Biography

The group's name evokes images of Irish and Ukrainian agriculture, which sums up the heritage of its founder, Steve Gidora. Both sides of the family were very musical, and Steve received his first mandolin from his Ukrainian grandfather at the age of 10. Since then he has played with many Vancouver artists and served in the schools as a music teacher in Langley, BC, as well as providing vocals, mandolins and guitar with the band. In recent years a passion for songwriting has overtaken him, resulting a many new originals, some of which now grace the fourth CD. Steve has shared the stage with folk singers such as Ann Mortifee and Charlotte Diamond and his groups have opened for the legendary Pete Seeger and Odetta.

Another well-known member of the group is Victor Smith, a gifted Celtic music interpreter respected for decades of outstanding work with other outstanding Vancouver folk groups such as Under the Moss, The Stoaters, Fear of Drinking, Shenanigan and the Paperboys. His instrumental arsenal includes accordion, whistles, violin, flutes, guitar, bohdran drum and bones. His discerning ear is evident in Grandad, the group's second CD, which he co-produced together with Steve, as well as producing several tracks on After the Battle and full production credit on Can't Draw the Curtain.

Woodwind specialist Mark Dowding,also a co-founder of the respected Gypsy jazz group The Hot Club of Mars, is a veteran of numerous folk festivals and concert stages across western Canada. He creates elegant melodies, harmonies and counterpoints on a wide range of wind instruments, including various flutes, whistles, saxophones and harmonicas. Over a long and storied musical career, he has guested with many Canadian folk music icons such as Valdy, The Paperboys, Sylvia Tyson and Stan Rogers.

The group's newest member is violinist Annie Brown, whose virtuosity and lively stage presence add a sparkle to their live performances. She also sings beautiful lead and harmony vocals. Annie has been much in-demand as an Irish session leader in Vancouver, heard twice weekly in the Irish Heather house band for almost a decade, and she teaches violin several days a week. She and husband Mike are raising two vivacious children.