Greetings from Minocqua, Wisconsin!

 

Harmony By The Bay

Marty's nephew Luke "Loki" McCormack was guitar tech at Harmony By The Bay, Sturgeon Bay, WI on 7/6. Uncle Marty did go with the exotic tuning he prescribed.

 

All Aboard for the Mayfly Dance

The 5th Annual Mayfly Dance cruise was held in LaCrosse, WI on Saturday, June 26th. Guests from as far away as New York joined Switchback for a cruise on the backwaters of the Mississippi. The folks were treated to rare wildlife, a gourmet lunch and an onboard concert. The annual cruise is sponsored by the Iowa Irish Fest, which will be held in Waterloo, Iowa, Aug 6 - 8, 2010. Next year's Mayfly Dance cruise is already slated for June of 2011!

 

McCaffrey's Dolce Vita, Decorah, Iowa

On June 25 at McCaffrey's Dolce Vita just west of Decorah, Iowa, Switchback created a truly electric music storm complete with thunder, lightening and summer rain!  Playing to a record crowd of avid fans and first-time listeners, this outdoor celebration had young and old dancing between rain drops. 

 

Switchback kicks off the Smoky Hill River Festival

in Salina, KS on KSAL AM 1150

And so began an amazing 3-day art and music festival with Switchback making their maiden voyage into River Festival.  There really were days when we thought we were in Oz and not Kansas!

• 5 performances on 4 stages in 3 days

• 64,835 attendees

• 1.14 inches of rain

• Average daily high temperature of 92

• Average daily low temperature of 71

Little girl to her mother:  “Look, they decorated this (bridge), but they

didn’t decorate the water.”  As far as the eye could see, there were colorful artisans, performing acts and deep-fried delicacies.  To those festival organizers and volunteers who work tirelessly to make the Festival happen and to all who support this wonderful celebration of colors and senses …  we hope to see you again next year!

 

 

2010 Cave Concert Series at The Natural Gait in NE Iowa

A Cave of Spirits and Yakin the Yellow
As Marty and Brian opened the 2010 Cave Concert Series for Howard and Donna Bright at The Natural Gait, cabins and campgrounds around the Yellow River were filled with concert attendees. So many friends (old and new) from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Canada and of course, Iowa, joined in the fun. Both shows were unique, honoring and playing with Irish and Americana traditions. Songs from the new CD released this year, Ghosts of the River Folk, helped us to not only celebrate the Mississippi River, but also celebrate the “new Switchback” -- think Beatles/Pop/Snap infused with all the wholesome goodness Switchback brings to every project.

 

A River Gypsy and a Cape Breton Step Dancer, two very special guests, joined us as Switchback’s music charmed all. With Effigy Mounds National Monument a stone’s throw away, it’s clear our Cave was used by American Indians for shelter and protection. As soon as you reach the Cave, your spirit awakens and you realize that a Cave Concert doesn’t aspire to be an amazing performance. But hearing one helps us amaze ourselves!

 

On Saturday, we kayaked the Yellow River, riding rapids, racing and scouting out performance sandbars for the Haybarn Rendezvous, August 18 – 22, 2010. And yes, kayaks were rolled – thank goodness none were carrying musical instruments! If you see a fish with sunglasses – they are Marty’s.
Thank you to the awesome group at The Natural Gait for the delicious meals served to the concert goers and for all their great work in making this Concert Series happen. We couldn’t do this without our dear Sherpas. Everyone loved the Bailey’s Irish Cream cookies and TNG truly is a place where “nature plays and our hearts sing”!

New to the Cave Concert Series? Practical tips for future Cave Concert attendees: sensible walking shoes for making the climb to the cave & comfortable, layered clothing. You’ll need to bring your own chairs/blankets BUT wonderful spirits and provisions are available for purchase in the cave. Be sure and come early to enjoy the pre-concert dinner.

