River Drivers

“An energy source of Celtic and Americana soaked sound… These diverse songs are sung with a raw conviction and intensity that tell the truth of the passion felt from within the band.”– Irish Music Magazine Pennsylvania-based Celtic-tinged folk rock collective River Drivers is a band whose unique passion-infused style of music draws from Celtic, Americana, and Appalachian influences and features powerful and distinctive vocals and multi-instrumentalists. Their repertoire strikes a fine balance of originals and obscure folk songs, resurrected from deep folk vaults. River Drivers’ distinct flavor of music is a sum of its parts. Kevin McCloskey’s passion for songs portraying the plight of working men and women was kindled by performing with his father, Irish tenor Tommy McCloskey. Mindy Murray’s works are infused with the music of the Appalachian Mountains and the miners, having witnessed firsthand the struggles of life in Appalachia during her years in medical school in West Virginia. Meagan Ratini became immersed in American and Celtic folk music during her years of helping to run the New Jersey Folk Festival. Marian’s roots lie in Ardara, County Donegal, an epicenter of Irish traditional music. She brought the River Drivers over to Ireland to perform at the internationally famous Cup of Tae Festival. Their CDs, River Drivers, Big Oak Road and Live at SteelStacks have garnered acclaim from major international journals including No Depression, fRoots and Irish Music Magazine. River Drivers can be seen at major festivals and concert venues throughout the United States and Ireland.