Bios

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <IMG SRC="04b3e510.gif" border=0 width="62" height="593" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Callahan and O'Connor</B></FONT>    |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Callahan and OConnor">home</A></div> <div> <A HREF="schedule.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Schedule">Schedule</A>   |   <A HREF="contacts.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Info">Contact Info</A>   |   <B>Bios</B>   |   <A HREF="cds.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CDs">CD's</A>   |   <A HREF="photogallery.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Gallery">Photo Gallery</A>   |   <A HREF="coollinks.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cool Links">Cool Links</A></div> <div> Bios</div> <div> In 1984, Kevin and I were sitting around the bar at Cavanaugh's in downtown Akron, Ohio. We were doing what we usually did back then, singing a few tunes and drinking a few beers. From that simple beginning came our dream of starting our own group.</div> <div> We began as a duo playing in local pubs. Cavanaugh's was gracious enough to let us practice and play and was our "homebase" for years. Over time we added additional players to expand our sound and venues.</div> <div> We have since been fortunate to travel coast to coast playing for weddings, parties, Irish Cultural Festivals and events such as The Songs of Ireland, a Riverdance/Concert style production.</div> <div> The current group includes Kevin O'Connor, Jimmy Butke, Mike O'Connor, Ritch Underwood and me, Paul Callahan</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="3029fac0.jpg" border=0 width="159" height="172" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">Paul Callahan</B> </div> <bR> <div> After almost 32 years of service, Paul retired from the Akron Police Department to become the Chief of Police for The University of Akron Police Department. With six children (Pam, Kim, Meghan, Ryan, Shane, Makenzie), keeping busy is not a problem. But just in case there is some free time, Paul's daughter Kim presented him with his first <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>grandchild</U></FONT> (Jillian Marie) on February 26th, 2003 to help fill up his calendar.  Grandson Jake arrived on July 19, 2004.</div> <div> Paul is called upon regularly to sing the National Anthem at major functions and sporting events, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers home games at the Quicken Loans  Arena. He is at center stage with the band as a lead vocalist and guitar player. His love of Irish music comes across best in his heartfelt ballad singing. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="paul3">Cool Pix</A> of Paul!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="04e96ef0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="239" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"><B>Kevin O'Connor</B> </div> <bR> <div> Kevin resides in Green, Ohio, with his wife Colleen and daughter Katy Beth. Kevin works for the University of Akron as the Athletic Equipment Manager. Kevin is a past president of Akron's Ancient Order of Hibernians and heads one of the committees that produces the Irish Culture and Music Festival each year in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Kevin shares center stage with Paul in the band. He is a talented guitar and banjo player and is a featured lead vocalist on the band's CD, <I>2nd Set</I>.</div> <bR> <div> Kevin <A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="kevin1">shows his stuff</A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="04f96dc0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="220" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"><B>Jimmy Butke</B></div> <bR> <div> Jimmy Butke has been with us for over ten years and is the youngest member of the group. As a young man, Jimmy was a championship Irish dancer and was tutored on the accordion at an early age by Gordon Shaffer, the Godfather of Irish music in northeastern Ohio.</div> <div> We so recognized Jimmy's upcoming talents that we sent him a tape many years ago while he was in the Air Force in Colorado. He joined us after returning from the service. Jimmy is considered one of the top ten accordion players in the USA. He is also a lead and background vocalist in the band and appears on our CD,<I> 2nd Set</I>. Jimmy resides in Manchester, Ohio.  He is part of a talented family. His father Bill is a retired teacher and plays drums. Jimmy's sister Kristin, danced the female lead in Lord of the Dance in Las Vegas. Aside from working with us, Jimmy is in demand around the country for Irish dancing events. His first CD "Gone Feisin" has been a big hit with Irish dancers all over the country and his second CD, "Treble Maker"  is proving to be equally requested.</div> <div> Jim has a new addition to his family, a baby boy William Christopher Burke. Little William was born Born March 27th, 2003 weighing in at, 7lb 8oz, 20in. </div> <div>                                                </div> <bR> <div>    <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="jim1">Jim</A> gettin' down</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="05194050.jpg" border=0 width="148" height="261" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></FONT><B>Ritch Underwood</B> </div> <bR> <div> Ritch Underwood is an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist and all around performer who has entertained audiences throughout Northeast Ohio, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania with his band "The Monopoly" for over thirty years.  He has worked with artists such as Joe Walsh, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Chubby Checker. </div> <div> Ritch has built a reputation as a professional full-time musician who works continuously to improve upon his talents and offers his audiences the best in musical entertainment. Versatility, personality, experience and professionalism make Ritch a perfect compliment for any occasion and a welcomed addition to Callahan & O'Connor. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="rich1">Ritch</A> really gets down!!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>