THE WILD ROVERS Jenn Garman
Jennifer Garman begged for violin lessons at the tender age of eight. Now,
at the tender age of . . . uh . . . more than twenty . . . her parents don't shut
the door any more when she practices.
Although classically trained, she thinks this fiddle-stuff is pretty swell. Jenn
played with the Salisbury Symphony through high school and then with the
York Symphony Orchestra throughout her college days at York College of Pennsylvania, where she earned her BA in Music and Theatre.
Post-graduation, she plummeted (quite literally) into the the thesbian*that's
with a "t"* world, performing in live stunt shows, quite effectively dashing her parents dreams for a family concert violinist.
Jenn is a 6th-grade special education teacher in her real life, and in her
other one, she hops from stage to stage at the Maryland Renaissance
Festival in various comedy shows. From time to time you might even see
her perched on the top of Middleton's Tavern (strategically located near
the oyster shooters), a true "fiddler on the roof." Thanks to all the boys for
letting a chick into their Club!
Nathaniel Lohrmann Nate was conceived, born, raised and still lives in Baltimore County. He cites his abiding love of the slogan, "Baltimore: The City that Reads," as the primary reason for the steadfastness of his location. He is the oldest of 5 children and he is at least 26 years younger than both of his parents. Nate is known for charging face-first into the seemingly impossible. One of his many feats is having studied music (piano and theory) for approximately 7 years, and remembering absolutely nothing about
those 7years...or music. He cites this as the primary reason he is the co-founder of the Drummer's Union. He began playing drums around the age of 15 and has practiced playing them at least 4 times over the last 14 years. At the age of 18, Nate went on a year-long musical tour with the same organization that had allowed Jim to tour with them, many years prior. It was during that experience that Nate and Jim met, and became fast friends. When asked why they are such good friends, they responded simultaneously by saying, "Beer." Nate was introduced to Ray at the 1-year birthday party for Jim's son, Ben. Ray was so impacted by this meeting that he immediately forgot about it, which Nate just realized while reading Ray's biography. Nate was impressed by Ray's incredible deftness at interior decorating, and when Jim called him and invited him to come play drums with Ray at Castlebay Irish Pub, he jumped at the opportunity. Nate left a big impression on Ray that evening, evidenced by the fact that Ray still didn't remember Nate's name during the gig. Ray invited Nate to play drums on several other occasions. After a couple of shows, Ray finally learned Nate's name, and continues to remember it at least 70% of the time. Ultimately, Nate got his revenge on Ray when Nate's lovely wife, Ana, introduced Ray at a gig as "Ed Murphy." Ana felt terrible about it, but Nate continues to laugh about it, even as you are reading these words. Nate's current hobbies include being busier than any 7 normal people. He also enjoys wishing that his motorcycle was up and running so that he could be out riding it instead of daydreaming about it. He likes to smoke cigars while creating bi-laws for the Drummer's Union, Local 4/4. Nate is thrilled at the opportunity to play music with such a group of fine musicians/non-musicians, and he looks forward to one day wearing a kilt. Nate's Fast Facts: The Wild Rovers - Drums, yelling. Age - Desperately clinging to life before 30. Favorite Color - Green. Music Likes - Tom Waits, Cake, Clapton, J Roddy Walston & the Business, Steve Hefter & Friends & Friends of Friends. Music Dislikes - Donnie and Marie. Favorite Phrase - "Never trust a man in a blue trench coat, never drive a car when you're dead."
Jim Martin
Jim’s life began in Bowie, Maryland many years ago.
He is the youngest of four siblings who tried tirelessly to raise him
with sound morals and good manners.
Failing at this task, they let him rove and wander which would ultimately
lead him to the Wild Rovers. His music influence started with his Grandfather.
“Granddad” played violin and tried to teach this to Jim.
After a few years of agony, let’s just say that fiddle playing
should be left to Jenn.
Jim was accepted to a musical ministry team, not by talent, but for lack of applicants, was given a conga and on his way to percussion heaven. It was through this mission trip that he met the great Nate Lohrman and the
Drummer’s Union (Local 4/4 Annapolis Chapter) was formed. Jim’s
dedication to visiting the pub is where he met Ray, and found his love
for Irish Music. Ray invited the drummer’s union to sit in with him from
time to time which evolved into the Wild Rover’s and the rest is history,
well not all of it yet. . . .
