Ploughmens Bunch

Forthcoming Dates

2011-07-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

We have bookings on....
6th Aug 2011- Hackthorn
24th Sept - Howsham nr Brigg
7th Oct - Eastgate Church,Lincoln (public)

19 Nov - Nettleham Village Hall

31 Mar 2012 - Gainsborough
12 May - Lincoln (Charity Ceilidh)
23rd June - Nottingham

PLOUGHMENS BUNCH WEBSITE & CONTACT DETAILS

2011-07-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

LIVE DATES & CONTACT DETAILS @ www.myspace.com/ploughmensbunch

Tel - Steve/Anne Jackson - 01522-824563 re booking enquiries for ceilidhs & or concerts

email stephen.jackson8@ntlworld.com

anne.jackson83@ntlworld.com

Ploughmens Bunch also on Facebook
A smaller three piece version, The Delta Dogs also available.
Contact Anne or Steve at above email/tel

Skirmish At Thurlaston 24th Nov 2007

2007-11-29T02:13:00.000-08:00

The Sealed Knot Ceilidh at Thurlaston Village Hall in Leicester. One for mums and dads and kids too! It's a skirmish, a muster, a good time was had by all,including Anne's singing debut on the Hokey Cokey! We also had ye olde raffle.

The perfect dance floor!

Cherry Willingham French Twinning 3rd Nov 2007

2007-11-28T02:45:00.000-08:00

A return visit for the Cherry Willingham French Twinning Association "Do". A full dance floor as you can see. Anne doing a stirling job considering a large number were French.

Texas Oct 2007

2007-10-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

Various pics from our Texas adventure 19th - 28th October. From the top, this is our Abbey Road moment on Stockbridge Drive in Denton just prior to our performance at the open day at the apartments. Then a clip of Blue Moon of Kentucky live from Azle plus the October poster for our Banton coffee shop gig in Denton on the 26th and a pic of us playing at the venue. Spot the additional musician on bodhran,that's Mark from Tipplers Folly, a local Denton Celtic band. Anne's found her hat and Mel shows the young un's how to fiddle at Azle. Going through our set list at Jaime and Ruth's apartment. The rodeo at Mesquite and Dave driver extrodinaire (plus bass player and harmonica) which meant the rest of us could sit in comfort and watch Texas go by in the people carrier! The Abbey Church venue at Azle, a bit like the tardis,from the outside looks shedlike but on the inside terrific facilities and layout and sound system. Thanks to Paul and Perryanne for their hospitality in Azle, making it a night to remember.

Ric Palieri With Ploughmens Bunch

2007-09-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Had an enjoyable evening with Rik Palieri at the Lincoln Drill Hall on Monday 15th October. We opened the show to a very receptive audience, held the raffle and then Rik took centre stage and we joined him at the end for a range of numbers including Midnight Special, This Land Is Your Land, Swing Low and Hobo's Lullabye. A good time was had by all! Thanks for the support and looking to do something similar at the Drill Hall again. This was a nice American touch before our trip to Texas.

LINCOLN BUSKING FESTIVAL

2007-07-18T13:23:00.001-07:00

Lincoln Busking Festival - 14th July 2007, Castle Square Lincoln.

Photographs by David Thompson. Thanks David

We played three half hour sets, alongside other musicians, balloon makers and the like, including a very enjoyable set to a seated audience in St Mary Magdelene Church, preaching the gospel of Creedence Clearwater Revival! Looks like we might be back there for a concert next year. The rain managed to stay away too!

OUR LADY OF LINCOLN CEILIDH 12TH MAY 2007

2007-07-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

Pics from the Gillian Webb 50th Birthday Ceilidh at Our Lady Of Lincoln Church Hall-12th May,2007

Between The Hammer And The Anvil

2007-07-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

We were asked by a couple of Lincoln University media students (Annabel and Harry) to provide some music for a radio drama they were producing. "Between The Hammer And The Anvil" It's a nautical tale set in the early 18 hundreds around Portugal and Spain. Harry provided the songs (Stem The Revolution and The Rising Of The Sun) and we put our slant on them. Hear we are in the University studio having a quick run through before the live recording.

2007-07-12T05:19:00.000-07:00

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BREAKFAST

*16TH DEC 2006-THE 9TH ANNUAL "PLOUGHMENS BUNCH" CHRISTMAS TURKEY BASH AT WILLIAM FARR SCHOOL,WELTON - BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!

