Born in 2017 from the Fort Collins’ Irish scene at Mulligan’s Pub, Once Upon a Tune is a lively, traditional, Celtic group featuring the inspired, creative fiddle musings of Janel Vanderwarf, expressive guitar rhythms of Scott Steidley, and primal bodhran accompaniment of Mary Ellen Watterson.

Janel Vanderwarf picked up the fiddle at the age of sixteen and never looked back. Self-taught, Janel “found the soul” of her instrument at Alasdair Fraser’s famous fiddle camp, Valley of the Moon. A consummate musician and beautiful vocalist, Janel is delightful to watch and will “dance her way” into your heart.

Scott Steidley brings incredible talent to the group with his driving, rhythmic guitar and melodic, syncopated whistle. Scott’s stylistic playing is reminiscent of some of the biggest names in Irish music today.

Mary Ellen Watterson is a classically trained percussionist and has been playing percussion since she was a little girl. From kit to cajon, or djembe to bodhran, Mary rounds out the group with her contemporary take on voicing the bodhran.

Dusty-altcountry-americana is at the heart of Colorado born and raised singer-songwriter, Taylor Shae’s sound. Having rocked stages at festivals and venues across Colorado since 2016, Taylor brings stories of outlaws & dreamers to life in her songs, with velvety-toned, powerhouse vocals.

At 24, the songwriter has independently released 4 albums, a handful of singles, and has earned awards for her craft such as Sustain’s Backyard Songscape Competition in 2020, eTown’s Handmade Songs in 2017, and more. Taylor was also selected as an alternate for the 2024 Planet Bluegrass Telluride Troubadour Songwriting Competition.

Currently calling Fort Collins, CO home, you’ll catch Taylor performing as a duo or recently with a full band, amplifying the alt-country/rock energy that many of her songs lean into. Taylor’s opened for Eli Young Band, Caitlyn Smith, AJ Lee & Blues Summit, The Patti Fiasco, & more across venues like Washington’s, Aggie Theatre, and festivals like the WHAT Festival, FoCoMX, the UMS, Bohemian Nights, and many more.

Taylor’s latest single “Smoke & Lead” released May 3, an alt-country anthem telling the tale of scorned lovers in small towns where secrets are left to lie in the dirt. The outlaw guitars are a driving force of the shadows while the vocals bleed of country-rock harmonies. This song is best suited for driving down an unmarked road – the story on the rugged edge of truth untold.

Learn more and follow Taylor Shae at taylorshaemusic.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as @taylorshaemusic.

An hour-long folk and country concert with Christine Alice & Aubrey Dale. Playing for the KRFC Happy Hour Crowd at The Magic Rat in Fort Collins.