Thom Schrampfer, "Michael Donnigan"

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I started playing blue grass and american folk music in high school. I was first introduced to Irish music at the The Half Time Rec in St. Paul. I fell in love with it. And after a failed acting group At Minnesota Renaissance Festival Was Encouraged to start A musical group there. we called our self "Turmeric" And did quite well. And were nominated For best new band.

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But at the end of that year half of the band left and we continued with Eric Pedrotty, Dave Tousley and my self. then Eric got a Job in a different state and I continued with Beth Laverick for about 2 years. but after that time Beth left and Turmeric became Jim Newkirk, Ann Viviano, Fred Keller, Frank Forsner, And myself.

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But after 2 Years The Band Broke Up. After that I continued In a band called "Limerick", after that "The Druids", "Donnybrook" And then solo for a year. After 20 years, About the time I married my wife Bonnie, and had our first child I decided to take a break from preforming.

 

After approx. 13 years later my daughter Emily talked me into returning To MRF, We preformed as the band "The Donnigan's", And had 2 successful years at MRF. But Emmy wanted to try other things. So I teamed up with an old Friend, Mark Baired and formed "The Broken Brogues".

"The Donnigan's" continued to Play at Ren In The Glen. Second year we were joined by my son Matt Schrampfer , "Martin" And In 2017 my wife Bonnie Schrampfer, "Maggie".

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After that Matt, Mark, and I continued as "The Hounds Of Dublin". This year we are adding a excellent Flute And Whistle Player, Chad McAnally, Who played with me In "The Druids" & "Donnybrook".