Chairperson’s Welcome

Despite ticket sales being slightly down last year, our 10th Festival was given a collective thumbs up by the many fans that helped us celebrate.

We as a committee were delighted when we were nominated for Event Of The Year in 2013 by the BCMA. We didn't expect to win up against such stiff competition as the Country 2 Country weekend at the O2 London, but the nomination itself was an honour.

It also gave us the boost we needed to go forward and hold another event and we got on with the job of organising this year's Festival. As always we have encountered the usual hitches along the way, one of these being that MNE TV will not be covering the Festival this time on behalf of BBC Alba - they are as disappointed as we are about the decision

However this year will be no different from previous ones - we will introduce a varied line up of artistes to include something for everyone.

Once again special thanks must go to our sponsors, the hard working committee and everyone who helps out or provides a service before, during or after the weekend - we are indebted to you all. Also not forgetting yourselves, our supporters - we hope you enjoy your weekend.

Have a good one

Christine GrayChairperson, NNCCMF

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RUNNING ORDER

1400 - 1500

1515 - 1615

1630 - 1730

1745 - 1830

1830 - 1930

1930 - 2015

2030 - 2145

2200 - 2300

2315 - 0100

Sunday

Manson Grant and

The Dynamos

Highway 40

New Gambler

Nicky James and the

State of the Heart Band

Break

Kathy Kane

Rusty Rierson

Suzy Bogguss

Stephen Smyth

(Please note times are subject to change)

1400 - 1500

1515 - 1545

1600 - 1715

1730 - 1830

1830 - 1930

1930 - 2030

2045 - 2145

2200 - 2315

2330 - 0100

Saturday

The Country Sound of

Brandon McPhee

Thurso High School Band

Kelly Spinks

The Duke Boys

Break

Highway 40

Suzy Bogguss

Radney Foster

Shaun Loughrey

Friday

George Malcolm

Raintown

Kelly Spinks

Philomena Begley and

Aidan Quinn

1945 - 2000

2000 - 2115

2130 - 2245

2300 - 0100

For further details please contact

Pete Stewart

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Mobile: +44 (0) 7808897551

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SUZYBOGGUSS

One of the weekend headliners, and probably the most well-known of our American acts, will be Suzy Bogguss, the platinum award-winning songstress from Illinois.

Suzy joined the church choir at the age of five and began playing the piano before adding the guitar to her repertoire as a teenager. Despite singing in musicals, Suzy never imagined that her future would be on the stage, and she graduated from university with a degree in art.

She moved to Nashville in 1985, singing demos in the day time and performing in a local rib joint at nights. She was 'discovered' by talent scouts whilst singing at Dolly Parton’s theme park, and three weeks later she was signed by a label.

In 1998 Suzy released her debut single the Patsy Montana classic I Want To Be A Cowboys Sweetheart and the following year her first album, Somewhere Between, had earned her the title (the first of many) of Top New Female Vocalist.

Suzy quickly became one of the key artistes that defined those golden days of 90's country, and went on to score a string of top ten singles, a trio of gold albums, and notched more than three million sales.

She has always had a fondness for the songs of Merle Haggard since her first hit, and title track from her debut album, Somewhere Between, was her first song to receive radio airplay. With her latest offering, released on Suzy's own record label, the singer has come full circle, returning yet again to her early inspiration with a twelve track album of Haggard's classics entitled Lucky.

Suzy is adamant this is not a tribute album, nor does she try to imitate Merle - it's her interpretation of his songs and includes classics like Silver Wings & Today I Started Loving You Again, to the sombre You Don't Have Very Far To Go & Someday When Things Are Good.

Looking forward to Suzy treating us to some tracks from Lucky along with some of her other songs which took the delicate voiced singer to the top of the country charts.

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RUSTYRIERSONRUSTYRIERSON

A young guy from Kansas making his first trip to Scotland will be Rusty Rierson who, like many others, got into music whilst singing and playing gospel music in church.

