North Texas Irish Festival NTIF 2001
Performers Schedule Cultural Events Festival Map
Sponsors
Vendors
Volunteers
Links
Accommodations
Festivals Past
 
 

 

 Performers

the KilldaresThe Killdares

T:m Smith: Lead vocals, Drums
Linda Relph: Fiddle, vocals
Roy Fletcher: Electric guitar, vocals
Ed Walewski: Electric bass

Dubbed by Houston press as "one of the hottest, cutting-edge bands in Celtic music today," THE KILLDARES are comprised of seasoned performers from the Dallas area who have come together to produce a hard driving, multi-talented sound of progressive Celtic music.

With one listen to the smoothly infectious fiddle lines played effortlessly by Linda Relph, coupled nicely with Roy Fletcher's electric guitar, it is no wonder that THE KILLDARES are bringing a new and electrifying style of music all their own to the stage. As the percussive frontman of the band, lead singer and drummer Tim Smith also sings demanding pop-Celtic vocal melodies, while at the same time rounding out the bottom end led by bassist Ed Walewski.

Originally formed in 1996 by founding members Tim and Linda, THE KILLDARES have gone from local performer to headliner status, and have shared the state with a variety of artists, including legendary British Celt-rockers Steeleye Span, surf rocker Dick Dale and swing master Johnny Reno. Even die-hard fans of purely traditional Celtic music have embraced the band's powerful blend of Celtic music and rock rhythms. True evidence that the band's lyrics and music are universal, and appeal to a wide range of cultures and audiences.

1999 was an incredible breakout year for the THE KILLDARES, beginning with their signing of a very vital distribution deal. This deal placed their self-released debut CD "Broken With A Word" in regional stores across the South. With 150 performances throughout 1999, THE KILLDARES continued to reinforce their name on the map of alternative Celtic music. Not to mention, in the fall of 2000, the band made their second annual appearance at the State Fair of Texas, performing a total of 120 shows in 24 days. Sharing their unique brand of music with over 3 million people, THE KILLDARES showed the largest fair in the nation that "Celtic" is cool and fiddles rock!

With the October 2000 release of their brand new album "A PLACE TO STAND", the band is living up to the title of "ultimate Celtic Rock band of the Southwest." The album was produced by Chris Bell, who has earned multiple-platinum albums and Grammy® award nominations through his work with Erykah Badu and Kirk Franklin, and has worked with many other prominent rock acts such as U2, Buddy Miles, Fuel and Oleander. As a member of the Board of Governors for the Texas Branch of NARAS, Bell has announced that he is submitting "A Place to Stand" as a Grammy® nomination for 2001.

After many exciting changes, the year 2000 has definitely proven to be the most evolutionary to date for the band, and 2001 promises even more. Presenting a perfect blend of rock, pop and Celtic, THE KILLDARES have established themselves as an ultimate crossover band - stretching the boundaries of rock 'n' roll alternatives, while bridging the gap between the traditional and the cutting edge.

Back to Performers

Last updated on June 11, 2001
Page maintained by NTIF Webmaster