Bio

The Ric Blair Band is a Celtic, acoustic, folk rock group on Celtic Isle Records, distributed by Spring Arbor, and STL Distribution in the UK and Europe. On tour in the UK and across the United States, The Ric Blair Band has been impacting audiences everywhere with their positive uplifting brand of Celtic music. The Blair Band is a passionate, high energy force with an innovative organic sound. The Band performs a combination of rock and folk-rock influenced, stirring original songs along with fiery Scottish/Irish trad instrumentals. They have also been referred to as David Gray meets The Chieftains. When you see The Blair Band in concert you will not only be moved by their infectious energy and passion, but you will be impressed by the incredible musicianship of each band member. A typical concert involves not only uplifting inspired music, but also spirited Irish dancing by Yun Blair and world-reknowned Irish dance troups. The Blair Band is comprised of an eclectic family including a Dubliner, a Korean-American, and the rest of Scottish/Irish and European heritage. The resulting by-product of this uncanny musical club has yielded the most magical and electrifying combination of traditional Celtic music and acoustic rock that you will ever hear! A quite sensational and unique sound to say the least! The Blair Band is comprised of: Ric Blair on vocals/guitar/keys/bodhran, Yun Blair on pennywhistle/vocals/keys/Irish dancing, Patrick D'Arcy from Dublin, Ireland on uilleann pipes/low whistle, Jeff Durham on djembe/percussion, and Deb Shebish on Celtic fiddle. Occasional guest artists with the Blair Band include world-reknowned Celtic fiddler Cait Reed, fiddler J'Anna Jacoby from the Rod Stewart Band, uilleann piper Eric Rigler of Braveheart/Rob Roy/Titanic fame, and piper Ivan Goff from Riverdance. Isaac Alderson and Tyler Duncan who are All-Ireland champions on pipes/whistle/flute and bodhran have also performed with the Blair Band. RIC BLAIR (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keys/Bodhran) Lead singer/songwriter Ric Blair has an illustrious resume. Ric has served as a personal guitar instructor for Sheryl Crow, he has composed film scores for Morgan Freeman and Danny Glover, and has written one of the most played Number 1 songs in Christian music history. Ric was a lead guitarist and roomate with the late Rich Mullins. Ric played on Rich's first CD which they recorded in Amy Grants basement studio. During that same year Ric wrote a song entitled "Never for Nothing" which became a number one hit for Grammy nominee Margaret Becker. This song is one of the most played songs in Christian music history and is featured in the EMI Music, Time/Life Songs of Life series. Ric founded the Blair Band in 1995. Ric plays acoustic and electric guitar, bodhran, piano/keyboards, and bass (not all at the same time though) and sings lead vocals. Ric also writes and produces most of the Blair Band's recordings. Ric is the son of an Irish mother and a Scottish father. Ric has traced his Scottish roots back to John Blair who was the personal Chaplin to Scottish hero William Wallace. Other Blair ancestors also fought along side with Wallace. Blair means battlefield in Gaelic. YUN BLAIR (Pennywhistle/Vocals/Keys/Irish Dance/Choreography) Yun is a multi-faceted performer, singer, dancer and choreographer. Yun's pennywhistle work is featured on many CDs that are distributed throughout the world. She holds two Master's degrees, is a trained classical pianist, has a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is an accomplished Irish dancer. She also choreographs world champion Irish dance troups that perform with the Blair Band. Yun was born in Seoul, Korea, and is often introduced as being from "Far Eastern Ireland". You won't want to miss Yun's passionate whistle playing and Irish dancing during the next Blair Band performance. PATRICK D'ARCY (Uilleann Pipes/Low Whistle) Patrick is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and is a graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Patrick currently lives in Los Angeles where he is often hired to play on TV and film music scores. Patrick is also a multi-instrumentalist and plays uilleann pipes, pennywhistle, low whistle, bodhran, mandolin, and guitar. Patrick has played for Quincy Jones and is often hired by U2's Bono to perform for different occasions. Patrick also conducts Irish music workshops around the country. Not only is Patrick one of the most respected and gifted pipers in the country, he is also one of the funniest, Irish quick-witted, and pleasant people that you could ever meet. You won't want to miss his playing as well as his jokes during the next Blair Band concert. JEFF DURHAM (Djembe/Percussion) Jeff is the longest living original member of The Blair Band and has toured the world with Ric since 1995. They have many great road stories to tell as they have traveled together from Scotland to Hawaii playing music. Jeff plays a unique hybrid djembe/perc kit that he invented himself. Many other pro-percussionists have since tried to borrow Jeff's self-assembled, acoustic groove machine. Jeff is not only a musician but a comedian, actor, and published film script writer as well. He has a Master's degree in Acting from UCLA. Jeff is a powerfully passionate percussionist, and it is an incredible treat to watch him perform during Blair Band shows. Jeff will also keep you in stitches as he shares his natural yet unpredictable sense of humor in concert.