2018 Shows...
Jan 3rd Hannah Johnson & The Broken Hearts
Feb 7th Red Tail Ring Mar 7th Bronwynne Brent Apr 4th Connla May 2nd Molly Tuttle & Rachel Baiman Jun 6th Joe Topping & Scott Poley Jul 4th Hillfolk Noir Aug 1st The Hot Seats Sep 5th Henry Priestman & Les Glover Oct 3rd Alice Howe & Freebo Nov 7th Lynne Hanson Dec 5th Merry Hell Acoustic Full details of all shows below... |
& Gary McGinnes & Rachael Jean Harris
& Henry Parker & ScaredyCat & Two Black Sheep & Limerance & Mandolin Jack & John Jenkins & Mondegreen & Freya Halvorsen & Rachael Jean Harris & Tennessee Waltz & The Southbound Attic Band & Susie Jones & The Jesse Janes & White Little Lies & Steve Chapman Smith |
Regular “Fredheads” will remember three great shows that we’ve enjoyed over the years at Grateful Fred’s with the wonderful “Toy Hearts”, led by sisters Hannah and Sophia Johnson.
Well the “Toy Hearts” are no more as the sisters now have solo projects and Hannah’s new band is the excellent “Hannah Johnson & The Broken Hearts”. Hannah grew up in an incredibly musical home and was singing as soon as she could. But she began her artistic career working in theatre and television as a child, participating in an unabridged version of a midsummer night’s dream where she played Puck aged 11, working with the esteemed Philip Glass, being part of the central television actors workshop and acting in national children’s TV shows. She also initially studied clarinet, but switched to guitar in her teens as it became apparent she couldn’t use the clarinet to back up her vocals – she did a mean ‘Stranger on the Shore’ though! After dabbling with the acting world for a number of years, Hannah settled on singing as her chosen medium, as she felt had grown ‘tired of being someone else on stage’ and she craved a more authentic way to express herself, and the genre of country music with its humility, simplicity and ability face emotionally complex topics, became her artistic home. Hannah spent almost 15 years leading her family band The Toy Hearts (who currently on hiatus while the front women scratch their itches to release solo records), touring extensively in the UK, Europe and the USA. Hannah’s composition The Captain remains the biggest hit for her family band, as a song that is a testament to both her songwriting and her fierce independence – nobody except Hannah is the captain of Hannah! She is an Alumni of the prestigious IBMA Leadership Bluegrass program and has previously worked representing British bluegrass music in both America and Europe. The band are superb musicians and it will be great to welcome Hannah back to Grateful Fred's. Support will be from a wonderful singer-songwriter: Rachael Jean Harris Derek King, of Liverpool Acoustic described Rachael thus… “On hearing the first few acoustic chords from Rachael Jean Harris, her delicate and precise jazz-like progressions, you are at once transported back to Joni Mitchell’s mid-1970’s Hissing of Summer Lawns phase. But when you hear Harris’s soaring vocal it is evident that she is so much more than a Joni Mitchell mimic (though she would surely not deny her roots). Her songs are beguiling and break all the rules it seems, the structures are hard to pin down and her vocal phrases meander captivatingly, constantly wandering where they seem really to have no right to go”. Tickets at just £11 are available from: www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/hannah-johnson-broken-hearts/ |
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Old time roots…new time sounds… That’s how Red Tail Ring describe themselves. Here’s how others describe them: “Laurel Premo and Michael Beauchamp of Red Tail Ring create lush, intricate arrangements of original folk music and traditional ballads with banjo, fiddle, guitar, and close harmonies. “The very best of the 21st century’s minimalist and highly original folk music . . . a peerless duo.” – American Roots Red Tail Ring will be over here in the UK to perform at the legendary “Celtic Connections” in Glasgow and Grateful Fred has been lucky enough to arrange for them to play for the “Fredheads” here at The Atkinson. The Michigan-based band is fresh off their fourth full-length studio release, Fall Away Blues. Featuring new