Artist description How many times has one heard the saga of the small, independent band that tours the US in its proverbial Econoline van, sells records out of its trunk at performances, plays the game of self promotion a bit excessively and naively, and usually crashes and burns within the first year. Mindless independence has a way of taking its toll on the artless and the less determined. But have you heard the story of SEVEN NATIONS, a fiercely independent and determined band from Orlando, Florida that has sold in excess of 125,000 copies of its numerous releases, has for years booked its own tours, has its own PBS, CNN and ESPN specials, and on occasion wears kilts and uses bagpipes the way Jimmy Page uses his guitar. Equally at home in front of 40-50,000 cheering fans at an international Celtic festival, in front of 200 headbangers in a small club somewhere in the Midwest, or 1000 fans in Puerto Rico or Edinburgh, Scotland, Seven Nations has logged in more than 250,000 touring miles in its day job trying to make its less familiar music universal for old and new fans alike. To the five-member band, that day job means being on tour 85 percent of the year, staying true to its Celtic music roots, while blending those roots effortlessly into American pop and rock. They've created a truly hybrid sound that has been virtually ignored by major record labels, but embraced big time by the band's huge audience which follows wherever the band, musically, wants to lead. And that direction can start with basic piano, guitar & vocals, bass and drums and then be implemented by highland bagpipes, fiddle/violin, mandolin and uillean pipes. In the historical tradition of the great folk/rock/pop trailblazers of Scotland and the United Kingdom (Nazareth, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Stone the Crows, Nick Drake and Traffic) exists Seven Nations, a band that is doing what all those early bands have done, but with a twist. Nations is US based, and has no major label affiliation. And they like it that way. "This is a great time to be independent," says Nation's vocalist Kirk McLeod. And as an independent act the band has attracted an amazing national and international following through touring schedules, energetic and innovative self promotion, marketing and merchandising, dynamic live performances, and the sale of more than 125,000 of its self produced, independently pressed and released CDs. "We are lucky," says McLeod, lead singer/songwriter and founding member of the band, "because we come from two unique cultures. We love American pop and rock and roll, but we also love our Celtic roots music. We want to touch everybody with our art," he continues, "and so far, we have been very, very fortunate."

Music Style Alternative rock with Celtic influences

Artist History 1993 - Kirk McLeod forms the band One19, including bassist Jim Struble. Incorporating bagpipes and rock music, the name One19 originated from the street address of their favorite hangout; also the location of their first NYC gig. 1994 - Further exploring their Celtic roots the band changes their name to Clan Na Gael. 1995 - In August, band releases its first indie album RAIN AND THUNDER. 1996 - In February, the band's second indie album, OLD GROUND is released. In fall '96, Clan Na Gael becomes SEVEN NATIONS. 1997 - In January, the band releases third indie album, BIG DOG. In June, drummer Ashton Geoghagan joins band and Seven Nations tours Scotland for the first time -- invited by the national trust of Scotland/Edinburgh Council -- a breakthrough for the American-based Celtic band. 1998 - Live album ROAD KILL is released in February, followed by ROAD KILL 2 in July. CNN features SEVEN NATIONS in a World Beat special on Celtic Music -- aired internationally. "Extreme Sports" picks NATIONS to do special music theme -- airs on ESPN internationally. Band tapes first PBS Special "An Evening with Seven Nations" in November. Band returns to Scotland on New Year's Eve to play for 40,000 people at the Edinburgh Festival. SEVEN NATIONS becomes first American Celtic band to be asked by the country council for a return engagement. 1999 - Band plays another gig in Edinburgh; and in January, Canadian Scott Long joins the band on bagpipes fresh from his stint with Canadian fiddler superstar Ashley MacIsaac. Dan Stacey, also from Canada, comes on board as fiddler/step dancer extraordinaire. In July, the band releases THE FACTORY album. Shortly thereafter, Quantegy Professional Media awards Nations for top record sales from any independent band recorded on Quantegy GP9. Dewar's chooses NATIONS for its world-wide image relaunch. Later in the year, under the aegis of Dewar's, SEVEN NATIONS plays a concert in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 1,000 people, braving high winds and rain, amazingly step dance to the band's up-tempo Celtic tunes. 2000 - Fiddler/keyboardist Ashley MacIsaac joins the band as a special guest for several shows on the spring tour. To enhance its growing exposure, the band signs with a new management team comprised of veterans in the music industry. In May, SEVEN NATIONS finishes recording its new acoustic album, The Pictou Sessions, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Preparing for a massive tour of the United States with Dewar's Scotch as the chief sponsor, more than 17 states are targeted for an intensive promotional tour. Launching in the fall and lasting more than six months, Dewar's will also feature SEVEN NATIONS as the target of their next Profile Campaign, appearing in national, regional, and local media. In October, self titled CD SEVEN NATIONS is released and distributed by Q Records/WEA.

Group Members Kirk McLeod is the lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, and driving force behind Seven Nations. He began playing the highland bagpipes at the age of 11, and ultimately became an accomplished and awarded piper. He has performed as a soloist at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center, and was a special guest artist aboard the late Malcolm Forbes's yacht, The Highlander. Since forming Seven Nations (formerly known as Clan Na Gael) in 1994, McLeod has been the primary singer and songwriter of the band's material. On stage he plays acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, and highland bagpipes. McLeod plays Fender and Paul Reed Smith guitars, and uses Ernie Ball strings. Struby plays acoustic and electric bass guitar and provides the heavy rhythm for Seven Nations' sound. He was born in Ohio and raised in Jacksonville, Florida where he currently resides. He and Kirk met on the soccer field in grade school and have performed together in various bands ever since. Struby, a self taught musician, played in 3 bands at the same time in New York City, but was always loyal to Seven Nations. Struby plays Ernie Ball and Lakland basses and uses Ernie Ball strings. Scott Long began playing bagpipes at the age of 10 in his native Nova Scotia, Canada. He grew up with many people well known in the Celtic music industry, including child prodigy violinist and A&M recording artist Ashley MacIsaac. When Ashley formed his band, Scott joined him and toured internationally for four years; opening for such acts as Sheryl Crow, Blues Traveler, Los Lobos, and Johnny Cash. Long joined Seven Nations in January 1999, and has become highly influential in the band's arrangement process. Scott also plays mandolin and shuttle pipes. He uses E Z Drone reeds manufactured by Pipe Dreams. Dan Stacey is from Stratford, Ontario and is the fiddle player and step dancer extraordinaire of the group. He added a new dimension to Seven Nations' sound when he joined the band in January 1999. He has won numerous competitions for both fiddle and step dancing. He was Grand North American Fiddle Champion 1995-1997, and has been invited to compete at the Grand Master in Ottawa. Stacey has won four Canadian dance championship awards, and his talent led him to a lead dance role in the Toronto based Mirvish production of "The Need Fire." His involvement in "The Need Fire" brought a Dorothy Major Moore award nomination for excellence in choreography. Stacey plays very old and very special German violins.Ashton Geoghagan, drums, is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, who joined the band in 1997. He is "all about the groove, laying it down and letting the song flow." Self taught, Geoghagan began playing professionally at the age of 15 and has toured with a myriad of rock and heavy metal bands. Ashton plays Pearl drums with Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth sticks.

Instruments Acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, bagpipes, fiddle/violin, drums, piano, keyboard,

Albums Big Dog, The Factory, The Pictou Sessions, Seven Nations, Live at The Palace Theatre, And Now It's Come to This, So Piano

Location Orlando, FL - USA

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