CARA - The Band

Mike met John at a music session in Goxhill, North Lincolnshire and they quickly struck up a partnership based, initially, on a fascination with the potential of the uilleann pipes and guitar played together. At a later point a much-heralded talent from down the road came to their attention, Oakley was his name. Having carefully considered his merits, John and Mike decided that the duo should become a trio and Oakley agreed.

The band perform and record their music as a labour of love. Whilst drawing on traditional music many of their songs and tunes are original pieces of work, composed by Oakley and Mike Ryan and arranged by John Rawlings.

The trio make up CARA and together have released four CDs 'Asleep Behind The Settee' in May 2002, 'The Notes In The Stones' in August 2003, 'Long Forgotten' in August 2004 and having taken a year off from recording in August 2006 they once again headed across the water to Ireland to record their fourth CD 'The Granary Steps'.