IRISH GRAND MARSHAL 2026: JASON DEVORE
The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee has chosen Jason DeVore as the 2026 Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Jason was born in Mesa in 1979. “I’m the child of three fathers, and one mother,” he says. He was raised in Wyoming by his mother, who was a legal secretary, and his stepfather, Doc DeVore, who was a full-time Southern Baptist preacher. In 1979, Jason moved back to Arizona to live with David Hunsaker, whom he also considers to be his father. He has lived in Arizona ever since.
He was estranged from his biological father, Thomas O’Shaughnessy, for most of his life. Six years ago, he and Thomas met and started building what Jason describes as “a beautiful relationship.” Much of their connection was based on their mutual love of Irish music and culture and their family history that was tied to that. Thomas works for a parts company. After being diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, he needed immediate surgery. Jason and his family have been working diligently to keep Thomas healthy and moving forward in positivity. “It’s brought us very close together, and I’m so grateful,” Jason says.
Jason has four siblings. His older brother and sister are stepsiblings. They both live in Las Vegas. His older sister, Heather Hartnett, is a regional manager for the David’s Bridal chain. His older brother, Travis DeVore, is a home care giver. His younger sister, Falon DeVore, is a Kentucky Police Department sergeant. His younger brother, Sean DeVore, is a corrections officer in Kentucky.
When asked what the most important things that he has learned from his parents were and how his parents have influenced the person who he is today, Jason responded, “I’ve learned so much from all of my folks. Most importantly, I’ve learned persistence, kindness, individuality, and understanding, as well as patience and respect for others.”
Jason’s grandmothers, Ruth DeVore and Glenna Herriman, who have both since passed on, also had a massive influence on his life. “They were both extremely adventurous and beautifully free-spirited souls.” Jason recalls. “They were wonderful, and the example of their adventurous spirits showed me how I wanted to live my life.”
Jason briefly attended Mesa Community College, but quickly realized that music and the arts were his life’s passion, outlet, and chosen path. So after one semester, he moved on to become a full-time singer and songwriter. He started his band, Authority Zero, with friends in 1994. He has been touring internationally and making albums with that group since 2001. He also started a solo singing and songwriting career in 2006, and he has since released four solo records. Around 2010, he started yet another band called “The Bollox,” which plays Irish, folk, and punk rock music. The latter project enabled him to take what he calls “a full deep dive into my Irish roots and Irish culture.” He teamed up with his old friend Keith Walker, who had moved to Arizona from Dublin, Ireland, in 2000. The two have been putting out Irish rock music together ever since.
Jason loves traveling, seeing new places, meeting new people, and having new adventures in connection with his musical career. Most of all, he likes singing and performing for people to help make their day brighter. When Jason isn’t immersed in his music, he loves to skateboard, snowboard, camp, and just be outdoors in nature. His biggest hobby, though, is creating art in many forms—painting, photography, and film.
Jason has been married to Larisa Kancs for almost twenty years. The two met at Larisa’s place of work in Scottsdale about twenty-four years ago. Larisa runs her own business called “Prozit,” which is a family business that she started with her sister some time ago. The company provides mobile bartending services for events that range from private parties and weddings to large-scale corporate events. Before that, Larisa was the general manager of a large local music venue called “Club Red.”
Jason describes Larisa as being “beautiful, strong, fun, animal-loving, and just all around my best friend.” “We’ve shared countless adventures together,” he says, “and we have every intention of keeping that tradition of living and loving life collectively going.” Although the two don’t have any children, Jason says that the possibility isn’t off the table yet. In the meantime, he and Larisa have taken in many foster animals, which they have made their “little fur family.”
Jason’s Irish heritage comes from his biological father. The name
“Shaughnessy” was originally spelled “O’Seachnasaigh,” but it was altered to make it easier to pronounce when his ancestors arrived in the United States from Ireland’s Connacht Province. His grandfather worked as a steel worker after he arrived in America. Jason isn’t sure whether he has any relatives who still live in Ireland, but he plans to keep researching his family history.
Irish culture wasn’t a big part of Jason’s life growing up, but he became interested in it and in his family’s history later in life. He quickly became consumed by it, especially its musical aspect. Reconnecting with his biological father enabled him to explore his Irish roots and Irish culture more deeply. This has driven him to learn more and has enabled him to perform Irish music with what he calls “a fuller sense of authenticity and pride.”
Jason visited Ireland for the first time in 2000. He rented a car and traveled from Dublin to Cork County, including the town of Blarney, and then up the west coast to County Clare, including the village of Doolin and the nearby Cliffs of Moher. Given his passion for traditional Irish music, it’s not surprising that Jason visited Doolin, which is the one of the best places in Ireland to hear and to join in traditional Irish music sessions. Jason describes visiting Ireland as having been “absolutely enchanting and such a beautiful experience that I will never forget it. It changed my life.”
Jason’s group, “The Bollox,” recently performed acoustically and filmed a short documentary for their latest album release, “The Art of Rebellion,” in the Irish Cultural Center’s McClelland Library. Jason describes the album as having been enriched by Irish story telling as well as by the members’ current life experiences and adventures. “The people who helped us out with that project are incredible people, and the Center is a wonderful place that is rich in Irish history and information,” Jason says.
Jason is very honored and extremely grateful to have been selected as this year’s Grand Marshal. He is proud of his Irish heritage and truly embraces every aspect of it. He is really looking forward to participating in the Parade. He would like to bring his father Thomas to ride in the Parade with him if he is well enough to do so. “Given our history and his physical condition, that would be a special time and would create unforgettable memories for both of us as father and son,” Jason says.
Join us in celebrating Jason DeVore as the 2026 Grand Marshal of the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Be there on March 14, 2026, as Jason leads the 43rd Annual Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade through downtown Phoenix — honoring his Irish heritage, his family’s journey, and the vibrant Irish spirit that brings our community together each year.
Line the streets, wear your green, and help us give Jason — and perhaps his father Thomas — a warm Phoenix welcome at the front of this cherished tradition.
Don’t miss this unforgettable moment. We’ll see you at the parade!