PICS FROM THE SEALED KNOT CEILIDH FOR LORD GREY'S REGIMENT AT THURLASTON VILLAGE HALL,LEICESTER (25th NOV 2006)

* JOHN CONNOLLY'S BILL MONROE STORY- BUSY WEEKEND OVER JULY 14TH AND 15TH. FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MARKET RASEN FOLK CLUB, A GOOD MIX OF PERFORMERS WITH JOHN CONNOLLY "TOP OF THE BILL". IN RESPONSE TO OUR RENDITON OF "DO-SI-DO TO BILL MONROE", JOHN TOLD A NICE STORY ABOUT BILL MONROE (PICTURED RIGHT) AND THE BLUGRASS BOYS PLAYING IN GRIMSBY AT THE CENTRAL HALL IN THE MID-SIXTIES, ON THEIR ONLY UK TOUR. THE BAND ALL WENT BACK TO JOHN'S MUM'S HOUSE AFTER THE GIG FOR TEA! A GAGGLE OF POLITE SOUTHERN REDNECKS IN CLEETHORPES. JOHN WAS REMINDED BY SEEING STEVE'S STRUMMER, THAT ON HIS MUM'S WALL WAS A "BALALIKA" WHICH BILL SPOTTED. IT WAS A LITTLE LIKE A STRUMMER BUT AS SOON AS JOHN'S MUM SAID IT WAS A RUSSIAN INSTRUMENT, BILL WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!

*BUSKING IN BAILGATE,LINCOLN ON SATURDAY (15TH JULY,2006) WAS QUITE AN ENDURANCE TEST. THE WEATHER WAS FANTASTIC BUT ANYONE WHO HAS BUSKED, KNOWS IT'S ALL ABOUT PROJECTION AND VOLUME, WITHOUT ANY AMPLIFICATION. SO AFTER FOUR HALF HOUR SESSIONS,ALL OUR FINGERS WERE A LITTLE SORE, WITH STEVE BREAKING A STRING ON HIS STRUMMER AND ENDING UP WITH A FRICTION BURN ON HIS WRIST! BUSKING IS A DIFFERENT DISCIPLINE BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE HOPE TO DO MORE OFF. HATS OFF TO LIAM ROBINSON FOR ORGANISING THIS EVENT.
THE NEW ALBUM - "HAT TRICK" IS AVAILABLE AT CONCERTS AND CEILIDHS AND FROM BAND MEMBERS PRICED £7.
CD LAUNCH FOR HAT TRICK AT THE COLLECTION,LINCOLN (BELOW)

AS A GENERAL RULE WE RESTRICT OURSELVES TO A COUPLE OF CEILIDHS A MONTH BUT WE'RE FLEXIBLE DEPENDING ON WHAT THE EVENT IS.

FROM THE ARCHIVE - SPILSBY THEATRE 1999- AT THE END OF THE EVENING THE BAND JOIN GENE PARSONS AND MERIDIAN GREEN ON STAGE FOR "YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE"

Steve Jackson has a website www.songersingwriter.blogspot.com which details what he's up to musically outside of the band. Solo dates, sessions with other musicians,open mic nights, the Scullion Strummer Travelling Roadshow and the "Write Note" monthly sessions at Lincoln Central Library and Golden Eagle,Lincoln. . Plus there's a myspace site @ www.myspace.com/sbjackson
BUSKING AT THE BRIGG FIDDLE FESTIVAL IN 2006

RECORDINGS AVAILABLE
1999 - CD ALBUM -
IN A FIELD OF OUR OWN
FIRST RECORDED RELEASE FROM THE BAND.RECORDED AT BRICKYARD STUDIOS,LINCOLN WITH DAN "WHAT IS THIS MUSIC" BOWATER BEHIND THE MIXING DESK. CD COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY ROY EALDEN
FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST/A BUNCH OF HAND JIVIN' PLOUGHMEN/DOUBLE QUADRILL &SCOTCH MIST/HASTE TO THE WEDDING/PLOUGHMENS BATTLE SONG/EVEN THE BEST GROW OLD/MERRY SHERWOOD RANGERS/BILLY'S BLUES/MAVIS ENDERBY/TAVERN IN THE TOWN/RAILWAY BLUES/PICKIN OF STICKS/OLD MOLE/HEN'S MARCH/FOUR POSTER BED/HUMBER RHUMBA/GALOPEDE &THE TANNER MAN/THREE AROUND THREE/SPEED THE PLOUGH/TRACTOR BLUES/THE LAST WALTZ