songwriting fused with old-time and country blues themes, the album tackles topical subjects such as gun violence and environmentalism as well as age-old questions of place and love. Red Tail Ring “doesn’t just pay homage to vintage folk and roots music: The Kalamazoo duo breathes new life into it, channeling the power and charm of seminal material into its own original songs. Over seven years of touring, Red Tail Ring has performed their brand of acoustic roots all over the United States, and have travelled to play in Denmark, Germany and Sweden, and has also appeared at some of the most notable festivals and venues that the US has to offer, such as The Ark, Club Passim, Caffe Lena, the Indiana Fiddlers Gathering, Wheatland Music Festival, and Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival. Support for Red Tail Ring will be from Leeds-based musician: Henry Parker With a sound rooted in the haze of the English folk revival, Henry Parker takes up a style crafted by players such as Bert Jansch and Nick Drake in the 1960’s and early 70’s. His open tuned acoustic creates a sound that would fit the ‘Folk-Baroque’ label, a term used to describe those musicians who followed the path laid down by the great originator Davy Graham. His songs and tunes arrive either worked from his own hand, or are borrowed and developed from the traditional British folk cannon. Those that have seen him perform on a hollow-body electric guitar, understand the influence and impression that modern jazz has made on his music. And also... Tennessee Waltz Tennessee Waltz is an acoustic country music duo from the Wirral playing an infectious mix of original, classic and contemporary rockers and thoughtful intimate ballads. With their trademark vocal harmonies Jimmy Rae (vocals and guitar) and Sarah-Lou Fletcher (vocals, mandolin and percussion) have delighted us at Grateful Freds on several occasions in recent months, both as a duo (Tennessee Waltz) and a trio (Jimmy Rae & the Moonshine Girls). Drawing on original material from Jimmy’s two well received albums to date, Tennessee Waltz are guaranteed to warm your heart and set your toes a-tapping. Tickets at just £11 are available from: www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/red-tail-ring/ |
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Two years ago we welcomed Bronwynne Brent to Grateful Fred’s at The Atkinson for the first time. She performed such a great show that night we asked her straight away to come back but it’s taken us this long to be able to secure a date!
Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, American roots song- writer BRONWYNNE BRENT has the kind of stop-in-your-tracks voice that sounds like Southern sunshine. Though her new album,STARDUST, was recorded in Seattle, it’s the kind of album that could only come out of the South. There’s a hint of Delta blues behind the ache in her songs, a glimpse of honky-tonk twang, an echo of riverboat can-cans, a whiff of Morricone, and an atmosphere of the darker side of country songwriting. Harkening back to the glory days of Lee Hazlewood and Gram Parsons, Brent’s songs tap into the dark undercurrent of country that starts with old Appalachian murder ballads and continues to today’s current crop of psychedelic country songwriters. Like a Juke Joint Nancy Sinatra, Bronwynne Brent unites all the best elements of Southern American roots music, and ties these many different influences into a sound that’s comforting and refreshing. Supporting Bronwynne will be "Grateful Fred favourites": ScaredyCats Scaredycats, featuring one of Grateful Fred’s favourite songwriters, Jim Pearson, appeared early in 2017 and as they now have a brand new debut album on release we asked them to come back and play songs from the new album. They are one of the most original bands playing around the North West and we’re sure you’ll love their new material. Tickets at just £11 are available from: www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/bronwynne-brent/ |
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After a blinding performance at Grateful Fred’s in 2016 and following sell-out appearances around Europe and the USA we are delighted to have managed to bring the brilliant Connla back.
