Bands

James Oliver is one of the UK’s busiest acts playing over 300 gigs a year all over the UK, Europe, and the USA!

He has performed over 3000 gigs and shared the stage with many acts including Albert Lee, Bill Kirchen, Deke Leonard, Greg Koch, Walter Trout, Steve Gibbons, Billy Bremner, Geraint Watkins, and many others.

In 2020 James won the UK Blues Awards Emerging Artist of the Year and has since been nominated 3 additional times.

James Oliver released 2 studio albums 3 live albums and his album Twang was #1 on Amazon Blues Charts for 3 weeks. James is currently working on a new record with legendary producer, John Leckie.

James’ YouTube channel has over 20,000 subscribers with over 9 million views.

“One of the UK’s most revered and incredible next generation guitar masters”

-Giles Robson (UK Blues Harp Legend)

“Plain and simple… he’s a genius.”

-Holger Engels – Rockin’ Music Reviews, Ireland

“James is a passionate roots rocker loaded with guitar firepower.”

-Bill Kirchen – guitar legend

“James Oliver is regarded as one of the finest players of the next generation.”

-Jersey Evening Post

“I am not easily impressed by guitarists, but this guy is definitely a comer.”

-John Drumbo, (Drummer for Captain Beefheart)

“If you want to see energy times 10 with the greasiest of rockabilly fire and flair, this is the guy to see!”

-Redd Volkaert (Grammy Award winning guitarist for Merle Haggard)

“He’s regarded as a force of nature in his native Wales, an R&B icon in Sweden, and a guitar hero to his social media fans”

-Blues in Britain Magazine

“Pure genius - live music as it should be played”

-Blues Matters Magazine

“Best guitarist in the UK”

-John Leckie (Legendary Sound engineer)

“James Oliver wields the Telecaster with extreme aplomb and is highly entertaining to boot. See and hear him now!”

-Greg Koch (Guitar legend)

“An incredibly inventive and exciting guitarist”

-Music Republic Magazine

Dubbed “England’s equivalent to Joe Bonnamassa” by Blues Matters, Jim Kirkpatrick has built up over a quarter-century’s experience in Blues and Rock and earned a tonne of respect from his fans, peers and critics alike. Not only is he a gifted songwriter (who’s written numerous nationally UK playlisted songs) but he’s also a deft-fingered, multi-skilled, guitarist who’s famed for possessing both Bonnamassa-type energy and slide guitar and fingerstyle— worthy of the great Duane Allman — as well.

Jim is probably best-known as the lead guitarist of the legendary British melodic rock band FM, with whom he’s served since 2008. However, he’s also worked and toured with many other big hitters, worldwide, several of whom have collaborated with him on his solo material, such as Bernie Marsden and John ‘Rhino’ Edwards.

Striking out as a solo artist, Jim made a seismic and immediate impact, and earned well-deserved acclaim, as a songwriter, guitarist, vocalist (and live performer) with his critically acclaimed, 2020, 12-track solo album ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’. Life Music Media called it “The most important British Blues-Rock album of recent years,” and proclaimed, “Jim should be regarded as being right at the pinnacle of the world’s best Blues guitarist/vocalists.”

Now, Jim’s following up that triumphant solo outing with his forthcoming album of new material: ‘Dead Man Walking.’

“I think some of my strongest tracks ever are on this album. I’ve incorporated some country, Americana and gospel influences in with the usual blend of rock and blues. This is new territory for me.

“The tracks ‘Dead Man Walking’ and ‘Union Train’ are southern-tinged whilst ‘Promised Land’ is almost like a work song.

“There’s some out-and-out rockers like ‘Life On The Run’ and Heaven Above’, and some blues and soul with ‘Road of Bones’ and ‘The Journey Home’.

“There’s one cover on the album, which is Rory Gallagher’s ‘I Fall Apart’. It’s very different from his original version. There’s an epic orchestral score on it.

Jims current album ‘Dead Man Walking” has been called 'Quite simply a masterpiece’ by Metal Planet Music who gave it 10/10. Blues Matters Magazine said ‘This is the album of the year, no question about it’ and continued to say ‘If there is a better blues/rock guitarist within this sceptres isle of ours, I’ll eat my hat’! Blues In Britain exclaimed that the album is ‘Quite brilliant’!

Recently, Jim has been lauded as 'the hardest working musician in the business’, 'Britains most unsung blues/rock guitar hero’ and 'the biggest secret in the blues/rock world’. That is all about to change!

Formed in Birmingham in 2014, blues rock outfit Big Wolf Band fronted by acclaimed guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jonathan Earp and Mick Jeynes on bass, continue to go from strength to strength. With two number 1 Amazon Chart bestselling albums in A Rebel’s Story released in 2017 and Be Free (featuring vocals from Zoe Green) released in 2019. Their single “Get Out” which was released in 2022 was brilliantly received and now their new live album Live & Howlin’ has been played worldwide and landed the number 3 spot in the prestigious IBBA Charts and continues to bring in amazing reviews.

The Big Wolf Band are one of the UK’s best blues rock outfits and continue to generate brilliant reviews and responses from audiences, promoters and music writers.

The albums and singles showcase the brilliant musicianship and song writing talents of Jonathan Earp and as a result have garnered airplay from Paul Jones on his Radio 2 show, Planet Rock, HRH radio, FM radio across Europe, Australia and the USA. A wide range of international podcast and internet radio stations have also enthusiastically embraced Big Wolf Band’s songs and are playing them regularly on their shows. The band also has an amazing presence on YouTube. Their songs have been added by enthusiastic lovers of the genre on various playlists and have been listened to millions of times. The tracks Darkest of my Days and If I Ever Loved Another Woman are two tracks which have attracted an incredible amount of excitement and attention on YouTube. This has had a positive effect on the band’s official artist channel, Big Wolf Band TV, demonstrating strong month on month growth.

The band have gathered a very strong following which has not only been generated from their recorded output but also by their dynamic and energy filled live sets. The band have toured extensively across the UK and have supported high profile artists such as Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake, Kirk Fletcher, Elles Bailey, Steve Nimmo, Pat McManus, Chantel McGregor, Erja Lyytinen, Stacey Collins and Climax Blues Band.

2022 was a tremendous year for the band. Big Wolf Band enjoyed playing sold out shows at the award-winning Tuesday Night Music Club in Coulsdon, HRH Blues at the O2 Sheffield Academy and the Temperance Bar in Leamington Spa receiving outstanding reviews. The band were also finalists at the 2022 UK Blues Challenge event in Weston Super Mare where they went down a storm with organisers and fans alike. The band also continued to impress at many other events and venues during the year including the Darlington R & B Club, Buxton Blues Festival and Edinburgh Blues Club.

The start of 2023 has been unbelievable, nominated in the final 5 for UK Blues Band Of The Year. The nomination has reinforced the growing reputation of the band. Their live album which was released on the 16th March has attracted recognition from reviewers and radio presenters alike with one reviewer stating “This is not simply one of the great live albums of 2023, it is one of the great blues rock live albums PERIOD” – Ben Vee www.benveeblues.com. The release of Live & Howlin’ has coincided with a spike in the bands online analytics with views across their social media increasing exponentially which has resulted in nearly 60k views across YouTube in the last 28 days. This also coincided with a YouTube show presenter mentioning the band to Eric Clapton during an interview with the legend.

The band are proudly endorsed by the high-profile companies Blackstar Amps, Roland, Boss, Code Drum Heads, Pellwood Drum Sticks and Matrix Amplification.

The Big Wolf Band live shows incorporate hard edged blues rock with dynamic highs, lows and a high energy filled set that incorporates everything you want to see from a live band. Big Wolf Band has wowed audiences, festivals and promoters up and down the country. The Big Wolf Band are all set to record their 3rd studio album during June for release later this year with the working title of A Rebels Journey and the band are committed to continue raising the bar and are looking forward to the rest of 2023 and beyond.

The Rory Story are a band of friends that have performed for many years together in a number of rock and blues bands most recently as The John Angus Blues Band, This quality of musicianship and passion for the music of Rory Gallagher means you are in for a treat. If you love Rory Gallagher you will love The Rory Story. The band perform a cross section of Rory's music spanning 25 years. They have already played The Rory Gallagher UK Festival at Nantwich, headlining and making a lot of new Rory fans. If you'd like to receive and email from us please let us know on axemangus@gmail.com. We will not share your information in any way to anyone. Thanks for visiting www.rorygallagher.co.uk .

If you would like to see The Rory Story performing as Rory Gallagher in your area please let us know names of venues so we can see if we can be "In your Town"

Celebrating the music of Irish blues guitar legend Rory Gallagher

Cloak & Dagger are a three piece band from Southampton are the masters of the Irish Blues perfected by the late Rory Gallagher.

Troy Redfern combines the rawness of Hound Dog Taylor, the free-form approach of Sonny Sharrock, the firebrand playing of Johnny Winter and the technique of Dave Hole, mixed with the ghost of Elmore James'.

There's something about the Welsh marches. As guitarist Troy Redfern tells it, he grew up in the shadow of Hergest Ridge, made famous by Mike Oldfield. The Welsh borders - roughly that area between Hay on Way, Brecon and Hereford - might not quite evoke the arresting geography and climate of say Louisiana, but there's something about the freedom of that area...

