We offer Donnelly and South’s Christmas Cracker – a Christmas show with some crazy bits, a sackful of their singalong, wintry-wonderful songs. The best Christmas-Duo-Show this side of Morecambe & Bublé!

A stocking-load of Keith’s hilarious seasonal anecdotes and jokes.

The gift of a couple of scary solstice ghost stories.

Pour on lashings of Lauren’s, silky-smooth, brandy-butter vocals. All wrapped up with fantastic festive guitars and yummy Yuletide fiddles.

The most fun you can have without shinning down someone’s chimney! 2024 will be its second year. It was super-successful in 2023.

‘I have the best job in the world, I get to reminisce with people I don’t know, about things that never even happened!’ (Keith Donnelly)

keithdonnelly.weebly.com

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Craig Sunderland

An impressive singer-songwriter from Coventry, with a massive and still growing reputation.

Malc and Gill

As a duo, Malc & Gill, not surprisingly with their backgrounds, have a wide diversity of material, both traditionally and contemporary based, and ranging from clever harmony work to humour and even a serious ballad or two, performed either a-capella or with Malc’s pleasantly understated guitar accompaniment.

Get rid of that post-Christmas feeling. Come and sing! No guests, just you.

Just get in touch to be included. Lots of spots available; individual time depends on numbers. of course.

Please contact Phil Benson if you want to perform, but spots may still be available on the night, subject to the time available, of course.

Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

TBA

… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

Gerry Colvin was born in Barrow-in-Furness.

In the 1970’s Gerry joined pop band ‘The Man Upstairs’. They released three singles and toured with ‘The Smiths’.

In the early 1980’s he co-founded and fronted the legendary John Peel favourite skiffle-cowpunk indie outfit ‘Terry & Gerry’. This seminal band toured Europe and the USA and appeared on countless Radio and TV shows including “The Tube” and “The Old Grey Whistle Test”. Their five singles and album all reached No.1 in the indie charts. In 2010 Cherry Red released ‘Let’s Get the Hell Back to Lubbock’, the definitive ‘Terry and Gerry’ compilation.

In the early 1990’s Gerry worked in Nashville as a professional songwriter and back in the UK collaborated with Alison Moyet, co-writing on an album project. He also penned TV themes, musicals, film scores and wrote and presented for BBC Radio 2. His band ‘Gerry Colvin’s Inexperience’, a fusion of Soul, R and B and Folk-Country, became a firm favourite on the College circuit.

In 1993 Gerry formed the folk-pop band ‘The Atlantics’: they toured extensively including a slot at Glastonbury Festival where Gerry was compere, and appeared on BBC’s prestigious ‘Pebble Mill at One’.

Colvin’s other major project at this time was film music as vocalist with ‘The National Screen Orchestra’; he also performed as a comedy double act with Hollywood superstar Mackenzie Crook.

In 1995 Gerry co-founded the five piece folk band Colvinquarmby. They released six critically acclaimed albums and were voted best band at the prestigious Fairport Convention Cropredy Festival in 2009. In 2010 they won the Hancock Award for ‘Best Live Folk Act’. In May 2013 Gerry was invited by New York producer and Robert Plant song collaborator Dave Barratt to record ‘Revolution’ for the ‘Beatles complete on ukulele’ album and website.

In 2015 the original line-up of Terry and Gerry reformed and toured nationally with rock heroes Status Quo culminating with a concert at The Albert Hall!! Terry and Gerry also appeared at Glastonbury that year and released the ‘Dear John’ EP: a self penned tribute to the late John Peel. Cherry Red re-issued the greatest hits album too!!

In 2013 Gerry released a self-penned solo album ‘Jazz Tales of Country Folk’ . His new CD ‘Six of One half a Dozen of the Other’, a collection of ten(!) brand new songs, is available now. And his novel ‘The Rabbits of Zakynthos’ will be published [2023].

Gerry Colvin Official Website

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

Hazjak are Yorkshire duo Steve Chapman Smith and Lynne O’Malley, both well known and respected musicians on the Northern acoustic scene.  Together they play an eclectic style of Roots, Americana and Folk music.

Steve – vocals, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, bass and mandolin. Lynne – vocals, piano, tenor guitar, banjo, percussion, whistle and harmonica, and of course Hazjak’s trademark harmonies.

Hazjak released their debut album “Listerville” in December 2020 to great critical acclaim, including a 4 star review in R and R magazine.