Since then his love of music has continued and has become a passion, he has played all over America, Mexico and Canada, opening and sharing the stage with legends such as Sawyer Brown, John Berry & Doug Stone. Rusty's music reflects the modern day cowboy life in much the same way as Chris Le Doux did a while back.

Growing up on the family farm, Rusty fell in love with agriculture, pursuing a degree at Kansas State in Agricultural Economics graduating in 2008, and also completing a master's degree in Animal Science in 2011.

Rusty often travels with the Better Horses Radio Show and has played rodeos, barrel races and horse events all over the mid-west including at the national Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in 2009.

To date Rusty has produced 1 DVD & 6 albums including his latest offering Souvenirs of which thetitle track went to No. 1 recently in Europe, also making the hot disc top 5 for the most popularcountry song in Europe in 2013, and into the Music Row charts in the United States - one of his biggest achievements to date.

During his show, apart from playing his own self penned music, Rusty always pays tribute to Don Williams, George Strait and some of his other heroes by including some of their numbers.

Rusty says “I've never been to Scotland before I'm very much looking forward toseeing the country and meeting the people who have been so supportive of mymusic and hope they see it as a breath of fresh air” - I've heard that, apart from singing some cracking songs, he also tells some good stories...

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Dear Friends, Over the last few months Danny and I have had to make a very important and sad decision...sad because we are not able to work the Festivals any longer, age has caught up with us and its just getting too much. To say we are gutted is probably an understatement, we absolutely LOVED coming up to Halkirk to experience your fantastic Festival with you all! We have a lot of great memories and pictures, and met such a lot of nice people, making it very hard to make such an important decision. We feel though it just had to be done, we'll miss you all! A huge big 'Thank you' goes to each and everyone of your very hard working Committee, Christine especially, for inviting us and then making us feel so very welcome and part of everything, we never ever felt like outsiders! ....and of course another huge big 'Thank you' goes to each and everyone of you for looking at our shop, having a chat and a laugh and then buying stuff, and getting your T-shirts and what ever else printed! Always felt chuffed doing it for you! Let me assure you that we will continue doing all of those things, and if you need the picture of your baby, grandchild or doggie or your club's logo, what ever, on a T-shirt, bib, cushion, keyring or such like, you know where we are...it just needs to be done mail order now! Have a fantastic week-end...we might travel up yet, and just be a 'punter'...haha, but remember to put lots of pics on Facebook so that we can live it all with you!

Kindest regards to each and everyone, yours,Brigitte & Danny Strachan XXCMDS T-Shirts & More...

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Some of you may not be familiar with the name Radney Foster, but as country fans you will have heard of his biggest hits - Just Call Me Lonesome & Nobody Wins - recorded 20 years ago on his Del Rio Texas album.

Radney was born in Texas in 1959, his father was a lawyer who sang and played guitar and by the age of twelve Radney also began playing guitar. In 1979 his dreams of being a country singer saw him drop out of university and move to Nashville, however his quest wasn't successful and he returned home and completed his university course while continuing to write and sing in clubs in the evenings.

After graduating he moved to Nashville again in 1985 and first gained attention as half of the duo Foster & Lloyd who, with Crazy Over You, became the first duo in history to top the country charts with their debut single.

After parting company in the early 90's to pursue solo careers Radney established himself and achieved immediate success with 3 critically acclaimed solo albums.

Radney is considered a legend in the country song writing community and no wonder : his songs have been covered by artist like Keith Urban, Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney, & Brooks and Dunn.

Of his trip to the Festival Radney said “I'm really looking forward to it - my last trip to Scotland was to participate in transatlantic Sessions : it was a magical experience but I can't wait to see all the Country Music fans in the north”

His new release Everything I Should Have Said is a breathtakingly honest look at the ups and downs of life and, although not due for release until May, we are delighted that Radney has brought some advance copies with him.

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At last years’ Festival Bobby Flores went down a storm with his great fiddle playing and country

sound, and I am in no doubt that this year Kelly Spinks will do the same. We saw them perform onthe same bill at the Snyder Festival and were well impressed, so were delighted when heagreed to make the trip to play for us this time round.

