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FOAOTMAD News and Events Email To stay updated with all that’s happening with old-time sessions, concerts, dances and other events you can request our FOAOTMAD event email here Paul Bennett - News, Events and Mailout 24 March: Ben Paley & Robin Gillan, formerly two-thirds of the New Deal String Band, now playing as a duo, are among the most respected musicians working in the American tradition today. Both have lived and played in the United States, and have worked with the greats of the UK scene — Tom Paley, Joe Locker and Kate Lissauer, to name but a few. Their repertoire includes old-time dance tunes from all over the US as well as traditional ballads, blues, early country music and more. Expect an eclectic show from fiddle-player Ben and multi-instrumentalist Robin; https://newdealstringband.com
Cellar upstairs Folk Club The club meets on Mondays from 8pm to 10.45pm, upstairs at the Alpaca, 84-86 Essex Road, N1 8LU, between Pickering Street and Popham Street (www.thealpaca.co.uk). The pub is about a 10-minute walk from the Angel tube and a shorter walk from Essex Road railway station; several buses go up and down that road to and from the Angel. No tickets are needed for any of the nights listed here: people just pay on the door – in cash only (though we can still take cheques from those who still use those). Floor-performers are always welcome. On Mondays, I leave a recorded message on 020 7281 7700, giving information about the club – who’s on, the pub’s address, times, prices, etc. The entrance fee is going up by £1 to £8 for members and £10 for non-members; this is in line with most other London folk clubs. Fri Feb 7 8:30 pm Green Note - London Sat Feb 8 8pm Square and Compass - Swanage Sun Feb 9 2pm Square and Compass - Swanage Mon Feb 10 8pm Norman Knight - Whichford Tues Feb 11 St. Jerome's Church - Llangwan 19.30 - 22.00pm Wrap up warm as it can feel a little chilly in church although there is underfloor heating. Tickets; £12.50 available from 07496 698724 or email [email protected] Wed Feb 12 9pm The Cluny - Newcastle Upon Tyne Thurs Feb 13 7pm Craigdarroch Arms - Moniaive Martha & Lucas You've Rambled Too Long Martha Spencer is a singer-songwriter, mountain musician and dancer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We have hosted her previously with her family band The Whitetop Mountain String Band, as well as in various duo's. Martha grew up with her musical family, playing many instruments and singing as well as carrying the tradition of flat foot dancing to the music traditional to the Blue Ridge. Having successfully toured throughout the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and mainland Europe she will be returning to the UK to entertain us here in Pembrokeshire on the 11th of February. Martha has also been included in articles in the NY Timesm Austin Chronicle, Billboard and The Fiddlin' Documentary movie. Lucas Pasley is an old time fiddler/ banjoist and singer songwriter from Sparta, North Carolina in the heart of the southern Appalachian mountains. Rooted in traditional Appalachian and Country music, Lucas often pulls lyrics from his family's writing as well as his own with an emphasis on instrumental solos and harmony singing. His first album, Souls Living On, is a collection of four generations of songwriting in his family and his new album, Ponies Back Home, was released in May 2023.  8th of January St Jerome's Church, The Green, Llangwm SA62 4JL Start time: 19.30 and should all be wrapped up by 22.00pm Tickets are £10.00 Available from 07496 698724 or email [email protected] Horsenecks Website The Horsenecks are Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern. Based in Astoria, Oregon, they are two multi-instrumentalists who have come together from traditional music backgrounds and found a sound that weaves through layers of influence that include early Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, country, classic bluegrass and original folk. Gabrielle's fiddle style is the result of being raised in the Old Time music hotbed of Portland, OR and being exposed to the fiddle traditions of the Southeast US through years of traveling to festivals and learning from some of the greatest players in the genre. Now deep in the world of songwriting, she brings together her background in traditional music and modern influences across many genres to create a catalog of songs that feel old and new, familiar and unique. Barry’s banjo and guitar playing range from thrilling and high-octane to moody and captivating, and his versatility shines whether flatpicking, playing clawhammer, or driving three-finger banjo. Barry has been consistently active in his home town of Liverpool’s music scene for over 20 years, playing lead guitar with cult heroes Tramp Attack ( Must Destroy Records) and on into the UK Old Time and Bluegrass scene, playing with multiple groups. Together, they create a distinctive sound, neither traditional or contemporary, their powerful harmony singing front and center. The Horsenecks continue to set a new standard in today's traditional music scene with years of touring under their belts, appearances at major festivals in the USA and the UK and three critically acclaimed studio albums. Six Foot Under Wave The Ocean  Three unique musical voices unite to deliver a powerful yet intimate blend of Appalachian old-time songs and tunes, alongside a collection of beautifully crafted soulful originals. On this special February 2025 tour, Hannah and Michael will be joined by Cahalen Morrison for a run of dates in Scotland, followed by Vera Van Heeringen for a run of shows in England/Wales. Over recent years, Hannah Read and Michael Starkey have fast become one of the most sought-after fiddle-banjo duos on the UK acoustic music scene. Their richly dynamic take on Appalachian old-time music has seen them enthrall audiences up and down the country, both during their live shows and on their critically acclaimed debut duo album ‘Cross The Rolling Water’, released on Hudson Records. On the Scotland leg of the tour they are joined by special guest Cahalen Morrison, hailing from New Mexico. An insightful and poetic wordsmith and songwriter, a subtle and accomplished roots multi-instrumentalist and a captivating singer. On the English/Welsh leg of the tour they have a special guest in Vera Van Heeringen, an accomplished and highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. She was part of the brilliant comedic New Rope String Band for five years and has toured with several Cajun and old-time greats such as Eddie LeJeune and Dirk Powell. https://www.hannahandmichaelmusic.com/shows https://www.cahalen.com/tour-dates https://veravanheeringen.com/shows