“Uplifting evening of most enjoyable music by Hazjak… Brilliant entertainment and great fun as always… You really take the listener with you”  Topic Folk Club, Dec 2021

“A highly talented duo… Excellent songs, superb musicianship and harmonies in abundance”   Tykes Stirrings, Spring 2021

“High calibre musicianship. Roots based music of the finest kind. They write raw and penetrating songs of truth and heart-rending stories to stir your souls.”  Ian Mayor, Drystone Radio

www.hazjak.com/

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

Described by Bright Young Folk as “experienced storytellers” who bring “timeless quality” to their music, award-winning duo Farefeld (Chris Elliott, Caitlin Jones) have been playing music together since they met in 2014. Previously performing alongside Bella Gaffney (Magpies) and Heather Sirrell (Pilgrim’s Way) in the four-piece ‘Bric-a-Brac,’ they formed as a duo in 2017.

In 2022, the duo joined forces with virtuoso bassist Mike Seal, who gigs with them as much as he can (when he’s not doing something very clever!)

Both proudly from Staffordshire, Farefeld bring a mix of traditional and self-penned ballads about place, identity, old and new. Driving guitar and bouzouki accompany haunting whistles and harmonium along with intricate and warm vocal harmonies. Expect to hear songs written for and collected from all around the Midlands and beyond, accompanied by the heartfelt human stories that inspired them, their charming storytelling and warm Midlands humour.

farefeld.co.uk/

With Support by …

Tom Patterson

A Birmingham based Geordie folksinger and guitarist, Tom has a growing reputation as a writer of songs in the traditional folk style, seventeen of which have won competitions at folk festivals in the UK and Ireland. Known for folk club and festival appearances across the UK and further afield, Tom has been described by folk music publication, Living Tradition, as “someone worth looking out for”. His weekly Birmingham residency at Cartlands Café, Kings Heath Park, has also recently received a glowing review from the Birmingham Post and Mail.

Tom either plays solo, or in a long established duo with talented Loughborough multi-instrumentalist, Dave Morton. Together they have recorded two CDs of original material – “We Are The Lucky Ones” and “Just The Way It Is”, which Living Tradition called, “a CD of great songs”.

Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

Mean Mary’s Woman Creature Tour: An Evening of Fast-Picking Fun

Join Mean Mary, along with her brother Frank James, for an unforgettable night of music on her Woman Creature tour. This dynamic duo brings a blend of harmonies, fast-picking, and a dash of humour. Expect to hear crowd favourites like “Iron Horse” and “Blazing,” as well as new hits like “Tarzan” and the title track “Woman Creature” from her latest album.

Mean Mary, an award-winning musician and writer with over 35 million views on her YouTube videos, has captivated audiences since her childhood days playing for tips on the streets of Nashville. Described by The Tennessean as having “startling talent” and by No Depression as possessing “the voice of a ragged angel combined with the banjo playing of the Devil,” Mary is a seasoned performer with over 4000 festivals and concerts under her belt.

Named Deering Banjos’ Goodtime Ambassador, Mary’s banjo playing is known to give chills, as noted by Janet Deering herself. Equally adept on the guitar, fiddle, and eight other instruments, Mary’s lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate storytelling make her performances truly unique. Whether it’s ghost pirates or demon guitars, you never know what fascinating tales will unfold in a Mean Mary show. Prepare for a high-energy evening filled with guitar, banjo, fiddle, and upbeat rhythms!

Award-winning musician/writer and fan favourite (over 34 million views on her YouTube videos), Mean Mary, literally grew-up in music. She evolved from a child prodigy who played for tips on the streets of Nashville (“startling talent” said the Tennessean) to a seasoned performer and headliner of over 4000 festivals and concerts (“the voice of a ragged Angel combined with the banjo playing of the Devil” says No Depression).

meanmary.com

Since forming in 2016, Daisybell have been making waves on the local and national folk scene, delivering performances of passion, wit and raw emotion at clubs from Minehead to Gateshead, Worcester to Sheffield, releasing an EP and a video, fitting in a couple of live radio appearances and drawing acclaim for their “Sing Like A Daisybell” vocal workshops.

To date, the trio have appeared at festivals in Warwick, Broadstairs, Moira, Lichfield, Bromyard, Alcester, Bedworth and more.

Lauded for their song-writing, harmonies, and engaging stage presence, now is a great time to check out their gigs, recordings and social media banter.

katherinefear.co.uk

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Just email Phil and ask.

Mim’s roots go back to the UK Folk Scene of the ’70s when “Our Mim” was likened to Joan Baez, and ranked alongside Maddy Prior and other revivalists of the time.

Then, she played a significant role in the folk revival, appearing at most of the Folk Clubs and Festivals of the time, including Edinburgh and Cambridge, with acclaim from all the leading critics of the day. Miriam’s interpretation of traditional and modern folk songs are unique, and her ability to lead a Folk audience into chorus singing, particularly, ‘Keys of Canterbury’ at Cambridge Folk Festival 1976, is the stuff of legends.

