The Big Wheel Blues Festival May 17, 18 & 19 2002
- THE MERRILL LYNCH ACOUSTIC STAGE -
at
The Shore Hotel, Lower Laxey
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PRESS RELEASE - 18th APRIL 2002
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Contact details:
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PRESS RELEASE - 18th APRIL 2002
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Introduction
The annual Big Wheel Blues Festival is in an advanced state of preparation and many bands and musicians will be performing in various venues and stages in Laxey throughout the weekend commencing at 7.00pm on Friday May 17 2002. What makes the Acoustic Stage at The Shore Hotel different? Well, the most important point is that all the music is "unplugged" - in the MTV sense - no electric guitars to be seen, or heard! But more of the music below...
The Acoustic Stage - funding
The Acoustic
Stage at The Shore Hotel in lower Laxey is delighted to announce that for the
third year running the main sponsor is leading Isle of Man business, Merrill Lynch.
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BLUES FESTIVAL 2001
"The packed tent - down by the riverside - in 2001. This year
it'll be bigger and there'll be a bar inside, too."
Dave Ashton, Acoustic Stage Manager.
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Their generosity and the interest in the local community, together with that of the Old Laxey Brewery, which
is in its fourth year of sponsorship, means that the Acoustic Stage can expand
yet again. Without this help the Acoustic Stage, one of the most popular of the entire Festival could not happen.
So for May 2002 there will be a bigger marquee at The Shore Hotel, which means more
people under cover in case of poor weather, more space for the stage, sound and light equipment .
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The Music
As usual The Merrill Lynch Acoustic stage will be entirely
free and more than
25 local musicians will be appearing over the course of the weekend. In addition to the local bands and muso's playing "unplugged" there will be
cameo performances from five internationally renowned bands/performers including
Little Chuck Little, Nicky Mitchell, Faul (rhymes with Paul) Bradley, Emily
Druce and Kevin Brown (see below for details).
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BBQ.
There will be a bigger and better BBQ this year and it will be open Friday
Evening 17th May and all day Saturday from Noon. This year will be an
all-weather arrangement with a large awning covering the BBQ - and the cook!
Just in case the weather lucks out on the festival. So, if it rains the BBQ
will still be on as will the music, in the Merrill Lynch Marquee.
The Merrill Lynch Acoustic Stage Programme - 2002
There is a great diversity of live music on Stage this year, from solo performers, singer/ songwriters, to 5 piece bands. The emphasis is on local talent who get a chance to play in a musician-friendly environment with all the right equipment, sound engineers, and lighting and they get to do it alongside some of the great professional exponents of the art. Best of all, there is a large, appreciative, audience. The programme is below.
Anything Else?
In addition to the music, the real ale and the BBQ there is also a new stand inside the marquee;
Paul Chambers CD stand.
Paul, who specialises in interesting recordings will be offering them for sale at the festival. He came along last year just to enjoy the show and was so knocked out by it he wanted to get involved this year.
Also in the marquee will be, once again, the Peter Norris Music Stand and Display. Peter sends along heaps of gear and some fabulous instruments every year, all of which can be bought or just drooled over.
In conclusion...
Just 4 short weeks to go and things are looking good for Festival 2002 in
general and for the Merrill Lynch Acoustic Stage in particular. This is a
fundraising event and profits from the Acoustic Stage
of the Big Wheel Blues Festival will hopefully, once again, make a substantial
contribution to The British Red Cross.
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Details of International Guests & Programme
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EMILY DRUCE
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Rising country blues guitarist and singer Emily Druce, released her debut album
'The Guilt Trip' in 2000. The album has been received with great enthusiasm,
within both the blues and folk circuits, with her own highly accomplished
compositions combining well with material from blues masters such as Robert
Johnson,
Memphis Minnie and Big Bill Broonzy. Her inclusion of the country classics,
'Walking After Midnight' and 'Sitting Alone in the Moonlight', demonstrate her
musical versatility.
Likened to the late Jo Ann Kelly, Emily Druce has risen quickly from her local
pub
scene, to impress festival audiences with passionate acoustic performances of
her
own material, and sensitive arrangements of blues classics.
With her rapidly expanding repertoire, including more self penned material,
Emily's performances appeal not just to followers of acoustic blues, but also
to fans of country and folk music. Emily will give you a taste of her music on
the Acoustic Stage at 3.15pm Saturday afternoon - Don't miss it.
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Emily Druce
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LITTLE CHUCK LITTLE
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Is one of the most unique acts today. Kelly Elliott, David Thorpe and Paddy
Kirkman have
stamped their name firmly on the live music circuit resulting in major festival
appearances,
TV work, gigs nationwide and performances as far a field as South Korea.
