This Year:
The 2009 MBF event date is Saturday 17 October.
We are currently working on the programme.
Starring This year (amongst many others)
Howard Shepherd
Howard, long recognised as one of the country's finest banjo players
who's band "Shep's Banjo Boys", achieved national fame via the long
running TV show "The Comedians".
Apart from touring in the UK & abroad, Howard led Shep's on"Pebble Mill
- Golden Shot - Wheel Tappers & Shunters Club & repeat cruises on the
QE2".Currently, in addition to playing various gigs throughout the UK,
Howard often stars on the Orient Express.
Elias
Sibley
Probably one of
the youngest classical banjo performers in the world today is Elias
Sibley, who started having lessons with James Allgrove when he was ten
years old. Elias has attended many banjo rallies since he first started
playing the banjo; he has
also performed at the Reading International Banjo Festival
several
times, and at the Bath International Banjo Festival,as well as
many other venues. Elias also composes music for the classical banjo.
Ray
Bernard
The Ukelele Man. Specialised in Al Jolson No's in the 50's,later as vocalist in Ken Griffiths orchestra. Founder member of the George Formby Society, Ray became President from 1976 to 1979 and along with many literary contributions to the musical media, has entertained with his musical wizardry throughout the UK. In addition to his television appearances on Pebble Mill at One and Look North, radio performances on BBC Nightride, Hometown Saturday Night and Woman's Hour, Ray has appeared live on stage at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool, Theatre Royal, Hanley, Queens Theatre, Burslem along with many Festivals & Concerts throughout the country
Russ Chandler
As well as being a keen driving force in the English Classic Banjo scene, Russ is an accomplished Clawhammer player and proved very popular at last year’s Midland Banjo Fest.
He also runs the successful Walthamstow Folk Club”.
Free Raffle Draw, this year sponsored by Clifford Essex Music Company Ltd, prizes include a Years Supply of Banjo Strings (twelve sets of your choice); a One Year Subscription to BMG Magazine and bottles of wine.
WORKSHOPS
Elias Sibley
will be running a classic banjo workshop, contact us for more details.
GRAND BANJO BASH
Those of you in attendance at the end of last year's Concert will
remember that we finished with a Grand Banjo Bash. Building on
this success we have now decided to make this a permanent fixture.
Once again we will go into our: Five Foot Two, Bill Bailey and When
the Saints to conclude the show. Bring your banjos, everybody joins in!
CHORDS ( Get Practising!)
|
Five Foot Two Eb / G7 / C7 / C7 F7 / Bb7 / Eb / Bb7 Eb / G7 / C7 / C7 F7 / Bb7 / Eb / Eb G7 / G7 / C7 / C7 F7 / F7 / Bb7 / Bb7 -Bb+ Eb / G7 / C7 / C7 F7 / Bb7 / Eb / Bb7 (Eb at end ) |
Saint's F / F / F / F F / F / C7 / C7 F / F7 / Bb / Bbm F / C7 / F / F |
Bill Bailey F / F / F / F F / F / C7 / C7 C7 / C7 / C7 / C7 C7 / C7 / F / F F / F / F / F F / F /Bb / Bb Bb / Bbm/ F / D7 G7 / C7 / F / F |
Our professionals:
Howard Shepherd, Dave
Thompson,
and Ray Bernard will
lead you
adding their style and expertise
in chord/melody throwing it backwards and forwards between them.
TRADE STANDS
Once again we welcome our trade stand
guests, the fee is again £10.00 per table. Please contact
Tom Ryan
to reserve your table a.s.a.p
as we understand that last year trade was quite brisk and tables may be
at a premium.
AND FINALLY...
Don't forget to book your rooms at the Bretby Conference Centre, prices still as last year, +44 (0)1283 553440. or click here to link to their web site. Book early to avoid disappointment. It was fully booked last year.