The Irish Descendants

Formed in 1990 in Northeastern Canada, the Irish Descendants' signature blend of boot-stomping reels, wistful balladry, and off-the-cuff humor has won them a loyal following at home, as well as outside the Great White North. Their spirited debut, Misty Morning Shore was released in 1991 to instant local acclaim, eventually landing the group a contract with Warner Music, which would in turn release the group's second offering, Look to the Sea, in 1993. Gypsies and Lovers arrived in 1996, a year that saw the band snag a Juno Award as well as earn the title Entertainers of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards. The band continued to tour extensively throughout the late '90s, releasing numerous compilations and even a Christmas album before the arrival of 2004's Across the Water on New York's Kells Records. Southern Shore was released in 2007 and was produced by Great Big Sea's Alan Doyle. The current lineup includes vocalist/guitarist Con O'Brien, Glenn Hiscock on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and vocals, Graham Wells on accordion, tin whistle, bodhran, and vocals, Mike Hanrahan on banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, guitar, and lead vocals, and Paul Hiscock on bass and vocals. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide