Grateful Fred - Issue #60
What's coming up at Grateful Fred's...
Grateful Fred's House Concert Series
In a week or so's time I'm delighted to say that we'll be back on track and holding our first Grateful Fred Night for over eighteen months when we welcome Illinois-based singer-songwriter Ben Bedford to the first Grateful Fred House Concert in the new series.
I first heard one of Ben's songs, "Land Of The Shadows", several years ago. It's beautiful and haunting song about the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till, a subject matter that's more relevant now than ever. Give it a listen and you'll hear why.
But another favourite Ben Bedford song of mine is "The Pilot And The Flying Machine: Part 1".
Ben has such a distinctive voice and I'm certain you'll enjoy seeing and hearing him perform in concert in the very intimate surroundings of the EDDA Building in Ainsdale Village, near Southport.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there are only 2 tickets left. So, if you haven't already bought your tickets and you'd like to enjoy seeing and hearing a leading international performer playing just for you, (and 38 others) then please email me at gratefulfreddie@gmail.com.
Grateful Fred's at The Atkinson
On October 6th the award-winning band, "Midnight Skyracer" are going to help welcome us back to our home for the last eight years, the Studio at The Atkinson in Southport.
I had been trying to arrange for the band to come and play for us for several years prior to the lockdown and, in fact, they were due to play at Grateful Fred's last November. But of course, that had to be cancelled due to the Covid lockdown.
So now they are going to be our first headliners back after our enforced 18 months absence.
I'm certain that if you come along you will love the music that you'll hear from "Midnight Skyracer". If you are coming to join us for our first night back why not bring along a friend or family member that has never been to Grateful Fred's and see how they enjoy it too?
The girls have a great new album out, "Shadows On The Moon", that is getting wonderful reviews and they are just as excited to be back on the road as we are to seeing them.
“...there’s a sassy sense of fun and an ear for a pure pop hook amid the hard-driven bluegrass and mountain balladry that can’t help reminding you of Alison Krauss & Union Station”
~ Songlines Magazine
Tickets are on sale now at: https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/grateful-freds-oct21/
Coming soon...
Over the coming months, we'll be lining up some great artists to come and play at Grateful Fred's in 2022.
At the moment we have pencilled in a number of them and we have confirmed some too. So what's in store?
Here's a brief lineup of who we have coming and those who we are currently hoping will be fully confirmed shortly...
Brook Williams and Aaron Catlow
Awkward Family Portraits
Max & Veronica
Karen Jonas
The Chapin Sisters
Jess Jocoy
Stephen Fearing
So we've got some great nights ahead and we'll be adding a lot more over the coming months, both for the main Grateful Fred at The Atkinson Nights and the Grateful Fred House Concert Series.
Something for local musicians?
I was told about a new initiative that is being put together for musicians in the Formby, Ainsdale, Birkdale, Southport areas that I promised to mention here.
But instead of me trying to explain things, here's the word from the organiser Michael Cooper...
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Acoustic Workshop.
Do you want to get involved in local open mic nights, or just jam with other real human beings?
I have booked The Workshop (Scout hut etc) in Formby village ( Holy Trinity) in case anyone wants to get together with acoustic instruments (not just guitars) to work on toons for upcoming open mic’ nights etc, or maybe if you want to get something going on a more permanent basis, to make some contacts, or maybe just jam. I am calling it “acoustic” but there can be a bit of leeway for keyboards and bass. We won’t be using a P.A. though, so levels will have to be sympathetic to the acoustic instruments.
For now, the plan is to meet each Friday, we can see how that works, both the day and the frequency. I am proposing that each week we take some time deconstructing a song or two, and picking out parts or harmonies for however many people turn up. So you will need to be familiar with the song/s chosen. I will bring a keyboard which might help with working out harmonies.
After that, I was thinking that we can just play some songs.
Again, at least in this early stage, to avoid chaos it may be best to give this a bit of structure. Maybe we can discuss how on the night, and maybe discuss upcoming songs for future projects, so bring your ideas too. I am thinking of Nowhere Man, so if you are up for that we can talk it over ( or should I have said “…work it out…”). I would also like to have a go at Ventura Highway too. Plenty of guitar parts and harmonies in those two so more people can get involved.
Anyway, let me know what you think. In the future, it may develop into a place where people can drop in from time to time just to chill and jam. Its main purpose at the moment is to get people from their back rooms to play music with other people and then maybe into the local music scene.
Fridays 6.30 Starts Friday 17 September.
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If you'd like to know more then you can reach Michael here: emseesee@hotmail.com
Right, that's it for now. So, if you'd like the last two tickets to see and hear Ben Bedford on the 22nd of September please email me at gratefulfreddie@gmail.com, and I hope to see you soon.
Peace and Love,
Grateful Fred
GRATEFUL FRED'S AMERICANA, ROOTS & ACOUSTIC NIGHTS - Grateful Fred's — www.gratefulfred.co.uk Grateful Fred's Americana, Roots and Acoustic Nights