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RANGELEY – Saddleback Maine will present the highly acclaimed Celtic Rock group Pogey at The Saddleback Base Lodge on Saturday, March 20 at 8 p.m.
Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nudibranch recording artists Pogey combine original Celtic/Rock tunes with stellar instrumentals. The group performs with genuine spontaneous and spectacular energy. They have the audience the minute they hit the stage.
For the last five years, Pogey has been bringing audiences to their feet all over Canada and the United States with their unique blend of traditional and contemporary music. Pogey’s five members combine fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and banjo with electric guitar, bass, drums and four part vocal harmonies to produce their trademark “Nova Scotia Sound.” Pogey’s high octane and fully interactive stage shows have kept the band in high demand at major festivals, conferences and top clubs.
After a showcase at Canada’s 2008 East Coast Music Awards, Pogey was recruited to perform the Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Great American Irish festivals. The band is no slouch in their small hometown of Antigonish Nova Scotia either – averaging 8,000 at the annual “Canada Day Pogey Party” held at Oland Stadium as the only band on the bill. Other highlights include headlining at International Tall Ships Festival and performing the official 2006 Juno Awards after party; both held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In 1997, lead singer Ray Mattie moved his young family to Barrie, Ontario (just north of Toronto) to break into a new music market. The idea was to start an original band with a Celtic/Folk based sound. Unfortunately, after three years of college shows, television features and festival performances, Mattie was never able to find the quality, like-minded musicians to help make this band a reality. To do this, he needed to return home to Nova Scotia.
In the fall of 2000, upon his arrival, Mattie called bassist Jonny Grant. Grant agreed to join immediately and 20 minutes later Pogey was born.
As of early 2004 Pogey had solidified a core line up. Zach Smith (drums) became permanent member as touring Canada and the US continued. In the spring of 2007 with higher profile shows in hand, Pogey added award winning fiddler Colin Grant and multi-instrumentalist Darren McMullen (mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, tin whistle).
“Pogey plays fun, lighthearted music,” said Conrad Klefos, director of marketing at Saddleback. “Come for the day and bring your skis and dancing shoes.”
Tickets are $20. The show will begin at 8 p.m. in the base lodge. For tickets, call 866-918-2225, get them at the base lodge or visit www.saddlebackmaine.com
More information is available at: www.necelticarts.com
