It’s been a busy few weeks (as usual!) at and beyond True North Towers, including a two week trip to Canada and the USA in late September/early October. I was invited to attend the Music PEI showcase event in Prince Edward Island, Canada and also managed to fit in a visit to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass conference and festival the week before. There was a veritable cornucopia of live music to enjoy at both events, and I made lots of great new contacts as well as catching up with many dear music friends.
Since returning to the UK we’ve been kept busy with a couple of successful and musically barnstorming tours in October and November, with Canadian bluegrass stars The Slocan Ramblers (who return in Aug/Sep 2020) and scintillating old time duo Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves (stay tuned for news of their return). I’m now delighted to announce two exceptional recent additions to the True North Music roster. We will be booking 2020 UK tour dates for both Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, (May 2020) and the George Jackson Band (Aug/Sep 2020).
Laurie Lewis is a bona fide bluegrass legend, a GRAMMY winning (and nominated) artist who has written many classic songs, released around 20 albums and performed and recorded with acclaimed artists including Tim O’Brien, Ralph Stanley and Linda Ronstadt to name just a few! A multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, producer and music educator, Laurie has influenced scores of bluegrass and roots musicians over the years (including Molly Tuttle, Crooked Still, Della Mae, Front Country and many, many more), and remains a powerful force on the American scene, backed by her superlative band The Right Hands, the current line-up of which features some of the most talented young acoustic musicians around. We’re thrilled to get the chance to work with Laurie on one of her rare visits to Europe, and those dates are already being snapped up!
George Jackson is a rising star on the old time and bluegrass scene in Nashville, a native New Zealander who is making a name for himself as a fiddle player, bandleader and tune writer. He has been achieving
recognition as a member of the Missy Raines Trio in recent years and is now shifting focus as leader of his own band, a rollicking old time Americana outfit that also features some of the brightest talents on the Nashville scene. Jackson’s wonderful tune Dorrigo has taken on a life of its own recently, going viral in the #dorrigochallenge, and the George Jackson Band is an all round good time footstomping band that will get festival audiences dancing and will bring a smile to everyone’s face!
We’re really looking forward to 2020, with these two superb artists added to an already packed line-up of outstanding live music coming your way. Check out the upcoming tours tabs for full details of all the UK tours in development, and contact us if you would like to book an artist for your festival, venue or club. Or if you’re not a promoter but a fan of the music, please feel free to recommend us to your favourite venue or festival!