(More) Growling Old Men
(More) Growling Old Men
Thursday, 22nd September 2011
Following several hugely successful UK and US tours, the collaboration between America’s Growling Old Men and two parts of Britain’s Daily Planet, (More) Growling Old Men are doing it all over again!
Two of the American West's best acoustic musicians; Ben Winship and John Lowell, collectively known as 'Growling Old Men' will be touring in the UK during September 2011 alongside two members of the UK's 'Daily Planet'.
'A True Transatlantic Session'
Ben Winship (mandolin and vocals) from Idaho, is described by Tim O'Brien as "one of the acoustic music scene's best writers" His evocative song writing combined with his effortless vocal and mandolin style makes Ben one of the most respected musicians on the scene today.
"With a red-hot mandolin for a heart... Winship's music is a celebration of range, breadth and experiment." - Bluegrass Unlimited
John Lowell (guitar and vocals) from Montana has been the mainstay of countless bluegrass and 'country folk' bands throughout the mid-west. Known so well as a fantastic singer and solid rhythm player it's easy to forget just how well he can also 'flatpick' a blistering solo on his guitar.
This will be John's third trip to the UK - in 2004 he was the guitar tutor at the prestigious week-long Sore Fingers summer music camp in Oxfordshire.
"Growling Old Men sparkle with outstandingly original material, an irrepressibly-western tinged groove, energetic picking and fine singing... I'm wearing the records out here in Nashville." -Dave Higgs, WPLN-FM, Nashville
Leon Hunt (5-string banjo) A former student of American banjo virtuoso, Bela Fleck, his exploits with Daily Planet and in his own right, have been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. His trade-mark has always been a healthy disregard for the banjo’s traditional boundaries, experimenting with techniques and sounds, using his earlier musical influences (both of Leon’s parents are jazz musicians) to ultimately make it a more versatile instrument.
"Banjo wizardry in a style totally unique. Leon plays with brilliance and soul - you don't always find the two together"
Mike Harding - BBC Radio 2
Dominic Harrison (bass / guitar) plays and sings with an authority that few musicians ever achieve. Dominic grew up in a musical family and his first performances were as a 'boy wonder' in the family band, Strange Relations. Dominic moved to Bath in the early 90's to play bass for Southern Exposure, a band led by North Carolinian singer/songwriter, Randy Gambill Dominic and S.E. banjo player Leon Hunt went on to form the very first incarnation of Daily Planet.
Dalebilly (February 2011)
The Dalebilly band's current line up have been together for nearly 2 years, though between them they bring together a wealth of experience of playing bluegrass music in various bands over a number of years. The tight harmony vocals of father and son Kevin and Neil Garratt along with Richard Collins bring together some of the strongest voices on the UK Bluegrass scene. The tight singing, the solid rhythm, and the fine instrumentation, have quickly put Dalebilly up with the best of the bands playing Bluegrass in the UK today
Dalebilly Line Up: Kevin Garratt, Guitar, Dobro and Vocals - Neil Garratt, Guitar and Vocals - Richard Collins, Mandolin and Vocals - Richard Holland, Banjo - Claire Collins Bass.
