The Barrel Boys

Event Details

Event type: All Ages

A bluegrass powerhouse featuring rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and a fun-loving, down-to-earth stage presence, Ontario’s The Barrel Boys are a unique staple of Canadian roots music. Informed by the deep traditions of bluegrass, country, old-time, and Americana, The Boys have crafted their unmistakable sound into an exuberant and soulful experience. The Barrel Boys’ music has taken them to festival main stages and concert halls across Canada, and their last album Mainline earned them a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

The Barrel Boys are a unique staple of Canadian roots music, a bluegrass powerhouse featuring rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and a fun-loving, down-to-earth stage presence. Informed by the deep traditions of bluegrass, country, old-time, and Americana, The Boys have crafted their unmistakable sound into an exuberant and deeply soulful musical experience. Celebrate the holiday season with The Barrel Boys' enchanting melodies and heartwarming harmonies that bring a delightful blend of folk, bluegrass, and Americana to your Christmas festivities. From timeless carols to original compositions, their music captures the season's essence, infusing every note with warmth and memory. Join The Barrel Boys for a magical Christmas show that will fill your heart with joy and leave you with cherished memories of the most beautiful time of the year.

Throughout more than a decade of performing together, The Barrel Boys’ bluegrass Christmas concert has been an important part of their Christmas season. Even while unable to perform live during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the band pulled together to create 2020’s “The Barrel Boys’ Christmas Special” and the 2021 follow-up “The Barrel Boys’ Christmas Special Vol. II, A Christmas Barrel” (both on YouTube). These 30-minute old-fashioned TV-style specials showcased the Boys’ charming wit and creativity as well as bass player Tim O’Reilly’s audio-visual production talents. 

Now that The Barrel Boys are back to performing live during the holidays, the same mix of musical prowess and light-hearted stage presence is central to their festive shows, called “Carols from the Barrel.” 

This Christmas, The Barrel Boys invite music fans of all ages to celebrate the holidays with an unforgettable evening that has brought audiences back year after year.

The Barrel Boys are:

• Nathan Smith: fiddle, vocals
• Kyle Kirkpatrick: dobro, vocals
• Rob McLaren: banjo, vocals
• Ben Wright: guitar, vocals
• Tim O’Reilly: bass, vocals