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Big Paddy is an Irish duo featuring Jon Sherman (mandolin,
tenor banjo, guitar, and bodhran) and Sean Gaughan (vocals and percussion). Jon writes: "Big Paddy came about in the year of 1999 when I played in a reggae band called Big Fatty that included Michael Wooten (of Leftover Salmon and Carol King fame) and Vince Farsetta (who penned many hits for Leftover Salmon and others). We got a St. Patty's Day gig and it was suggested we call ourselves Big Paddy for the night. "Soon after, Big Fatty disbanded, and Big Paddy took over, with many revolving members early on, but settling back to just Sean G and myself in the year of 2001. The rest is almost history." Sean writes: "Big Paddy as a band started part of its road back in 1999. We called it Stickin’ and Pickin’ at first...? Or something, not quite sure. Jon and I started gigging with another fellow we knew and began going by the name Big Paddy, but really it was when Jon and I first played together that Big Paddy was truly born. "In 2001 it turned into Jon and I as a duo, and I began singing. It's been all about the fun and wild times from there -- there being the Pearl St. Pub, at the time. Every Monday night we'd play tunes for the people at the smallest setting in Boulder. This is where I began to sing regularly and play the djembe, learning new songs one after the other. We built a strong repertoire together, we did just that." Whatever the details, Big Paddy has now performed all over the state of Colorado, from regular pub gigs to weddings and private parties, and on to opening for the Young Dubliners, all of which has kept us busy indeed. I must say that we are proud to say that we are a SHOW, and not just a band in the corner. FERFUCKSAKE! You can read more about each of us individually below, and we hope you enjoy the music and entertainment we provide. Slainte! |
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I'm Jon Sherman, and I play the mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar, and bodhran for Big Paddy.
I was born in New York the year after the Beatles came to America, and I grew up
with the music of the time emulating many positive youth role models like Keith
Richards and Jerry Garcia. My first exposure to Irish music came from the radio coming
out of the city and the Eagle Tavern on the edge of Greenwich Village. I have had many influences over the years, and I feel that no matter what style of music I play these influences come out and have blended into my own style. On any given night you might hear a little Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Dickie Betts, Kevin Burke, Tim O'Brien, Mick Maloney, Paul Brady, Jimmie Page, Bert Janch, James Burton, Jerry Garcia, and many others all getting mixed up with a shot of Powers and coming out with my version of Irish music strongly steeped in Americana and British invasion classic rock. I picked up guitar early, and started playing mandolin as a young adult. Since then my musical travels have taken me all over the US and Canada. I have had many brushes with fame such as: Getting puked on by Nathan Maxwell, the bass player from Flogging Molly, Bonnie Raitt buying me a beer and kissing me on the lips when I was barely out of my teens, and having George Thorogood give me $5 when I was 14 so I could buy a halloween costume to wear to his show later that night. Other careerhighlights include doing permanent damage to my eye from a Guinness bottle cap, drinking beer mixed with rum (local drink of choice) with Cape Bretoners at a festival in Nova Scotia before I had to try to go on stage... not to mention all the near-death experiences driving late at night on dark highways through blizzards, elk herds, and drunk drivers going the wrong way on the interstate. It has all been worth it, though, to bring the music to the people -- and of course all the fame, glory, money and women. I have played and shared stages with many notable musicians such as a year on tour with Doug Kershaw, playing in a session with fiddle great Eileen Ivers, weekly jams with Gillian Welch before she became famous, playing in a school ensemble with a young Natalie Maines before she joined the Dixie Chicks, and many openers including Marty Stewart, The Young Dubliners, Buckwheat Zydeco, Johnny Gimble with the surviving members of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and countless others. |
Sean Michael Kayo Gaughan is my full name. I was born in 1971, and grew up in Boulder, Colorado.
I graduated Fairview High School in 1989, and went into the world from there. I have been playing drums since 1983. Mom made me take piano for two years, until we rented the first drumset, and from then it was on. I began hand drumming out of high school, Djembe, Ashiko, Conga, and Bongo drums, at first. Then I got into playing the flute, guitar, and bass guitar. I still enjoy playing the piano and the guitar. I have been playing professionally for over 15 years. I've been the sticks-and-skins man for different bands along the way: Planet Alice, Baba Fats, The Zydeco Playboys, Buckskin Stallion, Dana Kyle Stokes Band, A.B.O.M., and now Big Paddy -- just to name the ones really worth while. "Peace to you and to the people you will meet." SeanG |
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