|  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | Bio of the Artist | The FireStarters:
Patrick Quinn: fiddle, tin whistle, Irish flute, mandolin, vocals.
John McBride: bodhran, backing vocals
Eric Sayer: bass, Irish flute, accordion, tin whistle
Mark Milliron: drums, percussion
Keri McBride: backing vocals, tambourine
Raised near the small fishing village of Baltimore, south of Skibereen, Roger fished the rough waters of the Celtic Sea and north Atlantic for hake and cod, sheared his grandfather’s sheep, had his knuckles swatted by the Christian brothers, and experienced life within the rebel county of Cork. Heavily influenced by his grandfather who himself was known to break into song at the pub, along with being a masterful seanachi (storyteller), Roger combined those rich experiences into writing his original music and the interpretations of lively traditional pub songs. The result is very genuine music delivered with fire and intensity.
Irish Singer/Songwriter Roger Drawdy and his band the Firestarters play a mix of Traditional and original music with a distinctive sound. "Air punching acoustic rockers" is how Irish Music Magazine described The Firestarters' intensity. Thought provoking lyrics, haunting melodies, and thunderous live performances are the keys to their success. The Firestarters formed in 2000 and have played in numerous venues throughout the US. Drawdy's prolific songwriting promises to take them to the top of the world/roots music scene. Before forming the Firestarters, Roger released two solo albums, "Longing for Home" and "Dance in the Heather." He gained international attention with the release of his track "For Erin's Sake" on the "Trees are Life" CD produced in Dublin, Ireland by the Earth Wisdom Foundation. Together with the Firestarters he has released five CD's: "The "Emancipated Hostage" in 2000, "Touched by the Sun" in 2001, "Live Fire" in 2003, "Open Seas, Empty Skies" in 2005 and their very latest release "Hallowed Ground" in November, 2007. The band is overflowing with new music so watch for a new album in 2010.
-Savannah Irish Festival 2010
It has been five years now since I first signed Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters to appear at the Savannah Irish Festival. It was one of the easiest and best decisions I have made for our festival. The Firestarters have since performed four times in those five years and the reasons to bring them back just keep growing. Roger Drawdy has been on a creative tear for some time now and he shows no sign of slowing down. The fire within burns fiercely still and a good band has become a great roots band over the years with Ric Smith begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, John McBride, Eric Sayer, Mark Milliron and Keri McBride. They light up the stage with original songs, excellent musical skills and pure joy. This band is about passion and engagement with the audience. If you want to make your festival better, sign the Firestarters. They will bring an audience of their own and win the rest.
-Dayton Celtic Festival
Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters has been one of the most asked for artists at the Dayton Celtic Festival since the festival's inception in 2002. The band was instrumental in the festival's successful layout changes in 2009 and the festival committee received numerous compliments about the band's performance from sponsors and festival attendees alike. The band continues to innovate and grow in popularity every year.
- Irish Music Magazine
"Drawdy's Theatrical vocals and lyrical bent is of the big emotional kind, half Mike Scott's romanticisim, and half Luka Bloom's sensuality. The band kicks up it's storms with choppy rhythms and air punching acoustic rockers."
- Dirty Linen Magazine
"Firestarters is right: This band's hallmark is it's high-powered energy. It's an energy that never over powers the music or the lyrics, though, and there are lyrics in plenty. Drawdy sings lead and plays guitar, with backing vocals from his bandmates, who add fiddle, mandolin, bodhrán, and bass as well. This Midwest-based group's growing skill is at serving the music and at serving up music that's worthy to be heard. The group has recently been the talk of Irish festivals. This is why." | | |
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