A masterful work of art
that transcends all musical genres." That's how Bluegrass Unlimited described
the music of Celtibillies. Formed in 1994 as a contradance band, Celtibillies
began exploring the deep rooted connections between Celtic music and the
Appalachian music of their home region of southwest Virginia. Their music
expanded beyond dance tunes to include a wide range of traditional Celtic and
Appalachian OldTime music and song as well as original music.
The band features Becky Barlow on hammered dulcimer, keyboard
and bodhran, Jack Hinshelwood on fiddle, guitar and harmonica, Tim Sauls on
banjo, bouzouki, fiddle and guitar, and Jeff Hofmann on bass. Celtibillies
performances are arousing mixture of vocal arrangements and spirited jigs,
reels, waltzes, strathspeys, and breakdowns.
Celtibillies have performed at the Smithsonian Folklife
Festival, the Savannah Folk Festival, Williamsburg Scottish Festival, Blue Ridge
Music Center and in 2008 they completed a 10day,1,500 mile tour of Alaska. Their
performances have also been featured on WBRA Public TV and the nationally
syndicated Song of the Mountains PBS series. Their recordings have been featured
on the Thistle & Shamrock™ program on National Public Radio. Since 2004, the
Celtibillies have been named to the Touring Artist Directory by the Virginia
Commission for the Arts. The Virginia Commission for the Arts supports
excellence in all the arts and is funded by the Virginia General Assembly and
the National Endowment for the Arts.
The music of Celtibillies has been featured in two movie
sound tracks including “In the Company of Strangers,” an independent full length
motion picture that won Best Dramatic Feature Film in the 2002New York
International Independent Film & Video Festival and the Appalachian Film
Festival Best Documentary “Down in the Old Belt,” about the history & decline of
small farm tobacco in Virginia.
The Celtibillies also appreciate and strive to promote the
dance traditions associated with Celtic and Appalachian music. Many concerts
include dancers who excel in Cape Breton, Irish, Scottish and Clogging
traditions. The band has released three recordings to critical acclaim including
"Come Dance & Sing", "Greenwoodside" and “The Shoemaker’s Child.” Dirty Linen
says "an enjoyable listen, filled with standards from both Irish and American
Traditions." Dulcimer Player News stated “thoroughly delightful whether they’re
belting out a set of jigs and reels, a rollicking string band tune, an old blues
song or a contemplative ballad.” Bluegrass Unlimited said “The band casts a wide
musical net and succeeds.”
