From: Martin Snodin [martin_dot_snowdin_at_btopenworld_dot_com]
Sent: 02 May 2006 06:57
Subject: News from Acoustic Sussex - it's a 'MayFest'!
News from Acoustic Sussex  - it's a MayFest! 
It's all happening in May in the Acoustic Sussex programme, with 3 shows coming up in one month - the most we've ever had. We didn't quite plan it this way but when we were offered Eliza Gilkyson on 25 May, well, we just couldn't resist. Such is her popularity now, she's already sold out at Maidstone on the 14th, so tickets are expected to go quickly for this one. Also, please note that there are only a small number of tickets left for Steve Tilston on 8th May, so please get in touch quickly by telephone or email if you're planning on coming, as we expect the 'house full' signs to go up. More details below for:

Steve Tilston & Chris Parkinson 
with special support from Martha Tilston  (Monday 8 May - Red Lion, Turners Hill) 

   Chris Parkinson  Martha Tilston
He’s been described as "a complete guitarist", "a singer songwriter of rare talent" and "absurdly accomplished". Ask anyone on the English folk scene who their favourite guitarist, singer and songwriter is and nine times out of ten his name will crop up. In a career spanning thirty years, Steve Tilston has become widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music. He’s toured with Ballet Rambert, John Renbourn, traditional singer Maggie Boyle and in WAZ! (with Maartin Allcock and Pete Zorn). His songs have been covered by a who’s who of the folk scene. He’s the writer of the classic songs - recorded by Fairport Convention - Slipjigs and Reels, The Naked Highwayman and Here’s to Tom Paine.  Follow this link to the Steve Tilston website: www.steve-tilston.co.uk/

Chris Parkinson has played music since the age of five, first the harmonica, then piano, guitar, concertina, tin whistle, melodeon, piano accordion and keyboards, and even a little fiddle. He’s a founder member of the highly acclaimed The House Band, has played with Waterson/Carthy, Mike Harding, Martin Simpson, Alistair Russell (ex-Battlefield Band) and John Kirkpatrick (with whom he was nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards as best duo). He also worked with Ralph McTell and Billy Connolly on his BBC TV series.

This is a rare chance to see these two great friends on stage together - one of our most renowned songwriters and guitarists and one of the country’s most sought after instrumentalists.  As if this wasn't enough, support for the evening is provided by Steve's daughter Martha Tilston, a sparkling performer with a lovely pure voice, whose recent debut album has been getting great reviews.  Follow this link to the Martha Tilston website: http://www.wupadupa.com/artists/martha/index.html

Tickets will almost certainly sell out in advance for this gig, so please book early. Tickets are only £8 in advance (£10 on the door) - telephone 01342 714810/716975 or email: info_at_acousticsussex_dot_org_dot_uk  

Clive Gregson (Monday 22 May, The Ravenswood, Sharpthorne)
Clive Gregson  Cathryn Stone
It’s twenty five years since Clive emerged onto the music scene in his native Manchester with the band Any Trouble. Since then, he has featured on countless albums and toured with stellar musical line-ups in the UK and America. He has also seen his songs covered by others, including Norma Waterson, Kim Carnes, Fairport Convention and Nanci Griffith. Clive has become as well known for his musical collaborations as for his solo work, linked with artists as diverse as Richard Thompson, Christine Collister, Eddi Reader, Boo Hewerdine and Nanci Griffith. Mary Chapin Carpenter named Clive Gregson as one of her favourite songwriters. According to Guitar Player he is one of the 1000 great guitarists. Above all, Clive’s solo live shows are something special and definitely not to be missed. 

