Renowned flat picking guitarist, Jack Lawrence, musical partner of the legendary Doc Watson returns to the UK to perform with his friends, Richard Plank and Alan Ward.
Jack Lawrence, known as the “acoustic powerhouse”, Jack Lawrence is heralded as one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the USA and has influenced the current generation of flat pick virtuosos including Brian Sutton. His recordings and performances combine exciting, high spirited and innovative guitar solos with tasteful phrasing in his own inventive style. Well known as Doc Watson’s partner since the early 1980’s, Jack’s inspired playing and smooth vocals provide listeners with performances that span musical traditions. Jack grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and his musical odyssey began at age ten when his father took a job as sound engineer for a local music hall. Backstage at the Lake Norman Music Hall, Jack had access to many of the top acts in the Country, Bluegrass and Gospel fields as well as the local R’n’B bands. As a youngster, Jack took this opportunity to meet and learn from some of the finest players in the business. Performers of the day such as Buck Owens, Don Rich, Bill Monroe, Leon Rhodes, George Shuffler, and Flatt and Scruggs exposed Jack to a variety of styles emerging in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Richard Plank, finger picking guitarist, has been a key figure in Cornish musical life for many years and has worked and recorded with several other prominent national and international performers. With Guy Charles he was awarded the inaugural UK Country Radio Listeners’ Club Award in 2009 for their track Bully Of The Town, taken from their 2008 recording Going To The West.
Alan Ward, multi instrumentalist and most recently mandolin player in the leading UK bluegrass band A Band Like Alice has also performed with Webb’s Wonders, The Armadilloes, and both editions of The Bluegrass Ramblers alongside folk music luminaries including Bob Davenport, Peta Webb, Tony Engle, Rick Townend and Rosie Davis.
