Originally formed in 2013, The Selkie Girls have firmly established themselves as a mainstay in the North Texas folk music scene. With dozens of music and art festivals under their belt, as well as numerous television appearances, the band has toured throughout the States, never failing to captivate audiences with their unique instrumentation, lush harmonies, and dynamic arrangements. The band (Alli Johnson: vocals/guitar, Jaycie Skidmore: vocals/flutes/penny whistles, Chad Johnson: vocals/guitar/mandolin, Joel Black: upright and fretless acoustic bass, Martin McCall: percussion, and Linda Mudd: harp) draws upon a vast repertoire of ancient and contemporary ballads, traditional Irish and Scottish songs (often sung in the native tongue), and foot-stomping jigs and reels, creating a truly eclectic and affecting musical experience.
Their debut album, The Parting Glass (2013) has been well-received both critically and commercially, with the title track garnering international attention. For their sophomore effort, Long Time Traveling (2015), the band expanded its sound with more intricate arrangements, further pushing the envelope of contemporary folk music. The lead-off track, “The Gaelic Song,” won the Celtic Radio Music Award for “Best Song of 2015” in the Roots Traditional category. For their third album, The Pirate Queen (2016), the band focused on strong female historical figures, including Grace O’Malley and Princess Louise, and continued to refine their sound, amalgamating more influences—both modern and past—in yet another distinct sonic expression of melody, harmony, and rhythm. All three albums have received rave reviews—from both fans and press alike—and have sold steadily at live shows and online via iTunes and Amazon, with numerous tracks receiving airplay on stations throughout the world.
Their debut album, The Parting Glass (2013) has been well-received both critically and commercially, with the title track garnering international attention. For their sophomore effort, Long Time Traveling (2015), the band expanded its sound with more intricate arrangements, further pushing the envelope of contemporary folk music. The lead-off track, “The Gaelic Song,” won the Celtic Radio Music Award for “Best Song of 2015” in the Roots Traditional category. For their third album, The Pirate Queen (2016), the band focused on strong female historical figures, including Grace O’Malley and Princess Louise, and continued to refine their sound, amalgamating more influences—both modern and past—in yet another distinct sonic expression of melody, harmony, and rhythm. All three albums have received rave reviews—from both fans and press alike—and have sold steadily at live shows and online via iTunes and Amazon, with numerous tracks receiving airplay on stations throughout the world.
WHAT IS A SELKIE?
Selkies (also spelled silkies, selchies; Irish/Scottish: selchidh, Scots: selkie fowk) are mythological creatures found in Scottish, Irish and Faroese folklore. Similar creatures are described in the Icelandic traditions. The word derives from earlier Scots selich, (from Old English seolh meaning seal). Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land.
The legend is apparently most common in Orkney and Shetland and is very similar to those of swan maidens. If you'd like to learn more about selkies, here is a link to the wikipedia site where the above information comes from - www.wikipedia.org
The legend is apparently most common in Orkney and Shetland and is very similar to those of swan maidens. If you'd like to learn more about selkies, here is a link to the wikipedia site where the above information comes from - www.wikipedia.org
About the Band
Alli Johnson - Vocals, Guitar
Alli Johnson is a folk singer and multi-instrumentalist. She is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the award-winning Dallas-based Celtic group The Selkie Girls and also serves as the director for North Texas School of Irish Music Gaelic Youth Chorus. In addition, she teaches private vocal and guitar lessons and conducts Irish and Scottish Gaelic singing workshops throughout the year.
She comes from a family of musicians and was singing harmonies with her mother and siblings for as long as she can remember. A member of several performance choirs and ensembles throughout her youth, by the age of 16, Alli began performing professionally, singing and playing guitar in venues around the Dallas area. Since then, she's worked as a demo singer and played in numerous bands, largely focusing on acoustic-driven music.
