PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT

An extra-special evening is in store at Rothbury Roots on Thursday 16th September 2010 when the North East music legends that are Billy Mitchell and Bob Fox combine for their Billy & Bob show.

Billy Mitchell - Billy started playing the guitar in the early sixties when they were all made of wood and mostly the same colour.

He formed a ‘beat group’ with some pals at the local youth club and played local clubs and pubs till the sad arrival of full time employment forced their demise.

He then joined with former beat group pals to form a ‘folk group’ during the great ‘folk scare’ of the late sixties and early seventies. The Callies showed the good people of Newcastle what they thought folk music should sound like. They recorded one album, went to London, didn’t like it... then came home.

After a spell in Vancouver, Canada, Billy was invited to return to England to join Jack the Lad with members of the recently split Lindisfarne. Then followed four albums and four years touring the UK and Europe, playing every venue known to man and some that weren’t…

At the end of the seventies he joined with Peter McIntyre to form the hilarious Maxie & Mitch who have spent the last twenty four years playing music in a very funny way to people all over the world who fancied a laugh…

1996 saw Billy join Newcastles’ favourite sons Lindisfarne who enjoyed critical acclaim for their live concerts in the UK and the USA, and their subsequently-released albums of new songs Here Comes the Neighbourhood and Promenade.

Since Lindisfarne's retirement in 2003, Billy has embarked on a very successful solo career with his Backtrackin' show and CD, and in 2005 he recorded The Devil's Ground album, which received critical acclaim and extensive radio play.

In 2006, he celebrated his 60th birthday by forming the first ever Billy Mitchell Band, who played an emotional ‘sell out’ concert at The Sage, Gateshead.

BOB FOX - 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”.

Rothbury Roots is delighted to present these two music legends in their “Billy & Bob” show on Thursday 16th September. Alas it is too late to buy tickets now.

For more information on Rothbury Roots and to see the full programme for 2010, have a look at www.rothburyroots.net