GET UP JACK was founded in 2013 by lifelong friends, John Haggerty and Mike DeAngelis, together with long-time musical collaborator, Scott Apicelli. Originally inspired by The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, and The Wolftones, they have had the distinct pleasure of sharing the festival
and concert stage with all of them over the years, as well as with a true
“who’s who” list of the greats in Irish folk and Irish rock music. GET UP
JACK has played and toured throughout Ireland and the USA, including
many of the top Irish Festivals and concert venues.
Described as Celtic/Americana, GET UP JACK takes the great Irish folk
music of yesterday and merges it with the energy of American classic rock music, forming an incredible combination of outstanding vocals and musicianship. Ever evolving, GET UP JACK features Irish-Americans John Haggerty on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Scott Apicelli on drums and vocals, Crick Diefendorf on mandolin, banjo, steel drums, electric guitar and vocals, Doug Johnson on harmonica, ukulele and vocals, Tucker Callander on fiddle and vocals, and Mike McLean on bass and vocals.
GET UP JACK has released three albums that have been critically acclaimed and award-winning. Their 2nd CD, “Alive And Well, Volume I” was named “2015 Album of The Year” by Celtic Radio, and their version of “The Spanish Lady” was voted “Traditional Song of The Year”. Their shows will strike your heart and your soul, and you will find yourself singing, laughing, and yes, maybe even shedding a tear or two (in a good way)!

John Haggerty (guitar, banjo, accordion, vocals). A journeyman Irish pub singer, John is now in his 5th decade of performing. He started as a solo singer at The Washington Tavern and The Grinch in the late 70’s, was a founding member of the Irish bands “ The Wilde Irishmen” and “The Porters” in the 80’s, and was a founding member and performer with “Hair of the Dog” (which included 8 tours of Ireland, 10 CDs, numerous award-winning accolades, and performances at festivals and pubs all over the U.S.) from 1993 until 2014.

Mike DeAngelis (guitar, vocals) started with his solo career in 1980, playing the summer Cape Cod circuit. During that time, he also performed in and around his college campus at the University of New Hampshire. After college, Mike returned to the Capital Region and joined John in the Irish Band, “the Porters”. Since 2011 he has also been performing (alongside Scott Apicelli) in The Standard Clams (www.standardclams.com), a jazz quintet focusing on classic standards by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles & the like. In 1993, Mike co-founded the popular Irish band “Hair of the Dog” Twenty years, eight tours of Ireland, numerous Irish Festivals, sold out shows and a library of recordings later, Mike is excited to be putting his efforts into ‘Get Up Jack’!


