An eclectic bunch if ever there was one, the Sonora-based Black Irish Band first coalesced on the film set of Back to the Future III, when multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Patrick Karnahan and bass man Richard Restivo spent filming breaks formulating their idea for a traditional folk group that would cross cultural and musical boundaries. With the addition of fiddler Dave Rainwater, banjo player and vocalist Jim Nelson, and yet another multi-instrumental vocalist, Steve McArthur, the group embarked on its mission to breathe new life into old tunes with strong vocals and high-energy instrumentals.

And as for their repertoire, the Black Irish Band's long list of albums says it all: from the Irish pub tunes of "Day the Earth Shook" to their recent "From the Forest," the band's expansive range covers rollicking sea chanteys, tales of the Gold Rush, railroad music, and plaintive western ballads, plus traditional music from Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. Veritable fixtures at many west coast Celtic festivals, The San Francisco Maritime Museum, and the Sacramento Railroad Museum, their performances are like a unique history lesson, presenting the folk music of some of the ethnic minorities who came to California as a window onto their experiences in the land of opportunity.