What sets LITTLE CHUCK LITTLE apart form other acts is their ability to perform
classic
Jazz and blues in their own trademark style only possible with Kelly's spine
tingling
vocals (often compared to the likes of Eva Cassidy and Janice Joplin) together
with her
solid double bass playing, David's lung bursting harmonica and Paddy's
awe-inspiring
lead guitar. The result is 'Frantic Jazz Blues and Skiffle mayhem'.
Little Chuck Little have set out to do everything the other bands don't and
have developed
a sound like no other act.
Little Chuck Little pride themselves on their live performances. Not only are
they a musical
phenomenon, but also offer a great act guaranteed to stun audiences whatever
their musical
tastes.
Wow!
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Little Chuck Little - a trio this year and a very welcome return
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KEVIN BROWN
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Born in Lancashire, Kevin Brown has had a lifelong devotion to music,
especially the blues,
and its related genres, and his passion for slide guitar has resulted in many
outstanding
recordings and performances throughout the world.
All of Kevin's work is emotionally strong, whether it be with a full rhythm
section, or as a
solo performer. His work is greatly admired by other artists, and although not
a household
name, Kevin often performs to sell out audiences , many of who follow his
career with great
interest. His fresh approach to slide playing and willingness to examine new
ideas has
resulted in recordings which often seem to have a 'timeless' nature to them as
well as
perpetually generating interest.
Kevin has now released five excellent albums, each better than the last, and
his most
recent effort 'Mojave Dust' was released in October 2001, has finally generated
the credit
he has long deserved. Recorded at home, the album also features Kevin in
collaboration
with Master Kora player from Senegal 'Moussa Kouyate'. This combination of pure
West
African classical tradition and Kevin's highly melodic slide style has
enraptured audiences
throughout Europe since they began performing in 2000
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Kevin Brown at work
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FAUL BRADLEY
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Singer Songwriter Faul Bradley, has an excellent collection of superb self
penned
material, taking traditional acoustic and slide guitar, and adding his own
influence,
creating a more contemporary style, that will appeal not just to fans of
acoustic blues
but to followers of folk, and anyone who enjoys deep, soul felt acoustic blues.
Go to
the Bridge Inn on Saturday evening, and you won't be disappointed unless you
forget
to get a ticket in advance.
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Faul Bradley "...now what were those lyrics?"
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NICKY MITCHELL
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For the past eight years Nicky has played and sung all over the world,
performing with
top acts such as Dana Gillespie, Taka Boom. Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges, and
Geoff
Aichison.
As a solo performer she achieves a big full rhythmic sound with driving bass
lines and
foot stomping. Her committed delivery and on stage presence make her an
exciting female
Blues soloist, with a voice that is simply stunning.
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Nicky Mitchell plays what looks like a rather nice Gibson
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THE PROGRAMME
for May 17 & 18
subject to change (it's just the way of it...)
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Last change made: 16th April 2002
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FRIDAY EVENING
- 17th May 2002 -
The Shore Hotel, Laxey
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7.00pm - 7.45pm
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Opening Ceremony & Welcome to the 2002 Acoustic Stage!
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8.00pm - 8.30pm
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NICKY MITCHELL
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8.45pm - 9.15pm
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THE FINKS
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9.30pm - 10.00pm
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Mr RIFF
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10.15pm - 10.45pm
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SMOKEY JOE'S BLUES CAFE
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11.00pm to CLOSE
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LITTLE CHUCK LITTLE
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SATURDAY AFTERNOON
18th May 2002
- THE SHORE HOTEL, Laxey -
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1.00pm - 1.30pm
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WILSON GRAHAM
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1.45pm - 2.15pm
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THE SPACE
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2.30pm - 3.00pm
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HUNCH RHYTHM
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3.15pm - 3.45pm
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EMILY DRUCE
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4.00pm - 4.30pm
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MR RIFF
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4.45pm - 5.15pm
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DUBIOUS ORIGIN
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5.30pm - 6.00pm
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AL LAWRENCE
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6.15pm - 7.00pm
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DOGHOUSE
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SATURDAY EVENING
18th May 2002
- THE SHORE HOTEL, Laxey -
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7.15pm - 7.45pm
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MARK & JAMIE ARMSTRONG
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8.00pm - 8.30pm
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ZURICH JAZZ TRIO
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8.45pm - 9.15pm
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KEVIN BROWN
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9.30pm- 10.00pm
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STEPH KNEALE-BARROW
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10.15pm - 10.45pm
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FAUL BRADLEY
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11.00pm - CLOSE
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THE G.A.S.P.
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