Every ceilidh has a rhythm—and behind the rhythm of KJ Ceilidhs lies a journey built on passion, resilience, and a love for bringing people together through music.
Before founding KJ Ceilidhs, Kathryn Johnstone was involved in two other ceilidh bands that helped shape her musical path: Head in the Sand Ceilidh Band and The Dennis Cuddles Starlight Band.
Head in The Sand Ceilidh Band (HITS)
Head in the Sand Ceilidh Band (HITS) was formed in 2019 with a vision of creating musical consistency and cohesion. Rather than pulling from a pool of musicians, HITS aimed to build a dependable traditional line-up that delivered musical excellence every time. With just three ceilidhs under their belt, the band made a big impression—but life had other plans. When one of the three dedicated band members moved away and Kathryn faced personal commitments, the band made the difficult decision to part ways.
The story of HITS carries a deeper emotional thread. One of its core members, the wonderfully talented guitarist Steve Makin, sadly passed away after a short illness. His unique style and energy gave so much life to the band’s sound. He is deeply missed, but his music lives on in the memories of those who danced to his playing.
While HITS as a band came to an end, the spirit continued through the monthly Head in the Sand sessions at The Ostrich Inn in Peterborough—a quiet nod to a short-lived but beloved project.
The Dennis Cuddles Starlight Band (DCSB)
Kathryn also played with The Dennis Cuddles Starlight Band (DCSB), a well-known local ceilidh band with roots going back to 1981. DCSB brought stomping British folk music with a jazzy twist, blending squeezeboxes, saxophones, bass, and drums for a fun, vibrant ceilidh experience. Known for their high-energy performances and family-friendly feel, they were a staple of barn dances and events across East Anglia for decades. While DCSB has since disbanded, they remain an important part of Kathryn’s musical heritage.
Out of all this grew KJ Ceilidhs —a fresh vision built on experience, musical innovation, and the desire to deliver ceilidhs with real heart. The band continues the legacy of high-quality musicianship, tight-knit teamwork, and unforgettable nights on the dancefloor. With a strong focus on consistency and sound innovation (like the unique stomp box and bass mic setup), KJ Ceilidhs offers something both grounded in tradition and excitingly new.
The journey hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s been real—and that honesty, care, and energy is what shines through at every KJ Ceilidhs event.
Because the music doesn’t stop.
It grows, it evolves… and it ceilidhs on.