Reels On Wheels
Ceilidh / Irish Band

Line up: Standard 5 piece band: guitar/vocals, banjo, accordian, violin/whistle/double bass + caller

4 piece band: guitar/vocals, banjo, accordian & caller also available (see booking options)

Reels On Wheels includes some of the finest traditional musicians in London. All the musicians have been performing touring and recording for many years and two are award-winning performers.

Mick - Guitar Vocals - is the founder and lynch-pin of the band which he put together following many succesful years organising sessions and gigs in and around his home in North London. He carefully selected the band members for outstanding talent on their individual instruments and as a bunch of good friends. Born in Yorkshire in 1954, Mick trained as a classical pianist and taught himself the guitar. He was always interested in folk music and helped run Knebworth Folk Club in Hertfordshire when he was just a teenager. He was turned on to Irish music during the seventies "revival" by groundbreaking bands such as Planxty The Bothy Band and The Chieftans. Mick has worked in a variety of musical areas composing and arranging for theatre as well as jazz rock and folk groups. Previous projects include "The Tollpuddle Players" "Take Two" "Yellow Bell"and "Northern Celts".

Mick - Tenor Banjo Mandolin - Mick inherited a love of Irish music from his parents who came from County Kerry & Roscommon in Ireland. "The Dubliners" banjo player Barry McKenna inspired Mick to learn the Banjo in 1967. He learned tunes from the great London Irish musicians including John Bowe Bobby Casey Tommy McCarthy and Roger Sherlock and is particularly influenced by Clare Galway and Kerry styles of playing. Mick won the all-Ireland tenor banjo championship in 1971 and two all-Ireland ceilidh band medals in 1986 and 1987 as a member of "Thatch Ceilidh Band". He toured the USA & Ireland in 1975 and the UK in 1976 with Jo Burke and Paddy Glakin on a tour organised by the Irish Traditional Music Association "Comhaltas Ceoltori Eirean". Mick has played in countless concerts and ceilidh's over the years, and toured in the U.S.A, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Ireland and elsewhere. He has recorded with some of the greats of Irish music including Tommy Makem, Kevin Burke, Brendon Shine, Donal Lunny and Noel Murphy. In 1992 Mick backed Elvis Costello on stage and he performed with Ronnie Drew of "The Dubliners" in 1998. Mick joined Reels On Wheels in 1997.

Barbara - Accordion - came from a musical family and started playing with ceilidh bands at the age of 9. Her father was a prominent member of the Irish Traditional Music Association "Comhaltas Ceoltori Eirean" and Barbara became secretary of the Luton Harp branch. She studied and played with Brenbon Mulkere and played in traditional bands from the age of 14, including John Whelan's "The Liffey Banks". Barbara won the all-Ireland accordion championship in 1974, She joined Reels On Wheels in 1998.

Nick - Caller, Bodhran - has been on the folk scene for over 20 years and is Reels On Wheels caller-in-chief. Nick's approach is to make the evening a fun one. He has a really warm and humorous personality. With his unique combination of jokes and patter he involves everyone and develops a great rapport with the audience. Nick is a former primary school teacher, so if there are children at your function he's your man! A French and German speaker, Nick has called for dances in both languages. He may be an ex-teacher but he's not strict! All Nick's dances can be picked up very quickly. Then the emphasis is on having a laugh and a good time. You'll also see Nick playing the Bodhran (Irish drum). Open air, or in doors, with or without PA for all ages and every type of function, Nick has done it. Now he's working with Reels On Wheels, it's a winning combination for your event! Nick joined Reels On Wheels in 1999. 

Reels On Wheels are flexible enough as regards personnel, instrumentation and musical style to be able to tailor a band to each client's specific requirements, and go out as anything from a duo to a six-piece, amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller.

Their most common format for a ceilidh consists of four musicians plus a caller who will teach the dances from scratch - no experience needed!

A Ceilidh is ideal for a successful party, as it is a fun way to get families, friends and colleagues to mix and meet and because all age groups become involved.

Reels On Wheels play traditional Irish, Scottish, English and American songs and tunes with innovation, flair and vitality. The band are both sensitive to the occasion and responsive to the mood of the audience. If you wish, they can concentrate on one particular style throughout the performance e.g. Scottish or Irish.

Please note; All quotes include Reels On Wheels being 'on site' for up to 4 hours. Early arrivals or long breaks may incur extra charges.