One of folk music’s best loved artist’s, and North East’s own, graces the stage at Rothbury Roots on Thursday 27th November – BOB FOX. It is a much heralded return to the venue for an artist described as having “one of the great voices of the whole of the Folk Revival” (John Muirhead – Living Tradition). A regular in the Radio 2 Folk Awards, Bob has also been described as “possibly the most complete male artist in English Folk” (Colin Randall – The Daily Telegraph).

After spending five years as a floor singer around the North East folk clubs and resident singer at the “Davylamp” Folk Club in Washington, Bob’s professional career began in 1975 when he met up with fellow North Easterner Tom McConville. As a duo they toured Britain’s vibrant folk club scene in the mid 70’s, and Bob was vaunted as one of the best new singers on the scene.

After two very successful years the duo dissolved, and Bob formed a highly acclaimed partnership with Stu Luckley. This new duo amazed the folk clubs’ festivals and music press alike, and their first album “Nowt So Good’ll Pass” was voted Folk Album of the year by Melody Maker in 1978. In great demand throughout the UK, supporting Richard & Linda Thompson and Ralph McTell, the duo also toured Germany, Holland, Australia and New Zealand, before breaking up in 1982 to pursue solo projects.

Since then Bob has concentrated on his solo career, and in 1996 recorded the album “How Are You Off For Coals” with Benny Graham. The following year Bob re-recorded a selection of songs from his previous albums with Stu Luckley, releasing the critically acclaimed “Box of Gold”.

In 2000 Bob celebrated his 25 years of singing professionally appearing as special guest on the Fairport Convention tour, and released his highly acclaimed first solo album “Dreams Never Leave You” with contributions from members of Fairport.

In 2001/2 Bob toured all over the world, and released “Dark To The Sky” in 2002, and in 2003 received two nominations in the Radio 2 Folk Awards – Best Traditional Track for “Here’s the Tender Coming”, and Best Folk Singer.

2003 saw a busy schedule with extensive tours, which included his third tour of the US, and the signing of a three CD deal with Topic Records. “Borrowed Moments” was released on 3rd Sept to ecstatic reviews. Another two nominations in the Folk awards came his way in 2004 – Best Original Song (“My Love Is In America”) and Best Folk Singer.

Throughout 2005 Bob toured the UK, USA, Australia and The Netherlands, and in 2006 was invited to join an elite group of folk singers, writers and musicians to record six new Radio Ballads commissioned by the BBC. He developed a working relationship with the great John Tams, who he asked to produce his most recent CD “The Blast”. Ralph McTell described the album as “….it’s the sound we hear in live performance, that astonishing guitar technique coupled with one of England’s finest voices”.

Bob teamed up with old mate Billy Mitchell, ex-Lindisfarne, in 2006 for a very special duo tour which resulted in the live CD “5 Star B & B”. In 2007 Bob was as busy as ever, and was involved in a live performance of the New Radio Ballads at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections in January. During 2008 he has again been touring with Stu Luckley.

So it is with great excitement that we are able to present this wonderful musician at Rothbury Roots in November, when a truly marvellous evening of folk music at it’s very best is assured.

To book your tickets in advance for this unmissable evening’s music, telephone The Queens Head on 01669 620470. Tickets are priced at £8.

For more information on Rothbury Roots and to see the full programme for 2008, have a look at www.rothburyroots.net