Biography

Denis and Bert have been doing charity events and local concerts since shortly after Denis arrived in Clarenville in 1992. The boys are mostly known for their powerful vocals, but Denis tries to play the guitar and Bert’s become a decent bodhran player (we know, we know – if there’s any such thing!) Doug, who comes from a long line of accordion players, started to play it a fair bit more frequently after building a house next to Denis in ’99.

Over the years, a regular Tuesday night jam session of up to 10 or more Clarenville would-be-musicians turned in to practice time for those interested in playing on stage for a number of charity requests. This is where Curt (playing the mandolin and guitar) and Greg (playing lead guitar) became part of what was now becoming a band.

The name Slainte which is Gaelic for ‘good health to you’ or the equivalent of our ‘cheers’ was a sort of last minute moniker in preparation for one such charity event. The organizers were looking to put our name on a poster advertizing the event. All that was needed up to this point was Bert and Denis. It didn’t seem quite practical to list Bert, Denis, Doug, Curt and Greg. So we tossed around a few names and went with the Irish toast as it fit our group in a variety of ways, if you know what we mean!

It was a little while later that the varied talents that Carl Winter brings to the stage were added to the band with bass and superb vocals and harmonies. Carl can actually play every instrument in the band and a few more to boot, but he makes us feel included by sticking to the bass for the most part.
The rest is history - in the making. Hopefully you’ll get to be part of it with us sometime soon.

Sláinte!!