Corsicana Daily Sun
Block Party to Turn Green

Deanna Plemons | March 2006

Palace hosting Irish shindig March 10

Kiss the blarney stone!

Or, failing that, pick up some luck o’ the Irish at the Palace Theatre Block Party March 10. A dinner of Irish fare and lucky beverages will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a concert by The Killdares at 7:30. Tickets are $25 each, and may be reserved by calling the Palace box office at (903) 874-7792. All proceeds go to benefit the Palace Theatre.

According to the band's manager, Howard Collum, The Killdares is a five-piece band which plays “Celtic, period. Rock, period.”

“The Killdares perform a mixture of their own original songs, original songs mixed with traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, jigs, reels, etc. and a blend of classic rock and punk rock songs treated with The Killdares special arrangements ...,” Collum said.

The band was founded by Tim Smith, drummer and lead vocalist, who grew up with plenty of traditional Celtic music. Roberta Rast is the current reigning World Champion Grand Master Fiddler, and gained that title in Nashville in 2005. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Rast has played fiddle since age 5 on custom-made five-string fiddles. She has performed on the Grand Ole Opry twice.

Guitarist Brek Lancaster hails from Jackson, Tenn., and began playing at age 12. Trained in music theory and composition, Lancaster has performed classical, jazz, and renaissance music, as well as his beloved rock ‘n’ roll. Jim Dawson of Orange County, Calif., is a first-class bassist who started playing guitar at age 15. Though his role with The Killdares is that of bassist, he is also a gifted guitar player and songwriter.

The band’s most unique characteristic is bagpipes — yes, great Highland bagpipes. Matt Willis of Austin is the world-class bagpiper, and is also a piping instructor for the Austin Youth Pipe and Drums organization. In addition to the great Highland bagpipes, he is also proficient in playing the Scottish small pipes and Uilleann pipes. Willis has competed internationally and at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

“A couple of the members have day jobs, but for the most part, the band is working full time in music,” Collum said. “This includes performing, touring, recording and teaching music lessons. The plan is that in 2006 the band will be completely full time touring and recording.”

Three international tours are in the works, with plans to hit Canada, Taiwan and Europe beginning in late summer or early fall of this year.

The Killdares' unique brand of Celtic and rock has wowed audiences all over the United States, in numerous pubs and other venues in Dallas, and at the State Fair of Texas seven years running.

Don't miss out on the pre-St. Patrick's Day fun and frolic at the Palace Theatre March 10. Make reservations early.

Contact the Palace box office today for more information at (903) 874-7792.