Bio Page
Whenever musicians gather in someone's home for good food, good craic (chat), and good music, a wonderful time is in store for all. The informal kitchen "hooley" is one of the most enjoyable traditions practiced in Ireland, and the Birmingham-based group Hooley try not to stray too far from this winning formula. The group was formed in 1999, and they are dedicated to the rich musical heritage of Ireland and Scotland. This versatile three-piece group is just as facile moving through rapid-fire jigs and reels as it is sailing through slow airs and laments. The members of Hooley come from varying musical backgrounds, each being drawn to this group by a common desire: the love of the tunes.
Hooley have played (in various incarnations) at Birmingham's City Stages, Mississippi's CelticFest, the Alabama Highland Games, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and many ceilis for local dancers. They continue to perform often for school, civic, and private functions.
Hooley are...
Darci Jones - fiddle, vocals
Darci is a long-time teacher of classical violin and fiddle in Alabama. Playing and recording with the Bluegrass band Southbound Glory while still a teenager, her versatility on the instrument enables her to bridge American traditions with the distinctive Celtic fiddle styles. Darci deserves a medal for putting up with her bandmates. Just ask her.
Trent Bradford - Uillean pipes, Highland pipes, tin whistle, bodhran, vocals
Trent is a music teacher in the Birmingham City Schools and is a veteran jazz musician. The Irish Uillean pipes have been his main musical pursuit since 1996, and he is quickly making a name for himself in the Uillean piping community. Trent will play the spoons at the slightest provocation. Never provoke him.
Paul Merryman - guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, vocals
Paul is a strings teacher for the Alabama School of Fine Arts and a veteran of several jazz, classical, and rock groups. His wide musical experience (short attention span) is evident in his creative adaptation of guitar to traditional Celtic music. Paul prefers to wear Converse Chuck Taylors, and is left-handed.