2001 - CD ALBUM -

PLOUGHING ON (43.57 RUNNING TIME)
RECORDED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN.
PRODUCED BY BRYAN PETER RUDD.WE LAUNCHED THE ALBUM IN LINCOLN CASTLE'S VICTORIAN PRISON.
I DON'T KNOW(WHERE THAT PLACE IS)/SPANISH LADIES MEDLEY/ BLUE MOON &TURKEY IN THE STRAW/BUTTERED PEAS/GHOST TRAIN/TRAMPOLINE RAG/IN A FIELD OF OUR OWN/FURROW CUT THROUGH/OLD CROW/THE STEAMBOAT AND COLLEGE HORNPIPE/THE KING WILL YE GO LASSIE GO/GRAND CIRCLE DANCE/PLOUGHING ON/LARK IN THE MORNING ALL CD'S ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BAND'S PERFORMANCES FOR £7 EACH. AVAILABLE BY POST AT £8 EACH WHICH INCLUDES POSTAGE AND PACKING. AVAILABLE FROM PLOUGHMENS BUNCH, 60 WASHDYKE LANE, NETTLEHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE LN2 2PY. (CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO PLOUGHMENS BUNCH) ANY QUESTIONS/QUERIES THEN PLEASE EMAIL stephen.jackson8@ntlworld.com

*ALSO "HUMBER RHUMBA" INCLUDED ON COMPILATION CD ALBUM "SOUNDS FROM THE CITY OF LINCOLN" FEATURING A RANGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE MUSICIANS OVER 16 TRACKS

2006 -THIRD ALBUM "HAT TRICK" RECORDED AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY - PRODUCED BY BRYAN PETER RUDD AND THE BAND. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROY EALDEN. CD PRODUCTION BY AMSTORE, LONDON. A MORE ROOTSY APPROACH FROM THE BAND ON A NUMBER OF MOSTLY ORIGINAL SONGS AND INSTRUMENTALS...... AND NO DRUMS! TRACKS ARE

Do-Si-Do (To Bill Monroe) (Jackson)/Lindum Lament (Johnson/Stephenson) /Now (Jackson) /Sutton Seeds/Leaving Of Liverpool (Traditional) /I Lost My Hat (Jackson) /One More Time (Stephenson) /What Was Wrong (You Made It Right)/Queen's Jig (Traditional) /Always (Stephenson) /Travellin'Blues (Jackson) /Mel's Medley (Traditional) /Piltdown Man (Holland) /Nettleham Rag (Johnson) /Crooning The Night Away (Jackson) /As The Years Go By (Jackson) /Now (Instrumental version) /Travellin Blues( Instrumental Version)

