Album Notes

No one would have been surprised if Arminta had become the 1992 Women's Power lifting Champion. Arminta was poised to break the existing records in her weight class. While the competition was still several months away, she auditioned for the then popular sports television series "American Gladiators." Leading in a head to head competition, Arminta suffered an injury so severe that it ended, not only the television show audition but her power lifting career and dreams of World Records as well.

Arminta's life changed direction at that point. Not one to sit around and feel sorry for herself, she turned her considerable energy toward her childhood love...music. Developing her voice with the same dedication she had developed her body, Arminta explored many different styles of music. Fronting bands ranging from Gothic to Folk, it became evident that her talent was extraordinary.

In 1999, Arminta and husband/guitarist Mikel formed the band Blaq Lily, to back her dynamic vocals. Arminta and Blaq Lily have played in venues all over the United States. Together, Arminta and Mikel have produced 5 independent CD projects with cuts that have received radio air play on specialty radio, college and commercial stations, as well as internet music stations. Their song, Smile, the leadoff cut from their second release charted on several stations. The most notable being KQ92 Minneapolis, MN.

Their 4th album, Still Waters, was a 2001 finalist in the Just Plain Folks International song writing and album contest. Arminta's song "Lonely", from the same CD, Recently received an award in Bill Board Magazine's world songwriting contest.

Since gaining the attention of Kristi Lee of the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom morning show during a St Patrick's day performance in 2001, Arminta and Blaq Lily have opened for Cheap Trick and America plus played two Q95 fourth of July shows at the prestigious Murat Temple in Indianapolis.

Arminta and Blaq Lily have also gained the attention of local television with multiple appearances on FOX59, WISH TV Channel 6 and WRTV Channel 13 morning newscasts.

In February 2002 Arminta and Blaq Lily introduced their latest CD Dream Walk at Utopia to a never equaled club record capacity audience of over 750 people.

Currently Arminta enjoys radio airplay on the WXIR 92.3 fm Hoosier Spotlight and the nationally syndicated City of Music Radio Hour along with various college and NPR radio stations throughout the Midwest.

This edge Neo-Celtic group has produced 3 CD's that have sold all over the world, won recognition for their songs on the national level and performed over 600 live shows throughout middle America since 1999.

You may wonder what happened to Blaq Lily? They are still here and going strong. We decided a couple of years ago to revamp the name and go by Arminta and Blaq Lily. Arminta ia a family name that has been handed down for hundreds of years in my family and I am proud to put it forward now every time we perform or produce a CD as it is a statement of my Celtic heritage.

Forged in the Fire tells a story of Hope, facing challenges and looking for a better life. I hope that you enjoy listening to the songs as much as I enjoyed writing and recording them.

Slàinte

Arminta