In the late 1950’s, when kids were trying to learn how to play the guitar or keep rhythm on drums, Paul Brock, Manus McGuire, Garry O’Meara and Denis Carey were in the beginning stages of learning how to play music in the Irish way. A way of tradition, diversity, passion and precision started to grow that would bring these four together in 2000 and form the Brock McGuire Band.

Paul Brock started playing the accordion at a young age. With the partnership that Brock had with fiddle player Frankie Gavin, Brock’s hard work paid off in their 1986 album “A Tribute to Joe Cooley” which is considered by critics one of the most outstanding traditional albums of the modern era. In 1989 Paul co-founded the group Moving Cloud with Manus McGuire. The two then produced two albums for Green Linnet Records, plus their self-titled 1994 album chosen by the well-known U.S. music critic Earle Hitchner as the best Irish traditional album of the year.

“Their selection of material was delightfully novel” Gordon McLeod, from Southwest Celtic Music Association in Dallas, said.

Manus established a playing style for the fiddle that has been made legendary by famous fiddlers like Michael Coleman, James Morrison and Paddy Killoran.

Garry O’Meara, vocalist, mandolin player and banjoist player, started playing at the age of nine. O’Meara has had the opportunity to tour and perform with a diverse group of high profile musicians like Christy Hennessy, Christy Moore and Moya Brennan.

Denis Carey started out playing the accordion at the age of seven.

“Most people in Ireland start out playing music at a young age,” Carey said.

Passion, diligence, diversity, and authenticity are the trademarks that make up the Brock McGuire band in concert. The band’s arrangement is deep in traditional charm and a refreshing mix of vintage tunes that showcase the perfect light onto each member’s talents.

Feb. 23 started the band’s two-week winter tour, which was kicked off at the Mary Moody Northen Hall.