EARLVILLE – One of Scotland’s finest acoustic bands, Old Blind Dogs, comes to the Earlville Opera House on Friday at 8 p.m.  Old Blind Dogs (OBD) remain at the forefront of Scotland’s folk music root revival by updating traditional Scottish songs with modern arrangements, instrumentals and percussion.  The result is an addicting mix of fiddle, pipes, guitar, percussion and vocals.  The Dogs have been performing since 1990.  They were awarded Folk Band of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004.  The band is known for their ever-original arrangements and talented instrumentals that make for infectious rhythms and sing-along melodies to provide for a rare evening of musical virtuosity!

Founding member Jonny Hardie hails from Aberdeenshire, and his powerful traditional fiddling is at the heart of the OBD sound. Rory Campbell is a brilliant young piper, playing the small pipes as well as low whistle.  His fiery original tunes are highlights of the band’s repertoire. Aaron Jones, originally from the North of Ireland, is an innovative multi-instrumentalist on bouzouki, guitar and bass, as well as a fine singer. He won Best Instrumentalist of the Year award at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2005.  Fraser Stone is a specialist on African percussion and adds his lively rhythms to the mix.