Celtic music duo Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack, known as Switchback, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, May 4 at the Barton County Arts Center, 1401 Main, Great Bend.
Seats are $10 and may be purchased at the door, said Karen P. Neuforth, executive director of the Arts Center. “However, a head count would be appreciated, since extra seating may be necessary, so if you plan on attending please call 620-792-4221 weekday afternoons or e-mail bartonarts@gmail.com.”
The musicians will present a free one-hour program, “The Irish Immigrant Experience Through Music,” at noon Friday at Barton Community College’s Shafer Gallery.
For over two decades, the musical partnership of FitzGerald and McCormack has been entertaining audiences around the world with their unique American roots music blended with Celtic soul.  
In 1986, FitzGerald was a mandolin student of Jethro Burns and had already been touring with Clifton Chenier when he met McCormack, an award-winning voice student of Whelma Oshiem at the American Conservatory of Chicago and a member of the Star Search selected band Beyond Blue.  They were both chosen by legendary County Kerry composer and concertina master Terrence ‘Cuz’ Teahan to join his traditional Irish group.  Teahan taught FitzGerald and McCormack the old country techniques of Irish musical entertainment, making them one of the last generations to be directly influenced by a master of this musical genre.
Playing over 200 engagements a year, Switchback also conducts educational programs and songwriting workshops for school and community organizations.
For a sample of their music, visit their website: www.waygoodmusic.com/.
The Barton County Arts Council is a non-profit charitable and educational organization supported by individuals, businesses and organizations and also receives funding from the City of Great Bend and Barton County. This concert has been partially underwritten by Dr. Donald E. Beahm, MD.