Many of you will be very familiar with award-winning, well-renowned Irish folk musician and singer Damien O’Kane whose Banjophony album with Ron Block was a recent Featured Album of the Month. Damian now lives in Barnsley since his marriage to Barnsley folk songstress, Kate Rusby.
Since Kate’s father was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2012 (now recovered), Damien was compelled to do something to raise both awareness and money for the cause. It’s a long time coming but this event is, in O’Kane’s own words, “hopefully the first of many where we can raise awareness of this disease, through the power of music, in this case, folk music. Raising awareness of any cancer brings all cancers to the fore. Music brings people together, this creates discussion and further encourages people to think more about particular issues. For the event, I’ve invited some of the best folk musicians and singers on the folk and acoustic scene right now” Not just one event but an Afternoon Concert and an Evening Concert, both on sale now directly from Penistone Paramount website (see links below).
The line-up includes
Kate Rusby – The Barnsley Nightingale, Yorkshire’s very own treasure, Mercury-nominated, 5 x winner of a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award, Patron of Yorkshire, Freeman of the Borough of Barnsley…the list goes on. This is year 26 on the road for Rusby on what has been a hugely illustrious, successful and genre-breaking career. Kate will headline and conclude the event with her band. Read our review of her album Angels and Men.
Lori Watson – a stunning singer from the Scottish Borders who is making waves with her unique and contemporary take on traditional song. Check out Lori’s ‘Yarrow Acoustic Sessions’ CD, it is sublime. Read Mischa Macpherson’s review of the album here.
Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton with Jenn Butterworth – also from Scotland, Ross & Ali are two of the world’s leading pipers and whistle players who are inspired by their native land but many other cultures too. This comes through in their hugely exciting music. Jenn Butterworth is a much sought after musician and a current member of all-female Scottish super-group Kinnaris Quintet. She joins them on guitar and vocals and probably keeps these two boys in line! Read our album reviews of Ross & Ali’s Symbiosis II and Kinnaris Quintet’s Free One.
Jack Rutter – local lad Jack from Shepley is a force to be reckoned with. A member of trio Moore Moss Rutter who are quite something themselves, he also had an extensive stint with the Seth Lakeman Band. Jack has been pursuing a solo career for quite some time now and he is simply brilliant. Tremendous singing, great songs and a hugely warming stage presence, he is fast becoming a folk favourite. Read our review of his debut album Hills.
Dave Burland & The Awkward Squad – Former policeman Dave Burland is a bit of a ‘folk-god.’ He has been performing since 1968 and has worked with many artists and bands including Tony Capstick, Dick Gaughan and lots, lots more. Joined in this guise by drummer Bryan Ledgard & keys player Dave Fisher (notably all three members of the band where once members of Shagpile and anyone who knows these guys will know Shagpile!) they perform songs well known from the folk canon including Burland’s wonderful version of Spencer The Rover.
Mawkin – Essex-based quintet Mawkin are firm favourites on the English folk festival scene with their foot-stomping, confident and bold arrangements. 2016 saw them support Bellowhead on their ‘Farewell Tour’ and they have gone from strength to strength. Separately these lads have worked with the cream of the folk world including Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, Norma Waterson and Jim Moray and collectively as Mawkin, MOJO Magazine says they are ‘unconditionally mighty’. Their latest album, Down Among the Dead Men, is a Featured Album of the Month on Folk Radio UK which Glenn Kimpton described as an album to relish and savour. Read the album review here.
For Further Details & Tickets:
Afternoon Event https://penistone.admit-one.eu/?p=details&s=PENISTONE&eventCode=42773
Evening Event https://penistone.admit-one.eu/?p=details&s=PENISTONE&eventCode=42774
A Final message from Damien:
“The most recent figures from Prostate Cancer UK infographics state that 1 in 8 men will get Prostate Cancer in their life, 47,000 men are diagnosed across the UK every year. These figures are staggering and we can all do a bit to help bring the numbers down. I’ve created our very own #FolkProstateCancer so I urge people to get tweeting, Facebooking and on their social media and remember to include the hashtag.”
Folk Prostate Cancer November 25th, Penistone Paramount, Shrewsbury Road, Penistone, Barnsley, S36 6DY