Joel Auble
Guitar, Keyboards, Accordian and Vocals Joel Auble started listening to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem while in college, “grew a guitar” as John Lennon put it, and began strumming and singing right then, his first public performance being an arrangement of “Rothsea-o” with fraternity members for a Greek sing-off. Decades of rock and roll followed with various garage-y groups until a return to Celticism in the ‘90’s when he and JoBeth became founding members of the Atlanta-area group Mickle-a-do. The two of them dropped out to play as a duo for a few years, and then began forming Lisdoonvarna. About the brogue he figures, “if Van Morrison can sound like an American, then I can have Irish moments as well..” 
JoBeth Matchett
Whistle, Flute, and Vocals Since watching the Irish Rovers' television variety show as a child, JoBeth has loved Irish music. While living in Gainesville, FL in the 1990's, a friend told her about a group that held weekly Irish jam sessions. JoBeth eagerly took out her long-neglected flute from high school band, went to a session, and was hooked! Before long, having always loved the cheery sound of the Irish whistle, she decided to try it. She quickly discovered that whistle players can never have enough whistles and has since amassed quite a collection! 
Margaret Miller
Vocals and Percussion Singer and tambo shaker, Margaret is a native of Carrollton, beginning her music career at 1st United Methodist Church. She was active in Performing Arts at Carrollton H.S. and received a full Vocal Scholarship to attend West Georgia College (now UWG). Much to everyone’s surprise, she left Carrollton to join the U.S. Marine Corps, and was “born again” at Parris Island, SC. Throughout her career adventures, she has maintained her passion for making music, continuing to find opportunities to perform in community theater, church choir, and various bands along the way. She joined the ranks of Lisdoonvarna in 2011, discovering the sounds of her ancestry. Margaret has found her greatest challenge and reward in motherhood: blessed with two amazing kids, Victoria (18) and Dawson (13). Victoria is also a singer and sometimes fills in for mom when she's away. . |
Erika Nagel
Fiddle Erika traded her classical background of the last 20 years for slip jigs and reels after a serendipitous meeting at a local community orchestra where Bill Brewer also plays. He introduced her to Lisdoonvarna, where she finally had an outlet for her lifelong love of Celtic music. And Lisdoonvarna is thrilled that she found her way to us, allowing us to end our nearly lifelong search for a great fiddle player with a love of Celtic music! 
Bill Brewer
Bass and Vocals Bill came in kicking and screaming out of his garage band and country music background to the richer and more refined (sometimes) world of Celtic music. His last musical group experience was with a country roadhouse band in the Holstein country of upstate New York. Always a singer, he moved to Carrollton, GA, and quickly met many people in the local music scene, including Joel, who asked him to bring his bass and sit in with him and JoBeth to play some Irish tunes. Before long, he was hooked on their repertoire and musicality. His pounding around on the low end of the musical register keeps the beat for the group. Looking back, he says of the mostly Irish tunes of Lisdoonvarna, "Hey, it's country -- just a different country." 
Mitch Johnson
Guitar, Drums, Banjo and Vocals Mitchell “Blues” Johnson loves the music of The South. Born in the Arkansas Delta, then settled in the Piedmont, Mitchell “Blues” is a student of the Roots Music Stew of European, African, and Native American traditions that provide the soundtrack to life in the Southland. Mitch brings a Southern flavor to the Lisdoonvarna/Barefoot Nina sound. When not practicing or performing, Mitch enjoys rubbing puppy bellies, drinking beer with cheerleaders, and arranging his small collection of US One Dollar Bills. His goal is to be mindful of every precious moment, and make the world a better place. |
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