The Lonesome Ace Stringband bring grit, skill and abandon to Americana music, bridging old-time, bluegrass and folk traditions into a seamless hybrid of original material that is at once fresh and timeless. The trio’s sound is anchored in the fiddle and clawhammer banjo of John Showman and Chris Coole. They are joined by a rotating cast of extraordinary upright bassists (including founding member Max Malone, James Mceleney, and Lotus Wight). The band moves freely between a sound so commanding it doesn’t seem like it should be coming from a stringband, to a sparse fragility that draws the listener closer. Whether singing about climate change, modern love, BBQ techniques or life's inevitable existential crises, the band cuts to the core. They can also turn and churn out a tune with so much verve that it will make your heart spin and set the dance floor swirling. https://lonesomeace.com/shows  Evie Ladin & Sophie Wellington - Meltham, Huddersfield concert & workshops, 23rd November Evie and Sophie will perform a concert and lead afternoon workshops in Meltham near Huddersfield on Saturday 23rd November as part of their UK tour. A generation apart, Evie and Sophie both grew up steeped in the traditional folk music & dance scenes in the Eastern USA. Exploring an extensive shared repertoire of old-time & American roots music, as both percussive dancers and multi-instrumentalists, they make a powerful duo! Renowned California-based banjoist, singer, songwriter, dancer and square dance caller Evie Ladin will be a familiar name to most UK old-time fans. Evie has toured all over the world, including visits to the UK in her duo with Keith Terry and previously with the Stairwell Sisters. She has released numerous albums, including her latest collection of banjo-fiddle duets, Riding the Rooster 2. Evie is a an in-demand teacher of banjo, dance and singing, a leading proponent of the art of body percussion and a director of the International Body Music Festival. Originally from Virginia, Sophie Wellington is an exciting young American fiddler and dancer who, like Evie, was brought up steeped in community music, attending festivals and square dances from a young age. Sophie attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston and has since released her debut solo album, showcasing her versatility across old time fiddle tunes, percussive dance duets and vocal jazz standards. Sophie has taught fiddle and step dance at camps including the the Augusta Heritage Center and the Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week. She has competed at various fiddlers’ conventions, placing and winning in categories including old time fiddle and flatfooting. Sophie has been touring with rising star Willi Carlisle this year, lending her skills on fiddle, vocals and feet to his band. True North Music will be hosting an evening gig in Meltham on 23rd November (the only Yorkshire date of the tour) and the excellent Sugarwell Hill duo will open the show. There will also be afternoon workshops in old time fiddle (Sophie) and body percussion (Evie) in the same venue, The Carlile Institute. Meltham is a lovely village set in dramatic Pennine scenery about 5 miles from Huddersfield and 4 miles from Holmfirth (within an hour of Leeds and Manchester). There are several eating and drinking options within steps of the venue, and many more within 10 minutes' drive. Why not make a day of it and join us for this Appalachian music and dance special? For more info, video clips and ticket links for Meltham visit bit.ly/EvieSophieMelthamInfo and for a full list of UK tour dates, check out evieladin.com  Rattle on the Stovepipe - old-time band playing old American songs and tunes, but Dave Arthur, Pete Cooper and Dan Stewart also perform British songs and tunes, on banjo, guitar, melodeon and mandolin, with harmonies. The club now meets on Mondays from 8pm to 10.45pm, upstairs at the Alpaca, 84-86 Essex Road, N1 8LU, between Pickering Street and Popham Street (www.thealpaca.co.uk). The pub is about a 10-minute walk from the Angel tube and a shorter walk from Essex Road railway station; several buses go up and down that road to and from the Angel. No tickets are needed, just pay on the door – in cash only.  Buffalo Gals at The Song Loft, The York House Centre, London Road Stony Stratford MILTON KEYNES MK11 1JQ The Buffalo Gals are fast becoming the country’s favourite old-time country string band. Firmly rooted in traditional American music, with an authentic sound driven by fiddle, banjo, percussive step dance, and soaring harmonies, they produce an irresistible show packed with all the excitement, passion and fun of Appalachian, Bluegrass, Blues and Cajun tunes and songs. Buffalo Gals perform Old-time country music from the Southern Appalachian region of the United States, and specialises in using music, song and dance to convey the spirit, excitement and passion of American roots music. They are a group of professional performers with a wide range of talents and interests, all of whom share a passion for the traditional music of the USA, and bring to their performance their many years of experience and enthusiasm for the genre. Tickets £13.20 from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/604132 or £14.00 on the door. Doors open 7.30pm Event starts at 8.00pm. There will be a bar.  For Gainsborough 2025 we have Martha Spencer and Lucas Pasley coming from the USA.
They are looking for any gigs in the UK during the week leading up to the festival. If anyone is interested in booking them, can they please contact Tim Rooke on [email protected] Please note that I will be away on holiday until 20th August and will not be around to update the FOAOTMAD news page or send emails. Paul.
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