Hailing from the cities of Armagh and Derry and are made up of Ciara McCafferty (vocals), Ciaran Carlin (Flute/Whistles) and Paul Starrett (Guitar) Emer Mallon (Harp) and Conor Mallon (Uilleann Pipes/Whistles). Labelled as the Hottest New Group out of Northern Ireland, (Chicago Irish American News) Connla have been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. Since the release of their EP in April 2015, and album “River Waiting” in July 2016 they have received fantastic reviews at home and internationally. They have already gathered a big following in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. Songlines magazine made Connla their “must-see act” for the tour of the UK and said “A band this young shouldn’t be this good”. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes, have helped them create a sound which is very identifiable as Connla. To hear Connla in full flight is a sound and sight not to be missed. Supporting Connla will be: Two Black Sheep Amy and Ian of “Two Black Sheep” played for us in 2017 with their wonderful 4 piece string quartet but this time they are playing as just themselves giving us the chance to hear the great songs in a stripped back style of acoustic guitar and violin. Both Amy and Ian are gifted musicians and songwriters and in their “acoustic” pairing at Grateful Fred’s we’ll be able to enjoy their songs in the style they were first written. Tickets at just £11 are available from: https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/connla/ |
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Rachel Baiman and Molly Tuttle (The Goodbye Girls) will be co-headlining at Grateful Fred's where they will also join one another for their respective sets, making both sets a duo performance.
If you haven’t heard the music of Molly Tuttle, rest assured, you will love it. The newest artist to sign on to the prestigious Compass Records roster, she’s the first woman in the 27-year history of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards to be nominated for Guitar Player of the Year, the only instrumental category that had not yet nominated a woman. And, more importantly, she won! Molly is blazing a trail Stateside and will be showcasing songs from her debut, solo EP, Rise. The seven-song collection relies on a rock-solid bluegrass foundation as Molly breaks free without breaking ties, singing and exploring what her six-string acoustic guitar can do. Appearances at top-tier festivals including RockyGrass Festival and on programs such as A Prairie Home Companion have expanded her audience, along with almost nonstop touring. Press response has been glowing: a Flatpicking Guitar Magazine cover was followed by praise from The Bluegrass Situation, No Depression, American Songwriterand others. Mostly recently, she’s grinning somewhat slyly on Acoustic Guitar magazine’sApril 2017 cover. Molly will be co-headlining with Rachel Baiman, who some Fredheads will remember playing previously at the Grateful Fred Cafe' Sessions in July 2016 as part of "10 String Symphony". Rachel will be showcasing songs form her debut solo album, Shame,and now that her album has been released in the UK, the reviews have been pouring in. Supporting Molly and Rachel will be: Limerance Jenny and Calum, of Limerance, will be no strangers to Fredheads after they played a wonderful set in July of 2017 supporting The Danberrys. Their mix of great, original songs combined with their beautiful, close harmonies made them one of the stand out new artists that have played at Grateful Fred's. Luckily we managed to persuade them to come back and play for us again. Luckily because they are in such demand now throughout the UK that we would have missed out if we hadn't' asked then there and then to return. If you didn't' see them last year then we can promise you that you will love them. Tickets for this great night of music are just £11 from: www.theatkinson.co.uk/whats-on/regular-events/grateful-freds-at-the-atkinson/ |
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In June of 2017 Joe and Scott opened the show for New Orleans musician Gal Holiday and they really made a big impression with the audience of Fredheads that night. So much so that many of them asked if we could bring Joe and Scott back as headliners sometime in the future. Well, that time has arrived and we are chuffed to bits to be welcoming them back to Grateful Fred’s. Joe Topping is a singer-songwriter who has been described as a “cross between Ry Cooder, Woody Guthrie and Paul Brady”. From the traditional music heard in the folk clubs he grew up around to the Americana and blues influences from his adventures in the USA which have included living in a pick-up truck and driving around America for the best part of a year and later walking 1400 miles with a guitar on his back