WHAT ELSE DO WE PLAY?
WE PLAY A NUMBER OF ORIGINAL SONGS AS FEATURED ON OUR THREE CD'S AS WELL AS AN EVOLVING LIST OF POPULAR SONGS,INSTRUMENTALS BOTH TRADITIONAL AND INSTRUMENTAL AND SOME FESTIVE STUFF AT CHRISTMAS, WHICH HAVE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER INCLUDED...
COTTONFIELDS (CREEDANCE/BEACH BOY)
BAD MOON RISING (CREEDANCE)
HELLO MARY LOU (RICK NELSON)
SUMMERTIME BLUES (EDDIE COCHRAN)
C'MON EVERYBODY (EDDIE COCHRAN)
OLD BLUE (BYRDS)
THE YOUNG ONES (CLIFF)
BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY (BILL MONROE/ELVIS)
MEET ME ON THE CORNER (LINDISFARNE)
JOHNNY B GOODE (CHUCK BERRY)
SPIRIT IN THE SKY (NORMAN GREENBAUM
YOU AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE (BYRDS/DYLAN)
SINGIN' THE BLUES (GUY MITCHELL)
ALBION SUNRISE (ALBION BAND)
SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES (JESSE FULLER/CLAPTON ETC)
IN THE SUMMERTIME (MUNGO JERRY)
RING OF FIRE (JOHNNY CASH)
WILD MOUNTAIN THYME (BYRDS)
TRAVELLIN' LIGHT (CLIFF/ANDY FAIRWEATHER-LOW)
SLOOP JOHN B ( BEACH BOYS)
RUNNING BEAR (JOHNNY PRESTON)
I'LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT (DYLAN)
WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE (McGUINNESS FLINT)
PROMISES (ERIC CLAPTON)
COLOURS (DONOVAN)
WALTZING MATILDA (LOADSA PEOPLE)
THAT'S ALLRIGHT MAMA (ELVIS/BIG BOY CRUDUP)
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (LEADBELLY/CREEDANCE)
RIDE A WHITE SWAN (T.REX)
WONDERFUL TONIGHT (CLAPTON)
KING OF THE ROAD (ROGER MILLER)
TRUCK DRIVIN' MAN (T.FELL)
MESS OF BLUES (ELVIS)
DAYDREAM (LOVIN SPOONFUL)
FOREVER YOUNG (DYLAN)
LITTLE OLD WINE DRINKER ME (DEAN MARTIN!)
IF NOT YOU (DR HOOK)
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (WOODY GUTHRIE)
A COUPLE MORE YEARS (DR HOOK
I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT (ROD STEWART/IAN MATTHEWS)
ON THE ROAD AGAIN (WILLIE NELSON)
TIE ME KANGAROO DOWN SPORT (ROLF!)
OLD DAN TUCKER (OLD TRAD FOLK SONG)
FOLSOM PRISON BLUES (JOHNNY CASH)
I'LL FLAY AWAY
HOBO'S LULLYBYE
NEW YORK GALS
I'LL TELL ME MA

THAT'LL BE THE DAY
The Story So Far...... Ploughmens Bunch made their first live appearance at Nettleham Village Hall in January 98 where they played a short 20 minute set. After that the group found themselves in demand for barn dances and concerts.

The group's own songwriting abilities came to the fore and "The Bunch" have fine tuned and developed a sound which encompasses a broad range of musical styles, be it country, folk, rock n' roll, pop and skiffle.The group play a range of events and venues mostly in the Lincolnshire area but also venture further afield.

In 2000 the group appeared at the World Ploughing Championships at the Lincolnshire Showground and have made three consecutive appearances at the Boston Party In The Park (pictured).There have also been annual appearances at the Lincolnshire Show, the Lincoln Christmas Market and the Great Austrailian Breakfast at the Lawn in Lincoln.

The group's popular "Christmas Turkey Bash" is now an annual event on the band's calendar. The Bunch have played live and been interviewed on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and BBC Radio Nottingham and have also been filmed for spots on Yorkshire and BBC TV.

The group were runners up in the 2003 and 2005 Brigg Fiddle Festival Busking Competitions.Three albums mixing original and traditional material have been released.