"One of Britain's most cultured singer-songwriters"  The Times 

"Adult pop from one of the most emotionally literate songwriters around” The Guardian 

"More musical expertise than is usually good for one man”  Time Out
 
Tickets are available to buy or reserve in advance at £8 (or £10 on the door) - telephone 01342 714810/716975. You can read more about Clive Gregson here: http://www.acousticsussex.org.uk/Artists_CliveGregson.htm
 
Support for the gig is provided by the excellent Cathryn Stone from Brighton. You can read more about Cathryn on her website: http://www.cathrynstone.co.uk/
 
Eliza Gilkyson accompanied by Robert McEntee (Thursday 25 May, Chequer Mead, East Grinstead)
 Eliza Gilyson
Daughter of singer and songwriter Terry Gilkyson (who hit with 'Marianne' in 1957), American roots artist Eliza Gilkyson is on her 4th UK tour in 3 years and has seen her popularity rocket following performances and appearances on Bob Harris and Johnny Walker's BBC radio shows. Her album Land of Milk and Honey was nominated for a Grammy in 2005 and her latest release, Paradise Hotel, has received outstanding reviews. She has toured and recorded with Slaid Cleaves, Bonnie Raitt, Mary Chapin Carpenter and her family are steeped in musical heritage.  
 
As a teenager, she recorded demos for her dad, who also had hits such 'The Bare Necessities' from the Disney classic Jungle Book and 'Memories Are Made of This', a big smash for Dean Martin. "He would use me in the studio because I had a mature voice at an early age and would work for free," laughs Eliza. Soon after, she was writing and recording her own material as well. In 2000, Eliza released her album 'Hard Times in Babylon', a huge critical success, followed quickly by more acclaim for her next album, 'Lost and Found'. She has also been on several compilations, including the Bob Dylan tribute album, 'A Nod to Bob'. In 2003 she was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame, alongside such luminaries as Willie Nelson and Nancy Griffith. Eliza recorded Land of Milk and Honey in 2004, a recording decidedly more socio-political in theme.  

“[Milk and Honey] is a must-have album for anyone turned on by intimate, seductive vocals, killer melodies and lyrics that hit the heart and refuse to leave. Cue the repeat button”   BBC Radio

"Her songwriting has a Dylanesque quality as her tunes burst with edgy lyrics and poetic imagination. With a knowing eye on the past, Eliza Gilkyson is making folk music for the 21st Century, and it's a delightful thing to hear"  Austin Chronicle
She is accompanied on this date by Austin, Texas guitarist Robert McEntee, who has appeared with Dan Fogelberg, Ian Matthews and Carole King, among many others, both in live performance and on CD and TV. 
 
Tickets are £12.50  (conessions apply) from the Box Office on 01342 302000 or email: info_at_chequermead_dot_org_dot_uk.
 
You can read more about Eliza Gilkyson here: http://www.acousticsussex.org.uk/Artists_Eliza%20Gilkyson.htm
 
Other dates for your diaries 
  • Guy Davis (23 June, Chequer Mead) Support: Jay Stapeley
  • Eve Selis (6 July, The Ravenswood, Sharpthorne - note change of venue - tbc)  Support tbc
  • Pete Atkin + Liz Simcock (24 July, The Ravenswood)
  • Johnny Dickenson (11 September, The Ravenswood)  Support tbc
  • Pierre Bensusan (6 November, The Ravenswood)  Support: Matthew Ord (tbc) 
  • Bob Fox & Billy Mitchell (16 Oct, The Ravenswood)  Support tbc
  • Tommy Emmanuel (28 November, Chequer Mead)
  • John Tams & Barry Coope (11 December, Chequer Mead)

More information on all up-and-coming artists can be found on our website: www.acousticsussex.org.uk. You can also find us on MySpace (with samples from some of the artists appearing) at: www.myspace.com/acoustic_sussex. 

HELP US TO KEEP LIVE MUSIC IN THE AREA!

If you know anyone who you think may enjoy our events, please forward this email to them - we need all the support we can to keep the programme going!  Thanks.

Martin Snodin
Acoustic Sussex (www.acousticsussex.org.uk)
01342 716975
email: martin_at_acousticsussex_dot_org_dot_uk 

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