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2008
June 21, The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton: The Gary Fletcher Band
GARY FLETCHER was
born in London in the early ‘50s and is probably best known as
the bass player in The 
Blues
Band. Gary considers himself very fortunate to be able to call upon
some great musicians when The Gary Fletcher Band performs.All
bands need a great drummer and Pick Withers, formerly of Dire Straits
of course, has brought his skill and sense of musical adventure to the
band. A constant in the line-up is Jack Fletcher on bass guitar. On
lead guitar has been Twickenham’s finest, John Evans, who plays
so exquisitely on several tracks on the Human Spirit album although
his commitments elsewhere on occasion have necessitated the recruitment
of the exciting Steve Ling, guitarist from Jack’s rock band.The
presence of the two youngsters, Jack and Steve, in the line-up mitigate
very nicely the more mature presence of Gary and Pick!
Recently 'a fan' wrote about Human Spirit on the Amazon site:
I love it...Gary Fletcher's well-crafted and emotional songs, bolstered by the various guest artists and musicians, are very very good and in places so very honest that they assume brilliance. If you talk to him after Blues Band gigs you discover that he is also incredibly modest. If he were better known this would sell by the shed load. Instead most people will probably never hear it. A great pity. If in doubt, risk the outlay. You won't be disappointed. SAME GOES FOR THE GIG
Saturday
13th September,The Drewe Arms Drewsteignton:
Little Toby Walker
Toby Walker is
a unique, accomplished fingerstyle guitar virtuoso adept at blues, rags
and hot country picking, coaxing more out of a guitar than anyone can
imagine, but the originality doesn't end there. He is also a skilled
singer and songwriter who draws inspiration from traditional and contemporary
music. Toby’s passion for the blues and other traditonal Amercian
music sent him into the deep south where he tracked down old time musicians
of an earier era, learning directly at the feet of Etta Baker, Jack
Owens and many others. He shares this music and the stories of his travels
in
each of his performances. Toby takes this foundation and creates something
uniquely his own and has been eagerly received in concert halls, festivals,
schools and coffeehouses throughout the U.S., The UK and mainland-Europe.
His songs can make you shake with laughter or, bring a tear to your
eye.
Among Toby’s credits are teaching in the schools for Carnegie Hall,
instructing guitar at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio
and winning the prestigious International Blues
Challenge Award in Memphis. He has twice been featured in the New York
Times and has appeared on the Main stage at the famous Philadelphia
Folk Festival
"You haven't lived until you've seen Toby Walker in concert. He's
not just a master guitarist, but a consummate entertainer. "
- John Platt - WFUV
"When Toby Walker straps the guitar on, the notes fly at a rate
that is dizzying. They dance with speed, grace and precision. The effect
is one of steel-like strength. His blues are a flash of muscle and his
gentle fingerstyle ballads speak poetry."
-Richard Cuccaro - Acoustic Live