Ceili Rain


Ceili Rain is a Christian band based in Syracuse, New York that is influenced by Celtic music. It is led by Bob Halligan, Jr. and was founded in May 1995.
As the group's founder, Bob Halligan, Jr. explains, in Gaelic, the word "Céili" means "party", specifically one with live musicians, dancing, and general merriment for an all-ages crowd. "Coeli" is a form of the Latin word for "heaven". Rain is English, meaning downpour. Thus, according to Halligan, Ceili Rain is a "downpour of heavenly partiness."

Personnel

Current members

  • Bob Halligan, Jr. — lead vocals, guitar
  • Joe Davoli — violin, vocals
  • Raymond Arias — guitar, vocals
  • Bill Bleistine — drums, percussion, vocals
  • Kevin de Souza — bass, vocals
  • Buddy Connolly — accordion, keyboards, vocals
  • Burt Mitchell — pipes, whistles

Former and occasional members

  • Matt Mason — bass, vocals
  • Skip Cleavinger — pipes, whistles
  • John Dreibelbis — pipes, whistles
  • Tyler Duncan - pipes, whistles
  • Dan Meyer (entertainer) - whistles, swords
  • Phil Madeira — accordion, keyboards, vocals
  • Tim Lauer — accordion, keyboards, vocals
  • John McGillian — accordion, keyboards, vocals
  • Susie Monick — accordion, keyboards, vocals
  • Gretchen Priest — violin, vocals
  • Patrick Ross - violin
  • Chris Carmichael — violin, cello
  • Rick Cua — bass
  • Bob Harmon — bass, vocals
  • Andrew Lamb — bass, vocals
  • Lance Hoppen — bass, vocals
  • Daniel Grimsland — Bass, Vocals
  • Paul Grimsland — Guitar, Vocals
  • Naoise Sheridan — Guitar, Vocals
  • Bruce Wallace — Guitar, Vocals
  • Tony Hooper — guitar, vocals
  • Rocky Marvel — drums, percussion
  • Mark Hagan — drums, percussion
  • Nick Buda — drums, percussion
  • Lang Bliss — drums, percussion
  • Nick Distefano — drums, percussion
  • John Daneluk — drums, percussion
  • Chris Eddy — drums, percussion
  • Robbie Spangnolitti — drums, percussion
  • Jim Hoke — pipes, whistles
  • Diane Davitch — pipes, whistles
  • John Brown — pipes, whistles
  • Diane Davitch — pipes, whistles
  • Hunter Lee — pipes, whistles
  • Matt Fisher — pipes, whistles
  • Sarah Hart — pipes, whistles

Discography

Albums

  • "Say Kay-lee" —
  • We're Makin' A Party LIVE! — Recorded July 30, 1999 at Schouler Park, North Conway, NH directly to D.A.T. from house mixing console.
  • Erasers On Pencils—
  • No You, No Me —
  • Change In Your Pocket —
  • Anthology: 1995-2005 —
  • Whatever Makes You Dance —
  • I Made Lemonade -
  • Manuka Honey -
  • Hymns & Hers -
  • Crash This Gate -

Video

  • Anthology: 1995-2005 —
  • Like A Train: 2005 —
  • Hallways of Always: 2006 —
  • STOMP: 2005 —