JONATHAN BYRD is “one of the top 50 songwriters of the last 50 years,” says Rich Warren of WFMT in the Chicago Tribune. Scott Alarik of the Boston Globe says, “This rootsy North Carolinian may be the most buzzed-about new songwriter in folkdom. He displays John Prine’s gift for stark little songs that tell big, complex stories, Guy Clark’s lean melodicism, Lyle Lovett’s wry mischief, and Bill Morrissey’s knack for the revealing image.” Byrd grew up singing in the Southern Baptist church, where his father preached and his mother played piano. After four years in the Navy, he returned to home to play in rock bands. It was at an old-time fiddle festival in the mountains of southwest Virginia where his writing began to change. Assimilating the sounds of southern traditional music, Byrd wrote new songs in an ancient style. After 10 years as a full-time touring songwriter and 7 acclaimed albums, it seems this native of Cackalacky is getting the attention he deserves. He played Shrewsbury Folk Festival a few years ago and absoleutely charmed audiences selling the most amount of CDs of all artists appearing that weekend. After playing the Shrewsbury Folk Festival last year with his Danish band The Sentimentals and the positive reaction to his first UK non Festival dates Jonathan is back this June and not to be missed.
Support from…. Pistol Pete Wearn
Tearing it up with his own raucous interpretation of traditional blues, Pistol Pete Wearn is a renowned vocalist, slide guitarist, harmonica player and songwriter. Equipped with acoustic guitar and stompbox he blends traditional material and originals with the odd slide-ified cover.