In 2013, she became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the popular Celtic group The Selkie Girls. In 2015, the critically-acclaimed Selkies were honored to win a Celtic Radio Music Award for their version of "The Gaelic Song." The Selkie Girls have been featured performers at premier festivals throughout the state of Texas, including the Austin Celtic Festival, San Antonio Highland Games, Texas Scottish Festival, and North Texas Irish Festival, among others. They have performed live on the Good Day Fox 4 morning show several times.
In addition to her work with the Selkies, her vocals have been featured on several instructional publications for Hal Leonard Corporation, including Guitar for Kids - Book 2, Ukulele for Kids, Bass for Kids, and How to Record at Home on a Budget.
http://www.allijohnsonmusic.com
Alli Johnson - Vocals, Guitar
Alli Johnson is a folk singer and multi-instrumentalist. She is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the award-winning Dallas-based Celtic group The Selkie Girls and also serves as the director for North Texas School of Irish Music Gaelic Youth Chorus. In addition, she teaches private vocal and guitar lessons and conducts Irish and Scottish Gaelic singing workshops throughout the year.
She comes from a family of musicians and was singing harmonies with her mother and siblings for as long as she can remember. A member of several performance choirs and ensembles throughout her youth, by the age of 16, Alli began performing professionally, singing and playing guitar in venues around the Dallas area. Since then, she's worked as a demo singer and played in numerous bands, largely focusing on acoustic-driven music.
In 2013, she became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the popular Celtic group The Selkie Girls. In 2015, the critically-acclaimed Selkies were honored to win a Celtic Radio Music Award for their version of "The Gaelic Song." The Selkie Girls have been featured performers at premier festivals throughout the state of Texas, including the Austin Celtic Festival, San Antonio Highland Games, Texas Scottish Festival, and North Texas Irish Festival, among others. They have performed live on the Good Day Fox 4 morning show several times.
In addition to her work with the Selkies, her vocals have been featured on several instructional publications for Hal Leonard Corporation, including Guitar for Kids - Book 2, Ukulele for Kids, Bass for Kids, and How to Record at Home on a Budget.
http://www.allijohnsonmusic.com
Jaycie Skidmore -Vocals, Flutes and Whistles
Jaycie began playing the flute at age 12 but was surrounded by music from birth. She grew
up in a musical household and thrived in her church music programs, particularly the choir
and handbell ensemble. Jaycie earned a flute scholarship to Baylor University and earned her
Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2007. Since then, she has taught private flute lessons
and done freelance work throughout the DFW metroplex. She is currently the Principal Flutist
with the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra. Jaycie has performed in such auspicious venues as
the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Bass Performance Hall, and most notably, Carnegie Hall as a member of the National Wind Ensemble. She has been under the tutelage of such
flutists as Helen Ann Shanley, Marianne Gedigian, Jill Felber, Dr. Bradley Garner, and Terri
Sundberg. Although relatively new additions to her instrumental arsenal, the penny whistle
and Irish flute have quickly become some of Jaycie's favorites and she enjoys playing them
immensely.
Jaycie began playing the flute at age 12 but was surrounded by music from birth. She grew
up in a musical household and thrived in her church music programs, particularly the choir
and handbell ensemble. Jaycie earned a flute scholarship to Baylor University and earned her
Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2007. Since then, she has taught private flute lessons
and done freelance work throughout the DFW metroplex. She is currently the Principal Flutist
with the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra. Jaycie has performed in such auspicious venues as
the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Bass Performance Hall, and most notably, Carnegie Hall as a member of the National Wind Ensemble. She has been under the tutelage of such
flutists as Helen Ann Shanley, Marianne Gedigian, Jill Felber, Dr. Bradley Garner, and Terri
Sundberg. Although relatively new additions to her instrumental arsenal, the penny whistle
and Irish flute have quickly become some of Jaycie's favorites and she enjoys playing them
immensely.
