Robbie Byrne & SHEBEEN (Our music is like a bee-hive of honeyed sound - with the sting left in) Or as one of our trusted fans says: "Haunting, bloody mysterious and downright mind-blowing." (Reviews) "The Pebbled Shore" "An Incredible Folk CD." Alan Cole - North West Evening Mail "A ground-breaking recording." Pete Mossop - Entertaiments & Leisure. Robbie Byrne & SHEBEEN Biog: December 2002 PRESENT BAND MEMBERS: Robbie Byrne - Uilleann Pipes, penny-whistles. Jonathan Byrne, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals. Graham Parker, - Nylon-string guitar, vocals. BAND MEMEBERS on "The Pebbled Shore" album. Robbie Byrne. Jonathan Byrne. Graham Parker. Keith Banks, electric bass. Amy Metcalfe, flute. Richard Bagnell, acoustic guitar. Kirsty Lydon, Fiddle. Ali Rigg, backing vocals. Alec Lyon, harmonica and recording engineer. Michael Nardone, bodhran. SHEBEEN was formed by Robbie who is an ex-Scots Guards Piper who used to play around Queen Elizabeth's dinner table at state banquets, as well as touring the world with the band. The Pebbled Shore album was created and recorded with the heip of the Millennium Award Scheme. The album was a success and was highly praised by reviewers, so much so, that he won another award to record his next album. SHEBEEN perform at gigs and festivals (the latest one was at DENT supporting Martin Carthy) and are presently recording their second album, "12 Mile Island, " to be released April 2003. Robbie lives on an island called Walney and, well, you've guessed it, the island is 12 miles long. The partnership of father and son with Graham Parker are the original founder members of SHEBEEN has worked very well. "When Robbie the piper starts belting away on his regulators, you have to shut the bar door to stop him from bouncing out through it," said a fan at one of the folk club sessions in Cumbria. SHEBEEN play a blend of traditional music, modern and traditional and original songs and instrumentals fused with explosive jigs and reels backed by a driving acoustic and sometimes electric guitars. SHEBEEN in the meantime, are concentrating on playing at a series of gigs and sessions. Dates to be finalized, and will be posted on their website: www.bagpiper-weddings.com. The site also has MP3 music files and information, guest books, email contacts, and links. Robbie personally answers all emails to fans and is always striving to build up his email listing in order to inform his audience, when, where etc of his gigs. They will also be headlining the BIGGAR VILLAGE FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL, Monday, 26th May, 2003. Biggar Village is on Walney Island, near Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria (near the Lake District) North West England. For further details email: Solo7bagpiper@hotmail.com Or check out the website: www.bagpiper-weddings.com