CHRIS JAMES
Chris is a very talented man, not only with instruments, but vocally as well. He has a lovely rich voice and one helluva range which is complimented by his excellent guitar playing. To me he is a kindred spirit because he is always striving to do more. He bought a 5string banjo a while back and is teaching himself to play it. The latest project he told me about is a steel guitar he built and I've seen pictures of it, it's something else believe you me! Like me Chris lays down all his own backing tracks and word of how good they are is spreading like wildfire. So much so that Chris has a website dedicated to his backing tracks which is: www.chris-james.co.nr and it's well worth a visit.
To date he has done tracks for Syd Newman, Ramrod and Dean Austin to name a few. Chris, like me, has been in the music business for many years and played a variety of styles but, again like me, at the root of everything is a love of Country Music and a healthy respect for the people who follow the Western ways. Should you fancy a visit, you will have the opportunity of hearing just how good he is and learning more about him. Chris,his wife Dawn and their family live in Caerphilly, Wales, (which probably explains the powerful vocals he produces), but he's not averse to travelling. Any queries contact him at: creat.studio@yahoo.co.uk Another site to look at is: www.chrisjamescountry.co.uk but be patient as it's still under construction.
The next gentleman needs no help from me when it comes to recognition of his achievements, his is a household name
CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH
The only reason for putting Charlie on the page is that I think he's the best. He, like many of us, has worked in lots of good places and a lot he would like to forget, but that's the music business. His songs were recognized long before he was and it's great when such a talented artiste gets the recognition he so richly deserves. Chris and I went backstage to see Charlie on his visit to Torquay in March and we had a good old natter and took some photos. I hadn't thought about it before but when I showed him the pictures on my digital camera he laughed and said that if he'd had his glasses on we would have passed for brothers, so when we got home I printed off a few and sent them to him because I knew he'd appreciate the joke. I have two pictures hanging on my wall and they will always hold special memories for Chris and I, especially as he sang one song looking directly at her and it finished with Y O U, and on the U he pointed right at her, she'll always remember that. Certain songs of Charlie's make her cry but she won't go to the next track! There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said many times by many people so I'll just say thanks Charlie for being who you are, it's a privilige to know you.
Charlie's website is: www.charlielandsborough.com and well worth a visit.
LE BAND
An extremely versatile five piece band consisting of Hazel Tibbs - Lead Vocals ; Bill Tibbs - Drums ; John Lang -Guitar; Mark Brumpton - Saxes & Keyboards and Jerry Hutchinson - Bass.
Many years ago there were two rock bands of note in the Plymouth area, the Rockites and the Blackjacks. Bill was in the Rockites and I was in the Blackjacks, and to the best of my knowledge we are the sole surviving musicians still at it! To meet up again after a lot of years was great and to listen to a nice tight band was a pleasure rare in these days of solo artistes (including yours truly). Their website can be found at: www.leband.co.uk and is well worth a visit as it gives a comprehensive view of each member of the band.
JOHN McCANE AND THE LAST OF THE BREED
A real Country artiste with a real Country band of excellent musicians it was a pleasure to work alongside. As with 99 percent of friends we meet and make at Country Festivals these guys were no exception, down to earth, genuine people not full of stories of their achievements. John's site can be found at: www.johnmccane.co.uk and it contains all the relevant information about the band.
STEVE CHASE
A great guy I got to know at the latest Country Music Festival I played at in Nantwich. He is a solo artiste and uses MP3 backing tracks which are top-rate to complement his guitar. Steve lives in Nottingham and is well known in the Midlands area but also ventures further afield (as do we all) to play Clubs all over the country. Steve's website can be found at: www.stevechase.co.uk and is well worth a visit.
DILLINGER
What a bunch they are, there's never a dull moment when these lads are around. I use the term "lads" loosely as you can see from the picture right, it just sounds better than "old buggers". Seriously, four musicians with stacks of experience and it shows in their performance. The sound is well balanced and extremely polished and coupled with the razor-sharp repartee which is nonstop makes Dillinger a very popular outfit. As I've said before the guitar playing of Richard Harding I could listen to all day, he's one of a few people I really respect in the field of guitars, he is a master at his trade. I'll never forget the first time we met, Dillinger were playing at a Country Festival in Pontins, Prestatyn and Richard was just standing there on stage, hardly moving or so it seemed, until you looked at his left hand which was moving so fast I had a job to keep up. I should explain that, as a guitarist, I always take note of other artist's styles, the chords they use and the runs they play, and Richard's made my head spin, and the sickening part was he made it all look so easy which is the stamp of a very talented man, good on you mate. Anyway, enough rambling, their website is: www.dillingercountry.co.uk and well worth a visit, good one Steve!
MT ALLAN
A great duo made up of Davey Inglis and Malc Allan. Davey who I've known for years used to play with Vic and Bob in No Regrets but sadly left because of the amount of time he was away from home much to Mandy's delight, and I don't blame him, I would feel the same way if it was Chris. Malc I've only just got to know but he's a great guy, really switched on regarding computers, midifiles etc, and we found we had an awful lot in common. Together the lads kick out a great sound and they are extremely popular with very few gaps left to fill booking-wise for the next two years. You'll find them at: www.mtallan.co.uk if you want to know more. Sadly I haven't got a picture at this stage but you'll find some on their site.
SLIM PICKINS
Slim has been on the Country scene for a lot of years and has played with a lot of household names besides being in big shows like "Forever In Blue Jeans". He's a very talented man and if you'd like to know more about him you'll find him at www.slimbo.co.uk.
TERRY MAHER
Terry's another artiste with a lot of miles under his belt in the music business. His website is very good with loads to look at and listen to, have fun: www.terrymahercountrysinger.com
THE HALEY SISTERS
Two sisters with an awesome amount of talent vocally and lovely people to boot. Jo-Ann and Becky have been around longer than their appearance would suggest and have won many awards for their talent. Couple this to Becky's husband Brian's guitar playing and you have the creme de la creme. They have three websites you can visit: www.cometrecords.net or www.indiestore.com/thehaleysisters or www.myspace.com/thehaleysisters Well worth a visit.
GRANDPA T SMITH
A gentleman of advancing years (a grey-haired old bugger like me) I met Tony at the 2007 Oswestry festival and liked him from the word go. He doesn't leap around on-stage, do cartwheels or blow smoke out his ass, he sings and plays good Country music, and let's face it, that's what he's paid to do. His website is at www.tonysmithcountry.com if you want to look him up.
SHIRLEY MYERS
Chris and I met Shirley when we went to Nashville and we got on like a house on fire from Day 1. She is a fantastic multi- instrumentalist and has a voice you could die for, and yet is totally unaffected by her awesome talent. Her site is at www.shirleymyers.com. Drop in and set awhile!