The Elders, a Celtic rock band, originated in Kansas City, Missouri, through the efforts of singer and percussionist Ian Byrne, originally from County Wicklow in Ireland, alongside American musicians Norm Dahlor on bass, banjo, guitar, and vocals, Brent Hoad covering violin, mandolin, keyboards, and vocals, Steve Phillips handling guitar, mandolin, and vocals, and Brett Gibson on accordion. Although Phillips had earlier belonged to the Rainmakers, responsible for multiple major-label albums, every participant brought experience as middle-aged veterans of many prior ensembles, which directly prompted the choice of name. Their debut recording, issued under the self-titled banner on the independent Pub Tone imprint, appeared in 2000. Drummer and percussionist Tommy Sutherland entered the lineup in August 2002. American Wake arrived next on April 6, 2004, followed by Pass It on Down twelve months afterward. Live at the Gem reached audiences on October 11, 2005, issued concurrently in DVD and CD editions. Joe Miquelon, contributing keyboards and saxophone, came aboard in time for Racing the Tide, which surfaced on January 30, 2007.
