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Guitars & Vocals
Paul Casey
Paul Casey is perhaps Ireland’s best kept secret. And it’s a secret thirty years in the making...
For decades, the self-effacing musician has worked tirelessly at his craft. He’s at home in the studio. The quintessential musician’s musician, over the years Casey has composed and arranged, played and recorded, mixed and produced – all the time honing his craft at his Cable Junction home studio.
Paul Casey was born at a moment in Northern Irish life that shaped him unmistakably. His father’s records were a huge influence. Paul’s musical sensibility led to an encounter with the legendary Chris Rea. The shy teenager blagged his way backstage to ask for advice from his guitar hero. Rea advised the young novice, who took everything on board. Five years later Casey gave Rea a demo tape. He was impressed, and invited Paul to London. Thus began years of recording and touring together, and a friendship that endures to this day.
Now, in a show that’s been over 30 years in the making, Paul and his band are bringing Rea-magined on the road. Paul Casey is a collaborator; his band has always been the lifeblood of his sound, and each player is set to bring their unique musicianship to venue near you…
Drums & Percussion
Liam Bradley
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The rock-solid Liam Bradley's touring and recording CV is testament to his chameleon-like stylistic prowess: Van Morrison, The Blue Nile, Mark Knopfler, Bryan Adams, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Rufus Wainwright, Moving Hearts, Bob Dylan, Donal Lunny, Tim Robbins, Ronan Keating, Clannad, The Chieftains, Paul Brady, Henry McCullough... the list goes on.
The Derry sticksman is a member of celtic rock legends Moving Hearts, and has toured extensively with anti-Putin dissident Boris Grebenschikov, the Russian-speaking world’s Bob Dylan.
The Zildjian-endorsed percussionist has played on more than 200 albums, toured every continent, and performed live TV spots with Justin Heyward, John Prine, Nancy Griffith, Ian Dury, and Roy Wood to name a few.
Liam’s album credits are a who’s who of world-class musicianship: he's on eight Van Morrison records including No Prima Donnas featuring Marianne Faithful, Sinéad O’Connor, Lisa Stansfield and Elvis Costello, as well as albums by The Chieftains, Paul Brady, Paul Young, Eleanor McEvoy, Andy Irvine, and countless more. Here’s Liam on Letterman with Van, Sinéad and The Chieftains.
Piano & Hammond
John McCullough
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The masterful key strokes of Belfast’s John McCullough are set to wow Rea-magined audiences. John has worked with artists such as Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Sharon Corr, The Waterboys, and countless more.
As a teenager, Johnny represented Ireland at the W.C. Handy Awards Blues Festival in Memphis, USA, where he was awarded third place. He then joined Irish rock band Relish for time, enjoying a successful stint in Japan where the band’s popularity had grown on the back of their 2002 No.1 hit “You I’m Thinking Of”. His career has seen him perform at major music festivals across Ireland, the UK, the US, mainland Europe and Asia.
In 2019 and 2020 he toured with Sinead O’Connor on what were her last ever European and US shows. Most recently he has played across Europe and the US with Van Morrison, and has contributed to Van’s last three studio albums.
Here’s John on keys for Nothing Compares 2 U with Sinéad O’Connor in San Francisco in 2020.
Guitars
Daniel Millar
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Hailing from the north-west of Ireland, Daniel Millar has spent over 15 years honing his craft on stage and in the studio. A versatile guitarist, his playing draws from the traditions of blues, rock, country and folk, blending them into a soulful and expressive style.
Throughout his career, Dan has built a reputation for musicianship that is as sensitive as it is powerful, always serving the song while leaving space for artistry and feel.
On hearing Dan’s live playing in Derry, Paul was immediately struck by his interpretive chops – and was keen to champion his playing. In Paul’s eyes, Dan is a singular talent. Equally, Dan is excited to interpret some of Chris Rea’s most timeless and evocative songs – interpreting Robert Awahi’s iconic and rhythmic licks.
Bass
Nick Scott
Belfast show
Regarded internationally as a bassist of true calibre, Belfast-born Nick Scott’s career has seen him play some of the biggest stages in the world.
A member of Van Morrison’s band in the 1990s, Nick has also recorded or performed with artists such as Mary Black, Tom Jones, Bob Dylan, Eleanor McEvoy, Sharon Shannon, Paul Brady, Sinead O’Connor, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Nick Lowe, and Dr John, among others.
He continues to perform, tour and record, both at home and abroad, while as a.TV regular, his bass chops have been seen on the BBC, UTV and RTE networks, and on PBS, CBS, NBC and FOX networks in the US.
Currently, Nicky is also touring with Van Morrison. Here he is in 1998, live at Rockpalast with Van Morrison, along with Liam Bradley on percussion.
Bass
Eoghan O'Neill
Derry & Sunderland
In a decades-long career, bassist Eoghan OʼNeill has recorded and performed at the highest level, across a range of contemporary music.
As a founding member of Moving Hearts, his playing can be heard across the band's discography including Moving Hearts, The Dark End of the Street, The Storm, Live Hearts and Live in Dublin.
Always in demand as a session musician, he has recorded and toured with a seemingly endless array of acts from Terence Trent DʼArby to Tammy Wynette, and from Riverdance to Celtic Woman.
And of course, Eoghan played an important role in the Chris Rea live shows, and his recorded opus including Water Sign, Wired to the Moon, Shamrock Diaries, On the Beach, Dancing With Strangers, New Light Through Old Windows, and The Road to Hell.