User:T-cake/9 Castle Close

9 Castle Close is a Celtic rock group from the Dayton, OH area. The group is comprised of Kevin Maloney (vocals, banjo, bouzouki, guitar), Ryan Gross (drums, programming), Patrick Disney (guitar), Mike Thomas (bass), Beth Hicks (flute and Irish whistles) and Stuart Brand (fiddle).

The group formed in 2008 when Kevin Maloney started working with his cousin, Ryan Gross, Patrick Disney and Todd Hale on bass. Todd was a member of a group called The Spill with Ryan and Patrick. Soon after the first couple meetings, bagpiper Larry Fortson joined the group. After a successful run of several pub gigs and festival appearances, Larry Fortson began filling in for the Celtic rock group Homeland, splitting his time between the two groups for several months before finally departing for Homeland full time. During this run, the group recorded and released a free single, 'Say It', through their website.

After the departure of Larry Fortson, the melody instrument slot was soon filled by two new members, Beth Hicks and Stuart Brand. Beth came from and is still a current member of the traditional Celtic group Knot Fibb'n.