The Bilge Pumps - Press & Promotional: online media information about the band

Promotional Blurbs

Promotional Images

Video & Audio

Articles/Press Releases

Kudos & Testimonials

Résumé

Looking for a unique brand of entertainment that will make people get up and clap, shout, dance, and sing with a gusto they've forgotten they possess? Then, matey, have we got the show for you... The Bilge Pumps!

The Bilge Pumps are a pirate music group based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area who specialize in performances that combine nautical songs, sea shanties, and Celtic music with a huge (and we mean huge!) dose of silly comedy. The group performs larger than life in their authentic-feeling pirate-themed costumes and their variety of instruments backing up their bellowing voices.

These pirates have been in demand all over the country for their entertainingly goofy stage antics, their well blended voices, and their musical skill as they take everyone's favorite nautical and Celtic music and put their own particular spin on each one. Their show is crafted to pull each audience member in, encourage them to play along with their high-energy shenanigans, and have them leave with a smile on their face and a story to tell their friends.

To have a full promotional/press kit sent to you, contact:

Craig Lutke
Ibidis Mortem Productions
2217 Florida Ct.
Grand Prairie, TX 75050-1700
214-415-9563

Click on a thumbnail to view/download a hi-res (300 bpi) image

Click on a thumbnail to pop up a window to view a hi-definition movie file clip

The Night Pat Murphy Died - official music video from our album "Bail Money".

Performing "Johnny Jump Up" at the Pirates on the Prairie IX Concert in 2020.

Performing "The Isle of Tortuga" at the Pirates on the Prairie VI Concert in 2017.

Click on a song title to pop up a window to listen to the full song

Johnny Jump Up	(from The Idiodyssey)	Pirating the Seas	(from Planned Piratehood)
Yo Ho	(from Planned Piratehood)	The Night Pat Murphy Died	(from Bail Money)
Drunken Sailor	(from Greatest Hits Vol. VIII)	A Pirate Lullaby	(from Planned Piratehood)

Chronicle-112823.pdf November 27, 2023 The Bilge Pumps named in the Houston Chronicle article about Dickens.	HoustonPress-072021.pdf July 21, 2021 Houston Press article over the Lone Star Pirate Fest and the Bilge Pumps.	DMN-020918.pdf February 09, 2018 Pirates on the Prairie VII is a Best Bet in Dallas Morning News.	DallasVoyager1017.pdf October 4, 2017 The Bilge Pumps are featured by VoyageDallas Magazine.
DMN-021017.pdf February 10, 2017 Dallas Morning News does a great write-up about Pirates on the Prairie VI.	KRLD-020217.pdf February 02, 2017 The Around Town segment on KRLD Radio features Pirates on the Prairie VI.	TheScene-0615.pdf June, 2015 The Scene Magazine checked out our show at Railean Rum in Summer 2015.	Mutiny-022015.pdf February 22, 2015 Mutiny Magazine does a spread about the Bilge Pumps in its twelfth issue.
PirateNation-102014.pdf October 07, 2014 Pirate Nation Magazine does an article featuring the Bilge Pumps.	Oklahoman-062013.pdf June 28, 2013 The Oklahoman does an article over the Changing Winds Benefit Concert.	IslandGuide-071312.pdf July 13, 2012 The Island Guide does a write up about a whole day of piracy in Galveston.	DMN-012012.pdf January 27, 2012 Pirates on the Prairie II is the Best Bet for the Dallas Morning News weekend.
OKGazette-032410.pdf March 24, 2010 We are mentioned in an article about the Medieval Fair from the OK Gazette.	Chronicle-042009.pdf April 16, 2009 The Bilge Pumps are mentioned in this article from the Houston Chronicle.	BoatingWorld-082008.pdf August, 2008 Small article about the Bilge Pumps from Boating World magazine.	Galveston-112006.pdf November 25, 2007 Article about us in the Dickens edition of the Galveston Daily News.
Observer-092007.pdf September 17, 2007 Interesting Dallas Observer article about things to see for the weekend.	ElissaLog12-2006.pdf December, 2006 This Elissa Log contains a nice article about the Bilge Pumps.	StarTelegram-072006.pdf July 7, 2006 Small write-up about the Movie Party from the Star-Telegram Life & Arts section.	Oklahoman-042006.pdf April 1, 2006 Harvey is featured in this article about the Medieval Fair in the Oklahoman.
MorningNews-052005.pdf May 6, 2005 Arkansas Morning News article about us and the OK Ren Faire.	Oklahoman-042005.pdf April 2, 2005 An nice article about the Bilge Pumps from the Oklahoman.	DMN-082002.pdf August, 2002 Dallas Morning News piece about performers and the closing of Hawkwood.	Argyl-092001.pdf September 21, 2001 The Argyle American said nice things about us in a Hawkwood piece.

