Since 2001, McPherson’s Rant has entertained audiences with their rich harmonies and fine instrumentals. They perform traditional Celtic and down East music, favourites by the Pogues and Great Big Sea, and Canadian folk and popular music with a Celtic twist.
The group performs at local watering holes in Niagara and Hamilton, and also plays at weddings, wakes, and private parties.
Played at the Jamestown Celtic Festival in August. What a blast! Thanks to the Thorold Pipe Band whose enthusiasm got the whole beer tent rocking.
Smokin' Buddha Friday, Sept 2 from 7-10. Good times, good food.
Also enjoyed playing at the opening ceremonies for the new Welland Wellness Centre on Sept. 21. There were several performances by
NMA winners.
The group performed at the Beamsville
Harvest Fest on Sat, Sept. 24 to an enthhusiastic crowd.
McPherson's Rant also made guest appearances with the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara on Sun, Sept 25 at the
Niagara Wine Festival in Montebello Park and their annual major concert at Bethany Church on Nov. 30.
Advance notice of some exciting gigs coming up.
Super Bowl Sunday, Feb 5, the Rant will be entertaining at the Celtic Club on
Secord Drive in St Catharines, from 3PM until game time and again at half time.
Fun place with great wings and good beer.
The group is happy to be returning to the Stevensville Library on Thursday, March 15
at 7PM for a St Patrick's celebration. A nice hall with great acoustics and an enthusiastic audience.
And don't forget the soda bread.
On St. Patrick's Day, Sat March 17, the "Dublin Dash" Fun run/walk
will be held at Niagara College Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. This is a fundraiser for the College's 15th year of the Many
Hands project which this year will help St John Ambulance on Church St in St Catharines. This is a great cause as funds
will go towards handicap accessibility,
creation of storage for teaching accessories, and updating training facilities including the dog therapy program.
Following the run/walk, there will be entertainment by the Rant from 11 to 2, along
with a licensed bar to quench your thirst.
Please note that there is a change in date for
the "Shipman's Shindig" which will be held at the St Catharines Museum on Sat, Oct 13.
This will feature a lobster dinner with a cash bar and entertainment by McPherson's Rant. Tickets are available from
the Museum. The proceeds will be
dedicated to bus costs for school children to attend the museum. This is expected to be a sell-out, so get your tickets early.
The Rant was formed in 2001 when a friend who owned a bar asked Jim McPherson, Gene
and Sharryn to perform for Robbie Burns night. Feeling a need for (a lot)
more talent, Sylvia, Betty Ann, John Toth, and Kelly were recruited, and we
all agreed to work together for “just this one performance”.
It was very successful, and way too much fun. As the saying goes, “the
rest is history”.
Although as a group
we have been together only a few years, our paths have crossed musically in
various combinations for over 40 years. Most are involved with the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara
either as members or guest performers. With a variety of musical backgrounds,
we are held together by the common thread of a love for music and enjoyment
of a good time.
The high points of our career to date have been opening for the Irish Descendants at the Fort Erie Celtic Festival in 2004, sharing the
stage with John Ferguson at the Summerside Highland Games in PEI
in 2005, winning the "Most Entertaining" award at the North Bay Lions Telethon in 2009, and of course the Niagara Music Awards World Group of the Year in 2010.
The traditional
song “McPherson’s Rant”, or “McPherson’s
Lament”, written by Robbie Burns, tells the story of James McPherson,
a famous fiddle player and highwayman in Scotland. In 1700, he was sentenced
to be hanged for his crimes (we’re not sure if it was the robbery
or the fiddle playing). At any rate, the execution was scheduled for 3:00
in the afternoon.
The King decided to grant him a reprieve and sent a messenger to the town.
When the townspeople got wind of this, they moved all the clocks ahead
and hanged him before the messenger could arrive with the pardon. Before
his death, he broke his fiddle over his knee so that no one else could
ever play it.
Having his namesake (or maybe distant descendant) as one of the founding members of the Rant, it seemed like a fitting theme song and group name.
Photos courtesy of John Hoffner, Real Image Photography
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Betty
Ann Baker – vocals/bodhran/percussion When as a young girl she walked by the church and heard the choir, Betty Ann knew what she wanted to do, and she has been singing ever since. Her breathtaking solos and sweet harmonies are a delight to the ear. |
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Sylvia
Brabson – vocals/keyboard Sylvia brings a wealth of experience and talent to the group. She has been conductor of the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara for over 20 years. In addition to her duties as conductor, she arranges much of the music and artistic content. |
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Kelly
Buckley – bagpipes/small pipes/whistles Kelly has been playing the pipes for over 30 years, and has competed at the highest levels, both as a solo piper and a band member, throughout North America and Scotland. Kelly teaches piping and is also available for solo performances. |
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Gene
Oleskiw – 12-string guitar/ vocals Gene played guitar for over 20 years before he discovered that there are actually more than 6 chords that can be played on the instrument. Since then he’s never looked back. He also does the sound for the group. Gene has been a member of the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara for 20 years. |
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Sharryn
Oleskiw – mandolin/fiddle Sharryn was given a mandolin as a birthday present and learned to play by playing along with a record of Ian and Sylvia’s “Green Valley”. She joined the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara in the 80’s and took up fiddle on her retirement in 2000. Like her sister Kelly, she has promised never to sing, no matter how many Kilkenny’s. |
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Eric
Floyd – bass/vocals Eric is our rock star. From a background in rock music, he brings a spark of youth and enthusiasm to the group. |
Bookings
For bookings or further information, please contact Sharryn at 905-834-0941 or Kelly at 905-937-4196 or use the link below to get in touch by email.
Under the direction of conductor Sylvia Hlywka Brabson, this orchestra does it all -
ethnic tunes, popular and folk music, classics. The Rant has performed several times
as guest artists with the MOON.
Kelly Buckley, a professional piper and whistle player, can give an added touch to weddings, funerals, and other
special occasions. She also teaches piping.
Both the Rant and the MOON have enjoyed recording at Sorge Studios. Carm, the owner and
technician, is patient and talented, making this a great experience.
Kelly is obviously quite the passionate person. Check out the healthy and delicious chocolate
treats available at this website.
Our friends from the sessions, who are regulars at the Irish Harp in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Worth checking out,
and rumour has it the food is good too.
A group of serious amateur musicians who provide community concerts throughout the
Niagara Peninsula and Southern Ontario.