Numerous village halls, school halls, bandstands, marquees, backs of trucks, Lincoln's Victorian Prison,The Museum Of Lincolnshire Life, public houses and even the foyer of W.H.Smiths in Lincoln have reverberated to the music and dancing of Ploughmens Bunch!
BAND PROFILES!
COLIN HOLLAND
My favourite bands vary according to mood but think I should mention the following :-Jethro Tull, Cream, Fairport, fab four, Byrds, early Steeleye, Albion Country Band in its various line-ups and the Kinks who were the first'proper' band I went to see!Favourite Musicians - Hendrix, Clapton, Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, John Kirkpatrick, not forgetting Bert 'play in a day' Weedon!Favourite Albums - 'Basket of Light'- Pentangle, 'Disraeli Gears'-Cream, 'Reformed Characters' - Flowers and Frolics.Musical Career -'Pageant' - York 1971 - electric folk rock band (actually played one night in York Minster )'Scara Brae' - York 1973 - acoustic folk band (once supported the Etchingham Steam Band at Stockton on Tees)'Tony, Tom and Colin' - Workington 1975 acoustic trio (recorded the theme music for a programme on Radio Carlisle)'Arkitex' - Workington 1976 - quite a heavy Rock Band formed in the Architects Drawing Office at Allerdale District Council!There then followed a long gap when I got married had family and disappeared into Rural Wales for several years !Worst Gig - Long Benington, Favourite gig - the next one hopefully!
ALLAN JOHNSON
Favourite musicians, Hank Marvin, George Harrison, John Williams and Eric Clapton. And to re-dress the gender balance, it just has to be Joan Baez and of course Sheryl Crow.Most treasured LP, "The Rolling Stones" - 1st LP, favourite track "Route 66".Least favourite, any "mix" compilations, and I don't own any!Musical Career so far... no formal qualifications but sang in the School Choir many years ago, but was asked to leave when I deliberately sang flat to fail the audition, a trait I still employ when asked to sing songs I don't like very much...Previous Groups..." The Travellin' Rugs" - one performance, asked to leave the stage(1964)"The Steve Thomas Set" (1969 - 1970) many performances in Blackpool including Bloomfield Road Supporters Club where we came 4th in a talent contest!Thereafter, not a lot happened until we moved to Lincoln!Favourite gig so far.... Wells next to the Sea!
STEVE JACKSON
Favourite musicians- a long list of bands and artists that would include The Byrds,Gene and Gram Parsons,Country Joe McDonald And the Fish, New Riders Of the Purple Sage,The Beach Boys, Free, Woody Guthrie,The Boys,New York Dolls,Ramones, Generation X,Bob Dylan,Flying Burrito Brothers,John Phillips, AC/DC,Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pete Seeger,Sonny Bono etc
Favourite albums -Gene Parsons (Kindling) Dennis Wilson (Pacific Ocean Blues)Free (Fire and Water) Gram Parsons (Return Of The Grevious Angel) New Riders Of The Purple Sage (The Adventures Of Panama Red) New York Dolls First Album
Musical Career To Date
Formed my first band after leaving school with Paul Johnson and Ivan Codd (plus Mick Weatherall on drums) in 1972. Originally called Larry Lightning and the Electric Shocks, it was shortened to "Shocks" and we played local pubs and clubs in the Grimsby area playing pop and rock stuff of the day. Signed with local agent Don Carrol. Helped form a band called "Bankrupt" named after the Dr Hook album and graduated to workingmens clubs and the like playing further afield like Sheffield,Pontefract,Doncaster (the Yorkshire circuit). John Howden in the band played a Hammond organ with a huge Lesley speaker which was very heavy lugging up stairs! We did a barnstorming version of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" and Sly Stones "Dance To The Music" During this time entered a couple of Melody Maker Folk Rock competitions at Hull and Leeds playing original songs.
After Bankrupt I put my own band together and sent off various demo tapes of original material (mostly composed with Nigel Young) to record labels and I have the rejection slips to prove it! Unperturbed I self financed a single in 1979 - Fiction/The Man With The X-Ray Eyes, under my own name and on Almost records with a picture sleeve, which apart from getting mentions in the NME/Melody Maker and local press and radio also received one play on Radio 1 courtesy of the John Peel programme! The single was recorded at The Studio Playground, Wragby by Rick and Andy, Andy going on to start Chapel studio at South Thoresby
Around 1980 Joined up with drummer Johnny Tasker from Louth for a short lived version of the "New Gatlin Boys" playing a mix of Richard Thompson and Country Rock and tracks from their Gatlin Boys album which included some fine Ozarks stuff. In 81/82 played clubs and pubs with a Scunthorpe based quartet "Mustard" ( pictured left)playing a mix of Elvis stuff (both Presley and Costello) and some rock n' roll and pop stuff. In 1985 I got the ball rolling with David Martin from the Grimsby Evening Telegraph to put together a local Live Aid Tribute Concert featuring a number of Grimsby area band's who reformed especially for the event. Stephen Stanley from Solid Entertainments was on board, a committee was formed and I phoned people like The Rumble Band and The Brothers Band, to see if they'd reform for the event. It snowballed and we had around 20 bands performing each for 20 minutes, the whole thing was video taped, a mobile recording studio recorded one track from each band and Gary Webb put together a printed programme.The Grimsby Telegraph gave it loads of coverage and it was a memorable event. I put a band together too (Steve Jackson's Almost Music) and it's the only time I've played "Man With The X-Ray Eyes" live!
After that I ended up writing (since 1988) the Grimsby Evening Telegraph's weekly music column which was originally called The South Bank Show and I now contribute to the Wednesday What's On Supplement. In this respect I've interviewed a range of people over the years from Paul Rodgers, Bruce Dickinson, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, Steve Marriot, Jon Secada, Al Stewart, Joe Brown, Tony McPhee,Iain Matthews, Noel Redding, Dave Davies etc.
My musical career then lay dormant until "Ploughmens Bunch" came to the rescue and it reactivated my songwriting aspirations. What I particularly enjoy about the band are the range of instruments that are now played which contribute to the overall sound and seeing individuals develop (with the exception of drummers - a unique breed!) over time. Highlights for me with Ploughmens Bunch have been the CD releases and the recording process and then going out and playing those songs live. Our CD launch of "Ploughing On" in Lincoln Castles Victorian Prison was special and our live appearances on BBC Radios Lincolnshire and Nottingham were also highlight. I've taken this a stage further and wanted to challenge myself and see whether I could get away with it and now do some solo appearances playing a mix of my own songs and others with my guitar and strummer (and now electric ukelele) wherever they'll have me!

