​Across the Pond

Mike grew up playing bluegrass, old-time and blues guitar, eventually branching out into rock and country.  He began performing full time in 1995 with country rockers Latigo Smith before moving on to help form regional powerhouse Hired Guns.  Nowadays Mike carries a full schedule of guitar students, as well as being a first-call, freelance artist for a variety of genres.  Across the Pond is his first Celtic band.  Mike plays guitar, mandolin, flute, banjo & sings.

Dan has been playing whistles and bodhran at Irish sessions since 1999.    He was self-taught on both instruments.    He has played in numerous sessions throughout the US and Ireland.   Dan has been fortunate enough to perform on stage with outstanding musicians such as John Whelan, Damaris Woods. Derek Warfield, Shane Farrell (Brayzen Heads & Pigeon Kings), Dave Gilmore, Victor Gagnon (Seven Nations & Pigeon Kings) and Richie Newman (Cleggan).    He founded two other Irish bands, but has since left to focus on the music of Across the Pond.

Chuck started out as a bluegrass banjo player back in the 70s, before shifting over to Scottish style fiddling.  He learned the basics at John Turners Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in Valle Crucis, North Carolina.  Chuck has twice won first place in the Scottish fiddle contests at the Ligonier Highland Games in western Pennsylvania.  He has performed solo, presented on historical music at several universities, and was the music director for the award-winning French and Indian War documentary film, Washington's First War: The Battles for Fort Duquesne (Paladin Communications, 2003).  Chuck was also the driving force behind the creation of a circa-1830 period orchestra at Old Economy Village, a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site in Ambridge, PA.  Chuck completed a two year luthiers apprenticeship at Bluett Brothers Violins in York, PA, and often performs on a fiddle of his own making.  Chuck plays fiddle, banjo & guitar.