Finnegan's Wake - Las Vegas' Premier Celtic Rock Band

Band Bios

Robbie Murphy

Lead Vocals, Guitar

Direct from Ireland, Robbie was born and raised in Dublin. He started playing music at age 16 and played all over Ireland. In the late 80's he immigrated to Southern California where he continued to play the famous Hollywood venues including The Rainbow, The Troubadour, and The Whiskey.

Robbie moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1993. Vegas became his home for the next ten years. He formed the band Finnegan's Wake and the rest is history!

In 2003 he relocated to Philadelphia and was picked up by the east coast popular band, " The Barley Boys." He traveled with the band all over the eastern shore, including concerts at Jack Frost, Celtic Classic, Atlantic City, to name a few. He played alongside some of Irelands most famous musicians including Tommy Makim, The Saw Doctors, and The Furys. He recorded the album "Days of Abundance" which is now Celtic Radios top album for 2005.

In 2005 he returned with his family to Las Vegas and rejoined Finnegan's Wake promising to make this the best AUTHENTIC Celtic band on the west coast!

Michael Bowman

Guitar, Guitar Synth, Vocals

Michael hails from Kalamazoo Michigan where at a young age he was overwhelmed by the experience of seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. After much coaxing, he finally got his first guitar. By the time he was six months out of high school, Michael was traveling the midwest playing in small clubs six nights a week. In the 80's, he quit the road life and settled back in Kalamazoo where he stayed, playing in local bands, until moving to Las Vegas in 2002.

Arriving in Vegas, the first musician he met was Robbie Murphy. That little bit of serendipity led to Michaels participation in Finnegan's Wake. It also led to his love of all things Irish. The music, the beer, the culture, the beer, the food, (did I mention the beer?)

During his 30+ year professional career, Michael has shared billing with: Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Tubes, Badfinger, The Guess Who, April Wine and Double Trouble among others.

Also, Michael is our resident Beatle nut and will talk your ear off about them at a moments notice.

Sean Kennedy

Bass, Vocals

Sean’s musical background begins at age 3 when he started studying piano and music theory. Picking up bass and guitar in his teens, Sean has been rocking all over the world ever since.

He spent eight years touring and playing bass with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts including appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sean has also played bass with Nena and Bobby Sherman as well as a long stint playing keyboards with Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits fame.

He’s played on numerous movie soundtracks including Shrek and appeared in the movie Boogie Boy

Wayne Ritchie

Drums, Vocals

Wayne was born in the small town of Chester Springs, PA (near
Philadelphia) where he took drum lessons as a kid for 5 years before playing in
local bands on the east coast. It was during these years, playing mostly classic rock, that Wayne began singing as well.

At 25, Wayne moved to LA for music school and from there
traveled for 2 years playing overseas in DOD (Department of Defense) shows and
clubs. When Wayne came back he played the LA area for 4 years before coming to Las Vegas. There he began casino work which has lasted 10 years so far.

Wayne has played rock, country, jazz, dance, funk and now
Irish and has traveled to over 30 countries for music.

Myron Stewart

Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar

Myron O. Stewart began playing violin and guitar at the age of ten, winning several prestigious fiddling contests. He received a music scholarship to the University of Arizona where he played in the Symphony Orchestra.

Myron has played for the President of the United States and the President of Mexico as well as other dignitaries. He played fiddle in the made-for-TV movie "The New Maverick".

After moving to Las Vegas, under the management of George Carlin, he appeared on the Tonight Show. Myron played fiddle for four years with recording artist Tammy Gram.

Myron has also toured internationally in Ireland as well as various festivals and concerts across the country.