 

Oak Center General Store, Minnesota

 

 

The Oak Center General Store, filled to the brim with many newcomers, warmly and enthusiastically welcomed Switchback on Sat., April 24! One of the best live music venues that you can find in southeastern MN, the acoustics in this 90-year-old community hall are top notch and the atmosphere leads to some great discussions and social time. Marty and Brian delivered a powerful mix of progressive folk, alternative country and pop-rock music to listeners from as far away as Illinois. From the sentimental ballads to the blistering rockers it’s easy to see why the Irish Music Association named Switchback the 2008 Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, or Concert in the US, Ireland, the United Kingdom & the European Union. A fun surprise for all as our dear friend, Takeshi, visiting from Japan, joined the group on stage playing his bodhrán, an authentic Irish drum. Thank you to Steven Schwen and his wonderful team for another great evening! A very special treat were the freshly picked morels available in The Oak Center General Store.

 

New London (New Dublin), Wisconsin Irish Fest

 

Blue skies and the wearin’ of the green were everywhere as Switchback rocked the New Dublin Irish Fest tent on Saturday, March 20!  (Where else in America does a town rename itself for one week each year from New London, WI to New Dublin, WI?  There’s even a North Dublin.) Bagpipe bands, marching bands, festive clowns, clans in colors, wee ones, –  a true family event as all readied for the parade listening to Switchback and the strains of Danny Boy, The Wren, Wobbly Jigs and more.  Thank you to Judi & Mooch and The Shamrock Club of New Dublin for a fun day!

Traveling Down an Irish Road

January 27 - February 3 , 2010

 

Marty and Brian are pictured above Ryan's Daughter's beach.

 

 

The group picture is of us taking a jaunting cart ride in Killarney. The carts are driven by jarveys.

 

The gang at O'Brien's Ferrman -a popular haunt for U2 when they are in town recording. (No, they were not in town this last week!)

 

Marty and Brian at Dunquin, above Ryan's Daughter's Beach, where you look out over the Blasket Islands. The guys sang two traditional Irish songs.

 

Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts

The Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts + Switchback + an awesome audience made a rather dreary Friday, Jan. 22 in Menomonie, WI the lively spot to be! The Mabel Tainter building, constructed in 1889, includes a lavish 313-seat "crown jewel" Victorian theater. What a privilege it was to play this venue. The theater contains intricate hand-stenciling, hand-carved white pine archways, rich walnut, mahogany, and oak woodwork, gleaming brass fixtures, leaded glass windows, and a rare working Steere and Turner tracker pipe organ with 1,597 pipes. Celtic selections from long ago, recently released selections from the new CD, Ghost of the River Folk, and everything in between helped to warm the hearts of a very enthusiastic audience. Thanks to the fabulous lighting crew, Erik, Vicki and Melissa, and all that helped to make this event so special!

 

The Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities 33rd Annual Robert Burns Night and Celebration

"Green grow the rashes, O; Green grow the rashes, O; the sweetest hours that e'er I spend are spent among the lasses, O." Robert Burns. And so began an evening on Sat., Jan. 23 much like the ceilidhs (Scottish parties) held in winter in Scotland. The Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities held its 33rd annual Robert Burns Night and Celebration at The Lodge in Bettendorf, Iowa with Switchback as the featured entertainment. With the Blackhawk Pipes & Drum, the Highland dancers, Haggis, and toasting, everyone enjoyed the celebration of local color. Tartans and kilts adorned those who sang and cheered as Brian and Marty entertained wee ones and older folk alike! As the evening waned and good-byes were being said, all joined hands to dance and sing a rousing Auld Lang Syne, another tribute to Robert Burns.

 

Stony Ridge Ranch, Texas

Here is a shot of the cactus from where Switchback had a concert Sunday night at the Stony Ridge Ranch. An audience from Dallas to San Antonio came to the Hill Country for an outdoor concert set among the rolling hills, mesquite and cactus.  Surprise guests included a herd of white tail bucks that listened in on the Mayfly Dance. A return concert is planned for Sunday, Feb. 28.

 

Crighton Theatre, Conroe, Texas

It was a nearly full house as Marty and Brian played at the Crighton Theater in Conroe, Texas. The Crighton was a wonderful theater with perfect acoustics. Marty sang several songs from their "Traveling Down an Irish Road" show without any microphone and found out that the last person who sang unamplified was the late great Burl Ives. In addition to the performance at the Crighton, Marty and Brian will be presenting songwriting workshops for students at the area high schools.

