From the Beginning

I am a solo performer and also play in a number of music groups.
Working together is the key to learning, improvement and gaining experience. From the late 60's I have worked and collaborated with a number of musicians from a wide range of musical genres.
I am grateful and thank them all for helping me along my musical road. Below are a few of them.

Geoff Everett

I started playing guitar and singing when I was thirteen, playing at parties and local dances with my first group, The Reminiscents. The band was formed by Geoff Everett who taught me the fundamentals of guitaring. Most of the stuff we did was based around three cords and our set was made up of a lot of Buddy Holly and Shadows covers.

Geoff moved on to great things and is now an international guitarist and recording artist having worked with the likes of Albert Lee, Carl Palmer and David Knopfler. I will always be grateful to Geoff for getting me started.

To Folk then Prog

Top Photo left to right: Dave Griffin, Terry Mackley, Andy Dungate, Steve James, Danny Stapley and Rob Jones
Bottom left to right: Eric Radcliffe, Dave Larner and Geoff Cousins

Finding a love for folk music I became a regular on the folk club circuit performing with acts Johnny Silvo and Dave Moses, Cliff Aungier, Maureen Kennedy Martin, Foggy Dew-O and many others. Hearing a Fairport Convention LP, my music moved to Folk Rock and then to Progressive Rock. Long standing friend and fellow musician Dave Larner was instrumental in this development.

Writing, performing and recording original material with rock band Cathedral came next. We played in a number of prestigious venues including the Round House, 100club and Lords club and we won a 'Melody Maker' award. Together with the guitarist, I was commissioned to write the music and recorded a rock opera by Paolo Lodigiani. Recordings were made by Eric Radcliffe at his 'Down Stairs' studio. Eric is now known for his work with Vince Clark, Erasure, Yazoo and Depeche Mode. Eric was a great guy and , I learnt a lot from him.

Another influence at the time was keyboard player Terry Mackley He was also a musical arranger and buffed up the sound of the band before we headlined at at Rochester Cathedral. Terry is a radio presenter and working musician, his passion is for the music of the 1930s and 1940s

And on to the next stage

It was in a Pub in Gravesend that I met up with Pam Travis. We had been friends since her time in the 'Midnight Sun' but I hadn't seen her for a while as she had been touring with the Kinks. Pam and I both wanted a new challenge so agreed to start working together. Pam knew a bass player and I knew a good lead played, both were keen, we advertised for a drummer and the band 'Hover' was born.

Pam sung on more than twelve of the Kinks Albums including Preservation Act 1 & 2, Soap Opera and Schoolboys in Disgrace and had toured extensively in the States and Europe. Pam's time with the Kinks had given her a wealth of experience which she was always happy to share, We learnt a lot.

The one and only line up of 'Hover' was: Pam Travis-Vocals, Del Povey-Lead Guitar, Geoff Payne-Bass, Terry Wright Drums and Rob Jones-Guitar and vocals. 'Hover' toured extensively throughout London and the Southeast.

Photographs: Right - 'Hover' below - The Kinks With Pam.

And now to the Noughties

in 2000 I was contacted by music agent Paul Hurst. who needed an act to entertain at a birthday party in Kent. Drawing on my folk background I put together a music set with bass player Malcolm Thomas. This led to a number of new directions.

Paul represented a number of different acts including musicians, actors, minstrels, stilt walkers and fire eaters promoting Cèilidhs and entertainment packages for weddings and corporate events.

I have been working with Paul now for many years. He is a good friend and a great musician.

Wealden Barn Dance

I am an active member of the Petteridge Light Orchestra and Wealden Barn Dance both are a ceilidh band performing across the Weald of Kent and Sussex. We play at weddings, corporate events and local fundraising dances for many village clubs and organisations. Other active members are Paul Hurst and Malcom Thomas. Paul, who heads up the Petteridge Light Orchestra plays melodeon, concertina and woodwind. Malcolm is the caller for both bands and gives clear dance instructions from the floor in a simplified and humours way, he also plays mandolin. I play fiddle, guitar and mandolin, I also sing and play songs between some of the dances. The three of us give a full and professional performance, we are however, on occasions able to invite other musicians to join the band, two of these are Linda Game and Nick Pynn.

Linda has many albums to her name and plays fiddle, mandolin and keyboards. She has written and performed with many bands including The Fold, Zoox and The Betties. Linda adds quality and depth to the band.

Nick Pynn is a master musician playing fiddle, guitar, dulcimer and bass pedals. He has worked with Steve Harley, Arthur Brown, Mike Heron and many others. Nick has released eleven solo albums and collaborated on many others. It is always a joy to have Nick as part of the band.

Men of the Weald

I was part of Men of the Weald. We were three musicians who play easy listening tunes and sing songs with an overtone of folk. We played plugged or unplugged and at weddings, drinks receptions and corporate events and pubs.

The line up was, Paul Hurst and Malcom Thomas and Me. Paul played melodeon, concertina and woodwind. Malcolm played mandolin. I played guitar. Malcolm and I led the vocals and Paul, on some songs added a harmony.

Our set was varied and depends on what the event was. Our repertoire included Irish, English and American songs and tunes.

Click the link below to here an example of what we do.

https://youtu.be/NOK3UDBRgYE

Men of the Weald went their separate ways in June 2022 but we still perform from time to time sometimes with other performers and musicians

Now a Solo Performer

A band on his own

I am now a solo singer guitarist, preforming around the Kent and East Sussex. Drawing from my folk roots, my set is now made up of lively acoustic coverers of folk, pop and rock classics from the late 60’s and 70’s with a bit of Irish thrown in.

My music is defiantly live but to make a fuller sound I have recorded some bass and drum support tracks in my studio and play and sing along to.

I play in pubs, clubs, parties, weddings, either as background music or as a concert performance.

I also collaborate with other artists and bands from time to time and I am always looking for other like-minded musicians to share, learn and perform with. If you are interested in exploring some music with me, please get in contact.

Music for All

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