AJ (ANNE JACKSON)
My early influences all seemed to range from the “L”s i.e. Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen – which shows what a complex creature I am! I loved playing Zeppelin load enough to scare my parents, Lou Reed was certainly naughty enough to make them realise I was growing up, whilst Cohen reached the moody melancholic tones of teenage angst.Other albums which got a fair amount of play were Tea for the Tillerman – Cat Stevens, a certain amount of Motown in the form of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight – plus of course the obligatory Sgt Peppers by The Beatles and Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.Favourite album is a tough one. I like lots of different styles of artists, but ones that stand out would be U2’s Joshua Tree (bought for me by Steve), Irish music, both contemporary and traditional, such as The Chieftans, The Pogues etc. and the contemporary Christian rock band Delirious.Musical career to date started with me being dragged into Ploughmens Bunch. I was told that they needed someone with a big mouth and a bossy nature to do the calling – and they thought of me! After visiting the Whitby folk festival and being told off by other dancers for getting it wrong, I realised that the best ceilidhs are where you have fun – regardless of whether or not you get it right, and that’s what I try to bring out at one of our dances. Just let you hair down and go for it!After attending a bodhran workshop held by Amy Leonard, at the Lincoln folk festival I felt inspired to purchase one. An order was soon placed with Iain Leonard up in the Shetland Isles, who makes bodhrans pretty much to order. Although I am still very much a learner at this (don’t be fooled into thinking you just hit it!) I enjoy the variety of playing along with the band – when they let me!Favourite gig is easy – any one where we have as much fun performing as the audience do dancing.

"TALL" PAUL STEPHENSON
A child of the sixties, not surprising that musical taste and expression was influenced by the Beatles, Kinks and the Who. The first band ever played in (called the Toxic Wasps) boasted a lead singer who couldn’t sing, rhythm guitarist who had an old scratched acoustic guitar with nylon strings about an inch of the fret-board and a banjo ukulele of which I was the proud owner. Not being a particularly harmonious combination, the Ukulele eventually succumbed to having its sound box removed and used as a bongo drum instead.Following a series of guitar purchases including a semi acoustic cello guitar, a 12 string Eko and a Burns ‘Hank Marvin’ Trisonic, I gave up playing in my mid twenties apart from the odd practice session with my best pals band called Yesterdays Sorrow. I never lost the urge to write music and it was about this time that I wrote a song called Romans and Peers which the Sorrow used. The song was later rewritten, embellished with some traditional Celtic tunes and titled The Ploughmens Battle Song that was recorded on our first CD. Another song of that time was Ghost Train which was featured on our second CD.Having all but given up playing guitar, many years later was asked to play in a church gospel group. Guitars were just emerging as a major worship instrument. Trouble was everyone played guitar and I guess I wanted a different sound. So one day, passing a music shop, there in the window was an old flat backed mandolin which I couldn’t resist. To my surprise it was reasonably easy to play and was a superb companion to the acoustic guitar. With my musical interest rekindled, the urge to compose returned which culminated in co-writing a musical drama called The Passion (of Christ) which was played in several venues over a series of years.With a keen interest in the electric folk scene, a lifelong admiration of Fairport Convention and Ashley Hutchings Albion Dance Band, and my first experience of a genuine ceilidh by the Little Band, I thought how I’d love to play this style of music. Asked to provide some entertainment at a village function, Colin, Dave and I got together and started to learn some of the simple tunes. And that’s how it all started, with the addition of Allan on lead guitar, Steve on vocals and eventually Mel on fiddle, a group of chums just enjoying their music, stretching each others skills and contributions, and laughing with each other as we make mistakes.What was my favorite gig? Well it could have been playing in front of a vast crowd at Boston’s Party in the Park, the relaxed feel of the Lincolnshire Show, or the time Steve struggled with his trousers at Market Rasen, my fiftieth birthday at the Hospital Social Club or the trip to Wells next Sea and many more. But for me each gig has its own unique fascination. However, maybe my favorite occasion was the weekend the band spent at Pateley Bridge, not so much for the gig we played but more for the location we were in. The psalmist once said “I lift mine eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth”. For this reason, the hills have always been an inspiration to me and it’s where my music comes from.

