How do you mix an Irish party band with Welly boots and a Shetland pony?

Sounds like a bad locker room joke. But that was my challenge when the band Gaelic Storm asked me to shoot their newest CD cover. The album was titled "Bring yur Wellies" and was to feature the band in what they called "an Irish wedding scene in a field."

With the help of the Maryland Therapuetic Riding Center, we got a Shetland pony, Peaches, to pose with the band for a bit. She even stood still long enough for us to have her stand in a pair of flowered welly boots for the cover shot.

I'm not sure what was more fun - hanging with the band, or hanging around the horse. But the picture worked, and the band's new CD is #2 on the Billboard World Music charts in its first two weeks of release.

I think it's because of the cover shot, but listen to the music and you will see why Gaelic Storm is one of the most fun bands you'll ever hear.