Brown Ale

Celtic and East Coast Folk Music

Glenn McFarlane – acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, harmonica, accordion, percussion, vocals

Les Smith - bass, tin whistle, Irish flute, concertina, accordion, bodhran, mandolin, banjolin, percussion, vocals

With Les Smith from Newfoundland and Glenn McFarlane from New Brunswick, it’s quite obvious where this pair gets their love of Celtic and East Coast folk music. Les, now living in Mississauga, plays a multitude of instruments, including bass, tin whistle, Irish flute, concertina, accordion, bodhran, mandolin, banjolin, percussion, and is the primary vocalist, while Glenn, who lives in Brampton, plays guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, harmonica, accordion, percussion, and also sings. They deliver a high-energy versatile show filled with songs from both sides of the Atlantic, lively jigs and reels, tender ballads (often a cappella!), and recitations. Their material varies considerably in both content and arrangement, from steadfastly traditional to very eclectic. They have been playing together since 1992. CD Releases

CD Releases

Brown Ale have released three CDs to date.

  • "Heads Up!" (2000)
  • "Self Titled" (2003)
  • “Windsniffer and Other Assorted Legends” (2007)

Performance Highlights

  • Owen Sound Celtic Festival - 2002
  • Celtic Continuum, Wasaga Beach – 2000, 2001
  • Winterfolk, Toronto – 2003, 2004
  • Carassauga Canadian Pavilion, Mississauga – 1997, 1999, 2000
  • Hands Across the World, Oakville – 1998, 1999
  • Canada Blooms Brampton Exhibit, Toronto - 2002
  • Oshawa Golf and Curling Club – 2006, 2007
  • A Down East Celebration with the Brampton Festival Singers – 2002
  • Canterbury Folk Festival, Ingersoll – 2002, 2003
  • Wye Marsh Festival, Midland – 2000
  • Various special events, Black Creek Pioneer Village – 2006 through 2007
  • Brampton Folk Festival – 1999 through 2003, 2005 throough 2007
  • Donstock, near Staynor – 2000
  • Summer Solstice, Fergus - 2002
  • Brampton Indie Arts Festival - 2002
  • Flying Cloud Folk Club, Toronto - 2007
  • Barrie Folk Society - 2001
  • Orillia Folk Society – 2000
  • Milton Arts Festival – 2006
  • Brampton Folk Club Friday Folk Night - 2005, 2007
  • Groovy Mondays, Toronto - 2003, 2004, 2007
  • Dr. B’s Acoustic Medicine Show, Toronto - 2005
  • Durham Region Folk Circle - 2003
  • Brampton Arts Council Annual General Meeting – 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006
  • Brampton Downtown Business Association Annual General Meeting – 2004
  • Brampton Civic Hospital Open House – 2007
  • Amnesty International Coffeehouse, Georgetown – 1998
  • Walk for Schizophrenia, Brampton, 2002
  • Songs for Hope, Norval – 1999, 2007
  • Corner Coffee House, Newmarket - 2003 through 2005
  • Brampton Folk Club Annual Showcase Concert – 1997 through 2007
  • Bradley Museum Fall Fair, Mississauga – 1997, 2001 through 2007
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