 

Sunset Over Fredericksburg, Texas

Switchback fans had this glorious sunset to watch just before the start of a wonderful hill country concert in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Marty and Brian are on a Texas tour that is bringing them to house concerts, performing arts centers and outreach programs from Conroe to San Antonio.

 

Jack-o-Lantern Cave Concert

 

 

The hills of NE Iowa were alive with the sound of Switchback on Saturday, October 17! The second Concert in the Cave at The Natural Gait found a hearty group of 70+ braving chilly weather. After a hearty Bohemian Stew Dinner and a climb to the cave, the evening opened with Iowa's own Dave Moore, a singer/songwriter often heard on the Prairie Home Companion radio program. When Switchback took the stage (or should we say stomp boxes?), the pumpkins were glowing and the s'mores were melting! The blazing fire and enthusiastic crowd warmed the cave as Brian and Marty, with Dave joining in at times, held all in amazement -- it seemed as if even the stars were applauding. (Photo by Jan Hoag)

 

Fun Fun Fun in Wyoming, Iowa

 

 

The Boys were back in town and the 2nd Switchback concert at Fun Fun Fun in Wyoming, Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 3, included friends from as far away as Hawaii! Marilyn Gray’s building is steeped In Wyoming history, having been a printing company for almost a century. Excess oil that was intended to keep the machines humming has stained the floor permanently, adding to the ambience of it all. Every seat in the house, 120 in all and only 3 – 5 rows from Marty and Brian’s stomp boxes, held an enthusiastic music lover. It was great to see old friends and meet so many new ones as we traveled down an Iowa road. (Photo by Jan Hoag)

 

 

St. Patrick's Irish Settlement Homecoming

 

 

The Ancient Order of Hibernians certainly knows how to host a homecoming: music, food and fun! St. Patrick's church near Cumming, IA is the last vestige of what was the community known as Irish Settlement. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places and was visited by Pope John Paul II on his first visit to the US back in 1979. In 2008, the AOH wondered, "if we threw a party, would anybody come?" When the music is by Switchback, of course the answer is yes! Throw in a 17-year-old Irish fiddler and dancers from the Foy School of Irish Dance, add rib sandwiches and sides by the parish council, and you have all the ingredients to feed folks, body and soul! In only it's second year, we had upwards of 120 people come out to enjoy the festivities and the beautiful weather -- some of whom had never been on a gravel road before! It's that kind of homecoming -- you may never have been there before, but you feel it right away: you know you'll come back.

 

 

Gloamin' Fest - 2009

 

 

The 6th Annual Gloamin' Fest brought music lovers from as far away as Wyoming and Kansas to the Colorado Rockies. Even the locals turned out--a momma bear and her cub took up residence under one of the trees and seemed to enjoy the day of music. The haunting Native American flute of Father Phil Mason gave way to the playful western swing of the Starlite Ramblers, the romantic ballads of Dave Lyon, blistering blues of Taras, Moose's "meat-n-potatoes" musings, the peaceful songs of John Erlandson, the bouzouki and bass of Kort McCumber and Mark Diamond, the mountain groove of Elephant Revival and of course Switchback! A special thanks to Keith Riker for his emcee work and Scott Messler & co. for their sound. Next year's event is set for Aug. 27 & 28, at the 35 acre Humphrey Museum and will have camping, two stages and much more! (Photo by Willie Gibson)

Haybarn Rendezvous - 2009

 

Happy Rondy! The Haybarn Rendezvous has found a new home at the Natural Gait, near Marquette, Iowa.  A beautiful weekend began with the Friday night "Switchback Concert in a Cave" high in the North Iowa bluffs outside of Marquette.  It was well worth the climb to enjoy the music and feel the spirit of the ancient limestone cave.  On Saturday we enjoyed the beauty of the prairie at the Natural Gait while listening to fantastic music all day long.  John Erlandson, Paul Kaye, James McCarthy, Dave Moore, Wonder Creek, and the Sawtooth Bluegrass Band gave us truly superb music through the day, and of course Switchback made believers out of many new fans as they played into the night.  The fire circle, a Rondy tradition that keeps the party going into the wee hours, was hosted by the Sawtooth boys and we had a great time singing along to popular tunes put to a bluegrass beat.  The Sunday Jam brought Saturday's performers together for one last set before it was time to bid adieu until next year. 

