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16:00
New Bushbury Mountain DaredevilsEddy Morton, Buzby Bywater, Brian Bannister and Eric Barlow
In the midst’s of time there was a meeting of minds that created a powerful musical force. That force propelled a bunch of ragged raw talent from the streets of Birmingham on their first faltering steps along the rocky road of folk history. The band called themselves "The New Bushbury Mountain Daredevils" and their unique brand of home-grown hillbilly heaven made a big impression on audiences not just in the UK but all over Europe.
It seemed the world had gone mountain mad. Every festival in the mid 90's seemed to have their name at the top of the bill. Drawn in by the bands infectious energy and unstoppable momentum everyone danced and sang along as the Bushburys (as they became known) became a promoters dream. Always guaranteed to send audiences home happy and fulfilled but never before they'd insisted on an immediate rebooking. There was a special chemistry on stage that audiences immediately recognized and felt a connection to. Their albums confirmed their status as serious contenders but said something more than merely confirming their status as a serious party band.
Here were some great tracks, with crafted arrangements, full of emotion and careful thought and above all some world class singers who could not only effortlessly hold a tune but could sing with conviction and sensitivity and add glorious harmonies to already great vocals. Those albums have stood the test of time and still sound great today, a true testament to the worth of the original talent that made up the original daredevils.
Over the years the band went their separate ways as inevitably happens as lives change. But something drew these wandering spirits back together in 2006. Three of the original four members decided it was time to dust off the old tunes, write some fresh ones and see if the old magic was still there. Would Buzby's bass still sound as solid and tuneful as it once had? Would the voices of Eric and Brian still sound so sweet and strong and their musicianship sound so special? A small three piece "secret" gig at a folk club confirmed everyone's suspicions....they were back and sounding better than ever. The idea to put a band sound around the trio was implemented and rehearsals began for the next gig at Banbury Festival.
Though the gig was only a month away plans had already been laid. Guitarist Andy Bole had already done a few gigs along the way with the boys and proved to be a great addition.
Katie Fitzgeralds
Katie Fitzgerald's
Please note many of the gigs are ticketed so check with the venue or their website first.
For 23 years Katie Fitzgerald's has been at the heart of music and comedy here in Stourbridge. Originally a pub, Katie's is now a dedicated performance venue, having survived as a building from the time of Waterloo, through the Victorian era and the height of the Industrial Revolution, enduring 3 name changes from the original Golden Lion, to the Stourbridge Lion and finally to Katie Fitzgerald's. The many occupants will have seen immense changes in the world outside standing on the front step of the pub. Surviving two world wars, the end of the Cold War and still going strong throughout this second technological revolution, Katie's still looks out over to the hammer beam roof of the old Foster and Rastrick Foundry, now revamped as the Lion Health Centre and will, we hope, be there for many years to come.
In the last 20 years we have seen appearances at the pub from Ronnie Drew and Sean Cannon of the Dubliners, Miles Hunt, Trevor Burton, Steve Gibbons, Brian Travers of UB40, Badly Drawn Boy, John Otway, Robb Johnson, Harvey Andrews, Roy Bailey, Rory Mcleod, Show of Hands, Stevie Young of AC DC, Brian Tatler of Diamondhead, Magnums Bob Catley, Dave Sharp of the Alarm, Nick Harper, Nislopi, Ian Parker, Vix from Fuzzbox, Vin Garbutt, Martyn Simpson, Martyn Carthy, Chris Difford from Squeeze, Martyn Joseph, the Neon Hearts, Chris Jagger brother of Mick plus countless local bands and solo and duo artists in all genres of music from Jazz to Folk to Rock and Punk. We have also been proud to promote concerts by Suzanne Vega, John Cooper Clarke, the Black Country Festival, and Stourbridge Folk Festival at the Redhouse Cone.
We have also supported many varied charities including, the YMCA, Hall Green Greyhounds Trust, Acorn Children's Hospice, Mind, Papyrus Suicide prevention, Stourbridge foodbank, The Brain Tumour charity, Sea Shepherd, Hillfields Animal Sanctuary, ROVER Rescue and Mary Stevens Hospice among them. Katie Fitzgerald's is also the home of Stourbridge Foundation 4 Music and the Stourbridge Community Development Trust.
Katie Fitzgerald's Please note many of the gigs are ticketed so check with the venue or their website first.
For 23 years Katie Fitzgerald's has been at the heart of music and comedy here in Stourbridge. Originally a pub, Katie's is now a dedicated performance venue, having survived as a building from the time of Waterloo, through the Victorian era and the height of the Industrial Revolution, enduring 3 name changes from the original Golden Lion, to the Stourbridge Lion and finally to Katie Fitzgerald's. The many occupants will have seen immense changes in the world outside standing on the front step of the pub. Surviving two world wars, the end of the Cold War and still going strong throughout this second technological revolution, Katie's still looks out over to the hammer beam roof of the old Foster and Rastrick Foundry, now revamped as the Lion Health Centre and will, we hope, be there for many years to come.
In the last 20 years we have seen appearances at the pub from Ronnie Drew and Sean Cannon of the Dubliners, Miles Hunt, Trevor Burton, Steve Gibbons, Brian Travers of UB40, Badly Drawn Boy, John Otway, Robb Johnson, Harvey Andrews, Roy Bailey, Rory Mcleod, Show of Hands, Stevie Young of AC DC, Brian Tatler of Diamondhead, Magnums Bob Catley, Dave Sharp of the Alarm, Nick Harper, Nislopi, Ian Parker, Vix from Fuzzbox, Vin Garbutt, Martyn Simpson, Martyn Carthy, Chris Difford from Squeeze, Martyn Joseph, the Neon Hearts, Chris Jagger brother of Mick plus countless local bands and solo and duo artists in all genres of music from Jazz to Folk to Rock and Punk. We have also been proud to promote concerts by Suzanne Vega, John Cooper Clarke, the Black Country Festival, and Stourbridge Folk Festival at the Redhouse Cone.
We have also supported many varied charities including, the YMCA, Hall Green Greyhounds Trust, Acorn Children's Hospice, Mind, Papyrus Suicide prevention, Stourbridge foodbank, The Brain Tumour charity, Sea Shepherd, Hillfields Animal Sanctuary, ROVER Rescue and Mary Stevens Hospice among them. Katie Fitzgerald's is also the home of Stourbridge Foundation 4 Music and the Stourbridge Community Development Trust.