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The band was formed in 1996, although individual members had been playing in other bands throughout the country for many years previous to this.

They play dance music mainly from the Northumbrian, Scottish and Irish Traditional repertoire, depending on the audience and event. They can intersperse the dance with song and musical interludes or play purely as background music for the whole evening.

They offer an event full of fun and entertainment. The caller explains all the moves of the dances and then guides the dancers through each step as the band plays. No need to worry about dancing ability, remember that getting it wrong can add to the enjoyment. The caller is there to ensure that everyone is involved and has a good time.

A typical dance will be managed by the caller having liaised with the organiser, who after the dance starts can then let their hair down and enjoy themselves as well.

It is important to note that they adjust the choice and pace of the dances to suit the age range and general experience of the dancers.

BAND LINE UP.

The basic line up is: -
Brigid Maddern...Guitar, Vocals Louis Barman... …Flute, whistle.
Joanne Smith...Fiddle, Whistle
David Brown ...Fiddle
Jimmy Smith...Mandolin, Caller

They can also call upon the services of
Elaine Caisley, Alice Davey … Flute, Mick O'Connor ... Tenor Banjo,
Paul Flynn ... percussion, Ceira Haidar…vocals/whistle…Sue Donnellan, vocals and Guitar

REFERENCES

"Sorry I'm so slow in doing this, but Knut and I just wanted to thank you all for a wonderful evening of celili dancing entertainment. The music was really superb -- I think it was the best quality I've ever heard from a ceili band. Everyone complimented the musicians! The dancing, though, was of course the best of all, and you were great getting everyone involved and explaining it all so well -- not an easy task with our lot I would imagine! It was really the perfect way to get the German speakers and the English speakers up doing something together, and I think that for everyone it was really a highlight. I also appreciated very much the music played so my friend Bronagh could do her step dance -- you all were wonderfully flexible with everything. The ceili really put the perfect finishing touches on the wedding, and now my new husband and all of his German relatives are staunch converts to ceili dancing! Thank you so much for everything! Also, the woman who organises events (weddings, etc) at St Cross College heard you all and was really impressed. Again, thanks very much -- it was completely delightful! Many thanks and best wishes." - Amy and Knut Eichhorn-Mulligan

"Dear Mrs. Smith,
Just a note to thank you for your super music performed at our daughter's Rebecca, wedding reception on July 8th. Please pass our appreciation to your fellow bands people. We all had a lovely time, everyone said how much they enjoyed themselves." - Jill Letts

"Dear Jimmy
We would like to thank you and the rest of the Crewneck Ceilidh Band for such a great dance at our wedding at Laing Barn last month. It meant a great deal to us to have a ceilidh at our wedding as we have lived so many years in Scotland in the past. It was so nice to hear and to dance to live Ceili music again. Wehope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did, many thanks." - Claire Thomas

"Dear Mrs. Smith and your band colleagues,
Just an all too brief, but nonetheless sinere, note of thanks to you all for your marvellous contribution to the success of our barndance in New Haw on Saturday last. Many have been the expressions of thanks to Richard, Beryl and I for organising the event, but without your infectios involvement it could just have been another unremarkable evening out. We do trust that we may have cause to meet you all again sometime, God willing. But for now thanks again and may you enjoy much success in the future." - David Osborne

"Dear Jimmy
Thank you so much for playing at our wedding at St. David's school on the 7th July. So many of our friends and family have commented on how much they enjoyed the evening entertainment.
The music you played was just what we wanted. With it being as hot as it was people couldn't keep dancing and it was pleasant to take a break and listen to one of the songs. Everyone seems to agree that you got the mix between the dancing and the singing just right.
Please pass on our thanks to the rest of the band and we are sorry that we did not get a chance to say goodbye to you all at the end of the evening. We had a fantastic time and you certainly played your part in making it a very special day for us. " Pauline & Ian Gibson

"Dear James (et al),
Just quick notes to say thank you so much for a wonderful evening of entertainment on our Wedding Day on 13th October.
Everybody danced, and kept on dancing! I don't think I've seen so many people on the dancefloor at a wedding reception! All night as well!
Thanks again, we had a great evening although you made us do our 1st dance again! (Didn't mind at all actually!)
Hope you get more business from it too!" - Anna & David Le Jeune
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They play dance music mainly from the Northumbrian, Scottish and Irish Traditional repertoire, depending on the audience and event. They can intersperse the dance with song and musical interludes or play purely as background music for the whole evening.