Pat Mcmanus Band - Dark Emeral Highway (2013)

Irish guitar legend Pat McManus grew up in a family steeped in Irish Traditional music. His first instrument was the violin, which he started playing at the tender age of 4, but by the age of 7 he was also playing the acoustic guitar and making live appearances with the family band and on national television. Being a 'folk' purist he had not really thought about 'Rock'n'Roll', that was until the age of 18, his thoughts had changed and so he picked up the electric guitar...
Pat then formed what was to become 'Mama's Boys' with his two brothers John and Tommy and they very quickly became an overnight hit. They went on to tour with such bands as 'Hawkwind', 'Wishbone Ash' and the Legendary 'Thin Lizzy' on their farewell tour before, culminating in the band playing at 'Reading Festival' as an unsigned band, unheard of at the time. It was at this time all the hard work paid off as the band were signed to a worldwide deal by Jive/Arista. This opened a number of doors for the band, along with the acclaim and recognition of Pats talents this led to the band working with numerous artists including Bon Jovi, Ratt, Scorpions, Marillion, Black Sabbath, Gary Moore, Sting, Rush and many more as well as all their own headlining tours.
From late 1995 to 2001 following the passing of his brother, Pat and brother John returned with new band 'Celtus'. They were immediately signed to Sony Records and their first CD 'Moonchild' won rave reviews and much critical acclaim including the Irish Music Award for 'Best Album' in 1996. The band went on to release a further 4 albums and along with touring the UK several times fulfilled a life's ambition in playing the Albert Hall.
Deciding it was time for a break and a change of musical direction Pat returned to Ireland where he continued to make music working on several other artists albums as well as writing for film and TV. During this time Pat stayed busy touring Ireland and spent time writing and recording for several traditional projects, which culminated in an appearance at the 'White House'.
In 2006 the 'Pat McManus Band' was born and Pat released his first solo outing - 'In My Own Time'. The band have since released 4 CD's and 3 Live DVD's' and along with his band members Paul Faloon (Drums) and Marty McDermott (Bass and Backing Vocals) have maintained one of the busiest touring schedules out there. So much so they have been quoted by many as being 'one of the hardest working bands on the touring circuit' and with a full diary this is set to continue.
Pat's skills on numerous instruments and as a songwriter have now made him what is sometimes almost flippantly called a 'legend'. Still he is a force of nature and not only been named as one of the top 5 Irish guitarists of all time but also mentioned in the press as one of top 50 of all time best guitarists in the world. He is still affectionately known as the 'Professor', a name given to him back in the eighties due to his willingness to help young players and fans learn more about instruments a trait he still has to this day. Pat is still very much in touch with his fans and is still a real gentleman of rock!
(vanquishguitars.com/pat-mcmanus)