Kelly, born in Mullin, Texas, has been playing music professionally for over 30

years. Growing up in a family of musicians he started playing the fiddle aged 13 and

hasn't put it down since.

A robust fiddler and dynamic vocalist Kelly delivers traditional country music heavyon the honky tonk sound and western swing, his songs dealing with lost love andheartache. He remains true to the old school; fiddles and steel shuffles, two steps and

waltzes; a modern cowboy and rancher he plays the original Texas dance hall sound that

cannot be rehearsed or copied, but rather born and raised into it.

Kelly has had the opportunity to work with, and open for, many of the country greats

and says his influences are Ray Price, George Jones, Randy Travis & Johnny Bush.

All of Kelly's CD releases have been well received world-wide with his latest

album, Right Out Of This World, being listed as one of the top ten albums

released this past year by Country People magazine. He has been nominated

by the Academy of Western Artists for Pure Country Male Artist of the Year,Song of the Year, Group of the Year, and named West Texas Country

Entertainer of the Year.

Kelly is certainly one of the best young acts around today and is the

future of real country music - wherever he goes he has the ability of

filling the dance floor with some of the best music around. He is true

Texas gentleman with a style of his own and look out for his shirts - he

is never seen in one which hasn't been starched and pressed.

You'll love him!!

Kelly Spinks

As you know, firm favourites at the Festival each year are our visitors from Europe, and this time it's the turn of Highway 40 from Southern Sweden.

The band, who have been playing music since 1998, started when a group of friends, who had toured Scandinavia in different bands, got together to share their love of country music.

Initially the band fronted a female singer however overthe years their line-up has changed and currently they are a six piece allall male outfit consisting of Peter, Tony, Soren, Benny, Bert & Babbe - a really nice bunch of guys.

The band has taken their music to many major Festivals and events all over Europe where they have received a great response due to their repertoire which consists of both traditional and new country music.

Their close harmonies and perfect English pronunciation ensure that their show will score a big hit at our weekend, just as all their other European counterparts have done.

Highway 40 went across to Shetland last November to play three gigs, and when I spoke to Festival regular Jim Pearson he said they were one of the best bands he had heard in Shetland and was looking forward to meeting them again : I trust Jim's judgement so no better recommendation can they have.

Of their visit to Shetland Highway 40 said “An exciting journey that gave us lots of good memories and acquaintances” I'm sure they will meet up with some of them again in Halkirk and of course make lots of new ones.

HIGHWAY

40

To celebrate her 5

Tyrone where she

Here Today and G

The following year

with Ray Lynam on s

Philomena's career h

being a guest of honou

I am delighted to say P

last November and boy

It's hard to believe that P

and the pleasure she gets

0 years in show business Ireland's Queen of Country went back to where it all began for her; the parish hall in Ardboe, Country

played her first gig in 1962, however it wasn't until 1971 when Philomena and Country Flavour made the Irish Top Ten with

one Tomorrow followed by Never Again.

Philomena formed her own band The Ramblin Men, gaining chart success and subsequently began touring and recording duets

uch popular tracks as The One I Can't Live Without and My Elusive Dream.

as taken her around the globe appearing several times on the Grand Ole Opry stage, recording in Porter Wagner's Studio and

r at the St. Patricks Day Parade in New York.

hilomena was one of the stars we saw being inducted into the Country Hall of Fame at the BCMA Award show in London

was she on form that night: the only one to receive a well-deserved standing ovation for their performance.

hilomena has been delighting audiences for 50 plus years. Her wonderful voice, charismatic stage show, warm personality

performing, and meeting her fans, has ensured she continues to remain popular during her time in the business and as she says in the opening track of her latest album she certainly Aint Over The Hill.

Son Aidan Quinn and his band will be sharing the stage with his Mum, Philomena to

close our Friday night show, he has been immersed in music his entire life having first

taken the stage with his mum at the tender age of five.

As Aidan grew so did his love of music and, guided and supported by his Mum and Dad

Tom (also a talented musician), he began his musical career forming his own band The

Miracles with some of his school friends, they became popular on the local and national

circuit.

