Blarney Castle, an acoustic music group that includes Wayland High School graduate Kyle Pitcher, won the judges’ balloting among 11 acts to earn a slot at the March 3-4 Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival and a chance to play their own show at the museum during this year’s Friday Night Highlight Series.
Blarney Castle joined the rap group Last Gasp Collective in winning the opportunity to play in March by being co-winners Friday night at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
A six-piece Celtic band, Blarney Castle features Joel Myers (violin/mandolin), Lukas Stanley (piano, cajon, viola), Elizabeth Schubkegel (flute, voice), Patrick Hartson (guitar cello), Kyle Pitcher (bass, vocals) and John Robey (violin).
Pitcher is completing requirements for a bachelor’s degree in music at Western Michigan University. He is the son of Roger and Renee Pitcher of Wayland.
PHOTO: Acoustic Winners: Kalamazoo’s Blarney Castle performing during the play-in contest. Kyle Pitcher is in the background, but hidden from the camera’s eye. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)