Colin Grant-Adams

National touring artist Colin Grant-Adams, originally from Oban, Scotland, performs songs of the British Isles, American/folk and bluegrass music, adding elements from his own musical experiences of thirty years to create a refreshingly spirited sound uniquely his own.

“Scotland in Songs and Stories,” Grant-Adams entertains, inspires and educates his audiences on a journey to the British Isles. Drawing from traditional (Roots), contemporary, and acclaimed original songs, Grant-Adams brings to light the early influences the Scottish emigrants had on American folk and bluegrass music.

Grant-Adams weaves songs with mystical stories, a touch of humor, and even some unbelievable yodeling, delivered with his powerful tenor voice, and intriguing guitar work. He has produced eight recordings, appeared on numerous television shows and concerts all over the United States, including the acclaimed Carnegie Hall in New York City. Stephen Holden of the New York Times calls him “a spirited spokesman of a vigorous Scots folk tradition that is unabashed in its expression of patriotism.”

The Celtic Martins

The Celtic Martins, formerly known as The Martin Family Band, from Southeastern Pennsylvania is an exciting, energetic group that features traditional Celtic music as well as Irish step dancing.

A performance by The Celtic Martins will feature the musical ability of five of the Martin children, ranging in age from 9 to 18, accompanied by their parents on guitar and bass, and drummer, Earl Pyles. Although the fiddle is the dominant instrument in a performance by The Celtic Martins, shows also include several other instruments such as the Irish whistles, concertina, mandolin, bagpipes, and percussion. Their shows also feature some Irish step dancing by the Martin sisters, which is always a crowd favorite.

The family has been performing music since 2004 and has quickly become a musical sensation, performing throughout the region at various fairs, festivals, and other venues such as Bethlehem Musikfest, McLain Celtic Festival, Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival, Kutztown Folk Festival, Southern Maryland Celtic Festival, and at theaters such as the Miller Center in Reading PA, and the Kirkland Arts Center in Clinton, New York.

Father Son and Friends

Father Son and Friends is a traditional Celtic band with Scots-Irish roots that settled in Kentucky.

Now calling Englewood, Ohio home – Father Son and Friends travel the country promoting their Celtic heritage through humor, stories and traditional music that will have you clapping and singing along. Step on up and come along with Father Son and Friends on another adventure.

Albannach

Albannach is Scots-Gaelic for “Scottish” or “Scotsman”. That’s exactly what we are. Albannach are all born and bred in Scotland and our purpose in life is to share our intriguing culture, history and heritage with you by means of our music.

Albannach are not just another Scottish ‘Pipes & Drums’ band, indeed we bring a new and exciting form of music to your living room. A championship winning piper, an extremely talented main drummer, bass drummers and bodhran musician bring you a brand new approach to percussion and Celtic music. Our style of music is exciting, energetic and enchanting and we promise to leave you begging for more.

Master of Ceremonies Bob Valentine

“This is America’s best Scottish Master of Ceremonies!”

Bob was born in New York, the son of a Scottish immigrant and a Swedish American mother. As a graduate of the University of Kentucky, he considers the “Bluegrass State” his home. For over 30 years, Bob has been known as a public speaker, entertainer, actor, director and “compere.”

A well-known interpreter of the works of Mark Twain, Bob is the founder of The Spinners!, Kentucky’s only professional storytelling troupe. The group was featured on the Nostalgia Network and on the Americana Television’s Storyteller’s Theatre. In 2008, he released his first recording of Scottish jokes and tales, I’ll Tak the Low Road. His most recent book of humor, Seasons, is published by New Caledonian Press and is available at selected bookstores and on BarnesandNobles.com.

Bob is a Past-President of the Caledonian Society of Murray, Ky., and regularly schedules speaking and performance engagements at Scottish Heritage Festivals, including the Robert Burns Suppers (Knoxville), the West Kentucky Highland Festival (Murray), the Gatlinburg Highland Games (Tenn.), the Louisiana Highland Games (Jackson) and the Glasgow Highland Games in Kentucky. He is a regular member of the faculty for Murray State University’s Scottish Heritage Elderhostel. He currently serves as Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication at Murray State. Bob and his wife, Vicki, live near Paris, Tennessee.