from Chicago to New Orleans! Scott Poley started his professional career at the age of 13 playing blues, pop and rock music. By age 18, he was playing with top British musicians and artists. Scott discovered a passion for country music and learned to play Pedal Steel / Lap Steel / Mandolin and most recently Dobro. His unique and intoxicating style has featured on countless recordings, including albums by Cara Luft (The Wailin Jenny’s) and John “Rabbit” Bundrick (The Who / Free). Together they make the kind of music that our Fredhead audience will love. Supporting Scott & Joe will be: John Jenkins In December of 2017, John and his band, The James Stree Band, appeared at Grateful Fred’s supporting the wonderful “Way Down Wanderers” and performed a great opening set. We were so impressed with John’s songs we asked him if he’d come back and play a solo set so we can really hear what he has to say. John is a Liverpool born singer-songwriter, who was previously with bands The Persuaders & Come in Tokio. He has supported the likes of Elvis Costello, The Beat, Echo and The Bunnymen and has appeared on a half dozen BBC Radio 1 Sessions back in the day including three sessions for the legendary John Peel. |
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Wednesday July 4th
Hillfolk Noir
Hillfolk Noir
Filtered through a half-century of folk, country and rock ‘n’ roll, and fed by family history and an affinity for acoustic mountain music, medicine show culture and Depression-era string-band blues, Hillfolk Noir are a truly compelling package. Travis and Ali Ward, the husband-and-wife half of the touring quartet (the Hillfolk handle also applies when Travis performs solo or leads a duo or trio), grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, near the Canadian border where ghostly echoes of the region’s settlers reverberate off the walls of the valley. Though the history of their native soil informs their music, it wasn’t until Travis and Ali moved to Boise independent of each other that they met. And, what a perfect pairing it was. Hillfolk Noir’s contribution to this century-old language has been described as a dark, country-tinged, swampy-swingin’, hillbilly-delta-blues-ragtime word machine. The band’s invented name for its singular sound is Junkerdash. “We make the music for ourselves because we love it; we are having a great time and hopefully that is infectious,” Travis says. http://www.hillfolknoir.com/ Supporting Hillfolk Noir will be: Mondegreen Laura, Claire and Leanne played a great set at Grateful Fred’s when they supported Henry Priestman in August of 2017 and we were so impressed with their harmonies and songs that we asked them to come and play for the “Fredheads” again this year. Their stage presence and presentation make them the perfect compliment to tonight’s headliners “Hillside Noir”. https://heymondegreen.bandcamp.com/ |
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Wednesday 1st August
The Hot Seats
The Hot Seats
Six Things To Know About The Hot Seats: 1) We like to play music, string-band music. We call it string-band music because it’s just too tedious to try and get into whether it’s old-time, bluegrass, ragtime, country, or general freakout music. 2) We have done so since 2002, mostly based out of Richmond, VA. 3) We’ve been lots of places, including all throughout the USA, the UK, Ireland, and a little piece of Europe. Some of our festival highlights have been: Tønder, Celtic Connections, The Shetland Folk Festival, The Orkney Folk Festival, South By Southwest, Floyd Fest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival, The Watermelon Park Festival, The Northeast Kingdom Music Festival, Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Maverick Festival, HebCeltFest, Speyfest, Leicester Summer Sundae and multiple occasions Edinburgh Festival Fringe (including a Herald Angel Award in 2006). 4) We like to: play fast, be funny, spasm, herk and jerk, eat exotic and frightening things, and ride in a van. 5) We love each other, we love you! 6) We are Ben, Graham, Jake, Josh, and Ed. http://thehotseatsrva.com/ Supporting The Hot Seats will be: Rachael Jean Harris Rachael played a beautiful set of her original songs at Grateful Fred’s in January of this year and we were so blown away we asked Rachael to return as soon as she could so we are delighted that she will be playing again for us to complete what will be a wonderful evening of live acoustic music. www.rachaeljeanharris.com |
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Wednesday 5th September
Henry Priestman & Les Glover
Henry Priestman & Les Glover
4Grateful Fred is chuffed to bits to be welcoming back for the 5th time our friends “Henry Priestman & Les Glover” who are possibly the most popular performers to have ever graced the Grateful Fred stage.
