harmonica, which can be heard on the 2003 release of Síbin.
Kenny Scott is a Georgia native who can claim Irish heritage via Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Kenny, who came to Augusta in 1978 from Savannah, is from a very musical family. Kenny started playing music around the age of five. From the old-time banjo and fiddle music of his grandfather Chester Balmer and Aunt Elaine Balmer (respectively), to the country-influenced guitar playing and songwriting of his father Jim, it was inevitable that Kenny would pick up some sort of stringed instrument! Kenny plays the mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, and guitar, which can also be heard on the 2003 Síbin release.
Gavin Winship is a Geordie from Newcastle, County Durham, England. Gavin came to the States in 1989 seeking employment and brought with him a wealth of traditional songs from the border country. Gavin has come a long way from the days of when, as a child, he would sing for other family members only while hiding underneath several sofa cushions! Gavin is now the front man for The Skelligs, and has certainly given the band an exciting stage presence. Gavin also plays the whistle and bouzouki, and along with his unique style of singing traditional English and Scottish ballads, has given this Irish/Celtic band an "ecumenical" feel. Gavin's talents can also be heard on the 2003 Síbin release.
The Skelligs, originally a fourth century monastic settlement, are a group of islands off of Ireland - rather isolated, and really no more than a group of rocks. Which explains why we chose this name for our band - we are a group of rocks off of Ireland! But seriously, we are based in Augusta, GA and are one of the few Irish trad/Celtic bands in the eastern part of the state. It certainly gives us an edge around St. Paddy's when everyone is looking for a band to play for their festivities! The Skelligs have been around in various forms since 1991. Dan O'Connell, Kenny Scott and Gavin Winship were members of Castle Kelly at that time. The gigs consisted of local events, weddings and parties of other sorts. Gavin's wife at the time, Candy Winship (currently with Spriggan), was also a member of Castle Kelly, and later with Gavin and Mike Faulkner (a Celtic musician from Augusta) formed a group called Bungle Rye. Castle Kelly continued in their endeavours and adventures throughout the mid 90s, losing and gaining musicians along the way. Eventually and for various reasons Bungle Rye and Castle Kelly each respectively disbanded, which was fortunate for all involved! Sibín was the next step in the evolution of Celtic music in Augusta, GA. The group picked up a couple new members and some new instruments (the uillean pipes can be heard on their CD, which was released in 2003). Then again, for various and sundry reasons, Sibín split up, with two of the members forming a Celtic ensemble, and Dan, Gavin and Kenny forming what is now the Skelligs. This formula, which has been in place since about 2004 seems to have worked the best for all the moody Síbin musicians. Though the Skelligs haven't released a CD yet, one is in the making. The Skelligs are available for any occasion - weddings, parties, movie soundtracks, etc. Hope to see y'all soon. Sláinte! The Skelligs
Hope you are SURVIVING these crazy economic times! Enjoy our new video "Whiskey Tonight" and stop by our site for a FREE download of the new song. Yes, something for FREE. * * * Cheers!
Thanks!! I would love to be able to get some interest so that I can make it. It would be great to be like, really BIG, but I would be happy at this point to just be able to make a decent living at it. I can't remember if I told you but I am only 14 right now so I have time to improve and do whatever needs to be done. I pray that it will work for me. Thanks again. Oh yeah, I will have a song on myspace in a week or so that I co-wrote. Later, Ashleigh
Hello mates, Yer sounding great! Hope all is well in your world and you had a wonderful holiday season. We really enjoyed playing in Ireland recently. Check out the new clip on our site from our Ireland 2007 tour - The Indulgers performing "Trouble With A Capitol T" with Johnny Fean vocalist/guitarist from the legendary Irish band Horslips - one of the original celtic rock bands - in Ennis, Co. Clare. Have a fantastic new year! Your friends, The Indulgers
Hey, guys! Been a while. How have things been going? Anyway, I ended up staying in Augusta even though I got out of the navy. I got a pretty good job offer...so...yeah...money is good. Anyway, enjoy:
