Clan Davidson Society USA

Clan Farquharson

Jefferson County Historical Society

Martha Dandridge Chapter, NSDAR

Scottish American Military Society Post 328

Clan & Heritage Organization Registration Form

The Celtic Martins,   perhaps the favorite all-time band of the Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival. The Martin Family keeps on growing, not only in numbers of incredible musicians and dancers, but in the depth and reach of their Celtic music experience. Nelson & Elaine Martin have brought their children up in the Pennsylvania mountains, absorbing all of the ancient Scots-Irish traditions, instruments and sounds. We've seen their family grow and now look forward to grandchildren playing, singing and dancing for the wonderful folks of Dandridge, Tennessee. Come see, hear and meet the Celtic Martins.

Kathryn Powell,  from Arlington, Texas, will share Scottish and original songs & stories on the Lowland Stage...with the help of her fiddle, guitar, a couple sock puppets, and a few friends. Also, don't be surprised to find her reading stories in the 'Days Gone By' Children's playground!  Kathryn will aso participate in the Ceilidh by the Loch on Saturday night and the Kirking of the Tartans at Dandridge 1st Methodist Church on Sunday.

Cranruach, (an Old Scots word meaning "hoar frost"), is a duo hailing from Lexington, Virginia. Diana Schofield, originally from Montana, is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. She adds a brilliant bluegrass twist with her playing and vocals to the songs. John Morman, keeping up on guitar, brings songs from his native Scotland and his wife Mary Jo's native Ireland. Cranruach presents a collection of old classics mixed in with some modern songs, as well as some humorous numbers.  You're invited to join in with songs you know, and fake it with the ones you don't!!

Col. Randy Gratz, USAF Ret. is a native of East Tennessee and following a 39-year career in the Air Froce moved to the Florida Keys.  He and his wife Sarah now split their time between Florida and the Maryville area.  Randy will be performing demonstrations   of the traditional highland athletic events, including       the Caber Toss, Weight over the Bar, Hammer Throw & Sheaf Toss. 

Thistledown Tinkers, the powerful music duo featuring Trip Rogers and Tom Eure, are on a mission…to make Celtic music that forces folks to stand up and take notice. This is not the fragile, romanticized Celtic music you hear in movie soundtracks, but the kind that makes you sing along and stomp your feet. These seasoned music veterans from NC, weave traditional Scottish and Irish music with original creations while adding a southern swagger that sets the stage on fire. With an impressive arsenal of instruments including guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, and concertina, musicianship is at the core of Thistledown Tinkers.  Their stage presence creates a rebel rousing party that not only draws fans in, but makes them feel like a part of the show. Thistledown Tinkers deliver the beauty and tradition of Celtic music, new and old, with the guts, showmanship, and attitude of an arena rock band. You will find them wherever kinsmen are gathered and the craic is lively!

Kelly Shipe, an outstanding Piper & Harpist, has been our 'Lone Piper on the Dike' following our Ceilidh by the Loch, for all ten years of the Festival and will again do so in 2017.  Taken from the Military Tattoo annually at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, Kelly shown above spotlighted on an otherwise ptich black dike at 9pm, is an awesome sight, and sound, to behold. The above photo is a live performance at Dollywood.

Claire Macmillan, Champion Highland Dancer from Knoxville, long accepted as 'family' in Dandridge, will return for her 9th year to offer Highland Dance demonstations with her students as well as to perform in the Ceilidh on the Loch Saturday night.

Katie Carver, Champion Irish Step Dancer, is also long thought of as 'Family' in Dandridge.  She will bring her students to perform Irish Dancing on the Lowland Stage.  She will also perform in the Ceilidh on the Loch, Saturday night.

Lonestar Stout (& friends) is a popular Celtic group based in Texas and Louisiana and led by veteran Celtic performers, Hugh Morrison and Jed Marum. Since 2005 they have been entertaining crowds at festival, club and concert venues around the country with their unique blend of traditional and original music "that's somewhere between the Pogues and the Chieftains!" Based on the music of Jed and Hugh, Lonestar Stout brings a pocketful of songs and fun to their performances - offering music, from Scotland, Ireland and America - from beautiful historic ballads to rowdy pub-style classics and ripping tune sets; they deliver! It's a show marked by easy humor and gifted musicianship. Jed Marum is a performer of Celtic and American folk-style music. Since 1999 he has published over a dozen albums, licensed music to film and TV projects. In addition to his work with Hugh Morrison, Jed has recently recorded albums with Brian McNeill - with Michael Martin Murphey - and with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. Hugh Morrison studied button accordion under the nationally known accordion masters, Ali MacGregor & Jimmy Shand. Hugh has released 6 albums since arriving in the US. In addition to his work with Jed, Hugh plays with his own band, Murder the Stout and lately has been joining Boston's Celtic Punk band The Street Dogs on stage.

Bob Valentine, Emcee & Entertainer Extrordinaire will return again to host our Friday night Sponsors & Patrons Appreciation Reception and to Emcee our Highland (Main) Stage on Saturday as well as the Ceilidh on the Loch Saturday evening.

Conny Ottway, the O'Kennessee Strings, and Conny's music students, from Knoxville, will perform in the Revolutionary Graveyard on Main Street throughout the Festival on Saturday.

Lakin's Highland Cattle & Black Faced Sheep exhibit is sponsored by the Jefferson County Farm.

No group is more important to this festival than our sponsors. Our festival is totally sponsor-driven, which allows us to offer free admission to the public. Thank you Sponsors!

We Will Be Adding 2017 HONORED SPONSORS Very Soon