We could be loosely labelled as a "Bluegrass" band although we attempt all genres, in an acoustic format. Bluegrass is a style of American roots music that evolved during the last century in states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. It is characterised by the unique sound of the 5 string banjo, plucked in a rolling style made famous by Earl Scruggs (see album cover) and usually includes acoustic instruments such as guitar, fiddle, mandolin, double bass and dobro.

Bluegrass as a style was exposed to the world in the movie "Bonnie and Clyde" with the tune "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and "Deliverance" with the ubiquitous "Duelling Banjos". Bluegrass has its roots in the traditional folk music brought to America by Irish, Scottish and English immigrants - as well as elements of Blues and Jazz introduced by African-Americans. Indeed, the banjo is derived from African stringed instruments.

The name "Bluegrass" can be attributed to Bill Monroe (photo right) who many consider to be the "father" of Bluegrass and whose band "The Blue Grass Boys" took their name from the blue flowers that blossom in the grass meadows of Kentucky. An excellent precise on Bluegrass is offered by Wikipedia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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But because Bluegrass has such strong roots in Celtic and English Traditional music we naturally include a good deal of this in our repertoire. Being teenagers in the 60's we can't help throwing in a mix of acoustic Rock and Folk. We are now a purely acoustic band, having done our time with electronic equipment when we still earned a living from music.

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We play the following instruments and all help with vocals:

Neil -  Lead Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Mandola, Mouth Harp

Nielen - 5 String Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin

Stefan - Double Bass

James (Neil's son) now regularly joins us and is accomplished on Guitar, Whistles, Piano.and Piano Accordion

 

Occasionally we are fortunate to be joined by Caroline Blundell (Vocals, Guitar), Terrence Scarr ( Violin, Vocals), Sez Adamson (Pedal Steel, Guitar, Dobro)  and Paddy and Pam Booth-Jones. Paddy is a founding member of Blacksmith and plays Fiddle, Mandolin and Guitar with Pam on Accordion.

 

 
  

Sample Music

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