The Killdares are a Dallas celtic rock group formed in 1996. [1] The group has released four studio albums and one live album. The Killdares have played many local Dallas Metroplex festivals including Taste Addison, MayFest, and Grapefest, [2] and have been featured at the State Fair of Texas for eight years. [3]

THE KILLDARES TICKETS Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Eagles Tickets Sebastian Maniscalco Tickets Andrea Bocelli Tickets Rod Wave Tickets Jeff Dunham Tickets

History

1996-1998: Broken with a Word

The Killdares were founded in 1996 by lead singer and drummer Tim Smith, along with former members Jesse Owsley, Ann Purdy and fiddler Linda Relph. Both Purdy and Owsley left within the first year, while Relph was with the band until 2002. In 1998, the band released their self-produced debut CD, Broken With A Word ^[1]

1999-2002: A Place to Stand and LIVE

In 2001 The Killdares released A Place To Stand , which was produced by Chris Bell. This album would be submitted in 2001 for Grammy nominations in 5 categories. ^[1] ??

The Killdares released their third CD in the middle of the 2002. Titled LIVE , this album songs from their live set list, including cover versions of songs from Big Country, Fairport Convention, and The Ramones. ^[1]

2002-2004: Transitions

In 2002 six-time National Fiddle Champion Roberta Rast joined the band. ^[1] More changes to the lineup would occur in mid 2004 with the addition of James Dunning on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Stacy Edwards on bass guitar, and Brek Lancaster on lead guitar. Matt Willis joined the band on highland bagpipes in September 2004. ^{[8] [9]}

2005-2008: Any Given Element and Secrets of the Day

In 2005, James Dunning left the band to form Lost Immigrants, but his song-writing was prominently featured on The Killdares' fourth album Any Given Element (2005). ^[10]. In mid 2005, Jim Dawson joined the band on bass guitar. This lineup, Tim Smith on lead vocals and drums, Roberta Rast on fiddle and ukulele, Brek Lancaster on lead guitar, Matt Willis on bagpipes and whistles, and Jim Dawson on bass guitar, would go on to record both Any Given Element (2005) and Secrets of the Day (2008).

For Secrets of the Day (2008), The Killdares again worked with producer Ronan Chris Murphy and engineer Chris Bell. ^[11] The Killdares released Secrets of the Day in July 2008 at The House of Blues (Dallas). The album has been submitted for multiple Grammy nominations in six categories including Album of the Year, Best Rock Instrumental, and Contemporary Folk Album. ^[12]

Troy Gallaher joined the band on bass guitar in March 2009, replacing Jim Dawson.

Discography

• Broken with a Word (1998)
• A Place to Stand (2001)
• LIVE (2002)
• Any Given Element (2005)
• Secrets of the Day (2008)

References

1. Biography on official Killdares web site
2. Past Shows on killdares.com
3. http://killdares.com/site/kds-return-to-state-fair-of-texas-for-8th-year/
4. Biography on official Killdares web site
5. Biography on official Killdares web site
6. Biography on official Killdares web site
7. Biography on official Killdares web site
8. ZoomInfo
9. Mattpiper Bagpiping About Me
10. www.jamesdunning.com
11. Band Begins Recording with Grammy Caliber Production Team for New Album!
12. “Secrets of the Day” submitted for Grammy nomination