Lanoka Harbor Man Turns Love of Celtic Music Into Lifelong Career

Growing up in Toms River, Michael Babick first heard Celtic music at his great-grandmother's house. After becoming reacquainted with the music when he was older, he fell in love with it.

"I'm half Irish on my mother's side and half Yugoslavian on my dad's side," said Babick. "I've been a full-time musician for 30 years. I feel nothing but good things because I've been able to take care of myself with my love."

Babick formed the group, The Barley Boys, about 20 years ago with two guys from Newfoundland, he said. They started playing, made a CD and the band took off. Since then, he said there have been many different members of the group, but he feels the current Barley Boys is the best yet.

Babick, a Lanoka Harbor resident who has opened for Johnny Winter, Joan Jett, Foghat and America, plays acoustic and electric guitar, sings lead vocals and writes original songs. Fiddle player Arty Artymiw has played with the Moody Blues, Smokey Robinson, Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli.  Michael Kurmin, who plays electric bass and background vocals, and drummer Andy Meyer are from the Philadelphia area.

"We play a mix of Celtic, Newfoundland, Canadian folk music, our own interpretation," said Babick. "We have elements of rock and Celtic rock, half of it is original music."

The Barley Boys have performed in many different venues, from local pubs to festivals throughout the country. They are slated to play the 25th Celtic Classic September 29 and 30 in Bethlehem, PA, which bills itself as one of the largest highland games and festivals in North America.

"We get treated royally there, get driven from stage to stage, and stage managers — all volunteers — keep us watered and attend to our needs," said Babick. "It's a special place to go back to."

They have played the Celtic Classic on and off for the last 12 years.

Babick said the band is getting ready to play a bunch of local gigs over the next couple of months, including a performance of a play he wrote, "Finnegan's Halloween Wake" at the Lacey Elks on Beach Boulevard in Forked River on Saturday, Oct. 27.

"We had one last St. Patty's day and it was an overwhelming success," he said. 

The interactive dinner theater will be Halloween-themed and will include a costume contest, according to Babick. For ticket information, call the Lacey Elks Lodge at (609) 693-9831.

Babick said the band will soon take a hiatus while he takes a well-deserved vacation this winter in Florida with friends.

For more information about The Barley Boys and a full listing of their upcoming performances, visit www.thebarleyboys.com.