Ellis Island started on St. Patrick’s Day in 1996, after a couple Casino executives from Harrah’s heard Mick Doyle singing with another Irish act at the Dubliner Pub In Omaha. They offered a spot at their Grand Opening on St Patrick’s Day to Mick and “his band”. The only problem was Mick did not have “a band”, but he did have a lot of willing and able friends who were willing to give it a go and so a band was born. Lead by an Irishman with another one on bass, a Scot, an Italian and a German in the line up, “Ellis Island” was a natural name for the band. After a couple line up shuffles over the years, Mick and Dave Marsh decided that it would be just the two of them that carried on with an occasional guest musician now and then. Ellis Island performs 2 – 3 times a month at bars and pubs in the Omaha and Kansas City area. They have developed a strong following of loyal and enthusiastic fans, some of which bring their own props and instruments to sing along and be a part of the show. Mick and Dave have played at several festivals including the Omaha Irish Festival, Weston Irish Festival, Sioux Falls Irish Festival and the prestigious Kansas City Irish Festival. Ellis Island has released three (3) cd’s “Crossing the Pond” “Live from McGuire’”s and “The Whole Shebang” About Mick Doyle Mick Doyle comes from a singing family. His father Robbie Doyle is always “good for an auld tune”. Mick’s playing of Irish music began in earnest through the influence of his uncle Joe “Bo Bo” Wren. Joe introduced Mick to the Dublin Sunday morning sessions at O Donoughes and Mother Redcaps. During these sessions he was heavily influenced by the story telling approach of certain Irish Musicians. Since those days he has jammed with many outstanding musicians from Dublin, Tralee, Doolin, and the United States. Ellis Island have been very honored to have on stage with them the likes of Davy Spillane, Kevin Glackin, Paul Dooley, and Keith Roberts. Once after attending a Fureys and Davey Arthur performance in Omaha, Mick sat down with Finbar Furey to talk of their love of the fight game and Mick was inspired by the words of Finbar who said singing is like fighting in that it has to be done with heart. “Always the heart son, sing with the heart” are the words which guide Mick in his performances. Mick’s musical influences range from Luke Kelly, Christy Moore, and Paul Brady to more contemporary artists such as Van Morrison and Bono. As Mick would say himself, “I like any singer with a story to tell and a powerful, soulful and emotional way of giving the song to the audience”. About Dave Marsh Dave Marsh performs international folk and children’s music on a medley of familiar and uncommon musical instruments. For over 25 years Dave has provided musical programs for school assemblies, senior centers, local pubs, festivals, professional gatherings, church groups, and community events. His programs entertain and educate audiences with stories and demonstrations of more than a dozen instruments, including accordion, banjo, hammered dulcimer, autoharp, English bagpipes, penny whistle, spoons, bones, bodhran (Irish drum), and more. He started playing Irish Music with Paddywhack, Nebraska’s original Irish Band in Lincoln, when “Daddysqueeze” Dan Newton (www.daddysqueeze.com) saw Dave playing the spoons and asked him if he could play the bodhran. A percussionist since age 9, Dave seized the moment and has since developed into one of the midwest’s most talented and unique bodhran players. Together with Mick, another fine bodhran player, the duo drum solo has become a trademark of an Ellis Island performance. Now Dave’s precise vocal harmonies and vast musical arsenal is a perfect match for the powerful lead singing and solid guitar playing of Mick Doyle. Dave’s favorite compliment came from a 3 year-old pre-schooler who, after Dave finished a song with his autoharp, said “You have rainbows coming out of your eyes when you play that”.