DAVE PAPE
I can’t say I have been around on the music scene for years as PB is really the first band I have been in, but when I think back there has never been a time since about the age of eleven when I hadn’t been playing some sort of an instrument. I have said many times that I play quite a lot of instruments badly. I played trumpet right through secondary school achieving a quite good sound, playing 1st trumpet in the county youth band, but I was not able to crack following the dots, so I had to hear someone else play the part before I could do it.
In my later teens I found the trumpet to be not a very social instrument so I bought a guitar and Bert Weedon’s ‘Play in a Day’ and spent several weeks learning a few chords. I also took up harmonica, put the two together and found I could play them both at the same time. I shouldn’t have said that, I don’t think Steve knows!
When we moved to Nettleham about 22 years ago I found myself involved with the same worship band as Paul and found, like him that everyone was playing guitar. I was nowhere near as good as the others so I took up the Bass, I have played in church bands for many years and still do on occasions.
In the mid 90s Paul, Colin and I used to jam together. Paul played all sorts of instruments, Colin played guitar and I played bass, I remember us doing one short gig, but then I ended up working in Bosnia for a year and then again in East Timor during which time back in Nettleham, Ploughmens formed. After returning Paul approached me to replace the original harmonica player who had moved on, so I relearned the mouth organ and joined the Bunch.
Colin plays bass in PB but came back enthusiastically from Whitby Folk Festival a few years ago with a concertina. This one instrument has developed into a small flock in different shapes, sizes and keys and the sound adds a lot to the more traditional numbers we do. Whilst Colin squeezes the concertinas and melodeon I drift onto the bass.
My music tastes are quite diverse; I like to listen to almost any type of music live. First LP was a cover of the Carpenters, My LP / CD collection is quite middle of the road, I shall wreck any credibility I ever had by admitting that I like Abba. Flicking through a folder next to my player, Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Oldfield and Clapton, all feature more than once but also Enya and several chillout discs.
Favourite gig, like Anne, if the crowd seem to be enjoying themselves then it makes it a pleasure to play (and I think we play better). The gig I particularly remember is one we did at Wells next the Sea in Norfolk, soon after I joined the band. We were playing at the carnival on a trailer, on the village green, it was a hot summer evening and as time went on the green filled up with people just having a good time, listening to us. We played for what seemed like hours.
MEL HOWELL

Wanna mess with me!

PHOTOGRAPHER FOR TWO OF OUR CD'S ROY EALDEN (THANKS ROY) FINDS HIS HAT !

"COLIN, WE ARE A FOLK BAND ,YOUR SUPPOSED TO PUT YOUR FINGER IN YOUR EAR....NOT BEHIND IT!"

HEMINGBY FETE/HORNCASTLE NEWS

2007-07-12T05:03:00.000-07:00

From the Horncastle News - Wednesday 11th July,2007
Anne, so good they named her twice!

YELLOWBELLIES 2 CD

2007-07-12T04:46:00.000-07:00

We have a track (Do-Si-Do To Bill Monroe) on the new Yellowbellies 2 CD album " more songs and tunes from Lincolnshire's finest" which as it says on the tin features a range of bands and artists from around the County. 21 tracks in all.

All profits go to CLIC (Caring For Children & Young People With Cancer & Their Families)

Copies are £10 each and available from Les Worrall on 01673 843036

Lincoln Beer Festival 2007

2007-07-12T01:43:00.000-07:00

Were on the bill for this year's Beer Festival, playing at lunchtime on Saturday 26th May.
Interesting spelling of Ceilidh!