“We are a family, mostly.”
Karin Hacker (Emrys) – Karin played trumpet from 5-11 grade, but, what she really wanted to play was drums. In 1989 she bought a bodhran, took one class, and there was no stopping her after that. Her mixed bag of additional instruments includes the spoons, the sickle, and the jaw harp. She’s currently learning the mandolin. For years, Karin would not sing in public, but she has finally developed the confidence to step up to the front of the stage and sings lead on several songs. Karin is the technical guru for the group, maintaining the website, and she’s also learning the art of sound recording. When not performing, Karin enjoys playing around with open source programming and game development. Karin picked out the name Shillelagh Law, pulling it from the traditional drinking song “Finnegan’s Wake.” Karin is also a straight member of the Mid America Freedom Band.
Sarah Hacker (Elizabeth Glade) – Sarah is the mother of the group, literally (Karin and Kristin are her daughters). She began playing the flute at the age of 10. This gives her over 50 years of musical experience under her belt. She picked up the whistle when she joined Shillelagh Law in 1998, and has enjoyed it ever since. Kristin often says that Sarah will play any request, except the request to be quiet. Between sets at a festival, Sarah will usually be found sitting on a bench playing for the crowds as they wander past. She most enjoys playing for children, and can often be seen playing in local parks, surrounded by kids of all ages, proving her theory that the Pied Piper of Hamlin played a tin whistle. Sarah also sings in the Independence Messiah Choir and is a straight member of the Mid America Freedom Band.
Jennie Nichols (Gwendalyn) – Jennie is the only member of the group who is not a blood relative. She has been participating in Renaissance Festivals since 1985. She is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and helped found the Kansas City Bardic Circle. Jennie is partial to ballads, and sings most of the ‘pretty’ songs for Shillelagh Law. Jennie has a degree in vocal music. She can sing in multiple languages, and has spent years studying Scots Gaelic and the Scottish dialect so she could decipher all of the weird things she has to sing. She has written a few songs herself, and has arranged harmonies for several of Shillelagh Law’s songs. When not performing with the group, she is active in the music at her church. Jennie is an accomplished seamstress and makes all her own costumes.
Alexander Jacob Hickman (A. J.) – A. J. is Kristin’s son. He was born in 2003. He can occasionally keep a steady beat on the drum. He sings the chorus on some of the songs. He likes to steal Grandma's whistles. He started his stage career as a prop for Aunt Karin's song “’Quare Bungle Rye.” He is also becoming an anouncer for the band.
Kailey Aman – While not yet, technically, a full member of the group, Kailey has been helping us out with A.J. since 2005. Kailey’s mom was one of Sarah’s Girl Scouts, so she’s been a member of the family since she was born. Kailey is active in theater and music at her high school. She’s president of the Drama Club, and she’s a member of the elite show choir. Her family is active in black powder re-enactments, and she’s often called on to sing at their Rendezvous. She is working on learning the guitar and the whistle, and, once she’s ready, she’s going to be a welcome addition to the Shillelagh Law show.
