by Aaron BadgleyHailing from Cape Breton, Canada, the Barra MacNeils have been making music since they were children, when they first began learning various instruments. The group of siblings were barely into their teens when they started playing professionally. In fact, Lucy MacNeil was all of 16 when their debut album, The Barra MacNeils, was released in 1986. Initially, they played traditional maritime Celtic folk music, but have since branched into rock, folk, and even jazz. The group is comprised of Sheumas MacNeil (piano and keyboards), Kyle MacNeil (violin, mandolin, and guitar), Stewert MacNeil (whistles, bass, guitar, and lead and backing vocals), and Lucy MacNeil (violin, bodhran, and vocals). By 1980, the group had been playing locally, but attracted some attention outside of Cape Breton and were invited to record radio shows and tour other provinces. Due to their age, they could only tour during the summer school holidays. In 198...