The year was 2004, the setting, was Houghton’s Pub on Jackson Street in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The events that transpired that night were driven by fate and the story begins just like any familiar Irish joke, “Two Irishmen walk into a pub…” The rest is history. 

Barry and Finnian first met on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004 at the Irish music session hosted weekly at Houghton’s. The usual crowd had gathered and beers and whiskey were flowing. During a break in tunes, the two lads broke out in song, complete with harmonies, as if it had been rehearsed. Before the night was through, they had booked their first gig! 

Soon, the two Amadans became three when Sherri started working on supporting the duo on the bass. With Barry on the guitar, Finnian on the bodhran, and Sherri on the bass, the trio worked on a variety of Irish music, both traditional and more current pub rock, and booked their first gig at a coffee house in La Crosse. Looking for a little more edge, they added a drummer, Steve Dwyer, and a banjo player, Tripp Evenson. The next big gig on the calendar would come just a few short months later.

Amadans had the privilege of being the opening act for the renowned Irish band, Gaelic Storm, at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in late 2004. This event was one for the books! They played with no monitors (oops, miscommunication from the sound directors) in a crowd bigger than any of them had played for, and they knocked it out of the park! Groups of people flocked to the front of the stage area, dancing and elevating the energy of the band and the audience. This was the beginning of something magical!

For the next 20 years, Amadans continued to grow and morph into one of the La Crosse area’s most recognizable Irish musical acts. Supporting the beginnings of Irishfest La Crosse in 2005 as the headlining act to performing regularly during the year at Irishfest, Oktoberfest, and numerous venues throughout the region. 

Stick around and see what the next 20 years bring.