 

Ft. Madison, IA

 

The rain chased Switchback out of Old Settlers Park in Ft. Madison, IA on Sunday, Aug 16, but the First Methodist Church provided refuge. An overflowing crowd, good food and plenty of it, and excellent music - God must have been pleased!

 

Beaver Island, MI - 2009

 

 

The Beaver Island Community Center is a wonderful facility for the residents of the island. We got in, set up and sound checked quickly then were given a tour of the island before going to the beautiful home of our hosts, Beth and Joddy. Then it was time for the concert and what a time it was! As this was Switchbacks third concert on the island, it was fun to see old aquaintences and friends who had come out for the show. The audience was warm and appreciative. We all thought the thunderclap between verses of Danny Boy was some fine showmanship on the part of ...God! And I think the islanders may have second place sewn up in the ongoing "Twister -Dog- Barking- Competition"! It was uplifting to meet so many new fans after the concert.

 

 

2009 Venetian Festival - Charlevoix, MI

 

 

Music filled the air at the 2009 Charlevoix Venetian Festival. The sun came out and revealed a very large crowd of new Switchback fans. Click here to view a larger version of this photo...

 

 

DaveStock - Desbarats Lake, Northern Ontario

 

 

This is the second year in a row that Switchback has played DaveStock and it won't be the last. Near the end of the night, Dave grabbed the mic and said "As long as I am alive we are going to have this party and Switchback will be right here with me." Then the boys broke into a blistering version of Nancy Whiskey that got the whole party dancing and singing along. DaveStock is music, 45 chickens, more music, more food, the sauna, hula hoops, more food, drinks, fireworks, a bonfire, bag pipes, games, the lake and a whole lot of great friends gathering every year for the best party in Northern Ontario!

 

 

The Dew Drop Inn Again - St. Joseph Island, ON

 

 

Over 200 people packed the "Dew Drop Inn Again" on July 17th to raise money for the Matthews Memorial Hospital Fund. Syzygy opened for Switchback and Kevin Gallagher entertained the crowd with his amazing trumpet work as he backed up Switchback on a mix of covers and Switchback originals. Erik Sundberg, the Colonel's son, played drums and percussion, and kept the dance beat going all night long!

 

 

 

Soo Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

 

 

When Marty stopped the concert to announce that we were being broadcast live online all over the world, you could feel the excitement in the theater ratchet up a notch. Watch the archived webcast... 

 

Dubuque, Iowa

 

 

After traffic issues and other delays, we WayGood Road Warriors arrived at the Marshall Park Arboretum with just enough time to set up and sound check before Switchback took the stage for an early evening concert.  Many of the crowd of 600 + arrived before we did, and I lost count of the offers to help set up we had before the concert! It was a beautiful  warm summer night in Dubuque.   The audience was enthusiastic from the start - there was defiantly a party going on!  These folks had come out to clap their hand, stomp their feet, and sing along to some great Celtic music.  They were delighted with the blend of Irish and original Americana they get from Switchback!  It didn't  take long before the audience was dancing and enjoying the banter and jovial atmosphere of the night.  It was wonderful to see our new "Switchead" friends from La Crosse, and make plans for the Rondy with them and our dear Iowa friends the Frey's!    For most of the audience, however, this was their first Switchback concert, but I can guarantee it will not be their last!  The folks in Dubuque got totally "Switched"!  This Sunday in the park was yet another reason that the Capital of the WayGood World may very well be Iowa!

 

Elk Rapids, Michigan

 

 

Switchback and local Elk Rapids band Syzygy played to a very enthusiastic crowd at the final concert of the season for the Elk Rapids Concert Series.  Syzygy opened the show with their energetic original music and a very unique take on MGMT's "Kids".  Switchback followed the opening act with a wide assortment of heart thumping traditional and original Irish tunes, as well as some incredible new songs that even the long time Switchback fans had never heard.  It was an great night of music that wrapped up with two standing ovations and an encore featuring Switchback and Syzygy joining forces for an extended version of Switchback's "Apple of My Eye".