The Border Collies are a new contemporary Celtic band featuring the music of Michael Robbins and Caeri Tomson. A blend of traditional Celtic and contemporary Celtic, folk and jazz influences.

Michael and Caeri met while attending Swannanoa Celtic Week in July of 1999. Both were taking a contemporary Celtic composition course taught by Susan McKeown. Their first performance was given at the student showcase. The song was an adaptation of Clohinne Hills by Niamh Parsons.

The BorderCollies made their debut performance in September of 1999 at a regional festival in the mountains of North Carolina. Joining them were long time friend Howard Williams on mandolin, Michael McCanless on stellar fiddle and Paula K on bodhran. Michael McCanless has been touring with Hank Williams III. The concert was very well received and three encores later, the band came off stage totally exhilarated and ready to take on the world!

The BorderCollies then added Lisa McCann on bodhran, percussion and vocals to the lineup. Lisa is a veteran on the Monday night sessions at Fado, and recorded and toured extensively with The Charms. Lisa brings lots of experience and high energy and her own special charm to the band.

Next came Maryville, Tennessee native, fiddle/violin player Katherine Irwin Thomas, who adds her own charm and energy. She's a big Scottish music fan, but also loves to play Irish fiddle. She's also currently very active on both fiddle and feet with the Lisa Cregan-O'Brien School of Irish Dance, and dances the occaisional reel or jig with the Collies when the mood strikes her!

The newest Collie is John Cutliffe on bass. John adds a very special presence and grace to the band, bringing years of experience performing and writing music in Ireland and the UK. A native of county Donegal, he is also a music journalist and photographer. His singing and his songwriting add a new dimension to the band.

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