Over the years in South Africa, she has entertained for many concerts and festivals, including Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and Splashy Fen  ‘Over Africa’ features on the 10 years CD – and established herself as a shining light in the entertainment business.

She is unique in South Africa, her songs, like ‘The beautiful pass at Van Reenen’ and ‘Over Africa’ have become part of their music heritage.

Her ‘protest’ songs about the border war ‘I don’t want my child to die’ (Richard Haslop featured this on his ‘Roots to Fruits’ radio show) and ‘Mother’s lament’ have been recognised as some of the best, ranking alongside those from other troubled lands like Ireland, USA etc.

These songs, and the music of South Africa, are becoming world renowned now, and Mim is part of this surge.

She originally retired from the UK Folk Scene in 1977, to have a family, and now they have flown the nest, the family encouraged her to get back ‘out there’, and she is now re-established as Miriam Backhouse-Erasmus, Professional Folk Singer, in the UK.  Folk Club, Arts Centre and Festival appearances there have been a great success and Miriam’s UK 2007 tour was a sell out.

Since marrying John Erasmus, relocating to South Africa, in 1977, and raising a family, she has diversified into the full range of music, playing ‘Anna’ in ‘The King and I’ under the direction of EOH’s Steven Stead, amongst countless other musicals, concerts, Radio and TV appearances.

“A lady of exceptional talent, Her voice is immaculate, impeccable and scintillating.. What a joy to hear every word she sings with perfect diction. ‘Mim has a delightful personality that immediately envelopes her audiences, her enchanting voice and easy-going banter captivates every audience whatever age… from toddlers to serene-agers.

We have often used her various talents for product launches… fashion shows… celebration entertainment and social events. One of the few entertainers that make one’s heart smile.” Sandy Day Promotions sandyday@telkomsa.net

“Together with a professional approach to audiences, Miriam’s haunting voice and tasteful instrumental work never fail to impress”. John Leonard. Smooth Operations. Producer of Radio 2 Mike Harding Show

facebook.com/MiriamBackhouseErasmus

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Just email Phil and ask.

Steve Redshaw

Steve has taught in primary schools for the best part of forty years. Now retired and living aboard his narrow boat, Miss Amelia, he can pursue his passion for making music. Over the years, Steve has played in a variety of bands – a Pogues rip-off, the Lincolnshire-based Old Parrot Band, several East Anglian Ceilidh bands, the Petworth Town Brass Band and The Charcoal Burners, a south of England based folk fusion four piece. He is presently a member of the popular Rugby trio, The Scutters.

His aquaintance with the unique Steve Boyer (now sadly departed) has involved him in much charity busking, a children’s holiday club, dementia music cafes and even a Hank Williams tribute band. He has also worked on musical and film projects for young people with the Warwick based RYTC.

Steve has been playing the acoustic guitar for what he says are too many years to count and draws on a deep love of traditional music, performing in many of the wonderful Folk Clubs and sessions that thrive in this area of the Midlands.

A double header, with …

Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Our annual August Singers Night!

The recipe will remain the same, just get in touch to be included. Lots of spots available.

Please contact Phil Benson if you want to perform, but spots may still be available on the night, subject to the time available, of course.

phil[at]atherstonefolkclub.org.uk

Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

Local favourites Yonderland are Jane Moss and Paul Monks. With finely-honed original songs and a few popular covers, they are rapidly gaining a reputation as a must-see act.

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Emma is a Black Country wench that performs laid back classic sing-along songs and some self-penned songs.

She has done a few guest nights at Brewood Folk Club, and regularly does support for Pete Kelly at the Red Lion Folk Club.

There will be some interesting Tipton stories and a lot of laughs, but most importantly, everyone will be able to talk Tip’n by the end of the noight.

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Stonesthrow combines the strong lead vocals of Tony Fowkes with the natural harmonies of Steve & Julie Wigley. The Derby based trio perform mainly acapella, with their set spiced by the occasional song featuring Julie on accordion and Steve’s guitar.

Their choice of songs ranges from the traditional working songs of the sea and the land to contemporary songs of family, love and loss, providing a rich variety of material for their three part harmonies.

They have been winners and runners-up in the ‘Write a Song for Lincolnshire‘ competition and have performed at the Chester Folk Festival Fringe, Moira Furnace Folk Festival and a number of folk clubs around the country.

