Mike began playing Celtic Folk music in 1986, with childhood friend John Haggerty, in a four piece band called "The Porters". He had come home to Upstate New York after seven years of solo acoustic performing at pubs/restaurants in New Hampshire (UNH '84 Alumni) and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After six years together performing songs by The Clancy Brothers, The Wolftones, Tommy Makem and other popular Celtic/Folk artists, Mike and John formed "Hair of the Dog" with another local musician, Rick Bedrosian (also with "The McKrells"). "Hair of the Dog" grew in popularity as they performed at festivals from Chicago and Cleveland to Pennsylvania and Boston. Five tours of Ireland and six CD's later, HOTD is still attracting fans of all ages. Mike wrote the title track from "Hair of the Dog's" latest release, "Let it Flow". Here, with the help of some great musicians from the east and west coasts, is his first solo CD, "Son of a Dunigan". Michael's Mom is a Dunigan, from Co. Mayo. Thank you for listening and enjoy!
The first time I remember seeing Ace Parkhurst, sometime in the late 70's, I was listening to his band, "Nightshift", at a bar in Albany, NY. A couple years later, I was introduced to Ace while he was running sound for local band, "Silver Chicken". In 1989, our Irish folk band (The Porters) hired Ace to record/produce a live CD (at The Parting Glass) in Saratoga, NY. He and I started talking about a solo project and ended up recording and releasing my first album in 1990. Over the span of many years, we developed a friendship and would often record at his studio, "The Bombshelter". We'd sing and play on each other's songs (mostly I'd sing and he'd play). I'm glad we were able to pull these songs off the shelf, dust them off, bake a few tapes and be able to put them together for this collection. Some are old and some are new but, to you, they'll all be right out of the box! Thank you and enjoy - Mike D.