The Black Irish Band writes, produces, and performs historically-accurate original and traditional songs and ballads. Over the last three decades, the band has delivered 27 albums, more than 100 original songs, and 199 videos. The Black Irish Band first gained national attention after it performed on “CBS This Morning" with Paula Zahn and Harry Smith in the late 90s.Linehan, Gary. County band gets gig on national TV.” Union Democrat, Section: Weekend

History

1989-1999 In 1989, founding members Patrick Michael Karnahan and Richard Restivo met during the filming of the motion picture "Back to the Future Part III." The pair was selected to be members of the movie band. Musician Steve McArthur had a speaking role.

In 1991, the band released its first album, The Forgotten Fields of America. It was followed by Whalers Cove (1992), Hooligans Once Again (1993), Oceans Away Mountains Apart (1994), Underneath the Far Western Sky (1995), The Harbinger Has Passed (1996), Hooligans United (1997), and The Forgotten West (1998). In 1999, the band released two albums: Hear the Lonesome Whistle Blow (1999) and The Day the Earth Shook (1999). The band appeared on “CBS This Morning" with Paula Zahn and Harry Smith.

2000-2010 In 2004, guitarist Ken Darby was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a pick-up truck. He was 47 years old.St. John, Claire (June 24, 2004) Music man dies in wreck, Union Democrat, Section: Page 1

In 2005, the Black Irish Band performed at the Smithsonian Institution and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C., as a part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.Smithsonian Folklife Festival https://festival.si.edu/2005/inspirations-from-the-forest/music/smithsonianLinehan, Gary (June 15, 2005) “Band gets capital gig; Black Irish performance, video premiere on tap at Forest Service centennial in Washington, DC.” Union Democrat, Section: Weekend, Page 10-11Snyder, George. (June 17, 2005) “A new CD and video dedicated to the U.S. forest Service centennial have garnered Sonora’s Black Irish Band a spot in the nation’s celebration in Washington, DC.” The Modesto Bee, Section: The Arts, Page H-9Smithsonian Folklife Festival Live-on-stage interview transcript https://foresthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Karnahan-Patrick-Michael.pdf The festival showcased the occupational traditions of the USDA Forest Service during its 100th anniversary celebration. In 2013 Wild Fire Today highlighted the band's dedication and commitment to wildland firefighters in a feature article.Wildfire Today http://wildfiretoday.com/2013/01/29/song-honors-usfs-firefighters/ As of July 2018, the band had recorded ten original songs in support of firefighters.

From 2000-2010, the band released nine albums. Into the Arms of the Sea (2000), American Landscapes (2004), From the Forest (2005), Long Way to Tipperary (2006), Into the Fire, featuring Michael Martin Murphey (2007), Lonesome Whistle (2008), 28 Black Irish Favorites (2008), Twenty, Back in Black Irish (2009) and Sonora Farewell (2010).

2011-Present The Black Irish Band released two albums in 2011. They were: California Story (2011) and Ireland's Song (2011). From 2012 to the present, they released five albums: Dark Ocean (2012), This Summer (2013), American Legends (2014), Give Us All Yer Whiskey (2016) and Warriors of the West (2018).

On July 4, 2012, the Colorado Springs Symphony featured the band's original song “South Canyon 1994” in a televised concert in support of fire relief for the victims of the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire. More than three million people watched the performance via live television broadcast. In August 2012, the “Ballad of Teddy Roosevelt” was featured in a promotional online video by the Washington Post to get Washington National fans to vote for a winner in RFK Stadium's “The Presidents’ Race.”The Washington Post, 8/3/12, “Let Teddy Win” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPAvKhbBCKY In April 2013, Stanford University published an article, "Men of Iron," about Chinese Americans that built the Central Pacific Railroad. The article references the Black Irish Band's song of the same name.Stanford University https://web.stanford.edu/group/chineserailroad/cgi-bin/wordpress/men-of-iron/ In 2015, maritime historian, author and adventurer Roy Stokes attributed his decision to write the book "Between the Tides: Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast," to the song "The Wreck of the Pomona.Stokes, Roy” Between the Tides: Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast” September 20, 2015. Pages 164-165 “The American” On August 7, 2018, Film True Productions debuted the documentary "Keepers of the Light" about the Gay Head Lighthouse, on National Lighthouse Day, at the Martha's Vineyard Film Center. The movie features the Black Irish Band's original song "Spanish Ladies."

In 2017, original band member Richard Restivo died from a chronic lung disease. He was 64.Maclean, Alex. (April 24, 2017) Beloved Music Teacher, Actor Dies at 64. Union Democrat. Page 1Maclean, Alex. (May 11, 2017) Annual event renamed for late music teacher, musician, actor. Union Democrat. Page 1

In 2019, the Band released the CD "Promontory Summit" in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Band was selected by the Utah Committee/ National Park Service to perform at its three-day Spike 150 celebration at the Golden Spike National Historical Park, in Corinne, Utah.

Musical style The Black Irish Band's focus is on storytelling historically-accurate songs. In addition, the band has a large complement of Irish,Soyars, David. (March 2003) “Black Irish Band: Into the arms of the seas,” The Irish Herald, Page 31.Clancy, Tom. (July, 2005) “Songs and stories from the gold country.” Irish Music, Volume 10; Page 22. Scottish, Italian, and American folk music plus ethnic tunes and traditional western ballads. Its mix also includes maritime and railroad music. Founding member Patrick Michael Karnahan has written more than 100 of the band's original songs.

Band members

Current members Patrick Michael Karnahan - Banjo, melodeon, concertina, guitar, trumpet, French horn, vocals Michael Mullen - Fiddle, guitar, accordion, mandola, piano, vocals James Dean Nelson - Long Neck Banjo, Vocals Erich Quinn - Bass guitar Tobin Denton - Drums Micha Dunston- Whistle & Irish Drum

Former members Richard "Rick" Restivo (October 3, 1952 – April 21, 2017) - Bass, bass guitar Ken Darby (February 14, 1957 - June 22, 2004) - Guitar, Octave mandolin Chris Miller - (March 2, 1952 - living) Guitar, flute, vocals

Guest musicians and singers Michael Martin Murphey Mary Youngblood Joe Craven Mic Gillette Tower of Power Val Shadow-Hawk Utah Phillips

Discography The Forgotten Fields of America (1991) Whalers Cove (1992) Hooligans Once Again (1993) Oceans Away Mountains Apart (1994) Underneath the Far Western Sky (1995) The Harbinger Has Passed (1996) Hooligans United (1997) The Forgotten West (1998) Hear the Lonesome Whistle Blow (1999) The Day the Earth Shook (1999) Into the Arms of the Sea (2000) American Landscapes (2004) From the Forest (2005) Long Way to Tipperary (2006) Into the Fire (2007) Lonesome Whistle (2008) 28 Black Irish Favorites (2008) Twenty, Back in Black Irish (2009) Sonora Farewell (2010) California Story (2011) Ireland's Song (2011) Dark Ocean (2012) This Summer (2013) American Legends (2014) Give Us All Yer Whiskey (2016) Warriors of the West (2018) Promontory Summit (2019)

Further reading Stokes, Roy” Between the Tides: Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast” September 20, 2015. Pages 164-165 “The American”

References

External links