I'd love to know where in the mid-atlantic that you are located. We are in Virginia. I have played in a Sea Chantey/Folk/Bluegrass group since 1970. We do what is called "early" bluegrass. We sing in Irish and Scots Gaelic - some Manx. I have a sea chantey workshop monthly in Norfolk to learn the old chantey tradition from the Old World. Also, I am a piper in the Tidewater Pipes and Drums, we have a gaelic speaking group associated with our Tidewater Scottish Society.
Last year I was honored at the opening of the "Roots of Virginia Music" Display at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. I play concertina, mandolin,fiddle and Guitar. We know -- from being often at Grandfather Mountain (The games have a Gaelic singing competition) and Apalachian State University ( and having lived 15 years in the Shenandoah Valley) that early Bluegrass music is the same tunes and themes as the Old Music of Great Britain. (Connect to threads on the movie "Songcatcher" My son is with the City of Washington Pipe Band in DC. We need to keep in touch . Heely