Aiden's latest release is Come Home Paddy written for him by Dave Sheriff celebrates

the homecoming of an Irish emigrant and is a track from his Overworked And

Underpaid album. Also included on the album is All The Road Running a duet with

Philomena and Golden Rings featuring Georgette Jones.

The man with a pedigree to be proud of, together with

the undisputed Queen, will put on a great show -

they enjoy a great rapport and banter on stage... he

pokes fun at her about her advancingyears and is usually met with a clip onthe elbow from her, as that's the onlypart of him she can reach now!

AIDANQUINNAIDANQUINNAIDANQUINN

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icky amesN J nd he tate f he eart anda t S o t H B

A very busy man on the country scene is Nicky James, in demand all over the country as both an entertainer and music promoter.

Nicky, who is originally from Ireland but now living in England, has been responsible for bringing many top quality American acts to the UK including Gene Watson, Moe Bandy, Larry Gatlin and Jerry Kilgore.

In the early 80's Nicky started playing guitar in his brother, Joe McShane’s, band. Following Joe's return to Ireland Nicky concentrated on his solo career, playing all over Europe and living in Switzerland for three years before returning to the UK.

In 1992 Nicky was the first winner in the BCMA Awards as best solo performer and, in the same year, runner up to Daniel O'Donnell as best male vocalist.

Nicky was also involved in the early career of Ireland’s young Nathan Carter, helping to produce his first three albums... currently he is working closely with Phil Mack backing the artistes on his country weekends.

Nicky has joined us for a few years at the Festival in his role as a promoter, however this time he will be bringing a band with him providing backing for Rusty Rierson and Kathy Kane, while also having their own spot on the programme. Nicky's band will consist of some of the UK's most experienced musicians - Barry Cooper on drums & Tony Kaempfon on bass - both ex members of the fabulous Sarah Jory band. Also part of the band will be the very talented John J Paul on keyboards & accordion and Derek Thurlby on steel and lead - former members of Cest la Vie. We know these guys are the best in their field - before their break up in 2012 they were certainly the most popular on the British scene, not only as a band in their own right but also in providing backing for some of the biggest names in country music.

It will be good to see Nicky with a band behind him - any time I have heard him in the past has been as a solo act, and he certainly carries that off without problem, singing his way through a varied selection of music and managing to keep the dance floor full.

Bringing our Festival to a close on Saturday night will be the turn of Shaun Loughrey with his very professional band The Countrysiders: these guys are regular visitors to the north and have built up quite a fan base along the way.

Shaun was born in Manchester to Irish parents, his father being the popular and successful country singer Johnny Loughrey, who sadly passed away in 2005.

Later that year Shaun was asked to sing at a family wedding in Tyrone and said that he only knew one song and gave them the Marty Robbins number You Made Me A Mountain, after listening to him everyone agreed that Shaun could sing and, as they say, the rest is history.

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Shaun Loughr

ey

Things escalated very quickly - Shaun moved to Ireland to do some studio work to see if he had what it took to make the grade.

He sang a version of his dad's self-penned song Love Is All That Matters, was told he sounded uncannily

like Johnny, and plans together and launch his career.

Shaun maintains it wasn't always plain sailing along the way, they had theirmoments, however thingscouldn't have been that bad as,during his first eight monthson the road, he picked uptwo awards: MostPromising NewcomerFor 2005 and BestMale Newcomerin 2005.

Things havegone fromstrength tostrength for Shaun

were made to put a band

and his band, they are certainly the full entertainment package and, like the title of one of his many albums, Two Sides Of Me, he will certainly show us that by playing some of his favourite Irish numbers and showcasing

American country songs by some of hisinfluences - guaranteed to keep the

dance floor heaving.

Shaun recently married Carrie Benn, who along with sister Leanne are the popular duo the Benn Sisters, and they have a baby boy Liam who has just had his first birthday.

Co. Down singer and entertainer Stephen Smyth did a brilliant job of bringing the Saturday night show to a close at our Festival in 2006, and I'm in no doubt that he'll provide a fantastic finale to this year's weekend.

