Like many others, my musical roots evolved from my surroundings. Growing up in rural southern Ontario our entertainment came from the radio, the record player or you created it yourself. My Dad and friends were the make your own music folks who would have those "good old kitchen and yard parties" on a Saturday night where a couple of guitars, a fiddler or two, mandolin, squeeze box, bones, tub or whatever, would make for some of the best music that we ever heard. Often times us boys were spurred-on to join in and play a song or two and before too long my brothers and I were making our own music along with Dad and company.

The early 1970's were interesting times for music. The British invasion was still going strong and obscuring much of the North American music scene, including Country and Folk music which had been on the radio back burner. It was during this period that along with my brothers Ray and Dan, Phil Madsgaard and John (Yogi) Gibson we formed The Cedar Swamp Band.

Our intension was to play the music of North American artists who we enjoyed, such as David Alan Coe and Jerry Jeff Walker. Unintentionally, many thought that the material we were doing was our own, and this I suppose is what inspired me to begin writing and composing my own music.

We became a real good band, with tight vocal harmonies and in a time before "unplugged" was popular we were unplugged, attempting an austerely acoustic sound. Something was missing, particularly for the venues that we played, it was decided that we needed to go electric and include drums. We were fortunate to find an excellent drummer with the addition of Paul Brownson. Together with these modifications and a new sound we became The Swamp Band.

Having such an innovative group of musicians around me made it easy to bring forward my songs and musical concepts. My writing evolved, as I recognized events, places and people right here in my own back-yard to write about.

Proud to be Canadian, and really pissed with those attempting to give away the very place I love so much, a Canada and a way of life that our forefathers fought and died for. Sick and tired of the politically correct crowd suggesting that Canadian patriotism was offending immigrants to this country. Damn near everyone's an immigrant!
Big business bastards spewing crap indiscriminately into the environment and surroundings, while their tax shelters harbour all their billions of dollars in profits. All the while us poor chumps pay more taxes and are losing more and more services.


I'm happy and inspired by the love for my family and my people (Canadians). We are the most diverse and compassionate people in the whole world. These are some of the topics that fired me up and got me writing. I have put together three albums of songs and have enough material to make at least five more.

I feel that the band has gone almost full circle over the last three decades and now with the return of my brother Ray Ireland, Jimmy Rodgers and Bobby Virgoe we are older but very much wiser and ready to "Give 'er"

Charles Ireland  a.k.a The Bard of Cordova Mines

I live in Cordova Mines, a small hamlet in eastern Peterborough County, Ontario, and to the best of my knowledge, it's not a "Ghost Town" .
Together with my wife Cathy, we did own and operate the Cordova Mines, General Store/Liquor/Beer Outlet... Retired April 30/06, in order to put more time and energy into my music and band. Though we have moved a few times (only to return) I've lived here almost all my life, and would have it no other way.

The Swamp Band members are:

Myself, Charles Ireland (Lead vocals, auto harp)

My brother Ray Ireland (guitar/ mandolin/vocals)

Brother in-law Jimmy Rodgers (drums/vocals)

Bobby Virgoe (bass)

We're most fortunate to have Terry Davis as our sound and road guy.

 Mostly performing in the southern Ontario region. A few years back I did tour to the west coast. The band and I are still considering an eastern Canada festival and club tour.

Performing at many small to very large bars and festival, the largest being The Havelock Country Jamboree ....... and all right here in our own backyard!

~~~"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."~~~
Paul Valery