Chad Johnson- Vocals, Guitars, Octave Mandolin
Chad Johnson is a freelance author, editor, and musician. For Hal Leonard Corporation, he's authored over 70 instructional books with over a quarter of a million copies sold. Some of his titles include Guitarist's Guide to Scales Over Chords, How to Record at Home on a Budget, The Hal Leonard Acoustic Guitar Method, Pentatonic Scales for the Guitar: The Essential Guide, Ukulele Aerobics, Play Like Eric Clapton, and Bass Fretboard Workbook, to name but a few. He's a featured instructor on the DVD 200 Country Guitar Licks (also published by Hal Leonard) and has toured and performed throughout the east coast in various bands, sharing the stage with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers Band, and others.
Chad Johnson is a freelance author, editor, and musician. For Hal Leonard Corporation, he's authored over 70 instructional books with over a quarter of a million copies sold. Some of his titles include Guitarist's Guide to Scales Over Chords, How to Record at Home on a Budget, The Hal Leonard Acoustic Guitar Method, Pentatonic Scales for the Guitar: The Essential Guide, Ukulele Aerobics, Play Like Eric Clapton, and Bass Fretboard Workbook, to name but a few. He's a featured instructor on the DVD 200 Country Guitar Licks (also published by Hal Leonard) and has toured and performed throughout the east coast in various bands, sharing the stage with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers Band, and others.
Joel Black - Vocals, Upright Bass, Electric Bass
On stage since age 7, Joel has performed vocally and instrumentally in venues from
the Majestic Theater to Mardi Gras and from Branson to Hollywood. Trained in voice as well as jazz and classical guitar, he picked up the bass more than 20 years ago and it
quickly became his instrument of choice. Accomplished on 5 string electric, fretless
acoustic and upright acoustic bass, Joel provides the foundation for the Selkie Girls,
while contributing tenor vocals. Joel has played on multiple CD projects and
off-Broadway musicals as well as in Jazz, R&B, Swing, Country, Blues, Rock, Variety
and Gospel bands and ensembles. Joel has added his sound to a number of bands
throughout the years including the vocal trio Pure Desire, rock recording artist Jason
Davis of the Jason Davis Project, Christian pop band Racing Gravity, country recording artist Tommy Snyder, and Christian
bluesman Brian Howard. He released an instrumental CD in 2007 with long time jazz band Patton Leather Rhythm.
On stage since age 7, Joel has performed vocally and instrumentally in venues from
the Majestic Theater to Mardi Gras and from Branson to Hollywood. Trained in voice as well as jazz and classical guitar, he picked up the bass more than 20 years ago and it
quickly became his instrument of choice. Accomplished on 5 string electric, fretless
acoustic and upright acoustic bass, Joel provides the foundation for the Selkie Girls,
while contributing tenor vocals. Joel has played on multiple CD projects and
off-Broadway musicals as well as in Jazz, R&B, Swing, Country, Blues, Rock, Variety
and Gospel bands and ensembles. Joel has added his sound to a number of bands
throughout the years including the vocal trio Pure Desire, rock recording artist Jason
Davis of the Jason Davis Project, Christian pop band Racing Gravity, country recording artist Tommy Snyder, and Christian
bluesman Brian Howard. He released an instrumental CD in 2007 with long time jazz band Patton Leather Rhythm.
Martin McCall - Drums and Percussion and Involuntary Yodeling
Born in 1854 in Lamar, MO, Martin McCall left as soon as possible. Spirited away by
people who claimed to be his parents, he became a world traveler before first grade.
He lived a year in Taiwan giving him a propensity to bow instead of shake hands.
Martin has had the good fortune to rub shoulders with some of the “greats”. On drum
set he has done performances with world renowned guitarist Larry Coryell. He has
performed multiple times with Mark O’Connor, three time national fiddle and mandolin
champion and member of the famed Dixie Dreggs. Jerry LaCroix who wrote and
performed many of the pieces on Edgar Winter’s “White Trash” album and was in the
“Blood, Sweat and Tears horn section had Martin as his drummer for a year before Jerry
retired due to health issues. Martin has also been in bands with major label players such as Patrice Pike (Sister 7), Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan, Ricki Lee Jones , and Brad Houser
(Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians). He has also done a performance with Sara
Hickman and another with Dolette McDonald (backing vocalist for The Police and Sting).