"To anyone considering hiring the Bilge Pumps... I'm so sorry.... no just kidding. The Bilge Pumps have been performing at the Medieval Fair for more than a decade (yet they never seem to age?). They have consistently been one of our more popular acts. So much that we put them at the back of the grounds along with the chess match to help pull patrons to that previously underdeveloped area.
In addition to putting on a great show, they are professional and dedicated to making the fair the best it can be for the patrons and participants alike. (Important note to directors: they "play well with others" at their stage and have always been flexible and willing to help when and where needed! Ssshhhhh, don't tell them I tattled on their chivalrousness.)
You couldn't ask for a funnier, more entertaining batch of swarthy pirates to liven up a show."
- Ann Marie Eckart, Coordinator, Medieval Fair of Norman

"Not only were their performances spectacularly fun and interactive, their professionalism and friendliness are second to none! I watched these true entertainers perform in a torrential rain storm because they had an audience! Now that is what I call dedication! I couldn't have been happier in my selection for the headliner of the festival."
- Lori Teach, Entertainment Chair - Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival

"These guys really set the Festival's tone! Their energy and undeniable spirit spread throughout the ship. Feedback from the crowds was incredibly positive and consistent all day. Every time they performed, they received not only rapt attention from those on board, but the folks walking the Embarcadero stopped in their tracks!"
- Chuck Bernstein, Entertainment Coordinator - San Diego Sea Chantey Festival

"We wanted unique entertainment for our dinner cruise in San Diego and that's just what we got. We were 'taken over' by pirates! The Bilge Pumps are a friendly, entertaining group, flexible to work with, and they clearly enjoy what they do. If you are looking for different entertainment for your event, you have found it. Thank you Bilge Pumps!"
- Kerrie Phelan, Sales & Event Planner - Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada

"One helluva fun show!"
- James Echols, Founder - UnCommonCon

"The Bilge Pumps always give an outstanding performance at Dickens on The Strand. They entertain young and old and in-between. Everyone who sees their show comes away with a big smile. They are one of the favorite acts here and everyone wants to know if they'll be coming back again each year. Even though I am very busy during the weekend, I always stop by and see at least one of their shows and always have a great time watching them perform and interact with the audience."
- Peggy Clark - Event Coordinator - Dickens on The Strand

"Although I may deny this in public: the Bilge Pumps are truly first class, top notch and captivating entertainment. I have never seen a more flexible dedicated or entertaining musical act. If you're not inspired to clap or sing along with the Bilge Pumps, CHECK YOUR HEARING or YOUR PULSE!"
- Alvon Brumfield, Entertainment Director and Producer - Louisiana Renaissance Festival

"These guys are lots of fun and real professionals to boot. We had bad weather and some last-minute schedule changes at our festival this year. The Bilge Pumps just wanted to know when and where they were needed and rearranged to suit our needs at the last minute. They had a great time and drew in their audience with their infectious, swashbuckling songs and antics."
- Tina Brady, Music Fest Market Coordinator - The Seabrook Music Festival

"These ship rats aren't afraid of a little travel time, heat, or stormy weather. They perform under the best and worst of conditions. They are some of the finest performers ever to pillage a village. The kids are still singing sea ditties six months later."
- Robin Hood, Organizer - Tablerock Fantasy Faire

"The Bilge Pumps are an asset to any stage and any age."
- Karen S. Cunningham, Coordinator - Oklahoma Renaissance Faire

"The Bilge Pumps are an outstanding troupe of fantastic entertainers who consistently drew patrons and other performers to their show. They were willing to adapt to the stage and the rainy conditions. These guys are professionals in ability and in attitude."
- David Timmons, Director - King Arthur Faire

