News and Events

Elles Bailey on touring Czech Republic and Slovakia – January 2019

I’ve never done a tour with a pick up band before, and was slightly nervous as I headed out to the Czech Republic, with far too much luggage, to meet up with The Bladderstones, my band mates for the next two weeks.

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The snow was heavily falling as I was picked up from the Prague airport car park by Johnny (bass) and taken to Slany, where we would have our one rehearsal before hitting the road.

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The Bladderstones are Michael Nosesk (drums) Johnny J Junior (bass) and Tom McFroughlin (guitar), a fabulous 3 piece blues Rock outfit from CZ. 3 wonderful human beings who took me under their wings, and looked after me from start to finish!

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I usually do all my own Tour management, so to turn up and not know anything about where to go, what time to get there and time of the show was such a treat.

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The shows were incredible, I think 7 sold out, and the CZ crowd were totally up for it. We played one show in Slovakia that was off the chain!

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It’s a tour I’ll never forget, with fabulous musicians, extreme weather I’ve never experienced before (-15 was the coldest it got too) and I can’t wait to go back (May 2019) and take my new album “Road I Call Home” out March 8th! 🙂

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Elles Bailey – February 2019

 

First in a series of European Blues Awards artist tour reports. Updates will be announced on @BluesHour during weekly #BluesHour forum on twitter 21.00 CET/20.00 GMT/15.00 EST every Monday       EBA Team

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Tragic passing of Ted McKenna

We are all deeply shocked to learn about the passing of drummer Ted McKenna on Saturday at just 68 years of age. During his lifetime he had played with The Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore, Greg Lake, Michael Shenker Group, Ian Gillan and in 2013 was with the Band of Friends when they won the Best Band vote in the European Blues Awards

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In 2015 Ted was himself voted Best Musician and is seen here receiving his award from Bluesman Mike Francis at Linton Blues Festival UK. He was a massive influence on generations of followers and musicians alike and will be very sadly missed.