“Fredheads” who have seen Henry and Les perform before will already know what a treat is in-store but if you havent’ been lucky enough to have experienced their great songs, humour and repartee then you are in for a real treat. After over 38 years in the music business – and with a credit list longer than both your arms – in 2009 Henry Priestman (having not sung since 1981!!) reinvented himself as a singer-songwriter, and released his debut solo CD “The Chronicles of Modern Life” (on legendary Island Records) to critical acclaim. Never one to rush things, 5 years later, in Feb 2014 Proper Records released the eagerly awaited follow-up entitled “The Last Mad Surge of Youth”, which garnered Henry the best reviews he’s had in his many years of releasing albums. Les Glover, Henry’s sparring partner, has, over the last 39 years, been performing, either as a solo artist or as part of a band, both in the UK and across Europe, and has several TV and radio appearances (including BBC Cambridge, Coventry, Hull, Merseyside and Stoke) to his credit. He has played and sung with a variety of top acts, including Henry Priestman (The Christians /It’s Immaterial/Yachts), Graham Gouldman (10cc), Pete Riley (Edwin McCain/Amy Wadge), John Reilly (Boy on a Dolphin), JJ Gilmour (The Silencers), Lotte Mullan, and Micaela Haslam (BBC singers/Synergy Vocals) and Gary Barlow, to name but a few. He has also supported artists such as Deaf School, Fisherman’s Friends, Nick Harper, Ian McNabb, Martin Stephenson and Wreckless Eric. He has a healthy love of all styles of music, from Hank Williams to Motorhead and an unhealthy love of 70’s Pop. We can promise you a truly entertaining evening with Henry and Les that you wont’ want to miss! www.henrypriestman.com/ & lesglover.co.uk/ Supporting Henry & Les will be: Tennessee Waltz Tennessee Waltz is an acoustic country music duo from the Wirral playing an infectious mix of original, classic and contemporary rockers and thoughtful intimate ballads. With their trademark vocal harmonies Jimmy Rae (vocals and guitar) and Sarah-Lou Fletcher (vocals, mandolin and percussion) have delighted us at Grateful Freds on several occasions in recent months, both as a duo (Tennessee Waltz) and a trio (Jimmy Rae & the Moonshine Girls). Drawing on original material from Jimmy’s two well received albums to date, Tennessee Waltz are guaranteed to warm your heart and set your toes a-tapping. |
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Wednesday 3rd October
Alice Howe & Freebo
Alice Howe & Freebo
With her soulful, impeccably tuned voice and crafted poetry, Boston singer-songwriter Alice Howe is “at once of the moment and timeless, personal and universal” (Mark Walton, Americana UK). Her pure, distilled sound reflects a musical sensibility rooted in ’60s folk and ’70s Southern California songwriters. Credit is due to Alice’s parents for raising her on a steady diet of Taj Mahal, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Jackson Browne, and Joan Baez. As a performer, she is sure-footed and captivating, familiar to her audience from the very first song.
Alice is currently hard at work on her first full-length album at Aum Studio Productions in Bakersfield, California, produced by legendary bass player turned award-winning singer-songwriter Freebo (Bonnie Raitt 10 years, CSN, Maria Muldaur, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, and many others). The release is expected in late 2018. From world-renowned bassist (Bonnie Raitt 10 years, CSN, John Mayall, Maria Muldaur, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Dr. John, Loudon Wainwright) to award-winning singer/songwriter, Freebo’s music touches your heart with songs of life, love, dogs, and the human condition. He is well regarded for his high level of musicality coupled with his thoughtful and powerful use of words in song lyrics as well as in prose and narrative. He has also appeared on the classic TV shows Saturday Night Live, Midnight Special, The Tonight Show, and in concert with the legendary Spinal Tap. www.alicehowe.com & www.freebomusic.com/ Supporting Alice & Freebo will be: The Southbound Attic Band Barry and Ronnie of Southbound Attic Band are making a long-overdue return to Grateful Fred’s and will be bringing their own original songs and unique style to help complete a great evening’s bill of live acoustic music. They will be performing songs from their latest album, “Seekers Of Solace”. www.southboundatticband.com Susie Jones Lancashire born singer-songwriter Susie Jones is also making a welcome return to Grateful Fred’s having performed twice before. Susie has been exploring the worlds of folk and Americana for a number of years and Hear It My Way is her latest incarnation. With heartfelt lyrics and energetic performances, she is rightly described as a “rare individual in the music business” (Americana UK). www.susiejones.net Tickets £11 in advance from: https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/alice-howe-and-freebo/ |
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Wednesday 7th November
Lynne Hanson
Lynne Hanson
We are delighted to be welcoming back to Grateful Fred’s Canadian singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson.