While not playing with the Wild Rovers, Jim is playing with his three children,
Ben, Bailey, and Brooke while his wife Jennifer tries to teach him sound morals and good manners. Occasionally you can find him on his deck with a glass of
Paddy’s and a cigar.
Jim Facts:
The Wild Rovers – Percussion and Yelling
Age – over 30
Favorite Color – Maryland Red and Guinness Black
Music Likes – Clapton, Giovanni, Sting, Primus
Music Dislikes – “Can you turn it down. . . you’re too loud”
Favorite Phrase – Good Grief
Ray Murphy
Ray grew up in Dublin, Ireland where it seemed the rain and cold
Never ended. He is the youngest of seven kids; none of his siblings
or either parent plays an instrument (it has been suggested on a few occasions that Ray doesn't play an instrument either but rather wrestles
the guitar into submission.) While roving aimlessly along Grafton
Street in Dublin City, Ray noticed several buskers playing their trade
and figured "I could do that". Ray played in several bands in Dublin
and at the ripe age of 21 years Hopped a flight to New York. Ironically it was in New York that Ray discovered Irish music, or it discovered him. For the next ten years he played in what seemed like every bar and club in New York and tri state area. After some persuasion and overwhelming poverty he decided to leave New York and start a new life in Maryland. Irish music found Ray once again and he started to play in the bars of Annapolis, DC and Baltimore. One evening a rather fetching blond girl walked into Killarney House While Ray was playing. While on a break she introduced herself as Jenn and mentioned she was a fiddle player. Ray insisted she immediately go home and get her fiddle, which she did. Ray and Jenn played for the remaining two hours of the show and all the time he didn't introduce her to the enraptured audience because he couldn't remember her name. By sheer coincidence is was also at Killarney House that Ray met Jim Martin, and many beers were slain mercilessly. It happened one evening that Ray and Murphy's Law needed a drummer. I asked Jim to be that drummer; he Graciously declined and suggested that his friend Nate is a better Drum Kit player. So Ray characteristically asked if both he and Nate could play. They agreed and many more beers we slain. We had a great nightof playing and Jim has the bloodstains on his congas to prove it. During the show Ray didn't introduced Nate because he couldn't remember his name...... or most of the lyrics for that matter....Ray wanted to change things up a little with his playing so he approached Jim, Nate and Jenn about forming The Wild Rovers. They were interested but we needed the last piece of the puzzle; enter Ed McGowan. Ray asked Ed if he new of any Bass players, he didn't but offered to learn to play the bass himself. Three months later, after an exhaustive learning and rehearsal schedule, The Wild Rovers played their debut gig at Castle Bay on December 9th 2006, and the beers are still cowering in the corner. When Ray is not playing guitar he is hanging out with his daughter Maeve. He is also known to grow vegetable and flowers, paint with oils, bake bread and build things out of wood. Occasionally you can find him in a comfortable pub reading a good book and enjoying a pint. Ray Facts: The Wild Rovers - Guitar and Singing Age - The oldest Rover Favorite Color - Maeve's brown eyes Music Likes - Ever Changing. Currently Mark Knopfler, The Fables, 3 Doors Down, Elvis (always). Music Dislikes - Umm pah 3/4 drum beats. Favorite Phrase - What verse are we on?
Ed McGowan
Eddie began playing music at age 13. He and some other local " long hairs " got together and decided they were going to be " Ozzy 2 ". After days , months and years of trying to achieve that goal, Eddie grew old went to High School and then off to college. This is when the acoustic guitar came out. After many years of many colleges he landed back in Annapolis. This is when he began listening to Irish Traditional Tunes. Years later a band by the name of Gaelic Storm came to the Ramshead in Annapolis. He was blown away and soon became good friends with the members. This is when he decided he MUST PLAY THE PIPES. Eddie decided he was going to try to put a band together. After many attempts at trying to find musicians to play Irish music failed, he gave up. He was sitting at Castlebay Pub one evening and Ray Murphy was at opposite end of the bar. They knew each other enough to say hello. Ray walked over and asked if Eddie knew a Bass player... The rest of the story you will find under Sir Ray's BIO. Thanks to Ray, Jenn, Jim and Nate for bringing me onboard. ARRRRRRRRR | 