Stephen, the big man with a voice to match and a huge talent, is a self-taught musician who made his first appearance at the age of 13 playing lead guitar in a show band.

His first big break came when he was 17 and asked to play in a band called Shogun which at the time was Philomena Begley's backing band, he then joined the Indians for a few years before moving on to play with Dominic Kirwan then Declan Nerney. After gaining experience with these top professionals, he decided to form his own band in 2005 and has since established himself as one of the most entertaining country acts on the circuit.

Stephen has a big talent as a musician, playing fiddle, lead guitar and saxophone, he has also worked as a record producer on many albums for other country singers so, as we would expect, he is the producer of his own latest album.

The album called Classic Country includes some great country covers including Hello Darlin', Some Broken Hearts Never Mend & Pure Love along with two of his own compositions I'm The Lucky One & Here At Home In Ireland.

Stephen was recently awarded the title of 'Most Entertaining Act in the UK’ during the Sunday World Award Show in

Mullingar, as this covers England, Scotland and Wales Stephen was pleased to be honoured.

Now a household name in Ireland and the UK Stephen is rated as one of the most talented and versatile musicians around by his fellow professionals, so it’s

great to have him back with us on the Halkirk stage finishing our weekend on a high. S

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en S

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RAINTOWN

The highlight for me at last year's Hooley in the Highlands was the set performed by Raintown - it was the first time I had seen them live and I was totally blown away.

Engaged couple Paul Bain and Claire McArthur are definitely the hottest new contemporary country music duo around. Hailing from Glasgow they are going from strength to strength, making history as the first ever Scottish act to represent the UK at the CMA Fest in Nashville in 2011, and being invited back for the second year in succession.

They have performed a headline show at London's Bush Hall & supported Wet Wet Wet on their 25th Anniversary concert. Last year the couple performed at the first Country 2 Country weekend in London, and were back again this year where they received an outstanding reception.

Whilst in London last November to attend The BCMA Award Show, we had the pleasure of seeing Raintown pick up the Duo Of the Year Award, their winning streak continued and very recently, at a glitzy affair in Glasgow's Crown Plaza Hotel, Paul and Claire were honoured at the Scottish Variety Awards which recognises up and coming talent.

The couple said “We are humbled to be accepted by a genre of music we have grown up with and that has inspired us, it is great to see so many young people are now getting into country music through the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Carrie Underwood.

There's no doubting Raintown's professional abilityand technical performance and, like me, you will becaptivated by their harmonies and the emotion andpassion with which they deliver their stunningstage performance - it's quite something to watch.

Raintown are most certainly on a par with the likes oftop American duo Sugarland - they are a couplewith a bright future ahead of them and a creditto Scotland.

In addition to those sponsors with adverts in this programme

the NNCCMF committee would also like to thank the

following businesses for their involvement:-

Small Town Audio • Clydesdale Bank • Clark Thomson

Victor Fraser Accountants • Deri Promotions

Derek Anderson (Electricial) • North of Scotland Newspapers

Special Thanks to all local hotels and B&B's who show

such kind local hospitality to our artistes and visitors

They would also like to give a big Thank You to the

following organisations & individuals for their involvement:-

Halkirk Football Club

Pentland United Football Club

St. Andrews First Aid

Caithness FM • Triple C CMC

RDA Riding for the Disabled

Gerry & Helen Henderson (Venue Catering)

Caithness Indoor Riding Association

Halkirk School (Facilities & Car Park)

G M White (School Catering)

Northern Constabulary

Highland Council

and finally a very Special Thank You to the countless

others who have been involved in the Festival in one form

or another, especially our

Band of Helpers from within our Club Membership

Thanks to all Country Music Radio and TV Presenters, and editors

of Country Music magazines for their help in promoting our Festival.

Manson Grant and the Dynamos

We the NNCMC committee were delighted when Manson Grant & the Dynamos were recently presented with our Sandy Swanson Memorial Award for the best Local Band of the Year as voted by the Club members. Despite having been recipients of over 100 awards during the course of their career they were proud and honoured to receive their latest one.

