Def Leprechaun Band: About
The History of Def Leprechaun Band
The "Gatherin of the Clan" called Def Leprechaun began when lead singer Larry Kernagis moved from the Chicago area to Nashville. He carried with him the Windy City's love for Irish "roots" music and the American "roots" music know as Bluegrass and Old Timey he mastered while on staff at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Larry soon met with guitarist, mandolinist and songwriter Zane Baxter while working the Nashville Irish circuit. Zane added his highly developed instrumental skills and musical direction to stretch to new duet to greater heights. His background in producing Opry music and touring the world with Irish artist Maura O'Connell added new dimensions to the developing Celtic "groove".
Finally, bassist Don McGinnis joined the duet adding the rock, jazz and funk influence of his "fat" bass sound and the distinctive tribal, "Druid" backbeat. As in all great bands the whole is greater than the some of the parts and the new Celtic fusion provided by Larry, Zane and Don is a delight to any music fan from any generation.
Get yourself a copy of their latest studio offering
"Celtic Lite" and see for yourself. Better yet, check
out their schedule and join them for a night you won’t
forget.
Lead Singer: Larry Kernagis
Instruments: Banjo, 6 String, 12 String
Vocals: Lead, Backup |
| Email: larry.kernagis |
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At age 13 Larry found his Dad's banjo in the attic;It took him about 3 years to figure out that you can't play folk music on a 4 string. Larry took his banjo to the seminary and learned to entertain because he only had 2 choices: singing or hockey. He took 10 years off from playing banjo to try to become an adult. When that failed, he decided instead to learn to play the banjo well. (Because playing the banjo poorly usually leads to getting said beaten with said banjo.) Larry enrolled in the Old Town School of Folk Music and in a short time became an instructor as well as a student, studying banjo and voice. Several years passed and fate brought him to a small Midwestern city -- Galesburg, Illinois -- where he was introduced to bluegrass music and Larry Diemer. Much harmonious insnaity ensued. These days, you can see Larry playing with Def Leprechaun at Mulligan's Pub in Nashville TN |
Lead Guitar: Zane Baxter
Instruments: Banjo, 6 String, 12 String, Base, Mandolin
Vocals: Lead, Backup |
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TBA |
Lead Base: Don McGinnis
Instruments: Base
Vocals: Lead, Backup |
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TBA |
