Blimey that was quick. One minute March, next minute nearly May.

So. We had a wonderful time last night at the Holywell Inn, raising yet more money for Jessie’s Fund, and inaugurating the new function room. And a fantastic birthday cake for Jules.

Quick announcement- Bournemouth Folk Club on Thursday! There are tickets left but don’t leave it to chance. Support from the wonderful Catherine Burke band. Come if you can- Thunderbridge have a quiet month coming up- this is your last chance for a (short) while.

Hi all, and welcome along to April already……

We had a ball in March, in between emergency hospital visits, lost voices and other commitments we managed to celebrate our 7th birthday and pull off several lovely gigs across the region and met loads of new people. We also fullfilled one of the recent Jessie’s
Fund auctions (www.jessiesfund.org) and raised a stack for the worthy charity. Thanks to all who came to all the shows – and thanks of course to all who made them happen. The latest CD, Back In The Land Of The Living Room, also acheived a 5 star review in Maverick Magazine (available online and in WHSmiths), which was lovely.

We’re all busy during April, what with Jules doing lots of thespian stuff on the side and of course the now-compulsory Sore Fingers bluegrass school during Easter week, of which he is now a main fixture. He’s also playing this evening, Good Friday, at the wonderful Milverton Music Club (www.milverton-music.co.uk) with the wonderfully daft Green & Bushell, featuring Jules on whatever he can get his hands on and the clown-prince Rupert Green on vocals and Ukelele. They’ll be doing a little set during the evening, and Nick will turf out a couple of new solo songs too, as he gears up for the recording of his third solo CD. Martin’s busy working on some special additions to the usual Thunderbridge show and Brian’s got the job replacing Earl Scruggs….RIP Earl.

Thunderbridge-wise it’s been a long time comin’, but we’re FINALLY doing another Jessie’s Fund gig on the 14th April for our old mate and chief venue-owner Vic Bigg. He’s been off the scene for a while but he’s taken over The Holywell Inn, a lovely little pub just outside Wellington and we are there on the 14th to celebrate the opening of his function room. It’s free admission, great beer, great
bluegrass and of course a great laugh all around. Welcome back Vic & Paulette, you have no idea how much Thunderbridge
need a place like yours……We start at 8.30 ish and who knows what time it will end. There may also be a guest spot from long-time friend Jim Bellamy on the banjo. We can’t wiat…Oh! And if that wasn’t enough, it’s Jules’ birthday that day too!!! Come and share the cake…..

Nick will be hosting another 2-hour Folk Roots and Branches radio show on www.10radio.org on Thursday 12th April at 6pm. He’ll be going through all sorts of stuff from his collection and will be digging deep for great music, especially the ‘roots’ part of the show! Please
log on if you can…..

On Thursday 19th April we’re heading off to Bournemouth to play the great Bournemouth Folk Club. We’ve played there before and had a ball – a really lovely venue, and top-notch support from the folky-rootsy-grassy Catherine Burke. More details on the website.

There’s also a new band entry for us on the great website www.ukbluegrass.com, which is a site well worth checking out.

Keep well, have a great Easter and, as always, we hope to see you out there soon.

Thank you everyone who came to the Bap Kennedy gig and helped make it such a great night.
Unfortunately for you, dear friends,  next are two sold out shows! (presuming you haven’t got your tickets already)

Ok, actually, the first one is on video/youtube, courtesy of Songs From The Shed, which you can see as soon as it is uploaded, and then a gig at Five The Beach in Clevedon. TODAY! Apparently there are 4 tickets suddenly available (it has been sold out for ages!) so QUICK if you want them!

Following that, on Friday the 23rd, is a show at the wonderful Clayhidon Village Hall on the Blackdown hills. That is also sold out, so you can also only come along if there are any last-minute cancellations for that one. So far, no-one has been foolish enough to give up the oportunity to see Wellington’s finest bluegrass band…

But… the next chance is not far away! The Rest And Be Thankful Inn at Wheddon Cross- there are still a few tickets available- contact the venue for details. Food and Bluegrass- the perfect combination.

We hope to see you soon….

Bap Kennedy (‘The finest singer / songwriter I ever saw’ – Steve Earle) – only West Country gig Wellington Arts Centre 4th March 2012 to promote the new Mark Knopfler-produced CD ‘The Sailor’s Revenge’ currently #1 in the Proper Music Bestseller CD chart. With support for one night only from Thunderbridge ‘Americana’ Boys. Tickets are £10 adv. from here.

Be quick.

…a special announcement!

Thanks to all who came and supported our Christmas Shindig – over £400 raised for Jessie’s Fund and a super evening was had by all. Apart from an open-air session at Princesshay Shopping Centre in Exeter on 17th Dec (11am  – 2pm) (gloves on boys!), and a solo gig for Nick that evening in Bath, we’re done for the year. Thanks for all your support in 2011, and we hope to see you again in 2012, when we have loads of great things planned….

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