Biography
Golden Bough is a Celtic music band formed in January 1980 by Margie Butler and Paul Espinoza, who initially performed together as a duo before expanding their vision into a full ensemble. The band's founding concept was to blend traditional Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, French Brittany, and Spanish Galicia with contemporary acoustic arrangements and original compositions. They were joined early on by folk artist Lief Sørbye, and their first recording in 1981 featured a five-piece lineup including violinist Margot Duxler and multi-instrumentalist Simon Spaulding. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Golden Bough established themselves as a significant force in the folk music scene, touring extensively across the United States and Europe while recording multiple albums that showcased their distinctive approach to traditional material.
Over their 45-year career, Golden Bough has released over 30 recordings and become known for their pristine vocal harmonies and mastery of diverse acoustic instruments including Celtic harp, penny whistle, violin, octave-mandolin, accordion, guitar, bodhran, and recorder. The band's lineup has evolved over the decades, with notable members including Florie Brown (violin), Richard Ferry (flute), Alison Bailey (fiddle), Sue Draheim (violin), and Kathy Sierra (violin and vocals), who joined in 2001 and brought renewed energy to the group. Their musical repertoire spans traditional ballads, lively jigs and reels, and sing-alongs, drawing from sources such as Eric Bogle, Archie Fisher, and Brendan Graham, while also featuring Paul Espinoza's original compositions. Golden Bough has gained critical acclaim and enthusiastic support from folk music enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic, becoming a popular and in-demand group for performances at music festivals, concert halls, and educational events.
Beyond their musical performances, Golden Bough has been actively involved in social and humanitarian causes, including peace marches protesting the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and musical presentations for elementary school children. The band's commitment to capturing the essence and joy of traditional folk music while maintaining their unique artistic identity has solidified their legacy as one of the most respected Celtic music ensembles of their generation.
Fun Facts
- The band's formation was inspired by a series of concerts at the Cannery at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, where founders Margie Butler and Paul Espinoza attended performances before deciding to create their own ensemble.
- Golden Bough has released over 30 recordings across 45 years, demonstrating remarkable longevity and productivity in the folk music genre, with albums ranging from traditional Celtic music to children's songs and Christmas recordings.
- The band has been involved in significant social activism, including organizing and participating in peace marches across European cities protesting the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, demonstrating their commitment to using music as a vehicle for social change.
- Paul Espinoza's composition 'Black Jack Davy' reimagines the traditional folk song by shifting perspective—instead of a man pursuing his unfaithful wife, Espinoza's version presents Black Jack Davy as a ghostly lover unable to abandon his search after three years of separation.
Members
- Lief Sorbye (from 1980 until 1988)
- Margie Butler - Irish harp / clàrsach, lead vocals, original (from 1980)
- Paul Espinoza - guitar, lead vocals, original (from 1980)
- Florie Brown - violin (from 1982 until 1997)
- Richard Ferry - flute (from 1993 until 1996)
- Alison Bailey Streich - fiddle (from 1997 until 1999-03)
- Sue Draheim - violin (from 1999 until 2001)
- Kathy Sierra - violin (from 2001-04)
Original Members
- Margie Butler - Irish harp / clàrsach, lead vocals, original
- Paul Espinoza - guitar, lead vocals, original
- Kathy Sierra - violin
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Eric Bogle - Musical influence and source material; Golden Bough performs arrangements of Bogle's compositions (Green Fields of France) [1980s-present]
- Archie Fisher - Musical influence and source material; Golden Bough performs arrangements of Fisher's songs (Witch of the Westmorelands) [1980s-present]
- Brendan Graham - Musical influence; Golden Bough performs Graham's compositions (Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears) [1990s-present]
Key Collaborators
- Lief Sørbye - Founding member and early core member of Golden Bough (Golden Bough albums 1980-1987; later formed Celtic-rock band Tempest) [1980-1987]
- Florie Brown - Violinist who joined the band in late 1982 and performed through the 1980s and 1990s (Multiple Golden Bough albums) [1982-1997]
- Richard Ferry - Flute player who joined Golden Bough as a quartet member (Kids at Heart: Celtic Songs for Children and subsequent recordings) [1993-1996]
- Alison Bailey - Fiddler who brought intense and exciting fiddle style to the band (Song of the Celts) [1997-1999]
- Sue Draheim - Violinist and vocalist known for fluid playing and vocal harmonies; later joined Tempest with Lief Sørbye (Golden Bough recordings 1999-2001) [1999-2001]
- Kathy Sierra - Violinist and vocalist who joined in April 2001, bringing new energy and dramatic presence to the band (Golden Bough recordings 2001-present) [2001-present]
- Nina Black - Band manager since February 1992; also contributes to artistic direction, promotional materials, musical research, and arrangement scoring (Band management and artistic development) [1992-present]
Artists Influenced
- Tempest - Celtic-rock band formed by Golden Bough alumni Lief Sørbye and Sue Draheim, representing an evolution of the Golden Bough sound toward electric instrumentation (Tempest discography) [1987-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic & Original Music | 2010-07-27 | Album |
| Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany | 2010-02-01 | Album |
| Celtic Festival | 2016-09-01 | Album |
| Winding Road | 1985-04-01 | Album |
| Golden Bough: Celtic Songs for Children | 2010-02-01 | Album |
| Winter's Dance - A Celebration Of The Season | 1985 | Album |
| Celtic Harp | 2023-01-16 | Album |
| Celtic Christmas Songs | 2010-10-26 | Album |
| Christmas In A Celtic Land | 1996 | Album |
| Next To The River | 2023-02-10 | Album |
| Holidays Around the World | 2025-11-07 | Album |
| Down by the Greenwood | 2011-09-21 | Album |
| When Winter Comes | 2010-12-01 | Album |
| Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany | 2010-02-01 | Album |
| Golden Bough: Celtic Folk Songs | 2007-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Fog on the Bay (Celtic & Original Music)
- The Wren Boys / Gavin’s / Honeysuckle (Celtic Festival)
- Cathi Milligan's Fancy (Celtic & Original Music)
- The Blarney Pilgrim - The Merry Blacksmith (Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany)
- Doue Lan a Vadeleh - Ar Serjant Major - Jan en Piet (Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany)
- The Collaraine Jig - Sharks' Favorite - Far from Home … (Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany)
- My Little Boat(Irish Traditional) (Winding Road)
- Farewell To Whiskey (Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany)
- One Bottle More/Humors Of Winter/Apples In Winter (Winter's Dance - A Celebration Of The Season)
- Breton Tunes (Celtic Music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany)
External Links
Tags: #celtic
Heard on WWOZ
GOLDEN BOUGH has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2025 | 10:58 | LOGS TO BURNfrom WINTERS DANCE | Old Time Country and Bluegrassw/ Hazel The Delta Rambler |