STRUMPSHAW CMF 2008

THIS major country event takes place over the August Bank Holiday every year and is held in a huge marquee. There is lots of space for camping and caravanning and this year they had the best portloos I have ever seen.

Inside the marquee there is a big, high stage at one end and a bar at the other end. Either side of the stage are two dance floors—one for social dancers and one for line and western dancers. The space in front of the stage and between the two dance floors are set up for those who like to sit close concert style and the rest of the area has loads of tables and chairs and threequarters back they have an excellent video scene so those at the back can see exactly what is going on on the stage.

As usual at a bank holiday I had my own gigs and could only pop in and out but overall I got the impression that numbers were down slightly on previous years but, to be fair, I was not present on the main evenings. I was, however, there on the opening Thursday night and saw the whole event opened by the Wine-Stained Cowboys (above)—I think Stubby has one of the best voices in Brit country music and Stuart is great on both guitar and keyboards. In this guise they perform stone country whereas when they appear as Sidewinder they specialise in music for the line dancers. A very good opening act and they were both going to appear at different times later in the weekend.

I’d seen America Spirit a few days before (see Country In Park review) and their programme was similar to then being aimed mainly at the line dancers—but listeners seemed to enjoy them as well. They were followed by solo act Darren Busby who has quite a following around the East Anglia area and kept the fans happy. We had to wait until the last act of the evening before we got a full band and a live drummer for the live entertainment was closed by local act Moonshine. They have male and female lead singers and are quite young compared with the age of most performers in Brit country music.

Friday saw me working elsewhere but the afternoon saw the Hanks, Broadcaster and hosts Texas Gun supplying the entertainment and I think I ought to say that whenever I was present the sound was good throughout. Friday evening saw a couple of full bands. I was told by several people when I next turned up that Australian Travis Collins (above), backed by what was virtually Barbary Coast, were excellent. Also present were local bands Nashville Numbers and Budgie Coleman & The Mustard Band plus Texas Tornados.

Saturday afternoon saw Double Whiskey, Steve James, the five-piece Jeff Gallant Band and stalwarts Campbell’s Country. Campbell, who has been on our scene forever, was back in the evening along with Red Rock County, Texas Gun and the five-piece Gary Perkins & The Breeze.

I was back on Sunday to see Sidewinder open. It was Stubby’s birthday and the duo had an extra guitarist on stage when they started. Later they were joined by Young George and Simon and they provided an entertaining set. Marie Lee appeared next with the festival band which meant that Stubby left the stage and Old George turned up on bass. Marie has a very traditional country programme concentrating on country songs that have been hits. A female voice made a difference and I think the only other one all weekend was the lady singer from Moonshine.

John C. King is one of the area’s favourite acts and the social dance floor was absolutely full throughout. I like him with the Family Band but find him very dated and boring when using backing tracks but the applause at the end proved I was in the minority. Traditionally the Sunday afternoon spot is closed by Raymond Froggatt (above) and this show is concert only with no provision for dancing. This means that a lot of the dancers leave but they are replaced by Froggie fans who come to see their favourite. There is no truth that he, and his fans, come on their bus passes! Ray maybe getting older but he is still probably the biggest draw in Brit country music and I think he is still the only Brit act that only uses only self-penned songs.

Sunday evening I had to be off again but the festival closed with three full bands. Nashville Sounds, Henry Smith’s Country Dreams and Texas Gun Farewell Band.

Although the weather wasn’t brilliant it wasn’t too bad and it has been announced that another Strumpshaw will be held in 2009.

By MICK GREEN