Irish folk/rock group formed in 1988 by Martin O’Malley (vocals, acoustic guitar), and Paul Levin (vocals, uillean pipes, wooden flute, tin whistle). Both had formerly been members of the D.C. area group Shannon Tide, and later As The Crow Flies. O’Malley worked a couple of years as a solo artist while attending college in Baltimore then later as a member of Irish group Smash-The-Windows. By the late-‘80s he formed a new group called O’Malley’s March featuring Levin, and Tom Gay (bass). Banjoist Frank Stone (ex-As the Crow Flies) also did a stint as an early member of the group.
The group added Jamie Wilson (drums, vocals), and Jared Denhard (harp, trombone, pipes, whistle). Gay was replaced with Bob Baum (bass ex-Prime Movers, A New Day). With O’Malley, and Levin this was the lineup for their 1997 CD release “Celtic Fury.”
Ralph Reinoldi (guitar, mandolin, vocals ex-Shooter, Lost Incas) joined the group and with the above lineup they released the CD’s “Wait for Me” (2000), and “The Boys March at Dawn” (2002).
Tragedy struck the group twice in early ‘00s as Levin and Baum both passed away.
Pete Miller joined as new bassist for their 2004 “Live” CD.
Guests and studio musicians appearing on O’Malley’s March recordings include Tony Correlli (keyboards), Danny Costello (vocals), Jim Eagan (fiddle), Peter Fitzgerald (banjo –Banjos from Hell…), Jeff Foreman (banjo), John Grant (keyboards), Sean McComiskey (accordion), Maureen McCusker (vocals, sax -TSU Jazz Band, Peabody Ragtime Ensemble), Dominick Murray (vocals -Daybreak), and Terry O’Neill (fiddle –Cadence Committee).
The group played clubs, dance halls, outdoor concerts and festivals throughout the regional area. Kennedy Center (D.C.)
Baltimore Mayor O’Malley left the group in 2005 to focus on his political career. He became Maryland Governor in 2006.
Album releases by O’Malley’s March:
1997(CD) Celtic Fury
2000(CD) Wait for Me
2002(CD) The Boys March at Dawn
2004(CD) “Live”
