What is Cairde na Gael ? In Irish, it's pronounced (kar-djuh nuh gayl) and it means "Friends of the Gaelic (Irish/Scot)". O'kie Irish Music is a little play on words describing our particular style of Irish music. Our music is based on the styles of great Irish bands such as The Dubliners, The Clancys, and The Wolftones. We just add a pinch of "Oklahoma" to get O'kie Irish Music.

The band grew from a weekly session band. In Ireland various musicians gather at the pubs and have open sessions or jam nights. Cairde na Gael began from just such a musician's session, right in downtown Tulsa at Arnie's Irish Bar. What began as an open session group became a band. Cairde na Gael can still be found playing at Arnie's Irish Bar.

The members of the band include Frank Smreker (guitar, harmonica and vocals), Kelly Lamb (vocals), Mike Roohan (vocals and drum), Rusty Starbuck (banjo and mandolin), Todd McDonald (penny whistle and pipes), Jon McClure (bass), and our tie to all our Irish pasts, Phil Duffy (button accordion) all the way from County Cavan Ireland.

Our tunes include, traditional dance tunes, pub songs, ballads, and sing-a-longs. The band has played at various Irish Festivals and Pubs, Tulsa's Oktoberfest, and the Cherokee Resort & Casino in Catoosa. The band released it's debut CD, titled "Cairde na Gael", in August of 2005.

Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Similar Artists: The Clancys, The Dubliners, The Wolftones, The Chieftains, Planxty

Website: Cairde na Gael
Download MP3: "Take Me Up to Monto"
Buy CD: Cairde na Gael

Posted by Marc Gunn, Sunday, September 18, 2005.
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