Martin has also had the pleasure of performing with many good local musicians.
Bands of local notoriety include guitar virtuoso Rhett Butler, Japanese drumming Taiko groups Kobushi and Taikodelic,
Celtic fusion bands Brothers 3 and The Selkie Girls, jazz poll winner in Guitar Player Magazine Joseph Lee as well as a guest appearance with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
On drum kit, he has performed multiple styles. To name a few, rock, jazz, country, blues, reggae, soca, world fusion, zydeco, Latin, new age, pop, funk and Celtic.
Martin has also performed on a variety of world percussion instruments such as taiko (big Japanese drums), bodhran (Irish
frame drum), congas and bongos (Latin and other styles), zydeco rubboard (washboard), African djembe (large hour glass
shaped drum), doumbek (Middle Eastern hour glass shaped hand drum), kanjira (East Indian frame drum).
He is also the winner of the Carmine Appice drum contest and voted in as a Buddy Magazine “Texas Tornado”.
He holds a paisley belt in Drum Fu.
Martin plays no Chinese music.
"http://www.martinmccall.com"
Born in 1854 in Lamar, MO, Martin McCall left as soon as possible. Spirited away by
people who claimed to be his parents, he became a world traveler before first grade.
He lived a year in Taiwan giving him a propensity to bow instead of shake hands.
Martin has had the good fortune to rub shoulders with some of the “greats”. On drum
set he has done performances with world renowned guitarist Larry Coryell. He has
performed multiple times with Mark O’Connor, three time national fiddle and mandolin
champion and member of the famed Dixie Dreggs. Jerry LaCroix who wrote and
performed many of the pieces on Edgar Winter’s “White Trash” album and was in the
“Blood, Sweat and Tears horn section had Martin as his drummer for a year before Jerry
retired due to health issues. Martin has also been in bands with major label players such as Patrice Pike (Sister 7), Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan, Ricki Lee Jones , and Brad Houser
(Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians). He has also done a performance with Sara
Hickman and another with Dolette McDonald (backing vocalist for The Police and Sting).
Martin has also had the pleasure of performing with many good local musicians.
Bands of local notoriety include guitar virtuoso Rhett Butler, Japanese drumming Taiko groups Kobushi and Taikodelic,
Celtic fusion bands Brothers 3 and The Selkie Girls, jazz poll winner in Guitar Player Magazine Joseph Lee as well as a guest appearance with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
On drum kit, he has performed multiple styles. To name a few, rock, jazz, country, blues, reggae, soca, world fusion, zydeco, Latin, new age, pop, funk and Celtic.
Martin has also performed on a variety of world percussion instruments such as taiko (big Japanese drums), bodhran (Irish
frame drum), congas and bongos (Latin and other styles), zydeco rubboard (washboard), African djembe (large hour glass
shaped drum), doumbek (Middle Eastern hour glass shaped hand drum), kanjira (East Indian frame drum).
He is also the winner of the Carmine Appice drum contest and voted in as a Buddy Magazine “Texas Tornado”.
He holds a paisley belt in Drum Fu.
Martin plays no Chinese music.
"http://www.martinmccall.com"
Linda Mudd - Harp
Linda began her musical career as a pianist/accompanist but grew to love the
harp and the Celtic tradition and has gradually transitioned to full time harp playing
all around the Dallas metroplex performing at weddings, churches, senior centers,
and anywhere they love the beautiful sound of the harp. Linda also is part of a
five member harp ensemble called Harp Essence.
Linda began her musical career as a pianist/accompanist but grew to love the
harp and the Celtic tradition and has gradually transitioned to full time harp playing
all around the Dallas metroplex performing at weddings, churches, senior centers,
and anywhere they love the beautiful sound of the harp. Linda also is part of a
five member harp ensemble called Harp Essence.