Album Notes

To see all CDs by The Firestarters go to: www.cdbaby.com/all/firedrummer "Touched By The Sun" features a mix of traditional Irish songs with some great original songs both upbeat and emotional. While a bit more mellow than a live Firestarter performance this is definately not background music. Who? Singer/Songwriter Roger Drawdy has put together a brilliant ensemble of players with his band, The Firestarters. The Firestarters play Irish music with an eye towards American rock. Formed in 2000, Roger Drawdy and The Firestarters have performed in numerous venues across the Midwest. Their driving blend of traditional, modern and original Irish music will get you moving to their rich and rhythmic original style. As a group, they are rock solid with passionate, energetic performances that leave audiences howling for more. Roger Drawdy: lead vocals, guitar Robert Pinkerton: bodhran, percussion Kathy Woods: fiddle, mandolin, backing vocals Aaron Zlatkin: bass, backing vocals, mandolin What(People are saying) Irish Music Magazine "Fiddler Kathy Woods ... subtlety and command of mood captures the essence of Touched by the Sun. Drawdy's theatrical vocals and lyrical bent is of the big emotional kind, half Mick Scott's romanticism, and half Luka Bloom's sensuality ...The band kicks up it's storms with choppy rhythms and air punching acoustic rockers." - Irish Music Magazine, October 2003 City Beat Magazine "Touched is an excellent showcase for the group's acoustic-based, groove-driven Celtic songs. Tight, fervent performance is key, but of special note is Drawdy's keen songwriting abilities, which capture the mystique of the genre beautifully." - City Beat Magazine, March 2002 Cincinnati Celtic Festival " The tent sides bulged with fans as Roger Drawdy and The Firestarters brought the audience to their feet with their upbeat performance at the Cincinnati Celtic Music and Cultural Festival. As always, they delivered their originals and standards with great enthusiasm, interacting with the dancing, clapping audience." - Cindy Matyi, Festival Organizer Dayton Celtic Festival "The Dayton Celtic Festival was pleased to have Roger Drawdy and The Firestarters perform at our first annual event. Many complementary comments on the band's performances were made in the surveys completed by festival attendees. Their blend of original compositions and traditional pieces provided some of the most attended and enjoyed performances of the 2002 Dayton Celtic Festival weekend." - Bill Russell, Festival Organizer When? They play regularly around town and at various venues and festivals across the Midwest. Live performances by The Firestarters are typically high-energy, boisterous, and full of good humor (remember, "good" is a relative term). See the gig calendar for all the current show dates. Where(Have they played)? Venues: Byrne's Pub - Columbus, OH Claddagh Irish Pub - Downtown Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN Claddagh Irish Pub - North Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN Claddagh Irish Pub - Newport on the Levee - Newport, KY Claddagh Irish Pub - Polaris Parkway - Columbus, OH Claddagh Irish Pub - Downtown Columbus - Columbus, OH Dublin Pub - Dayton, OH Dubliner - Cincinnati, OH Jack Quinn's Restaurant and Irish Pub - Covington, KY Mr. Pitiful's - Cincinnati, OH Neon's - Cincinnati, OH O'Shea's Traditional Irish Pub - Louisville, KY York Street Cafe - Newport, KY Festivals: Cincinnati Celtic Festival - Cincinnati, OH Dayton Irish Festival - Dayton, OH Newport Irish Heritage Festival - Newport, KY Newport Arts and Music Festival - Newport, KY Ohio Irish Festival - Cleveland, OH Why? I dunno. Chicks. Money. Why does anyone start playing Irish music?