User:Jacqke/Celtic Stone

Celtic Stone was a Texas-based band that performed mainly at American Renaissance Fairs, beginning in 1983. They brought a combination of "irreverent humor, folk-rock rhythms and rock band energy" to their shows, which made them stand out among other largely ignored groups that played in a more authentic but reserved style of Renaissance music. They were well known initially for two cassette tapes of music, "Celtic Stone" and "Druid Wood."

They were among the pioneers of the Ren Fair music industry, scratching out a living when most musicians were volunteers. Their first album, Celtic Stone, was sold behind the scenes because the very idea of the ren fairs discouraged the presence of modern technology on site, interfering with the reenactor's immersion in medieval experience. Later they found ways to sell more openly, supplementing their paid performances.

They played fairs all over the country, including the King Richards Fair in Chicago, the Colorado Renaissance Festival, Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Texas Renaissance Festival, and Texas-based Scarborough Faire.

Between seasons the band

The band has had a mixed grouping over the years. One musician has been in all the versions of the group, the hammered dulcimer player David Clauss.

The band has produced 8 albums between 1983 and 1994.

Albums

 * Celtic Stone, Stoneware Records & Tapes,1983
 * Druid Wood, Stoneware Records & Tapes, 1984
 * Natural Bridges, Stoneware Productions, 1985
 * A Light Shall Shine; Music For Christmas‎, Stoneware Records & Tapes, 1987


 * ''Idylwild II D N' D,	Stoneware Productions, 1987 (D N' D: David Clauss and David Roe)
 * Enchanted Rock, Stoneware Records & Tapes, 1988
 * The Living Tradition, Stoneware Productions, 1989
 * Digital Flashbacks, Mage Records, 1990
 * Spirits, Stoneware Records & Tapes, 1994

Re-released

 * Digital Flashbacks (2006), CD and mp3
 * Druid Wood (2008), CD and mp3

David Roe
Has worked doing street performances in New Orleans. Wrote for Prairie Home Companion for three seasons. Former director at the Hanlon-Lees Action Theater.
 * Napper Tandy
 * The Halfway to Nowhere Band
 * Royal Rounders
 * Not So Secret Society of Elysian Fields streetcar Mardi Gras krewe

Malcolm Smith (December 27, 1951 - October 27, 1996)
Fiddler, who played on at least 35 albums. Member of:
 * Cantiga
 * New World Renaissance Band
 * Gypsy Guerrilla Band

Simon Spalding
Musical historian, involved in teaching, performing with and organizing groups.
 * Dogwatch Nautical Band
 * Golden Bough
 * California Breezes (directed)
 * Dickens Christmas Festival
 * Renaissance Pleasure Faire
 * Afro-Caribbean Jonkonnu Festival, New Bern, North Carolina

Todd Menton
Minneapolis folk, folk-rock, celtic-folk musician with multiple albums. Teacher at Center for Irish Music, St Paul. Also was in:
 * Boiled in Lead