THE GRASS IS TURNING BLUER IN SUFFOLK!

Our regular Bluegrass sessions began in 2000 on the first Tuesday each month, and have moved in 2005 to The George, High Street, Hadleigh, and Suffolk, where our hosts, Paul and Victoria have made us most welcome. Attendance has grown, with more visiting players joining us, and more locals learning Bluegrass instruments.

Each year since 2002 we have held a free entry event, known as The Suffolk Bluegrass & Acoustic Country Day. So far we have featured as special guest bans Rick Townend & Rosie Davis with Ivor Ottley, the New Essex Bluegrass Band, Deep River, Grassroots. The 2006 event took place at the new venue, main guest band were Wet Paint, and also featured were The Acoustic Astronauts & The Morris Boys. Support acts have included mostly local bands. “Calamity” Jean Smith is always as representative of “Southern Country” magazine, who has given us excellent reviews.

We have enjoyed much support and coverage from BBC Radio Suffolk by Brian Mann, who always gives us an interview spot on his programme “Suffolk Country” every Sunday 12 – 3.pm. (95.5, 95.9, 103.9 & 104.6 FM) Brian has also attended in person, and for the 2006 event sent his assistant, Steph, to interview visiting musicians live on air.

There are a growing number of Bluegrass and related events now in the district, including a picking session at the Orwell Crossing Truck Stop on the A14 Felixtowe Road on the fourth Tuesday each month.

Street Legal also hosts “Big Music Nights”, usually twice each year in Spring and Autumn. The format for these evenings usually includes a couple of Bluegrass bands, and several other acoustic performers that are regulars at local folk clubs. With up to nine acts appearing, there is an excellent variety of entertainment to suit all tastes. All proceeds after expenses are donated to charity.

THE BAND

Street Legal evolved from the duo of Mike Green and Dave Tricker, who performing in 1996, mostly country and folk songs in harmony style. Dave plays mandolin, fiddle and guitar, and has played Bluegrass for many years. Mike had come more recently to the style, via American Folk and Country Music. Angela Dennis from Colchester teaches singing in her own workshops with a special emphasis on harmony. She started to sing with Mike and Dave around 1998, and it was felt that a band would be a real possibility, especially as Dave’s friend, Steve McNally, a fine banjo and dobro player was prepared to join us. After having early problems in finding a bass player who was prepared to make the commitment, we were joined in 2002 by Chris Seear, who, although relatively new to the bass, has played guitar for years on the East Anglian Folk circuit. Chris now provides a very solid background to the band, also singing some lead.