Manson & Robert have been ambassadors of country music for many years and still they go on entertaining, during that time they have taken many young musicians under their wing and supported them through their early stages of their career.

Many of you were disappointed when at the end of the year Slange Ava broke up so it will be good to hear Keith singing and playing again as part of the Dynamos.

The band said recently “We are pleased to be taking part in this, the eleventh annual Northern Nashville Country Music Festival.

We would like to congratulate the committee and all the volunteers who help make this such a success. Once again we are looking forward to meeting up with old friends and hopefully making new ones”

The band are currently working in the studio on a DVD and CD covering the history of The Dynamos - all fifty years - hopefully this will be in the shops before Christmas and on line at www.panrecords.co.uk - we certainly hope so.

Kathy Kane

Ireland has produced many fine female singers over the years with Kathy Kane from Ballymoney in Co. Antrim being no exception. Kathy attends the Festival every year and has very much enjoyed seeing stars like Gene Watson, Leona and Ron Williams perform, along with meeting and talking to her fans, but this year we will see Kathy on the stage entertaining us.

A young Kathy began her career at the age of 12 in local concerts going on to join her first band Country Cream when she was in her teens touring during the Show band years.

Sadly just as her career was progressing fate struck a cruel hand when Kathy was diagnosed with Crohn's disease which forced her off the road for eight years to undergo treatment. Through all the down days of her illness the dream that someday she would return to the stage and share her music again kept her going, along with support from family and friends. Also never far away was the music from many of her favourites including Brian Coll and Philomena Begley from home and USA influences Joni Harmes, Tammy Wynette & Merle Haggard.

Kathy Kane (cont.)

Thankfully Kathy has now fully recovered and returned to the music scene, back on the road again stronger than ever. She has achieved a lot since then, releasing four great albums of country covers and building up quite a reputation on the scene.

Kathy has the ability to sing gritty American Country in her sultry voice which is usually onlyfound Stateside, recording beautiful duets with Tony Kerr, John McNicholl, and How's The World Treating You with Stephen Smyth (maybe they might perform it together on Sunday night)

Kathy will not be bringing her own band across with her but will be backed by Nicky James and his band, I'm sure they will do a great job behind Kathy , and you will all warm to her just like our Club members did when she played for us in January 2013.

We welcome Kathy back

New Gambler

A great bunch of guys making their first visit together to play at the Festival will be the popular east coast band New Gambler. The guys who make up this six piece outfit are all accomplished musicians having played in other popular bands including Gambler, Broken Wing, Mustang & the Brothers.

The band came together in 2011 following a discussion at the bar at the Elgin Country Music Club, when Dougie Sim and Mike Petrie came up with the idea of getting together for a one off gig and Maureen from the club agreed they could play for the door takings.

Dougie was the only remaining member of the original Gambler hence the decision to call themselves New Gambler. The guys had a blast that night they got a real buzz all being on stage together and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

New Gambler have now been playing together for three and a half years and during that time they have travelled as far north as Shetland as far south as Glasgow to make an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, and in between performing at Country Clubs in Stonehaven, Forres Wick &Thurso and several festivals e.g. Hooley In the Highlands Dyce & Embo weekends.

The line up is Dougie Sim (guitar & lead vocals), Mike Sim (lead guitar & harmony vocals), Mike Petrie (rhythm guitar & harmony vocals ), Ian Williams (keyboards harmony vocals), Mareno Marchi (drums), and Ian Harris (bass guitar)

The guys are really looking forward to appearing in Halkirk - I know that when they played for us in the Club they really impressed with their range of music... everything from Johnny Cash to Zac Brown, from classics to something a bit different and boy do they enjoy doing it.

The Duke Boys

Following our Festival last year popular local band Nashville Union disbanded however, as the saying goes, when one door closes another opens and we saw The Duke Boys reforming with original members George Malcolm, Johnny Ford and Nigel Slater being joined by local guy Alasdair Wordie.

George and Nigel formed the original Duke Boys in the early 80's touring all over Scotland and the north of England winning several awards from Country Clubs along the way.