We all carry a little bit of weight on our shoulders, but being compelled toward songwriting is a welcome burden for Lynne Hanson. At first listen, her warm, gritty, boot stompin’ music leads you through the southern USA, though Hanson hails from Ottawa, Canada. Her sound is born honestly through a lifetime of experience and influence, expressed through the rock, blues and roots that bleeds from her very being. With a liberal amount of Texas grit and a polished Nashville sensibility, Lynne’s songs are familiar and comfortable, yet fearless and strong. She likes things a little rough around the edges, but her deep bluesy croon is pure and full of fortitude. No matter what the song, there’s a weight and a warmth to her expression. Lynne Hanson has toured across Canada, the US, Europe and the UK, either solo or with her band The Good Intentions. She’s showcased in Austin, Phoenix and Memphis, toured in support of Grammy nominated artist Gretchen Peters and Steve Forbert, opened for Grammy-winning guitarist Albert Lee, and performed at the legendary 100 Club in London England and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to name a few. www.lynnehanson.com Supporting Lynne will be: The Jesse Janes Once again we are welcoming back artists who have performed at Grateful Fred’s, the excellent Liverpool-based “Jesse Janes”. The Jesse Janes are a Blues, Americana, Skiffle, Rock, Country, Bluegrass & Irish Trad Band from Tyrone, Bristol and lovely Liverpool. Their live show is not to be missed and promises to be a great opening for what will be a great night of live acoustic music at it’s very best. www.facebook.com/TheJesseJanesMusic Opening the show will be: White Little Lies White Little Lies are a country/folk/americana duo from Liverpool, UK, who combine the harmonies of country, folk infused guitar parts with various other elements of the ‘Americana’ and pop genres. Taking influence from bands such as; The Civil Wars, Little Big Town, The Wandering Hearts and The Eagles their aim is to put their own stamp on the UK music scene. Tickets at £11 in advance from: https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/lynne-hanson/ |
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Wednesday 5th December
Merry Hell Acoustic
Merry Hell Acoustic
This will be the sixth year that we’ve welcomed the fabulous Merry Hell Acoustic to help us celebrate another great year of music at Grateful Fred’s.
Merry Hell are one of the UK’s premier festival bands guaranteed to get you singing along to their uniquely original songs. In their own words… “Merry Hell is a band founded on the ever-evolving Folk tradition – music made by the people and shared by the people. Though our hearts and souls are tuned to the songs which came before us, we bring you new words and music forged from our own experiences, from the lows and the loves of our lives. Our art is energy and our hope is unity. Our pleasure is to please: let the audience be the acid test and let the music speak for itself…” Please come and join us for the final Grateful Fred Night of 2018 and we promise that you will have a wonderful night of original acoustic music at it’s finest. www.merryhell.co.uk Supporting Merry Hell will be: Steve Chapman Smith Steve Chapman-Smith has performed and recorded with bands Ada Wilson and keeping dark, Just Frank, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Ghostdance, Fiat Lux, Stranger than Fiction, and The Troubadors. Has had the pleasure of recording 4 John Peel sessions at the BBC Maida vale studios with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and Ghostdance. The last 3 years have seen Steve following a solo career playing acoustic shows and releasing 3 CD’s “Rise”, “Justice” and ” The Outsider” gritty songs about real life with no rose tinted glasses! www.stevechapmansmith.com Tickets at £11 in advance from: www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/merry-hell-2018/ |
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