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OUR STORY
Caolaidhe emigrated from Holywood, Northern Ireland to America in 2005 to pursue a career in music. Finding himself in need of a fiddle player, he met classical violinist/music teacher, Meghan, at an Irish pub in Washington, DC. After auditioning her for the band, they moved into a home on ’19th Street’ in Arlington, VA. They quickly tied the knot as partners-in-crime and began writing songs and creating The 19th Street Band.
The 19th Street Band has entertained crowds at festivals such as DelFest, Charm City Bluegrass Festival, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival, The Washington Folk Festival, Iowa Irish Festival, Annapolis Irish Festival and Maryland Irish Festival. They have been featured as a regular artist at the Open House Festival in Bangor, Northern Ireland and the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford.
The band has packed the house at venues such as the 9:30 Club, The 8×10, The Hamilton, The Soundry (now The Collective Encore), Jammin’ Java, The Birchmere, State Theatre (DC), The Avalon Theatre, Shepherdstown Opera House, The Empire Music Hall in Belfast, and Hill Country BBQ in NYC & DC. They have had the honor of opening for country music stars such as Rodney Atkins and Chuck Mead, as well as for Grammy Award-winning Western Swing icons, Asleep at the Wheel. The 19th Street Band has shared the stage with Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Larry Keel, Kitchen Dwellers, Town Mountain, I Draw Slow, Dangermuffin, Spirit Family Reunion, and Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers and have performed in DC for presidential galas.
The 19th Street Band are delighted to have recently released their new album, Near Perfect! This piece of original work is a beautiful reflection of their last decade. In their third studio album release, they were compelled to dive deeper into the realm of reality, as life throws a lot of twists and turns in an ever-changing world. From touching on the heartstrings to lifting the spirits to remembering that life is just a beautiful mess, these songs capture the lively energy of The 19th Street Band. The band also pays tribute to Philip Donnelly with a recording of his #1 hit song, “Livin’ in These Troubled Times”. The album is currently receiving air play on a hundred different radio stations throughout the UK, including BBC Radio and is receiving rave reviews from all the leading music magazines throughout the UK and Ireland.
“An album of positive intensity, a sound that drives home the point that perfection is exactly what you present, it is your story, it is your tale told and created, nobody really has the right to question its own authority of pleasure that it offers. Near Perfect…impeccable and unspoiled.” – Ian D. Hall, Liverpool Sound and Vision
“In truth, there isn’t a single track that doesn’t earn its place here.” – Dai Jeffries, Folking.com
The band’s first two albums, ‘The Things That Matter’ and ‘Diamond in the Rough’ also received air play on BBC Radio and multiple stations throughout Europe, the UK, Canada and the US. Their music has been featured on Relix Magazine’s Artist Sampler, was chosen as ‘Album of the Month’ on West Norfolk Radio, and was a Finalist for the Washington DC Area Music Awards (‘The Wammies’). The band does an annual tour of Europe/the UK where they have performed live on BBC Radio Ulster.
“Trilling strings, driving rhythms and upbeat harmonies” – RnR
“Album from Irish-Americana group is a gem in the making” – Songlines
“They manage to give us a sample of the joy that cascades from their stage shows” – Irish Music Magazine
Characterized by high energy and strong vocal harmonies, The 19th Street Band brings together a constellation of Americana, country, and rock, with a breath of fresh air. They ignite an audience with their passion for music. Caolaidhe (pronounced “Cally”) Davis (guitar/harmonica/vocalist) along with fiddle/mandolin/vocalist/partner-in-crime, Meghan Davis, create a joy-filled chemistry that no crowd can resist. Add to the mix the very talented Greg Hardin (bass/vocals) & Patty Dougherty (drums), and this band will have everyone enthralled. Bridging the musical roots from Ireland to the Appalachian, their eclectic gypsy-rock spirit literally leaps from the stage and engages every crowd.