Their first album Back In Love By Monday was released in 1983 their second Broken Hearts Broken Dreams in 1985 both very successful, scoring a hit with their fans. Following on theband made appearances at the Wembley Country Festival going on tour and appearing across Europe with names like Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette & Loretta Lynn.

Following a fairly lengthy period when they went their separate ways to concentrate on their careers here and abroad, both George and Nigel ended up back north and subsequently The Duke Boys.

Looking at their gig list the band have been very much in demand they have covered many miles touring the length and breadth of Scotland and north east England with a full diary for the remainder of the year. A new CD is also in the pipeline as is tours to the US for the next three years and also supporting American acts on trips to Britain.

The Boys are delighted that things are going so well, for them it's just like old times and good to see country clubs are welcoming back live bands. The band played for us recently in the club and they went down well delivering a great selection of country music from old classics to new favourites.

Nigel has been playing the Festival for the last eight years in different bands and backing American acts this year we see him helping us out again when he will be playing the drums for Suzy Bogguss.

We are delighted that, aside from playing as part of The Duke Boys, George Malcolm will once again be our compere for the weekend keeping us in line and making sure things go according to plan.

George will be an 'old' married man when he takes up his compere duties he got married in March a romance which blossomed between himself and Lynne at the Festival couple of years back.

The Country Sound Of Brandon McPhee

The youngest member of the Dynamos, seventeen year old Brandon McPhee, is an absolute genius on the button box accordion, having recently won the Accordion & Fiddle Clubs, Button Key Accordion open Scottish title for the third year in a row.

However this time, without an accordion in sight, we see him showing another area of his talents as a very promising country singer earning him his own spot in the Festival.

Brandon will be out front vocally and joining him, along with Manson on piano, bass and harmony vocals, Robert on drums, & Keith on lead guitar and harmony vocals we are delighted to say will be Crawford Bell on acoustic guitar, trumpet and harmonies.

The Country Sound of Brandon McPhee (cont.)

We have seen Crawford locally as part of the very popular Galaxy Showband, but he also plays along with some of Ireland's best - from veteran Daniel O Donnell, to young gun Nathan Carter, hopefully Crawford will treat us to a few songs during Brandon's spot.

Another very talented musician who will be part of the line-up will be Davy Holland who is undoubtedly one of the UK's finest pedal steel players, Davy has been part of our Festival in the past when he supported the American singer Heather Myles on stage and he has played in the Club with many top bands.

This will be a new experience for Brandon who is very much looking forward to it, and I am sure that like everything else he does he will take it in his stride and thoroughly enjoy himself.

The Country Mile

This year the very excited young band representing Thurso High School will be The Country Mile, however this time round they know what to expect as all but one of them played for us last year.

Despite not all of them being fans of country music they will put on a great show with the audience supporting them all the way.

This is what the young musicians said by way of introducing themselves and how they feel about their forthcoming festival experience.

Megan Cannop : vocals ; this is my second year performing at the Festival and after last year I can't wait to play again, the atmosphere is great and it's a thrill to play to such a crowd

Andrew McGregor: bass and vocals; I have been playing various instruments for a number of years and enjoy lots of different genres of music. I am looking forward to trying something new and this is a great opportunity to do exactly that.

Matthew Wood: lead guitar; I have played for a number of years and had a great time last year at the Nashville Festival I am very much looking forward to playing again this year.

James Rollinson: rhythm guitar; I had a great time playing last year and am looking forward to playing the Nashville Festival again.

Michael Stone : banjo; I like to play the banjo and fiddle , I usually enjoy folk music, rock and pop however this is a nice change and I am excited to be taking part.

Danny Mackay: drums; I also really enjoyed playing last year and can't wait to thump my drums for y'all.

The band would like to thank NNCCMF for allowing them the opportunity to perform and also for the sponsor ship which they will put to good use, a big thanks to also their tutor Andy Macleod for his help.

Songs: Aw Naw: Chris Young • You and I: Willco • Where the Wild Things Are: Early Ray • The Day They Drove Old Dixie Down: The Band