POGEY

POGEY has played every major American Celtic festival since 2009 and will set out across the US and Canada in 2011 to new concert venues and top festival stages. Their unique take on Folk/Rock has gained them fans across North America at a stellar pace. The band released its sophomore album "Full Speed Ahead" (Universal Music) in 2010 and is currently nominated for the Roots Recording of the year at the 2011 Canadian East Coast Music Awards. POGEY has mastered how to captivate audiences with their original Folk/Rock songs and remarkable Celtic instrumentals. Their fiery live show combines electric guitar, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, bodhran and five-part vocal harmonies to produce a trademark Nova Scotia sound.
POGEY is the vision of Nova Scotia native, Ray Mattie, who moved to Barrie Ontario in 1997 to search for like-minded musicians to help break into a new music market. The goal was to create an all-original band with a Folk/Rock based sound. However after 3 years and not finding the right chemistry, Mattie moved home to Nova Scotia in 2000. That fall, a referral had Mattie calling bassist Jonny Grant, who immediately agreed to join and 30 minutes later POGEY was born. Lead guitarist Warren Robert, who originally signed on for two shows in 2001, has been with the group ever since. Drummer Mike Carroll and fiddler Donald MacLennan round out POGEY's full sound and stage presentation. With rising popularity and a growing tour schedule, the group hasn't had to worry about what their name is slang for in Canada: government relief given to the unemployed.
Industry Testimonials:
"POGEY…superior musicianship and an amazing connection with the audience!" Kansas City Irish Festival
"POGEY has come on strong on the Celtic festival circuit in the US and we knew they would be a popular addition. We were not disappointed!" Milwaukee Irish Fest
"In a matter of a few bars, POGEY has the audience in their hand and brings the room to life!" Live at the Rehearsal Hall - Bravo! TV Toronto
"From a presenter's point of view, POGEY is a dream come true. They can adapt to any and every situation." Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center - Carthage, Maine.
"We could all use some POGEY! A wealth of talent!" CBC-TV – The National