About Us
Where to begin? Perhaps the beginning was when Michael and Caeri met at Warren Wilson College during Celtic Week at the Swannanoa Gathering.
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The BorderCollies are a contemporary Celtic band, featuring a unique blend of traditional Celtic and folk influences in their music. Their signature sound incorporates tight instrumentation with three and four part vocal harmonies. Their latest CD, "Sticks and Stones", showcases the band's original compositions and their ability to interpret and arrange traditional material. Based out of Duluth, Georgia, the band performs regionally around the southeast at concerts, festivals, pubs and clubs.
"Balancing their own compositions with traditional tunes as well as covers by the likes of Dougie MacLean, the Collies effortlessly inhabit the world between tradition and innovation." - Carl McColman, New Age Voice.
"A promising blast form the Deep South." -John O’Regan, fRoots (UK)
"traditional Celtic music quintet from Atlanta spins the usual assortment of high-steppin' jigs and reels with finesse, class, style and a refreshingly self-depreciating wit." - Creative Loafing.
"Atlanta's own BorderCollies playing traditional Celtic music with a polished ferocity and excellent, stop-on-a-dime instrumentation." - Ear Candy Magazine
Founding members Michael Robbins and Caeri Tomson first met while attending Swannanoa Celtic Week in July of 1999. Both were taking a contemporary Celtic composition course taught by Susan McKeown. Their first performance was given at the student showcase, and was attended by their instructors, Robin Bullock and Susan McKeown. The song was an adaptation of Cloghinne Winds by Briege Murphy, a haunting piece featured on their first studio CD, "The Road From Swannanoa" released in 2002. Soon after returning to Atlanta, songs were written, material developed and the band started performing as a duo. The theory was "if we build it they will come", and from the inception, the BorderCollies were focused on a contemporary Celtic vision.
Howard Williams was first to join the duo adding mandolin, harmonica and adding his great voice. A veteran of the Atlanta music scene, Howard and Michael have played together for more than 35 years in The Rock Mountain Band, The Defendants, Hurricane Alley The Tornados and, most notably, the Dry Heaves. A classically trained cello player, he plays mandolin & guitar and bodhran.
We are really excited about introducing our new fiddler Kim Barnes. Kim has studied in Ireland with Martin Hayes and Matt Cranitch. She has also performed with The Chieftains, The Nashville Symphony, The Ric Blair Band as well as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. While playing great traditional Irish fiddle, Kim also holds a Masters in Performance from Belmont University.
With us since 2004 is Anna Huthmaker on upright bass and cello. Anna is an amazing musician! Anna grew up in musical household - her mother taught orchestra for many years while her father, Roland Huthmaker, is a fine violin maker. They run Huthmaker Violins in Duluth, which is truly a wonderful shop for all stringed instruments. Anna has a BM in Cello from Louisiana State Universityand an MM in Bass from Arizona State University and plays for the symphony when she's not running around with us!
Lastly, we like to mention that Zac Leger will be continuing to perform with us when he's not on tour with Eileen Ivers. Zac is prominently featured on the new CD, "Sticks and Stones" and has played Uilleann pipes, high and low whistles and flute on "The Road From Swannanoa". He also wrote, co-wrote and performed on our still unreleased "Laird of the Rings" CD.
Zac is absolutely stunning on The Ivy Leaf Set - have a listen on Reverb Nation.
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