It all fits perfectly into Troy Redfern's world. He's a passionate, intense, free spirited indie blues artist whose ferocious slide guitar style twists and turns timeless themes and ideas to his own ends. In the studio, the multi instrumental slide guitarist and producer is a one man band who painstakingly pays attention to the minutiae of his tone, the imaginary arrangements and noir filled lyrics.

As a band leader he's trusting enough to know that wherever his spontaneity takes him he has a locked in rhythm section that will push him to the limit while also giving him a safety net. Back in the studio, he does it all himself, and it's hard to grasp his unrelenting energy.

He's a musical visionary unafraid to trample on the boundaries of restricting labels. His talent spans ferocious slide playing, thoughtful production, passionate vocals and an approach to contemporary indie blues that references delta blues roots, while turning familiar emotions, themes and riffs from a bygone era into a broad based contemporary musical template.

Troy ushers us into a restless, musical journey that spans big musical vistas. He's a guitarist for whom tone, feel and grooves are his working tools and while his songs range from a whisper to a scream, he performs a balancing act between pure spontaneity and deep grooves.

His music is physical, engaging and emotive and worthy of hip references like indie blues, except it's backed up by real substance and stretched to the limit by virtuoso solos. When you listen to Troy Redfern you're buying into a new world vision where his high energy approach uncompromisingly hits you in the guts before making a cerebral connection.

Pete Feenstra - Blues Matters Magazine

Celebrating the music of Irish blues guitar legend Rory Gallagher

Jinx are a high energy power trio from Scotland comprising

Stevie – Guitar, Vocals

Bri – Bass, Vocals

Nik – Drums

BLUESROCK SENSATION FROM YORKSHIRE (UK)
Jed Thomas from Yorkshire (UK) plays a unique, unmistakable and great blues rock style which he has been celebrating live with Joe Bonamassa, Rory Gallagher Band, Buddy Guy and Nine Below Zero for many years.
Stylistically, Jed can be located somewhere between Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher, his show always has an immense 70s charm and plenty of room for improvisation.

Jed's blues guitar playing is a mix of classic Delta style, slide guitar and electric blues. Along with Paul Austwick on Hammond, Nibbsy Toes on bass and Fiete Blümel on the drums, the Jed Thomas Band impresses the audience and unfolds his magic live performance in the smallest club as well as at the biggest festival. Jed and his top-class band are always touring all over Europe.

Really loved your slide playing (Joe Bonamassa)
Keep playin the blues son… (Buddy Guy)

Watch out for this guy (Tony McPhee – Groundhogs)

We really like the direction you are going in (Rory Gallagher Band)

Fantastic band from N. Wales area, paying tribute to Rory Gallagher & Jimi Hendrix.
SandraiseR are a hard rocking blues power trio dedicated to the music of Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher.
Led by the awesome talented guitarist Steve Pendle & now featuring ex Sinnerboy drummer Johnny Brutal & ex Sinnerboy Bass Nick Skelton.
SandraiseR are an absolutely top class band covering Rory Gallagher and Jimi Hendrix with a bit of Cream. If they're performing near you, then cancel everything else and go to watch them. See them while you can in this part of the country.

Aiden is well known for his powerful and engaging performances leaving his fans both excited and mesmerised. Having played throughout the UK, Europe and Ireland as a power trio Aiden is often likened to one of his heroes Rory Gallagher implementing a similar approach to the guitar with fierce passion and an energy like no other. Guitar riffs, catchy hooks, intense lead and great lyrics combine to give you something special and will leave you wanting more!

"Guitarist take you on a journey, sometimes gentle and dreamy and sometimes they wander off and leave you behind. Aiden plays with total commitment and takes the audience with him every step and note of the way. Looking out through a veil of dark hair with fire in his eyes as much as his fingers you can't resist following his lead. Solid, meaty riffs and the attitude of a real rocker, the man has a commanding presence and a keen following. "

~Petula Mitchell

"For me, Aiden is a fantastic young player with the personality, talent and passion to be a major name in British Blues. Not only does he posses some great guitar skills but he seems to be one of a dying breed... The type of musician who doesn't. view music as a competition, just a great platform for many like minded people to express their art and share and learn with each other. Look out everyone... there's a new slinger in the mix!

~Alan Nimmo (KING KING)

"In the few years Aiden Pryor has been playing at the Rory Gallagher Festival, this young man has certainly attracted a large enthusiastic and supportive fan base. Why? Because he is simply a class performer, a very talented guitarist, who delivers his music with passion and energy and that's not all, Aiden is a hell of a nice guy who connects with his fans.

~Joseph Cohen