January 24th 2008... ROOT 'n TOOT 'n Since their last visit here, the group has lost the services of lead guitarist Johnny, but his replacement was unable to appear tonight; so the entertainment was left in the capable hands of Mandy and Colin.
As always there was loads of fun and frolics and, of course, great music with frequent help from our members following invitations to play the Tea-Chest Bass, Chicken Headed Skiffle Stick, Tambourines, Washboard, Maraccas etc. etc.
Starting with Hank Snow's No 1 from 1951, The Golden Rocket, they continued with Johnny Cash's, 1955 smash, Cry, Cry, Cry and The Soggy Bottom Boys', I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow. Going back further in time their show presented Jack Guthrie's self penned 1945 No 1, Oklahoma Hills, and Bob Wills' 1946 hit, Roly Poly, and Malcolm Yelvington's, Goodbye Marie.
Songs more familiar to our members included George Morgan's, Candy Kisses, Robert Mitchum's, Little Ole Wine Drinker, Have You Ever Been Lonely, a hit for Ernest Tubb and the duo of Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline, and the popular Gospel hit, I'll Fly Away.
Lots of music for dancing, Acrobatics on the bass and a first solo performance from Mandy, and great vocals from Colin, all contributed to an evening of wonderful entertainment.
Cyril Insley
December 15th 2005 Root'n Toot'n
So popular was this Trio a couple of months ago that when the opportunity arose for a second show now, we immediately took it. Mandy, Colin and Johnny Vee are best described as a Hillbilly Band who love their audience to enjoy themselves and so encourage them to participate in the production of the music by playing Tambourines, Chicken-headed Skiffle Stick, Washboard etc. etc. For them each show is full of fun and a party night. Their concert songs in general are from forties and fifties and occasionally the sixties, and most are popular standards from the Country, Skiffle and Rockerbilly genres. Tonight's programme included several Hank William's songs including ' Why Don't You Love Me' and ' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry', Don Gibson's ' Oh Lonesome Me', Ernest Tubb's ' Walking The Floor Over You', Johnny Cash's ' Folsom Prison Blues', Faron Young's ' Four In The Morning', Willie Nelson's ' Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain', originally recorded by Roy Acuff in 1947, George Morgan's ' Candy Kisses', Lonnie Donnigan's ' Puttin' On The Style' and the Kingston Trio hit ' Tom Dooley'. Songs rarely heard here included Bill Browning's ' Wash Machine Boogie', Al Terry's ' Roughneck Blues', Johnny Horton's ' Honkytonk Mind' and Johnny Duncan's ' Rockerbilly Baby'. Once again they performed a show full of fun and enjoyment and served as an excellent forerunner to our Christmas Party next week. Cyril Insley October 8th 2005 Root'n Toot'n
For the second of our Saturday Specials we were more than pleased to welcome this newly - formed trio and what a super evening of lively fun and entertainment they provided. The band is made up of Mandy Stroud ( Ex- Smokey Mountain Boys), Colin Mee ( Lead singer of the Skip Rats) and Jonny V. of Country Cattin'. Mandy plays Double 'Slap' Bass, Wash -tub Bass, Chicken - Headed Skiffle Stick and Tambourine, and does backing / harmony vocals; Colin plays Rhythm Guitar, Banjo- Ukelele and takes lead on vocals; and Johnny plays lead guitar, and in excellent fashion, as good as i have heard and seen. Their first gig was at the recent Skipton Festival, and their main aim at any concert is to entertain, amuse and involve their audience and at the same time have loads of fun. Tonight they certainly succeeded and gave us an evening to savour. Their programme consists entirely of Traditional, Hillbilly / Skiffle music, almost all of it from the forties and fifties, and despite our audience not knowing all the songs, the floor was full all evening. Starting with Jerry Irby's 1945 classic Rock ' n ' Roller ' 'Nails In My Coffin ' they continued with a great mix of uptempo numbers, emotional Ballads and plenty to singalong to. Some of the less familiar numbers included Wilf Carter's ( A.K.A. Montana Slim) ' Sick, Sober and Sorry' and ' My Wifes On A Diet'; Merle Travis' ' Turn My Picture Upside Down'; Chet Atkins' ' Aint'cha Tired Of Makin' Me Blue'; Johnny Duncan's ' Itchin' For My Baby'; Tex Ritter's ' You Two Timed Me One Time To Often'; Onie Wheeler's ' Onie's Bop'; Johnny Horton's ' I'm Ready If You're Willin'; Lattie Moore's ' Too Hot To Handle' and Zeb Turner's 1951 hit ' Chew Tobacco Rag' which was covered by Pee Wee King. They also performed lots of Classic, popular songs from catalogues of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Gene Autry. I particularly enjoyed Lonnie Donegan's ' Puttin' On The Style'; The Kingston Trio's ' Tom Dooley'; ' My Happiness', a hit for Ella Fitzgerald in the 40's and Connie Francis in the 50's, Cindy Walker's 1944 hit ' When My Blue moon Turns to Gold Again'; George Morgan's ' Candy Kisses'; Jimmy Davis' ' There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder', Johnny Duncan's ' Rockabilly Baby' and Carl Smith's ' Turn Around I'll Be Following You'. If ever this band is in your area, you must go and see them. You can't help but enjoy them. Cyril Insley Root'n Toot'n will be with us again on Thursday December 15 th 2005 our regular Club night. Come along and join us for a great pre.Christmas fun night out. You will be made very welcome.
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