ABOUT US

Wind In The Heather Irish Band

The genesis of Wind In The Heather had its origins
as a duo when Bob Sherwin and Andrew Phelps got together in the afternoon after work to play music together. Bob had a passion for the whistle and Irish music, and Andrew had a driving guitar style that suited the music perfectly. Performance opportunities soon followed. In 2017, Bob and Andrew performed as Wind In The Heather at the Port Orchard Library as part of the Festival Of Chimes And Lights during the Christmas season. Within the next couple of weeks, Shelley Sherwin joined the group on keyboard, and the trio performed in the Silent Night Show at the Coffee Oasis in Bremerton. Shelley's keyboard interpretations of traditional Irish dance tunes further enhanced the group's reputation, and Wind In The Heather was invited to perform for a St. Patrick's Day celebration at Hale's Barrelhouse in Bremerton, where they were a huge success. In the Fall of 2018, Kara Hooker joined Wind In The Heather on fiddle, adding blazing style, and transforming the trio into a full fledged Irish band. Since then, the group has continued to perform at a wide range of concerts throughout the Kitsap area.
At the end of 2019, we bid a fond farewell to Kara when she moved to Florida with her husband. She highly recommended Julie Ross to take her place. As a result, Julie, an accomplished musician, has now joined our band.
We had a couple of performances in 2020 before the pandemic shut everything down. In 2021 we performed at Gig Harbor's Farmer's Market, and for a birthday party in August. In 2022 we lined up quite a few gigs, and in the beginning of 2023. We are looking forward to more gigs in the future! Keep checking our Events calendar!

Bob Sherwin, whistles and Irish flute, was an elementary school music teacher for 34 years, the last 22 yrs at Mullenix Ridge Elementary School. June, 2020, Bob retired from teaching. Bob has his Bachelor's degree in Music from San Francisco State, and Masters in Music Performance from Southern Methodist University in Texas. Bob began playing Irish music over 25 yrs. ago, and has played in solo and group performances during this time.

Along with his wife, Shelley, they have 2 grown children, Michelle,and Jonathan, and daughter-in-law Molly.

Andrew Phelps, guitar, bodhran, and cajon, is a third grade teacher at Mullenix Ridge Elementary School. Andrew has a BA degree in English from The University of the South (Sewanee) in Tennessee, and Masters in Education from University of Washington. He has experience in choir singing, and as a drummer in a band. Andrew has played music with Bob at school assemblies, and has joined him in performing Irish music over the last 15 years.

Andrew is married to Jennifer, and has a son, Sequoia.

Shelley Sherwin,keyboard, has played the piano/keyboard ever since she was a child.Over the last 45 years, she has performed and taught music as an accompanist, singer, choir director, and teacher. She has a Bachelors degree in Bible and Music from Winnipeg, Canada, and a Masters in Church Music from SMU in Dallas, TX. Now retired, the last 15+ years have given her the opportunity to play in an Irish band setting, performing around the Kitsap community with her husband, Bob, and friends.

Julie Ross, fiddle, was an elementary music teacher with 35 years experience. Julie taught in the Bremerton School District until June, 2021, and is now retired. She grew up in Eugene, Oregon and went to college at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Julie plays in the Bremerton Symphony, the Peninsula Ballet Orchestra and has played for CSTOCK, Bremerton Community Theater and the Jewel Box for many musicals.

Her husband, Wallace, and children Cameron and Ruth are her biggest fans.