Who we are.
The Band.
The Legends.
David Anderson! Guitar. Mandolin. Harmonica. Vocals. Started playing trumpet in the fourth grade. At 13, heard the Rolling Stones playing “Jumping and Jack Flash” on a car radio and that was it. Got a guitar and never looked back. A father and grandfather.
A Stone Mason by trade and an avid fly fisherman whose passion is writing, arranging, and performing music. Hopes to share this band with you soon.
Yours truly, David Anderson,
Founder of The Blarneytones.
Dana Carey! Flute, piccolo, tin whistles, vocals. Dana’s been playing flute since 1999 and Irish tin whistles since 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in flute performance is working on a master’s in social justice and human rights. She has spent her career working in music and politics. Dana currently teaches flute lessons in Greater Seattle.
Tessa Weeden! Tessa is a fiddle player and singer who hails from Fairbanks, Alaska. She’s been playing with the Blarneytones since she moved to Seattle in 2022.
Tessa previously played in a band for English Country Dances. In addition to Irish music, she enjoys bluegrass music and dabbles in playing the Dobro.
Evan Strauss! Evan taught himself to play the banjo by playing slap bass and listening to Thelonius Monk. His love of the instrument was catalyzed in late 2020 when his dog (Applesauce) ate a piece of his banjo. When not playing the banjo, Evan ponders existential questions such as “What really happened to Trevelyn’s corn?” and “What don’t you do with a drunken sailor?” www.evanstraussmusic.com
Chris Hylander! The percussionist of the Blarneytones. Growing up in Seattle, he has found musical passion fusing multiple genres of music including rock, reggae, funk, and metal. Since joining the band in the summer of 2023, Celtic punk/Irish folk have been added to his influences.
Bill Dougherty! Bass (Standup & Electric). The heartbeat of any band, the melodic thump and rumble of the 4-string Bass floats the rest of all that is woven by the rest of the Band. Look to all that is done, and the Foundation is that solid floor of sound - The Bass!
Dave Skaggs! David is a Seattle area keyboardist and musician. Starting in his youth, he gained experience early on learning a variety of styles, and has played with several artists both on the road and in the studio. Currently he is working on original music and playing accordion with the Blarneytones.
Robyn Plaeyr! Bodhran (Irish Drum) Doumbek (Middle Eastern Drum). Occasional Pennywhistle. Harmonium. Performing since 1973, Robyn is the certified “Old Man” of the group. A professional Renaissance Faire performer, musician, Shakespearean (and Benjamin Franklin presenter) Robyn sometimes does the Opening Act for The Blarneytones as well. www.Patreon.com/WaShakeFest
Enjoy the Videos now. Come see us LIVE! whenever you can. We want to see you DANCE!