When Emerald Rose told me about their First Annual North Georgia Celtic Festival, I figured I'd try being the music seller there, and offered to take care of the CDs from the bands performing there (who had them), figuring it'd be easier for one person to be taking care of all that and making the musicians more available for their adoring fans. The BorderCollies is one of those groups.

The group is known for both traditional and contemporary Celtic music and mixing great instrumentality with three- and four-part harmonies.

I was listening to the album while starting work on several of the new pages for the on-line catalog, and my toes got tapping, especially on "Tam Linn."

The band consists of Michael Robbins on guitars, bass, bandurria and banjo; Katherine Irwin Thomas on fiddle and vocals, Carei Tomson on vocals and pennywhistle, and Howard Williams on mandolin, harmonica and vocals.

I'd say the group's biggest fan is Michael's newborn child, who was born sometime in mid-June. I just wish I had a picture of her enjoying daddy's concert.

The first album was called "The Road from Swannanoa." It is now out of print! There is a new album. Details coming.