Baldock Folk Club All Stars

Brian Burke our ‘Director of Music’, will be appearing in several guises over the weekend (unlucky for you lot!). Immersed in traditional Irish music and balladry from an early age, he fronted GorJus Wrex for

over thirty years and even now on their rare appearances when reverse emigration allows. Since 2017, he has been the Tangler in the ‘Tanglers’ Irregulars who play sessions and charity gigs to keep the fingers and vocals in trim! An inveterate writer of songs, there will be several tributes to those who have passed over the

last year! The Pea Ridge Mountain Boys.

This duet, comprising Dave Stacey and Brian Burke will kick-off the music on Friday. Dave Stacey is well known in the banjo world as a player, maker, and repairer of banjos. He fell in love with the banjo in his early years and it has been a hobby throughout his life. On retirement

from “the proper job”, he became a full-time maker and repairer and enjoys playing banjo at sessions with his friends. He is widely admired as a fine exponent of old time American country music as well as the Appalachian and finger-picking banjo 

style. His songs are delivered in a strident voice suitable to the themes chosen. This is bound to be a lively starter by the Pea Ridge Boys to get things going! They will then be joined by fellow ‘Tanglers’; Shelagh

McConnell hails from “that part of Glasgow that is forever Ireland”. Born into an Irish family, she was steeped in Irish music and dance from a young age. She abandoned her cultural heritage in her teens, however, for the temptations of ‘60s and ‘70s pop music! Drawn back to the old songs and tunes from the Emerald Isle in later life, she now sings and plays Irish and American

music on guitar and fiddle whenever anyone will listen. Tony Gammage has a lovely relaxed guitar style and a fine voice to match. Up till recently he was a half of Twitchy Fingers with the late John Young who we tragically lost earlier this year (tribute on Sunday). He also plays with many other musicians and is a Tanglers regular as well as being a key organiser of Baldock Folk Club. Belfast born Frank Corr has been playing and singing traditional vand country music for the past thirty or so

years in the Cambridge area and is a

well-known and respected exponent of his craft with a deft touch and soft mellow voice. He is heavily involved with the  Cambridge Branch of Comhaltas and is passing his vast knowledge of traditional music on to a new generation. Kevin  Naughton has been playing flute and

whistle for over thirty years with both the Wrex and Tanglers. 

Fri 12.00pm

Main Stage