Wirral and Merseyside folk artists join forces for special concert at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight next week

Sep 14 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

THE finest folk artists in Wirral and Merseyside will come together for a very special concert at the Gladstone Theatre next week.

Fifty Years of Folk Music is the brainchild of Brian Lupton, who organises folk evenings in Oxton and was resident folk singer at the Good Intent, Mollington, for 15 years.

He was also a member of harmony group Kinfolk, which won the international Man and the Sea music festival in Germany.

The nostalgic evening at the Port Sunlight theatre will feature stalwarts of the Wirral and Merseyside folk scene together on one stage for the first time, including Bob Buckle, Roger Parker, Brian Jones and Jack Owen.

Topping the bill will be veteran folk singer Jacqui McDonald, formerly one half of duo Jacqui & Bridie and the female vocalist for The Spinners.

Brian said: “Jacqui’s stage experiences have included a Royal Command Performance appearance, being part of Ken Dodd’s touring show and she has regularly toured in North America, New Zealand and Australia.

“Jacqui’s performance will conclude the evening leading the finale of what will be a truly unique and memorable show.”

All the line-up have vast experience. Eddie Morris is currently resident at the Parkgate Folk Club and was a long-time member of the Irish Tullamore-Dewo band, while for 40 years Roger Parker was cornerstone resident at the Albion

Folk Club, New Brighton followed by Manor FC in Liscard.

Brian Jones is a member of Wirral folk band The Tom Topping Band and recently formed his own Jones Family Band with his son and two daughters.

Bob Buckle is a prolific songwriter, entertainer and recording artist and found national and international fame in the 1960s with the duo The Leesiders, while Jack Owen penned the popular Mist Over the Mersey.

On the night the musicians will form two trios – Bob, Roger and Brian Jones on one side, with Eddie, Jack and Brian Lupton in the second group.

Fifty Years of Folk Music takes place on Friday, September 23, at 7.30pm. Show tickets are £10 and all proceeds will go to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Tickets are available from the Gladstone Theatre box office on 643 8757 or online at www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk