!!New!!

HAM has teamed up with TicketSource to allow you to buy your ticket for HAM events online. Tickets are the same price online but the purchaser also pays a small booking fee to TicketSource. Save your postage cheque and time and book HAM concerts online now!

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Review: Please read the review of the HAM Ewan Carruthers tribute concert held at the Half Moon on January 29th 2011. It was written by Ray Dobson and entitled 'Well Worth the Journey'

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What's on at HAM in 2012....

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Jon Brindley and Dan Wilde in concert

Jon Brindley

I'd like to let you know about the music in me.... I feel very lucky that I've played and sang in piano bars, at some of the larger folk festivals, art galleries, country festivals, pubs, arts centres, care homes, band stands, on street corners and café terraces all over Europe.

My songs might well take you to new places and after the feeling that brings the creation of a song I want to recreate the atmosphere and spark of that moment… I have a new album, The Missing Emotion recorded with my voice, my acoustic guitar and the double bass of James Budden, then layered with other instruments played by myself (with the notable exception of Steve Wickham on the fiddle).

Performing is like being on a journey – one that can find a lively rhythm - and there's so much to share along the way… Sometimes I will caress those guitar strings delicately then other times throw that beat straight at you creating bass lines and layering lead phrases on the chord progressions. My fiddle was handed down from my Grandma and I could well play you one or two of my compositions. I was inspired to take it busking all round Europe after reading Laurie Lee. I've explored music through many forms. Celtic melodies, blues, contemporary folk, country, rock, popular songs and traditional ballads can all be picked out of my repertoire and it's usually my own interpretations. Expect the unexpected!

There are artists who, over the years, have played a big part in broadening my taste and who've filled the well whilst showing me other ways of performing. To throw a few names into the frame I could mention the likes of The Beatles, The Waterboys, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Dick Gaughan, Sandy Denny, Buffy Sainte Marie, Paul Brady, BB King, Victor Jara, Richard Thompson, Alisdair Fraser, Martin Simpson, Andy Irvine, Yvon Agbo, Jacques Brel, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley, Jethro Tull, Woody Guthrie, Billy Morrisson and the wonderful Irish fiddler Kevin Burke. But then everybody's different…

As I walk towards new horizons, spreading a smile and a message of hope is what I live for…

Plus!!

Dan Wilde

Dan Wilde is a talented young musician hailing from the northern seaside town of Blackpool and one of the finest new song writing talents around.

A gifted guitarist with a soulful & captivating voice, Dan is an honest performer cut from the same cloth as the likes of Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Paul Brady.

Fresh from a tour of the USA and Eastern European dates supporting Irish troubadour Mark Geary, Dan celebrating the recent release of his debut album "This Is The Place" in Spring 2011 through Littlest Mojo Music.

Find out more about Dan and listen to his music on his own website http://www.danwilde.net/

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March
Saturday 17th
Half Moon
Elloughton
8pm Start

Tickets £14.00

Special evening including hot supper and special guest

SOLD OUT !!

Richard Digance

Richard Digance is known as one of the great folk entertainers of the 70s and 80s. His evergreen career has been acknowledged through numerous awards within both the music and entertainment industries. He has supported Steve Martin in the USA, Robin Williams at The London Palladium.

Richard Digance is indeed unique. Name another performer who appeals to all age groups by singing his own songs, telling fun stories, whilst throwing in his popular poems and legendary audience participation sing-songs for good measure. But it's on stage Richard is most comfortable, giving two hours of original material with just a guitar, no support acts, no gimmicks, just one man with a treasure chest of stories collected over 35 years in the entertainment industry. In recent years he built a further following through his regular appearances on Channel 4s Countdown.

He has also worked with a multitude of world-class artists; Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, Elton John, Steeleye Span, David Essex, Jim Davidson, Supertramp, Elkie Brooks and Tom Jones. His TV specials for ITV ran for a record 11 years and on these shows he played guitar with Brian May, Status Quo, The Moody Blues, Buffy St Marie, Juan Martin, Marc Cohn who wrote Walking in Memphis. But who's name dropping !

Find out more about Richard at his website

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Plus Special Guest!!!

John Watterson (Fake Thackray)

HAM is delighted to confirm that John Watterson (Fake Thackray) will be appearing as special guest of Richard Digence!

John Watterson has performed the songs of Jake Thackray at festivals, concerts, clubs, after dinner venues and – most specially – to members of Jake’s family.

Jake’s songs are exquisitely funny, satirical, incisive, irreverent, witty and gloriously un-PC – and sometimes all of these at the same time. Jake was a one off, his poetry broke the rules yet worked beautifully. He was a true craftsman of the English language, and his legacy of scores of songs continues to delight audiences of all ages today.

John's appreciation and love of Jake Thackray's music is obvious to his audience. John’s performance is a celebration of the man that was Jake Thackray - his work, his genius and his very essence, an essence that the new age of music lovers are in danger of missing out on.

John is a talented guitarist and vocalist and has that engaging quality that makes you want to listen to his performance. When you wrap these ingredients up in the songs of Jake Thackray the result is a highly entertaining, heartfelt tribute to one of the finest songwriters of the 20th century.

"'Fake Thackray' is so good that when I heard his CD.I was convinced it was Jakes album. Fake Thackray is a must see act so check him out." Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention

Find out more about John on his website

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April
Saturday 21st
Half Moon,
Elloughton
8pm Start

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LUCY WARD

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The Good Lovelies

Hunsley Acoustic Music are delighted to present one of Canadas brightest young bands as they undertake a short tour of the UK in 2012. Canadian Juno award winners 2010, they are in such demand all over Canada, UK and Australia.

Funny and upbeat, with just a pinch of sass, the Good Lovelies' textbook three-part harmonies, constant instrument swapping and witty on-stage banter have enlivened the folk music landscape since they joined forces in 2006 for their first show at Toronto's funky Gladstone Hotel.

-watch this space!

If you can't wait visit their own website or find them on MySpace or google the group and see their videos on YouTube

!!Plus!!

Landermason

Fiona Lander and Paul Mason collectively known as 'Landermason' have been writing, recording and performing together for ten years. Multi instrumentalist Fiona (vocals, piano, whistles, saxes, clarinet and recorder) and Paul (guitars and vocals) have developed a unique sound which displays their undoubted talents. They combine both traditional and contemporary folk with jazz and other styles in their beautiful and striking arrangements.

Landermason have recorded and produced 4 CD's to date on their own label LAMA Records. Tracks from two of their albums 'The Reason' and 'Angel of the North' have gained national airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 3 as well as on many other radio shows across the network.

Their LIVE sound is impressive, full of variety and with plenty of audience interaction. Often described as 'refreshingly different', Landermason are equally at home entertaining audiences in folk and acoustic music clubs, theatres, festivals, village halls and pubs and are proud to have performed at some of the UK's best known live music venues.

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HAM JUBILEE JAM

More details coming soon!!

TCT Sessions - Moonbeam Folk festival

Midsummer Music Madness

Is back!!!

More details coming soon!!

Jo-Ann and Becky, THE HALEY SISTERS, were born and raised in West Yorkshire, in the village of Harden just outside of Bingley. From a very early age they followed in their parents footsteps showing a strong interest in music, especially Country Music.

The Haley Sisters first appeared professionally back in 1989, when they launched themselves into a successful singing career. Since then they have appeared at leading venues, festivals, theatres and clubs throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, gaining massive popularity by virtue of their natural talent, dedication and down to earth personalities.

They have received numerous awards and accolades from the Most Promising New Act - British Country Music Association (1990) to Song of The Year (Somewhere Along The Road) - UK Radio Awards (2005).

In June 1993 guitarist Brian Smith joined them, having previously worked in Nashville, Tennessee, on Crystal Gayle's Three Good Reasons album.
Jo-Ann, Becky and Brian are still performing as a trio today.
In 1997 the Haley Sisters created their own independent record label :- Comet Records

Members:
Becky :- Vocals, acoustic rhythm/lead guitar.
Jo-Ann :- Vocals, bass guitar.
Brian :- Rhythm/lead guitar, percussion, Jaws Harp and a little bit of banjo .. ..

Find out more and listen on My Space

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October
Saturday 20th
Village Hall
Elloughton
8pm Start

THE CARRIVICK SISTERS

The Carrivick Sisters

The Carrivick Sisters are twins Laura and Charlotte Carrivick from South Devon, England.
They play a variety of bluegrass instruments (mainly guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro and fiddle) with vocal harmonies and are both songwriters. Although their background is in bluegrass, their music has a strong folk influence which is evident in their original songs, many of which are inspired by their local landscape and stories.

The Carrivick Sisters are experienced performers, having played all over the UK, in Europe, and in Canada. They have recorded four CD's so far: "My Own Two Feet" in 2006; "Better Than 6 Cakes" in 2007; "Jupiter's Corner" released in April 2009; with "From the Fields" released on the 22nd August 2011 to much critical acclaim.

In 2007 they won the South West Busker's and Street Entertainer's Competition, gaining themselves their first spot at Glastonbury Festival. In 2008 Laura achieved 2nd place at the Rocky Grass Fiddle Contest in America. More recently, the Carrivick Sisters were finalists in the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2010.

"I am very impressed by The Carrivick Sisters, one of the best young duos I've heard. The girls sing and play as one and their work is characterised by great musicality. They are not only very talented instrumentalists and singers but they write really good songs as well." – Ralph McTell

Laura - Having wanted to play violin since she was about 4, Laura finally got her first fiddle at 9 or 10. Starting out with strict classical training, she got bored of this and started to rebel by playing along to Chieftains CDs. Several years later however, she found bluegrass which seemed even more fun, and equally as important, faster! Bluegrass led both the twins to Sore Fingers Summer Schools where they heard the dobro for the first time when Sally Van Meter was teaching there. Laura was hooked and decided to take it up about a year later. In September 2008, Laura bought a cello which can be heard on a couple of tracks on "Jupiter's Corner". Through the years Laura has also picked up the guitar and mandolin.

Charlotte - Charlotte started out on classical guitar when she was 9, partly self taught and partly taught by their dad. When Laura joined the school folk group, Charlotte followed and picked up the mandolin. Also self taught, until she attended Matt Flinner's mandolin course at Sore Fingers and realised she had it all wrong! Soon after, with her mandolin playing back on the right track, she started to flatpick the guitar. In the summer of 2008, she took up the clawhammer banjo.

Find out more and listen to the Carrivick sisters at their myspace site

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Prelude

Prelude, was formed by Brian Hume and fellow guitarist/vocalist Ian Vardy in 1970. They persuaded Irene Hume to join them in 1971 and under the name of Trilogy, started to play local folk clubs in the Newcastle area.

Ditching the name Trilogy in favour of the more evocative Prelude, the trio released 'Edge Of The Sea' b/w 'Looking For Indians' in March 1972. However this proved something of a false start, and it was only when they moved to the more adventurous Dawn label in the summer of 1973 that Prelude's career began to take off.

Prelude were heavily influenced on both a musical and lyrical level by American harmony-based soft rock acts like Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash and Young. However the stand out track of the album was an inspired adaptation of 'After The Goldrush', on which Irene's lead vocal emphasised the latent hymnal qualities of Neil Young's back-to-the-land lament.

'After The Goldrush' was duly issued as a single in November 1973. Following live Prelude performances on both Capital Radio and Radio One, it quickly became a worldwide success, reaching the top 20 in the UK, No 12 in the USA and No1 in both Canada and Australia.
The group were committed to live work, notably a support slot on a nationwide Ralph McTell tour, followed by a headlining European jaunt that took in Holland, Belgium and Germany, and were unable to find time to record an immediate follow up. The next release, an adaptation of the Beatles 'Here Comes The Sun' wasn't released until July 1974.
A re-released version of 'After The Goldrush' then hit No. 21 and was followed by a top 75 hit with their unique interpretation of the old Roy Orbison classic 'Only The Lonely' in the summer of 1982.

They continued to tour and delight audiences throughout the 80's, touring with Don McClean and Joan Armatrading. Ian Vardy left the band in 1985 and Irene and Brian played as a duo with various musicians joining them until1998 they were joined by Chris Ringer on bass In 2009 Ian Vardy joined Prelude on stage as a guest and from then on he started rehearsing and performing with the band. Leading to plans to record a new album in late 2011 with new material from Brian and Ian. Chris decided to depart in September 2011 and the decision was taken that the band would go back to the original trio but would use bass and percussion where appropriate.

Brian Hume: guitar and vocals
Irene Hume: vocals and percussion
Ian Vardy: guitar and vocals