Mix together various Celtic and worldbeat musical styles, add an extra percussive edge, and toss in the improvisational dimension of a jam band, and you’ll have an idea of what’s in store for you with An’ Dro.

My good friends, Fred Willson and Jim Spalink, started An’ Dro as an outgrowth of their duo, Archive, which performs a variety of traditional and classical pieces on an eclectic array of instruments from guitar to mandolin to harp to bouzouki to hurdy-gurdy.  They deploy that same arsenal of stringed instruments in An’ Dro but take things to another level by adding the tasteful, high-energy fiddle playing of Michelle Venegas (formerly of Fonn Mor) plus the added fire of percussion.  I had the priviledge of being An Dro's drummer in the band's formative stages, performing on a continually evolving worldbeat drumset that incorporated a doumbek, talking drum, bass drum, and various chimes, bells, and whatchamacallits.  It definitely wasn't familiar territory for me – but man, was it ever fun! 

The music you're listening to right now is from our CD, The Turn, which won the 2010 Jammie Award from radio station WYCE as the year's best traditional music CD.  Be sure to pick up a copy at one of the band's gigs, or at Schuler Books & Music in Grand Rapids, or order it online.  In the interim, you can download this sample track by following this link. You'll also find a few live recordings of the band at the same link.

Due to scheduling conflicts with my other bands, I retired from An' Dro in May 2010, but the group's new percussionist, the exceptional Carolyn Koebel, is even more engaging, so don't let my absence deter you -- by all means, check them out!

You can learn more about An' Dro (including the meaning of the name) at the band's official website.  And to learn more about Fred and Jim's duo, be sure to visit the Archive website.