The Fables - Biography

D�Arcy hails from a traditional-music family. Although a performer since his early childhood, his professional career was launched when he joined the popular Sons of Erin. As the co-founder of the successful Irish Descendants, D�Arcy performed on three gold records and played at sold-out concerts throughout Canada, the United States, Ireland and Poland. While D�Arcy was performing with The Irish Descendants they were presented with many prestigious awards, including the Gabriel Award for their TV special �Misty Morning Shore�, �Entertainers of the Year� and �Best Roots Traditional Artist� at the East Coast Music Awards, and one of the highlights of his career, a Juno for �Best Roots Traditional Album�. D�Arcy has made countless appearances on local, national and international TV shows, performed at many high profile special events, and toured across Canada as a special guest with Anne Murray.

Glenn

Known for his unique guitar style, the driving force behind the Fable�s Celtic melodies, Glenn is recognized as one of Atlantic Canada�s pre-eminent musicians. As a member of �Wonderful Grand Band�, a beloved Newfoundland musical sensation, Glenn worked on one of CBC Television�s highest rated shows and performed on the very successful album, �Living in a Fog�. Glenn says that another high point in his musical career was working with Ron Hynes on his highly-acclaimed �Cryer�s Paradise� album, as well as touring with Hynes across Canada. Glenn has worked on countless TV productions as a session musician and singer. His talents as a songwriter, arranger and producer are clearly evident throughout all three Fable�s CDs. Glenn also worked as a producer on Rod Jackson�s ECMA nominated album, �Layin� it on the Line�.

Billy�s musical ability is evident in the countless instruments he has mastered, and the impressive roster of musicians with whom he has performed. Locally, Billy has played professionally with such groups as Ron Hynes, the Government Rams, Manchester Run and the Fat Catlicks. He has performed as a freelance musician worldwide, from Atlantic Canada to Poland, with such groups as the Jimmy Carton Band, and the Paddy Noonan Band in New York. Billy has also worked as a studio musician on several projects, and appeared on various radio and TV productions. Billy also worked as a producer on Chris Andrew�s ECMA and MIANL nominated album, �By the Hush�. It�s always a delight to watch Billy on stage as he utilizes up to three instruments in the same song, switching from one instrument to the other with uncanny musical ability.

The Fables newest member, drummer Mike McDonald is no stranger to Newfoundland audiences. At the age of four, he was performing nightly in front of his parent�s fireplace lip-synching to his favourite band,� The Beatles�. A few short years went by and he received his first instrument, a set of drums. Mike was hooked from the first beat, and played a million more until he finally hit the road in the early nineties providing the solid backbeat for a west coast Newfoundland rock and roll trio, �The Catch�. While touring with this group for over ten years, he�s become a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and singer and has made many recordings and television appearances. Already an accomplished songwriter in his own right, there�s no doubt his contribution to The Fables will add a new dimension to this already diverse group of musicians.

As the youngest member of The Fables, Ian is a talented multi-instrumentalist who hails from a musical family. Playing professionally for almost half his life, the young Fable has worked with many groups of different genres ranging from rock & roll to traditional Irish/ Newfoundland music. In 1998 Ian co-founded the Irish traditional group Erin's Call who released their self-titled album "Erin's Call" in March of 2003. Ian has shared the stage with many well-known artists ranging from local to international status, such as Tommy Makem and Johnny McEvoy. Like the other members of The Fables, Ian draws from his years of musical experience performing live on stage, working as a studio musician on numerous projects, and having made several appearances on both radio and television productions.

About the Band

Although a fable is based on myth and mysticism, there are still some fables you can believe in. Meet The Fables... a band with a past that is the stuff of legends, a present that is making an impact on audiences everywhere, and a future that is destined to make history.
Led by former Irish Descendant D�Arcy Broderick and former Wonderful Grand Band stalwart Glenn Simmons, The Fables offer a head-on fusion of contemporary rock n� roll with the time-honoured traditions of Celtic music. Their new sound and fresh approach have earned them multiple nominations and awards.

Awards Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador:
� Entertainer of the Year (2000 and 2001)
� Best New Group (1999)
� Folk/Roots Group of the Year (1999, 2001 & 2003)
� SOCAN Song of the Year (1999)
� Album of the Year (1999, 2001 & 2003)
� CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (1999)
� Group of the Year (2001 & 2003)

East Coast Music Association:
� Entertainer of the Year (2001)

Nominations Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Entertainer of the Year (1999)

East Coast Music Association:
� Entertainer of the Year (2002)
� Best Roots/Traditional Group (1999, 2002 & 2004)
� Best New Group (1999)
� Group of the Year (2000 and 2001)
� Album of the Year (2000 and 2001)
� Songwriter of the Year - Glenn Simmons (2001)

Canadian Independent Music Awards (The Indies):
� Folk/Roots Group of the Year (2002 & 2004)

The ECMA Entertainer of the Year award is the most prestigious, as it is determined by a public vote.

One of The Fables� more exciting experiences was performing during the New Year�s Eve celebrations in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 2002, with an estimated audience on site of 20-30,000 and a TV viewing audience of approximately 8 million throughout Canada and the Eastern seaboard of the United States.

The 2000 re-enactment of the historic Viking landing at Lance aux Meadows, Newfoundland is another highlight of the band�s performance portfolio. The worldwide television audience for that event was reported to be over 300 million.

The group�s newest CD �St. John�s� has already become a favorite with the many people who have heard it. The first single �St. John�s� has received airplay across Canada and continues to be a big hit at home.

The band�s repertoire features unique interpretations of classic traditional tunes, as well as fresh, ear-catching originals. The material, rife with cutting-edge electric guitars wrapped in the warmth of traditional instruments, will excite and mystify.