Festivals & Faires

Pubs, Parties, & Concert Halls

Corporate Events

Medieval Fair of Norman	2000-2024
Mardi Gras Galveston	2000-2007, 2011-2023
Dickens on the Strand	2000, 2005-2023
The Texas Renaissance Festival	2006-2009, 2015-2016
The Louisiana Renaissance Festival	2000-2021
Tall Ships Galveston	2018, 2023
Scarborough Renaissance Festival	2009, 2011, 2013, 2018
The San Diego Sea Shanty Festival	2002, 2014, 2017
OKC Ren & Scots Festival	2022-2023
The Lone Star Pirate Festival	2019-2021
Guthrie Renaissance Festival	2024
The Pirate/Viking Summer Festival	2022-2023
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival	2011
Pirates of the Ponchartrain	2021
Oklahoma Renaissance Faire	2000-2006
The Texarkana Renaissance Faire	2015-2017
Texas Pirate Festival	2010-2019
Earth Day Dallas	2011-2012
Blackbeard's Pirate Festival	2002
Pirate Days of Texas	2010-2011
Surfside Beach Pirate Festival	2009
Middlefaire	2019
Granbury Pirate Invasion	2010
Buccaneer Days	2009
The Seabrook Music Festival	2000-2001
The Hawkwood Medieval Fantasy Faire	2000-2001
The Lawton Renaissance Festival	2006-2008
Scarlet's Renaissance Festival	2005-2008
Newcastle Shakespeare Festival	2001
The King Arthur Faire	2000
Shakespeare in the Park	2000
The Tablerock Fantasy Faire	2003-2004
Mardi Gras New Orleans	2005

Uptown Theater (Grand Prairie)	2012-2024
Railean Rum Distillery (San Leon)	2015-2019
GP Farmers Market (Grand Prairie)	2015-2023
Stuttgarden Tavern (Galveston)	2017-2019
Brewchachos Cantina (Galveston)	2019
The Vanguard (Tulsa, OK)	2015
Ritz Theater (Shawnee, OK)	2013
Chandlers Landing Marina (Rockwall)	2005-2011
Bahama Beach Club (Garland)	2010-2011
The Tipperary Inn (Dallas)	2000-2008
The Pig & Whistle Pub (Ft. Worth)	2000-2002
O'Flaherty's Irish Pub (New Orleans)	2004-2005
Warehouse Live (Houston)	2019-2021
Alamo Drafthouse (Dallas)	2017
Studio Movie Grill (Arlington)	2011
Movie Tavern (Bedford)	2006-2007
Lochrann's Irish Pub (Frisco)	2008
O'Malleys Pub (Weston, MO)	2006
Griff's Irish Pub (Houston)	2002, 2006
The Black Dog Tavern (Ft. Worth)	2003
First Tee Pub (Houston)	2006
MacHenry's Upstairs Pub (Fort Worth)	2004
The Celtic Quill (Dallas)	2000
Mermaid Party (Arlington)	2006
Queen Mariah Riverboat (Lake Worth)	2002
Bennigan's (Dallas)	2001
Groggy Dog Marina Pub (Granbury)	2006

Grand Prairie Airhogs (Grand Prairie)	2012-2014
The Pirate's Cove (Long Beach)	2004,2014,2017
Changing Winds Benefit Concert (Norman)	2013
Swashbuckler's Soiree (Galveston)	2011-2012
Harley Davidson Cruise (San Diego)	2004
TCCD Talk Like a Pirate Day (Grand Prairie)	2016,2022
The Witches Ball (Arlington)	2023
SV Seeker Launch Party (Tulsa, OK)	2021
Univ of Texas Golf Club (Austin, TX)	2019
Summit Rec Center (Grand Prairie)	2018
Dalworth Rec Center (Grand Prairie)	2017
Messina Hof Winery (Grapevine, TX)	2016
TMCA Spring Fling (Port Arthur)	2015-2016
Medieval Wine Faire (Jefferson)	2012
SBC Corporate Party (San Francisco)	2004
SBC Corporate Party (Long Beach)	2004
LaSalle County Fairgrounds (Cotulla, TX)	2020
Pirates! Museum (Galveston)	2012
Toys for Tots Benefit (Arlington)	2013
Excel Pirate Party (Dallas)	2002
AT&T Promotional Party (Dallas)	2002
Pirate Days Kick-Off (The Colony)	2007
Store Opening (Gainesville)	2006
Mystic Oaks Pirate Party (Los Angeles)	2004
Missouri Southern Alumni Party (Joplin)	2004
The R.E.L.E.A.F. Celtic Festival Benefit	2003

For booking information contact Craig Lutke at:
214-415-9563 or by e-mail at