The 2026 Stage Lineup
Performers listed in order of appearance, starting Friday afternoon at 3pm
Ryan Street, Piper of the Fest
Our friend and general all around good guy, Ryan grew up in the Flathead Valley and has been a wonderful supporter of the Flathead Celtic Festival. While he has not been playing for many years, he is willing to play for most events including Burns Nights, birthdays, wakes, and border skirmishes. You can see him kicking off the days’ events at our fest and wandering around, ready to play. No requests for ‘Free Bird’ please or you’ll owe him a tasty beverage.
George and Diane Cowan playing mandolin, guitar, harmonica, and mountain dulcimer with friends, Linda Harshbarger adding in on the tin whistle and Gail Parrish on the electric bass. We strive to create a remembrance of those songs and tunes heard in childhood or Irish celebrations through the years and add humor with Irish jokes
Hemlock and Honey is a two-piece string band featuring Brian Brady on fiddle, guitar, and tenor banjo, and Jenny Bevill on guitar. The duo will transport you from Ireland to Appalachia on a fleet of ballads, jigs, and sea shanties that will make you laugh then break your heart.
Jenny Bevill is a singer-songwriter and guitar player with roots in Bluegrass and Americana music. She plays songs by and for women, as well as traditional songs with a twist. Cry, sigh, be haunted.
Brian Brady is a folk musician specializing in traditional tunes from Ireland, Scotland, and Appalachia.
American-made Celtic music. Vocally-driven Irish quartet captivates with a unique brand of musicianship and humor. Traditional and original Celtic tunes, from toe-tappers to hanky-soakers, have graced venues from schools and churches to brewpubs to national festivals and Highland Games, all the way to Ireland.
Borderline Lucid—Based out of Kalispell, Montana and supporting Reggae-rock/ Alternative in the region, Borderline Lucid brings cutting lyrics, explosive fiddle solos, and deep pocket grooves that turn every show into a high-energy, thought-provoking experience.
Formed in 2023 with a mission to spread positivity and real connection through music, they’ve quickly built momentum across the Pacific Northwest. Along the way, they’ve supported internationally-recognized acts including The Wailers, Fortunate Youth, Iya Terra, Mike Love, and TreeHouse! — earning a reputation for originality, authenticity, and undeniable impact. They were crowned “Best Songwriters” at Montana’s Got Talent 2026.
Members: Manager/Frontman: Brandon Dombrowski
Electric Violin: Max Armstrong
Electric Guitar: David Crismore
Bass: Andrew James Peterson
Saxophone: Zane Thome
Drums: Evan Muela
Katy Meyers took to the folk harp like a duck to water in 1998. She has been involved in several local music groups and has taken classes at the Irish Harp Centre in Castleconnell Ireland with Janet Harbison. (Photo by Kent Meireis)
,
,
Scottish Highland Dancing is a celebration of the Scottish spirit. The dances are a spectacular combination of strength, agility, movement, music, and costume. Unlike other dance mediums, Highland dances are generally danced solo and in competition, by both men and women equally. Dancers typically dance to traditional Scottish music such as Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes and Jigs all played by an accompanying bagpiper.
Those Guys is a men’s acapella vocal ensemble in the Flathead Valley made up of Todd Cahoon, Jacob Turley, Mark Robison, Jared Denney, Mike Snell, and Day Scovel. Those Guys has been performing together in one form or another since 2009, but three of its founding members first performed together at Flathead high school in 1996. The group sings all kinds of music from classical to pop and everything in between. The primary goal of the group is to express their love of music by working together building rich harmonies with their unique blend of men’s voices, share their love of music with others and to have fun doing it.
Jason Foy is a lifelong musician, whose deft artistry on flute and whistles anchors this duo. His mandolin playing and his spirited accompaniment on guitar makes for an exciting ride. Jason’s musical expertise includes djembe and bongos, which add rhythmic interest as well as a gleeful spirit. Barbara Calm introduces herself as a veterinarian and musician from NW Montana. Her hammered dulcimer drives the rhythm and fills a room with warm vibrating sound. Playing the octave mandolin weaves lilting harmonies atop the rhythm, while her newest instrument, the Irish Bouzouki, is a treasured addition from a recent sojourn to Ireland. Barbara also plays penny whistle and guitar, and may add her marimba or trombone on occasion. Together they are Second Wind. Their background is in Celtic traditions and to these roots they remain true most of the time! They find joy in experimental approaches to traditional tunes and continually find new inspiration from some great contemporary bands from Ireland and the British Isles.
, 
An Daire Academy of Irish Dance was founded in 2006 by the husband & wife team of Jim Mueller, ADCRG and Lauren Crowe-Mueller, ADCRG, Oregon’s only certified Irish dance adjudicators. In 2020, after several workshops in Kalispell over the years, the opportunity for an An Daire Academy branch came to Kalispell. The Kalispell branch is led by director, Claire Gutschenritter. Like the oak tree from which the name An Daire comes, our dancers learn the benefits of hard work, strong character and deep roots in an environment focused on family, fun and fitness! 
Max Armstrong is a Montana-based violinist and fiddle player whose performances blend Celtic tradition, classical, and improvisational artistry. With more than 23 years of experience on the violin, Max has developed a distinctive style that moves effortlessly between the energy of traditional Celtic music, the precision of classical technique, and the creativity of spontaneous improvisation.Max holds an Associate of Arts degree in Music from Flathead Valley Community College and has been a participant in both Montana’s Got Talent and Flathead’s Got Talent. Throughout his career, he has performed at prominent Celtic events including the Bitterroot Celtic Games and the Helena Highland Games, and has toured extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest with acclaimed Celtic groups Celtica Nova and Nordic Daughter.
As a member of the Montana music community, Max has appeared on the PBS program 11th & Grant with his former band Marshall Catch. Today, he performs solo concerts throughout the Flathead Valley and serves as a violinist for the bands Wild Wind and Borderline Lucid. He also regularly joins touring Celtic ensembles as a guest musician, bringing his versatility and deep knowledge of traditional music to stages across the region.
Whether performing an intimate solo set, a traditional Celtic session, or at a classical wedding, Max is known for his expressive musicianship, engaging stage presence, and his ability to connect with audiences through music that is both rooted in tradition and alive with creativity.
Dennis McMorrow is a first generation Irish Folk Singer who makes his home in Livingston, Montana. He brings a lively and entertaining brand of Irish and Scottish Music as he plays Celtic Festivals and Pubs throughout the region. Dennis has lived in both the United States and in Ireland, spending his early years immersed in Irish Music and tradition. His parents hail from county Leitrim and County Clare, Ireland. Come spend an evening singing along, tapping your foot or roaring out your favorite Irish songs!