
The “Aran Band” is a group of seven good friends who enjoy performing Irish, Scottish and other Celtic music. The name Aran comes from the Aran Islands, located near Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland, and the last Irish land seen by most emigrants who sailed to America. We enjoy playing fast instrumental numbers, slow aires, and singing traditional ballads, drinking songs and shanties. We have members from a wide area, but are centered around Johnstown, in Western Pennsylvania. The band’s roots go back more than twenty-five years, when Ron Hamilton (pennywhistles, button boxes, bouzouki, percussion) began performing with Gary Noll (lead singer, guitar, bodhran, pennywhistle). Next came the two “Seamuses,” Jim Brett (lead singer, guitar, bouzouki), and “Banjo” Jim Kupchella, (lead singer, banjo, guitar). Joining soon thereafter were Jerry Clark (mandolin, bouzouki, pennywhistles, low pennywhistles), Carl Rahkonen (fiddle, bass, bodhran), and Matt Willen (mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, uilleann pipes). We gather for a dozen or so public performances every year, and many more private get-togethers to enjoy the music we all love.
Performances in 2008:
February 15 The Great Guinness
Toast at the Catholic War Veterans, Johnstown 7:30 pm-
March 14 Johnstown Elks Lodge 7:30 pm-
March 15 Pittsburgh (after the St. Patrick's parade) Sports
Rock Cafe 12:30 pm-
March 17 Johnstown Murphy’s Pub St. Patrick's Day Celebration
7:30 pm-
May 17 Altoona Curve Stadium "Pint for Pets"
Event 7:00 pm-
June 21 Allegheny
Portage Railroad Concert Series 8:00pm-
June 28 Pittsburgh (Croatian Center, Schitzen Park Rd.) Ancient
Order of Hibernians Day of Irish Entertainment
Summer ? Dillweed Bed and Breakfast, Dilltown, PA
August 31 Johnstown Folk Fest 1:00 pm--3:00 pm
other performances TBA
To see our Photo Gallery click here.
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2000- Last modified 7/1/08
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