Dick Gaughan comes to The George Hotel

The George Hotel, South Molton (www.georgehotelsouthmolton.co.uk) relishes the fact that its programmes combine a fusion of new talent and established artists, and on Friday 6 June local audiences will no doubt be delighted to hear that favourite folk legend Dick Gaughan (www.dickgaughan.co.uk) is returning to enchant once again.

Dick was an early member of the Boys of the Lough, and the now-legendary Scottish folk-rock band, Five Hand Reel, having made three albums with them. He is also a prolific songwriter whose compositions have been recorded by the likes of Billy Bragg, Christy Moore, Mary Black, Roy Bailey and Capercaillie.

Having very eclectic tastes, Dick also plays everything from free jazz and rock to country music. He plays most fretted stringed instruments but perhaps he is happiest playing acoustic guitar.

Dick is a Scot, from Leith on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. His mother, Frances MacDonald, a Highland Scot, sang in both Gaelic and English while his paternal Irish grandparents were also musicians. Therefore Gaughan was brought up immersed in the musical traditions and culture of the Gaels, both Scots and Irish, which provided the foundation for everything he does.

He played guitar since the age of seven and by 1970 was a professional musician and singer, making his first solo album in 1971. Working primarily in the ‘Folk’ or ‘Celtic’ music traditions, Dick has recorded in many countries and in various combinations.

His greatest musical love is the ancient Scots ballads also known as The Muckle Sangs. Many of these aires are of great antiquity, with some of the themes and motifs being traceable back thousands of years. They are full of mystical, supernatural references which are dramatic and powerful; together they form a substantial part of Scotland's musical heritage.

Gaughan has delighted in recording and performing these epics over the years and has always insisted that the greatest singer of ballads he ever was privileged to hear was the late Jeannie Robertson.

Dick has been the subject of three television documentaries in the UK - BBC2 Spectrum (1982), Scottish Television NB (1989) and BBC4 Session (2006) - as well as many radio documentaries. His 1981 album Handful of Earth was voted Album of the Decade for the 1980s in both Readers' and Critics' polls in "Folk Roots" (now called "fRoots").

During his career, Dick has also been a record producer/engineer, composer and orchestrator. He has written music for the BBC, Scottish Arts Council as well as a full symphony ("Treaty 300") and a 12-part suite for orchestra ("Timewaves").

The George’s proprietor Cathy Doel said:

“We are very excited and honoured that we have been able to secure Celtic legend Dick Gaughan for The George at short notice. His last appearance here was on a Sunday night, but the venue was packed and expect we the very same to apply when he returns on 6 June. The ballads he regales us with are haunting and timeless and obviously he identifies deeply with them, but this is also a guy with a great sense of humour and a real showman! Together these are all the ingredients for a great night’s entertainment!”

"The kind of voice that could stop a train in its tracks" The Independent

"Relaxed and funnier than many comedians" Edinburgh Evening News

See the complete The George’s new Spring Summer 2014 programme, log onto www.georgehotelsouthmolton.co.uk or to receive a hard copy, ring 01769 572514.

Book online at http://www.wegottickets.com, visit The George at 1 Broad Street, South Molton, EX36 3AB or ring 01769 572514, or become a Fan via Facebook, Twitter or Google +.