Well That Was Fun & Exciting!

Sadly, I must say that I am back from my "vacation" to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.  As usual, it was incredibly fun and completely exhausting.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love photographing the bands performing at the games.  This year was even better than last year, if that is even possible to imagine.  Donovan Murray, the driving force behind Celtic Force, brought in some new bands to the games as well as some favorites from the past.  If you have never experienced the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, you have to put it on your bucket list of things to do.  The entertainment alone is worth it.  So here are just a few (cough, cough) photos of some of the bands that I photographed this past weekend.

First up is Scythian from the Washington D.C. area.  These guys were so amazing and energetic.  I just wish I could find a way to bottle up just a portion of the energy they brought.  You really need to go check out their music, it is a very interesting blend of all sorts of styles.

Alexander Fedoryka

Josef Crosby & Alexander Fedoryka

Mike Ounallah

Danylo Fedoryka

Kyf Brewer of Barleyjuice lends a hand to get the crowd revved up!

Next up is some pretty rowdy guys themselves: Barleyjuice.  Which I have had the pleasure of photographing this past June when they were here in the upstate for the Greenville Scottish Games.  (And I have to give a big thank you to Greg for keeping me company during the games.)

Jimmy

Billy, Kyf & Swanny

Eric

Greg

Then of course there is the infamous Albannach (and they are infamous for more than one reason).  And as always, they were a crowd favorite.  

Jackie & Davy

Jamesie & Aya

Kyle (hope you are feeling better)

Greg Schroeder from Barleyjuice,  jamming on the drums with Donnie (who is normally on pipes)

Then there were those fun and otherwise entertaining moments to be had.  Such as Big David Ross telling the story of Aya's ancestry and how the "Shiney  Shiney" came about.

And lastly, let's not forget the full out jam sessions with all the bands on one stage performing together. 

Greg from Barleyjuice, Mike from Scythian, Donnie from Albannach and Donovan Murray (the man behind the entertainment).