Grateful Fred's Newsletter No: 93
As many of you will know, sadly this month’s Grateful Fred’s at The Atkinson evening was cancelled due to a fire alarm maintenance problem and for all those ticket holders affected I do apologise.
As I mentioned in the Facebook post that day, it’s the first time in over 14 years that I have had to cancel a show and, hopefully, it won’t happen again. But, of course, safety comes first and I can understand the concerns of the Atkinson’s management.
Unfortunately, it means that we didn’t get to welcome back the uniquely talented Canadian artist Teilhard Frost or our friends Jackson Williams, both of whom I know so many people were looking forward to seeing. However, I am making arrangements for Jackson Williams to appear as soon as possible and I’m hoping that on Teilhard’s next UK tour we can invite him back.
My bandmates in The Silver Freds were also very disappointed as we’d worked up what we thought was a great set too. (Honest!!). But…next time eh?
The Grateful Fred Bijou Sessions
However, for those of us who want to hear some great music, this week I am delighted to say that on Thursday 15th August at the award-winning and very comfortable Southport Bijou Cinema, we have a great show lined up featuring one of the most amazing guitarists you will ever come across, who also happens to be a great singer-songwriter too, Rodney Branigan, supported by my friends Vinny & The Engineers.
I wrote about Rodney in the last newsletter, so suffice to say that if Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis felt he was good enough to appear as a special guest on the legendary Acoustic Stage then that’s good enough for me.
You can find out much more about Rodney and his amazing talents by visiting his website. And if you haven’t seen or heard Vinny & The Engineers perform before then you are in for a treat.
There are still tickets left for the show and it’d be great if you can make it on Thursday. If you can, I look forward to seeing you and if not, then maybe next time. I’d also be very grateful (Fred), if you could pass on the details of Thursday’s show to any friends or family you think might be interested. Or if you could mention it on your social media pages.
Here is the ticket link and the show’s page: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/southport-bijou-cinema/t-avklvdp
Coming shortly…
At the last Grateful Fred Bijou Session, Ken Lamden, approached me about a special event coming up shortly and to ask me if I could let people know, which I am pleased to do here.
It’s being held on September 8th and features Harp and a Monkey, a great band from Manchester, at the Reformers' Picnic on Parbold Hill which is a spectacular setting overlooking the Douglas Valley.
Parbold Hill might seem an unusual place for a gig but it's the site of the Parbold Bottle monument. The Bottle was built by quarry workers in 1832 to celebrate the Great Reform Act, which marked the start of our journey to democracy. The gig supports the campaign for proportional representation and a voting system where every vote counts.
Space is limited so reservation is recommended, which you can do using the QR code or weblink on the flyer above.
John Lomax lll
In November of last year, I was delighted to be able to welcome John Lomax lll to Grateful Fred’s for one of his first UK appearances.
John’s own amazingly varied career in music, added to the Lomax family heritage, made him one of the most fascinating guests we’ve ever welcomed to Grateful Fred’s.
If you weren’t there and would like to know more, then I’d really recommend following John on his Substack platform and also visiting his website
Earlier this month John messaged me to let me know that he has released a new album, “John Lomax lll American Folk Songs” and the first single from the album, is released on August 20, "I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago"
You can hear the album here and for lovers of American folk song history and who are aware of the Lomax family heritage, then I think you’ll really enjoy it.
John is accompanied on the album by guitarists Richard Bennet and Shawn Camp and they sound really good.
Here’s the link again: https://samply.app/player/cqM8LbgmKISIUpcIVqaL
You can also hear John’s upcoming second single, “The Cowboys Dream” here.
I think John must be one of the hardest-working individuals in music!
Well that’s it for now.
I’m sure, as always, that I’ve missed something out that I thought you’d be interested in, but I guess that’ll have to wait until next time.
In the meantime, I hope you will join us this coming Thursday at the Grateful Fred Bijou Sessions with Rodney Branigan and Vinny & The Engineers.
Till then,
Peace and Love,
Grateful Fred
