- Kathleen Keane
- John Staunton
- Gerry Haughey
- Joe Cullen
- Members: Kathleen Keane (Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Vocals), John Staunton (Guitar, Vcals), Gerry Haughey (Guitar, Vocals) & Joe Cullen (Piano Accordian)
These four accomplished musicians were called upon to perform together by Sean Ginnelly for a "Good Morning Ireland" fund raiser a few years back and continue to be requested to perform at various events around Chicagoland. Although they are not officially organized as a bookable group, their popularity may soon force them to choose a name and brand themselves as a band.
Kathleen
Once in a while, America produces an exceptional artist with tremendous talent and versatility. Such an artist is Kathleen Keane. A vibrant force in traditional Irish music and beyond, she can ignite an audience with her potent combination of extraordinary music and classic beauty.
A multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and composer, Kathleen is one of the finest exponents of the Irish community in Chicago. She was a "child prodigy on the whistle" (Martin Hayes). Her virtuosic tin whistle playing earned her appearances in several hit movies, including "THE ROAD TO PERDITION" (Tom Hanks) and "BACKDRAFT" (Ron Howard). She is also "one of the world's finest Celtic fiddlers" (Chicago Tribune), and is "a phenomenon with that instrument" (Rambles). Her whistle and fiddle skills were also featured on the "CINDERELLA MAN" (Russell Crowe) soundtrack. A consummate performer, she has graced stages around the world with TITANIC band, GAELIC STORM.
https://www.kathleenkeane.com/
John
As a songwriter, John Staunton, who hails from Westport, likes to convey sentiment in his lyrics – the kind that makes you see how the song fits with your own life, and wills you to sing along with a chorus you feel was written especially for you and your rock.
John started his music career back in the late 1980s as frontman with a band called "The Clew Bay Drifters". They later rebranded as "Sound Affair" and eventually became known as "Cadillac". During the ’80s the band toured extensively in Ireland, north and south, the UK and Scotland. In 2010, the American dream beckoned from the vastness out west and lured John to the cold windy city of Chicago.
These days he is the owner/operator of the Chieftain Bar in southwest Chicago.
https://chieftainpub1.wixsite.com/johnstaunton
Gerry
If you get a chance to see Gerry Haughey perform, don't miss it. Gerry is one of only a handful of performers that has really great talent.
With his smooth voice and his playing ability he is really a top notch entertainer. Gerry doesn't play very many open performances.
He is a featured performer in the Chicagoland area, including The Carraig Pug at Chicago Gaelic Park and the Irish American Heritage Center in the Fifth Province Pub. Most of his engagements are for private clubs or organizations. including a lot of dinner dances and benefits. Contact Gerry at (630)243-1943 or (630)279-3589
https://www.facebook.com/people/Gerry-Haughey/100009267002135
Joe
Joe Cullen has been playing Irish music professionally in the Chicagoland area for 33 years or so.
His instrument of choice is piano accordian and plays regularly at weddings, festivals, Irish events, and fundraisers, pubs and clubs everywhere. Joe has toured with the John Dillon Band, Listowel, and many other prominent Irish musicians.
Joe is regularly featured on WDCB's Blarney on the Air, 90.9 FM, The Carraig Pub at Chicago Gaelic Park, The Irish American Heritage Center and in the Irish American News.
