Scatter the Cats

For more than two decades, members of Scatter the Cats have been making traditional dance music together at barn and town and church hall dances, folk festivals, pubs, parties, plowing matches, weddings and other community celebrations.

Regional favourites at Summerfolk, Pratie Oaten and the Owen Sound Celtic Festival for many years, theirs is an eclectic mix of traditional and original dance tunes, influenced by Irish, Appalachian, old Canadian and Scottish fiddle repertoire, with original, traditional and contemporary songs, and a few tall tales.

Fiddler Will Henry, with Dan McGee, flute, clawhammer banjo and harmonica, Frank Francalanza, multi-instrumental percussionist, dancer and dance caller are all former members of the long-lived Grey-Bruce music collective Glenelg Full Moon Country Dance Band.

Now with Bob Robins on guitars, mandolin, and tenor banjo and Randy Martin on acoustic and electric bass and vocals — both veterans of a long list of local rock, roots, folk and other ensembles — this acoustic quintet likes nothing better than jumping into the groove and offering up a big blast of tunes and songs for dancers and listeners.