The Wee Scottish Big Band with guest Konrad Wiszniewski

'Looking Back'
A revue of 50 Years of The Rankin File
FRIDAY 9 and SATURDAY 10 MAY, 7PM STRATHAVEN TOWN MILL

We are delighted to welcome back, after their sell out show last year, popular bluegrass band, The Back Green Singers,  Glasgow based Bluegrass and Acoustic Band, following in the footsteps of pioneers such as The Foggy Mountain Boys, Doc Watson, JD Crowe, and, with the occasional off road meanderings to cover punk and pop songs in the bluegrass style, they also offer a few original numbers in the repertoire. The band formed in 2022 and have played several festivals in ‘23 , They have a monthly appearance at The Butterfly And The Pig in Glasgow City Centre.

The Back Green Singers are :-

Barry Noakes on Fiddle, Steph Black on Guitar, Tom Davies on Double Bass, Giuseppe Corcella on Mandolin and Garry McFadden on Banjo

The members of the band have all played for years around Glasgow and throughout the UK with various bands , and have toured Italy. ‘We love playing the wonderful timeless mountain sounds of Bluegrass and old timey tunes!’ Gary McFadden.

Entry £10 including filter coffee, tea and delicious home baking.

Doors open 7.30pm. Children under 16 free. Limited seating. With support. Come early to avoid disappointment.

A 50 year celebration of Bill Monroe's exciting bluegrass music, when he and his Bluegrass Boys played in Uddingston, Scotland in 1975.

Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys played an unforgettable concert 50 years ago in Uddingston, Scotland.

This was his only visit to Scotland, and the influence and impact of his music, has been immense worldwide. We will celebrate Big Mon - The Legacy, in a concert at Strathaven Town Mill Theatre. A superb bill of brilliant bands has been organized. The event is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Band line up :

THE MAIRS FAMILY BAND are : Alan, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Louise, dobro, Hazel, upright bass and Darren, guitar, mandolin. Hazel and Darren are former members of The Daddy Naggins. Their friendly and lively approach in their live shows has made them favourites on the festival and club circuit. The band features all instruments and all styles from contemporary to traditional with full bluegrass vocal harmonies including a gospel repertoire. All members of the band have had many years experience in the live music scene and have toured three times in the USA. Louise and Alan, former members of Old Hickory, Redwing and New Redwing, are keen promoters of live music, hosting the successful AcousticCafeNights@The Granary every month in Strathaven.Since March 2022, their love of bluegrass and acoustic music has launched them into the world of broadcasting, presenting their radio show, BluegrassBeats on Avondale Radio

DAPPER McDANS - old time/ bluegrass band are : Frank Denholm (guitar) and Mark Woods (banjo) who started playing together in 2007 forming ‘The Dapper McDans’ after meeting at the famous annual Guildtown Bluegrass festival in Perthshire (making a welcome return in August this year)The line up now includes lan Bain, mandolin and fiddle, Bill Rennie, dobro and Davie Lee, upright basS. The Dappers play a laid-back mix of bluegrass, old time and country music, playing in pubs, clubs and festivals around Scotland.Their appealing repertoire of songs and tunes range from the humorous, to ballads interspersed with waltzes and polkas.

LONGWAY - Founder member of the Runaway String Band, Robin Wallace currently plays banjo with Longway. His on-stage sense of humour is legendary bringing a light hearted and fun atmosphere to their gigs.He also plays dobro, guitar and mandolin, spending his free time building hand crafted mandolins from scratch.Robert Stevenson, aka Big Stevie, is a powerhouse bluegrass singer and rhythm guitarist. Before joining Longway Stevie was bassist for the first ever Scottish bluegrass band, Old Hickory and the well-respected Runaway String Band. Heavily influenced by Dudley Connell of the Johnson Mountain Boys,  Blue Highway and The Lonesome River Band, Stevie is also linfluenced by the music of Nanci Griffith and Tony Rice.Now in its 15th year as Longway, Robin and Big Stevie have been the core, along with Ian Bain, mandolin and Hugh Kelly, (Blue Flint, The Proclaimers) on upright bass.

THE FOUNTAINEERS - The Fountaineers formed as a quartet in 2020. Based in Glasgow, the band  creates music that tethers to its American roots.Since their participation in the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Official Showcase 2021, the band have continued to maintain a connection to the wider global Bluegrass community. The band featured in ’Bluegrass Today’ magazine, further elevating their status as Scottish-based Bluegrass ambassadors.The Fountaineers are Jeri Foreman, fiddle, Michael Wright guitar, founding members. They will be joined this evening by Willem McKie, mandolin, (Quick, The Black Denims), and Chris Lord, banjo, (from London based The Vanguards). The Fountaineers have played at many Bluegrass festivals including Didmarton, Arasaig Americana festival, Omagh Bluegrass festival and notably made their European debut at La Roche Bluegrass festival, France. On top of a busy tour schedule, the band released their debut EP of traditional Bluegrass classics.

£12.50 (plus booking fee) Book early!