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Scarecrow emerged in 2006, formed by three members of a popular Oxfordshire barn dance band who shared a common desire to develop our collective breadth of musical styles, instruments and influences. The band brings together the classical music of Rey Lear, allied to folk tunes from David Moore with jazz and blues influences from Gordon Raitt. The resulting “Scarecrow Sound” reflects these diverse abilities and influences in both the repertoire and arrangements of well known and sometimes more obscure songs and tunes.

Rey plays bass guitar, flute, whistle, recorder and lead vocals. Rey is also very active as a member of a classical quartet, a recorder ensemble and runs Brackley Choir. He has worked as a professional musician since graduating and has toured the Caribbean, worked on cruise ships and been involved in music education for most of his professional life. His influences include his Mum & Dad as well as Billy Connolly, Brahms and Liszt.

David plays whistles, bagpipes, flute and percussion as well as backing vocals. He is self taught on all his instruments. Interests outside Scarecrow include playing Pipe & Tabor for the Adderbury Morris men and occasionally with historical “costume” bands on the English border pipes and Hummelchen pipes. He has toured with bands and Adderbury Morris in Oman, USA, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Belgium and Romania. Influences range between Steeleye Span, Blowzabella, The Albion Dance Band and Show of Hands.

Gordon plays acoustic guitar and bouzouki, and lead vocals. Gordon is the force behind the distinctive “Scarecrow” sound; his arrangements of the songs and tunes result in the tight and unusual arrangements that we have become recognised for. In addition to his Scarecrow commitments Gordon plays bass guitar in a rock band. He has been influenced by many genres of music including Blues, Jazz, Folk and Classical.

www.scarecrowband.co.uk

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

Get rid of that post-Christmas feeling. Come and sing! No guests, just you.

Just get in touch to be included. Lots of spots available; individual time depends on numbers. of course.

Please contact Phil Benson if you want to perform, but spots may still be available on the night, subject to the time available, of course.

Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

TBA

… and there are still floor-spots available!

Just email Phil and ask.

“With two grand voices – individually and in harmony” (Folker-German Folk Magazine), the Anglo-German duo Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer offer a versatile miscellany of self-penned and imaginatively arranged songs, delivered with guitar, woodwind instrumentation and occasional percussion.

“I’ve never seen our audience so spellbound!” (Malc Gurnham, Bedworth Folk Club)

So, what is it that makes this internationally touring pair so irresistible? Whilst Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer are acclaimed for their image provoking song-writing, expressive vocals and authentic musicianship, they are frequently recalled for their warmth, humour and their remarkable ability to engage with their audience. Karen’s natural theatricality and life affirming playful energy compliment charmingly with Paul’s calm geniality and combined they magically turn a great performance into a real event.

The duo has toured its shows extensively taking in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Ireland and most corners of the UK, wooing audiences with Karen’s southern German accent tinged with an ‘oatcake induced’ North Staffordshire dialect from Paul’s heritage.

The pandemic has seen them focusing their attention on writing, recording and developing their online presence. Their live stream ‘Afternoon Tea with Paul & Karen’ is now in excess of 100 shows and still attracts a dedicated international following. The new album ‘Auf Wiedersehen, Me Duck’ was released in May 2022 and received a great amount of radio play, video attention and glowing reviews:

“Eclectic, performed with passion and with excellent musicianship.” Folk & Honey
“Charming, varied and fun” Irish Music Magazine

Overall, “A first-class experience.” (Bietigheimer Zeitung)

www.paulwalkermusic.co.uk

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Silvington is a Plymouth-based duo formed in 2016 by two established performers, both members of the Folk on the Moor club in Ivybridge. In an interview on Radio Devon the story of their coming together was described by presenter David FitzGerald as “folk at first sight”.

Tricia Moore has a well-established pedigree which was honed over many years in the folk clubs and bars of Plymouth, Canterbury and Aberdeen, as well as a stint on a cruise ship and a few local television spots. More recently, solo performances around Cornwall and West Devon preceded a return to her folk roots at Folk on the Moor, where her delicate guitar playing and clear voice mark her out as a fine performer.

John Connor was a member of Fairfield, the resident band at Bromsgrove Folk Club in the West Midlands, for 23 years before relocating to Devon and establishing himself as a solo performer in the local folk scene. A multi-instrumentalist, he contributes to Silvington’s trademark vocal harmonies.

Purveyors of both traditional and contemporary songs, they are also prolific songwriters in their own right, and their repertoire rightly showcases many self-penned gems. They are increasingly to be found on the guest lists of clubs and festivals on their home turf and further afield. Well-crafted songs delivered with a close blend of vocals and instruments are hallmarks of their performances, recognised not only by their audiences but also by fellow artists.

www.silvington.org

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Floor Singers booked to perform on the night …

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Just email Phil and ask.