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! |
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. |
Davin Auble
Vocals and Percussion
As bandleader Joel's daughter, it would be surprising if Davin didn't grow up wanting to make music! Fortunately she inherited his love of music and performing, as well as a decent sense of rhythm and a pretty strong set of pipes. "Back in the day" Davin sang in musicals at Carrollton High School, Carroll County Community Theatre, and West Georgia College (yes that used to be the right name!). She left Georgia to go to college and took way too long to come back home, but in the meantime played with several Chicago rock bands, including lead vocals for Misery Index and Tarantati, and singer/guitarist of original songs with Bitter Lipstick and her most beloved group, Torchlily. Davin loves being home and singing with her dad and the amazing musicians of Lisdoonvarna
Vocals and Percussion
As bandleader Joel's daughter, it would be surprising if Davin didn't grow up wanting to make music! Fortunately she inherited his love of music and performing, as well as a decent sense of rhythm and a pretty strong set of pipes. "Back in the day" Davin sang in musicals at Carrollton High School, Carroll County Community Theatre, and West Georgia College (yes that used to be the right name!). She left Georgia to go to college and took way too long to come back home, but in the meantime played with several Chicago rock bands, including lead vocals for Misery Index and Tarantati, and singer/guitarist of original songs with Bitter Lipstick and her most beloved group, Torchlily. Davin loves being home and singing with her dad and the amazing musicians of Lisdoonvarna