3 Mike Nicholson
Gifted with a truly lovely melodious voice, Mike's singing started at age 7 and progressed via church choir to head choirboy through Light Operatic singing lead roles and then in 1988, he went to Maidenhead Folk Club where he felt an instant bond with the music. He started singing around local clubs and his first solo performance in 1989 led to bookings all over the country. Quote by Horsham FC "....an immaculately chosen repertoire of songs traditional and modern, he always gets this club singing gloriously; it's got to the point where we need an annual fix of Nicholson"! His guitar accompaniment subtley enhances the atmophere of a song and he builds a lovely relationship with his audiences with a voice described by BBC Radio Lancs as "like a warm fire on a winter's evening".
Mike has been involved in the folk music scene since 1989 combining a traditional singing style with contemporary material. "You don't just hear it, you feel it inside"
Unknown Morris dancer - Broadstairs Folk Week, Kent Style.
It is often said that Mike's style is traditional which surprises him because most, but not all, of his material is contemporary. His delivery is clear and the interpretation of the song is uncluttered. ("Mike sings the song, not just the tune" Roy Harris). His personality is warm and his style relaxed. His use of guitar is subtle and supportive and used only to enhance the atmosphere of the song. His bass-baritone voice is "rich, mellow, vibrant, resonant, melodic, like very dark chocolate or a pint of Guinness."
10 Anything Goes
Play, Sing, read a Poem, tell a Story, listen, fetch the beer, anything
17 Anything Goes preceded by brief AGM at 7.45pm
Play, Sing, read a Poem, tell a Story, listen, fetch the beer, anything
24 Rosie Doonan & Ben Murray
| Now bursting on the scene, they played half a dozen festivals in 2004 to great acclaim, including the main stage at Broadstairs Folk Week with Dougie MacLean and the main Sunday concert at Bromyard. There's already a buzz going around. Now they are beginning their first year touring folk clubs. What an exciting time! Ben and Rosie inherit their love of folk music from their respective fathers, Phil Murray and Mick Doonan - both of Hedgehog Pie and The Doonan Family Band - but having said that, these two bring a fresh new approach. |  |
They sing traditional material and write their own (surprisingly mature) songs using arrangements which bring a hint of modern acoustic and jazz to their folk roots . They play guitar and piano and both sing - she with a voice like a cross between Kate Rusby and Katherine Roberts and he with a voice that would not disgrace a young James Taylor - but comparisons, though they may be a starting point, are not totally helpful because these two are not imitations of those gone before, as their debut song, 'Gypsy Davy' proves. Catch it on the Evolving Traditions 4 CD. They have an album currently in production. |
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