RATHKELTAÍR (rath-KELT-ur): n. 1. acoustic trad mixed with spine-tingling euro-pop as performed by jaded ex-rockstars; 2. Celtic world fusion; 3. the band to hear in 2005!

Nick Watson and Neil Anderson, original members of America’s most commercially successful Celtic rock band, 7 Nations, Trevor Tanner, former frontman of 80’s UK underground pop sensation The Bolshoi, and international recording artist Collier Hyams have joined forces to form RATHKELTAÍR. Acoustically-based, original material combined with fresh, innovative arrangements of traditional music are what set this exceptional group of multi-instrumentalists apart from the rest of the crowd.

Nick Watson (drums, percussion, vocals, tinwhistle) Nick is a native of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. He toured internationally for 12 years as a member of the drum corps with Belfast-based Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, one of the top Grade One competitive bagpipe bands in the world. An extremely intuitive and versatile session player, Nick performed with a wide variety of rock and pop groups in Ireland before moving to the US in the early 90’s. In 1995 he joined 7 Nations and was the drummer on what are still two of the most popular albums in that group’s discography. In 1997 he left to form his own group, Jacksonville, Florida-based Celtic Soul.

Trevor Tanner (vocals, guitars, mandolin, bass, keyboards, effects) Born and raised in London, England, Trevor is blessed with that urbane sense of humour and quiet sarcasm for which Londoners are famous. A songwriter of note, Trev fronted one of the most influential English bands of the late 80’s, The Bolshoi. After several successful albums, extensive touring, and the birth of a rabid cult following which survives to this day, he ended up in the US and ran into Nick Watson quite by accident. Trevor and Nick began working together in Celtic Soul, and the band enjoys a loyal fan base on the East coast Irish pub and festival circuit.

Neil Anderson (Highland and uillean bagpipes, Scottish small'pipes, tinwhistles, mandolin, vocals) A founding member and 5-year veteran of 7 Nations, American Neil Anderson has been an independent solo artist since 1998. Neil has performed with some of the most respected artists in Celtic music, including The Chieftains, Paddy Keenan, John Whelan, The Battlefield Band, and New York City’s legendary Irish rockers, Black 47. He has produced original music for television and film, including the recently released "Skye- The Movie". Although thoroughly grounded in traditional music (he started 'piping at age 6 and competed for over 20 years in the US both as a solo 'piper and with 'pipe bands) Neil has always been at the cutting edge of what he likes to call "bagpipe fusion."

Collier Hyams (vocals, guitars, bass, djembe', udu, percussion, ebow, loops) An American-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Collier grew up in Thailand and Bavaria. He has worked with many highly regarded artists in a variety of genres, including Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbish (Living Colour), Sean Lennon, Duncan Sheik, Jaron Lanier, Sussan Deyhim, Shirin Neshat, and noted film composer Richard Horowitz. His live performance credits include appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Collier and Neil met in New York, and worked together on one of Collier's projects, 50 Man Machine.

The idea for RATHKELTAÍR began to take shape in March 2002 when Nick and Trevor traveled to South Carolina to record Neil for an upcoming Celtic Soul release, “Ways.” “Nick and I are old friends, and when he invited me to play on their new album I was excited about it.” explains Neil. “We just started jamming during the recording sessions and it was such a blast we decided to try to put something together for ourselves, for the music.” The band’s debut performance, as a trio in September 2002 at the Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival in Tennessee, was a smashing success. Collier was invited to join soon after, and RATHKELTAÍR is now one of the most talked-about new bands on the North American festival scene. RATHKELTAÍR'S July, 2004 debut CD, "RATHKELTAÍR LIVE" has met with enthusiastic response and critical acclaim. The group is currently working on its first studio release, which should be out in early Spring, 2005.