Album Notes

Four Leaf Peat is Knoxville's premier Irish traditional music group. If you have ever been fortunate enough to experience live session music in one of Ireland's many pubs you will instantly recognize Four Leaf Peat's style. Their love for Irish traditional music shows in every set this group plays. Whether it's lively jigs, rollicking reels, rousing songs or haunting, slow airs the emotions that gave birth to this music shine through in every melody. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, East Tennessee boasts a strong heritage of eclectic musical styles . A great deal of the Old-Time, Bluegrass and house music known to this region of East Tennessee/Western North Carolina finds its roots in the Scots-Irish tradition.
Thus, Four Leaf Peat is born. Musicians from various backgrounds whose musical hearts beat Irish!

Musician Biographies

Matt McNeely plays the Irish uilleann pipes, whistle and low whistle. Trips to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games sparked his interest in Irish music and uilleann piping in particular. During high school, Matt played in the traditional acoustic group Dundrennan. Sharing musical duties in the band was Matt's highland piping cousin Lyric Todkill. Later on, musical partnerships were formed with hammer dulcimer player Evan Carawan, Jason Herrera and ex-Finnegan's aWake guitarist Mark Warford. This new group was dubbed "The Travelers". Matt cites pipers Johnny Doran, Leo Rowsome, Patsy Touhey, Paddy Keenan and Finbar Furey as huge inspirations. Personal help and instruction on the pipes was provided by Phil Sexton, Quinto Espina and Cillian Vallely.

Rick Hall has been playing music most of his life and the hammer dulcimer for about 25 years. His first exposure to the instrument came in 1975 at Knoxville’s Jubilee Festivals. His early influences were Guy Carawan, Malcolm Dalglish and John McCutcheon. He has been active in the local Irish music scene for several years. Rick co-hosts the local weekly Irish traditional music session. He also plays bodhrán, whistle and uilleann pipes.

Chad Beauchaine began playing the violin at the age of 10 and studied classical music through college after receiving a music scholarship to the University of Kentucky. Chad then moved to Johnson City, TN and met Tom Swadley who introduced him to Irish music. Chad spent the next several years as a member of the Irish music group Sigean and has since traveled frequently to Ireland, Chicago and New York to play with and learn from some of the finest Irish musicians. Some fiddlers of note from whom Chad has received instruction include Kevin Burke, John Daly, Tony DeMarco, Liz Knowles and Tommy Peoples.

A native of Oak Ridge, TN Jason Herrera started out in the music world as a self-taught flute/whistle player and Sean Nos singer. As a professional blade smith he toured the US with Renfairs, Highland Games and SCA events which allowed him to meet and play with a variety musicians from around the world. After leaving the festival circuit to continue his smithing trade, he began to play with a few local sessions and small Celtic bands. Jason has been playing flute, whistle and bodhrán for about 10 years now around the southeast, and now with the group Four Leaf Peat. "It's great to play with people who can listen and react to what you play. And these guys are great for that". He now lives back in Oak Ridge with his wife fellow vocalist Susan Herrera.

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