The Cathie Ryan Band (McPeake has CANCELLED)

"ONE OF THE LEADING VOICES IN CELTIC MUSIC."- Los Angeles Times

Named FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE DECADE by Irish-American News

Irish American Cathie Ryan, with her crystalline vocals and insightful songwriting, is an original and distinctive voice in Celtic music. Since her acclaimed seven year tenure as lead singer of Cherish the Ladies, the Detroit born Ryan has established herself as one of Celtic Music's most popular and enduring singer-songwriters. The Boston Globe recently wrote, "Cathie Ryan is a thrilling traditional vocalist whose honey-pure soprano is equally at home on probing original ballads about a woman's place in the modern world."

Cathie has released 4 critically acclaimed CDs on Shanachie Records: Cathie Ryan, The Music of What Happens, Somewhere Along the Road, and her latest The Farthest Wave. She is featured on more than forty compilations of Celtic Music.

Cathie is a captivating and deeply affecting performer. She has built a loyal following throughout Europe and North America by touring steadily and singing "songs of the heart." At a live performance The Irish Echo observed, "Cathie Ryan certainly knows how to communicate with her audience. And what she communicates through song are the enduring values of home, family, memory, and spirit..."

Cathie has performed on national and public television in the United States and Europe, appeared on NPR's Mountain Stage and Thistle and Shamrock, PRI's The World, BBC2 in England, Radio Scotland, and RTE, RnG, and TG4 in Ireland. She was voted one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine, and Chicago's Irish American News honored her as Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.

Available for orchestra - charts by Maestro Jeff Tyzik

Press/Media Quotes

"... a first-rate selection of songs and mature, masterful, at times magnificent singing in the service of those songs, makes "The Farthest Wave" not just Cathie Ryan's most accomplished recording to date but one of the most accomplished examples of Irish American singing to date. It is a revelation." - THE IRISH ECHO, NY

"One of the leading voices in Celtic Music." - THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

"There is a powerful sweetness in Cathie Ryan's voice, as well as a Celtic intensity that can be felt in all the songs she writes and sings--songs of place, songs of memory, poignant songs of the heart." - BILLY COLLINS, FORMER U.S. POET LAUREATE

"Cathie Ryan, the Irish American singer-songwriter and former member of Cherish the Ladies, is blessed with a soprano voice that's both lovely and affecting. It's a potent combination... Ryan's heartfelt songwriting and firm grasp of traditional Celtic music also distinguish her.....[She sings with] a soulful intensity that bridges original tunes with traditional gem ..." - THE WASHINGTON POST

"Concert of the Year Award Cathie Ryan, our Female Vocalist of the Decade, is quite simply the best. She and her talented, versatile band give the definitive live Irish music performance." - IRISH AMERICAN NEWS, CHICAGO

"Ryan is firmly in the upper echelons of Irish music singers" - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

"Cathie Ryan is a thrilling traditional vocalist whose honey-pure soprano is equally at home on probing original ballads about a woman's place in the modern world. Her singing is simply sublime" - BOSTON GLOBE

"[Cathie Ryan's] clear voice is equally at home with the lilt of the Gaelic sean nos and the Motown groove of her home city her own songs have a strength and charm rooted in the combination of these influences, her subjects the histories and lives of real people.......Ryan's intimate, quietly passionate voice draws the listener into her world." - BBC RADIO 2

"Irish American vocalist Cathie Ryan has an enchanting voice, and she sings with both clarity and emotion, bringing a great deal of color and shadow to whatever she undertakes. .....singing with grace and a keen ear for the turn of a phrase; her performance is striking." - BILLBOARD MAGAZINE (STARRED REVIEW)

"Cathie Ryan has the soul of a true folksinger and a crystalline voice that turns even simple songs into gems. One hears in Ryan the sounds of old and new worlds." - HARTFORD COURANT

"Cathie Ryan...moves her richly sympathetic voice between traditional songs and new ones infused with Celtic mystery." - NEW YORK TIMES

PATRICK MANGAN (fiddle):

Fiddle virtuoso Patrick Mangan is held in very high esteem in the world of Irish traditional music. Earle Hitchner, critic of the Wall Street Journal, recently wrote that Patrick “embodies all that is admirable and durable about the Irish tradition in America."

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Patrick studied fiddle with the renowned traditional musician, Brian Conway. He was also mentored by the late Sligo fiddle legends Andy McGann and Paddy Reynolds. His deep respect for traditional music and his gift of playing with fluidity and fire twice earned him the coveted All-Ireland fiddle championship – there is no higher honor for a traditional musician. And Patrick is no ordinary traditional musician.

At sixteen, he was invited to appear in Riverdance on Broadway, becoming the youngest fiddle player in the show’s history. Since that auspicious beginning, he went on to dazzle audiences across the US, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, France, South Africa, Japan, China, and Taiwan as the show’s featured soloist.

In addition to the demands of full time touring with Riverdance, he also released a critically acclaimed CD, “Farewell to Ireland,” composed the awarding winning instrumental “September Sky,” and has performed with Irish music luminaries such as John Whelan and Cathie Ryan. Patrick is currently taking a break from Riverdance to tour as a member of the Cathie Ryan Band.

PATSY O'BRIEN (guitar, banjo, and vocals):

"Patsy O'Brien is Ireland's best kept musical secret.." Irish Examiner

"Like a good wine, guitarist and singer/songwriter Patsy O'Brien has let his musicianship flourish.... throaty vocals, languid guitar." Irish Times

Patsy O'Brien is an award winning songwriter with three critically acclaimed CDs to his credit. He is also one of Irish music's most respected guitar accompanists.

Born in Co Cork, Patsy began performing his genre-hopping, blues and jazz influenced originals in clubs throughout Ireland. He then took his music to the United States where his songs began to win awards and acclaim, including a feature on NPR's All Songs Considered. But the pull of working with others was great and he began sitting in on sessions at St Louis' famous session pub, McGurk's. It was only a matter of time before word spread throughout the Irish music scene about Patsy's guitar mastery. He has since worked with some of the most respected players in Irish Music including fiddle player Eileen Ivers and piping legend Paddy Keenan.

Patsy's guitar playing moves from driving rhythm to delicate and melodic finger picking. Of the range of emotion he draws from the guitar, The New Haven Advocate writes, "His music is stomping and ocean breezy - sure footed and fragile ..." He has performed with The Cathie Ryan Band for the past five years and his interpretive skill and great wealth of talent shine out in Cathie's concerts.