About Keith.
LOOKIN’ BACK – a new release by Keith Pearson
Keith Pearson is a singer/songwriter who started out as a solo folk artist touring Folk Clubs as a teenager in the late 60s, becoming resident artist first at Hitchin, then Margate Folk Clubs. He gained popularity through his expressive style, poignant lyrics and gentle humour. He made regular tours entertaining British troops abroad as well as frequent radio and tv appearances. He was voted the best Folk Performer by Melody Maker in 1978.
His country band “Treacle Line” with Tony Buch, Paul Craswell and Dave Arbus enjoyed success in France, Germany, Holland and Denmark, touring extensively for several years. They were awarded the title of best country group in Britain by the British Country Music Association at Wembley in 1980.
During this time The Right Hand Band evolved, with Dave Craswell joining Keith, Paul and Dave Arbus. They gained popularity at festivals and clubs throughout the UK and beyond and recorded the Right Hand Band Album.
By 1984 Keith had relocated to Cambridge and formed the Cross Country Fliers with Phil Milner, Tim Jellis and Gary Peters. His songwriting expanded to include more country/rock and bluegrass style music. In 1989 they were joined by James Darby who had recently won the World Harmonica Championship in the Country Music category.
In 1990 the band became the Hitkickers, with Phil Milner, James Darby, Tim Jellis and Dave Pearce making a great impact with their unique style of country rock. Keith continued to produce world class songs and received much acclaim as a banjoist, singer, raconteur and entertainer. They toured the UK and Ireland, with Barry Duffy and John Duffy joining the band. They recorded the Don’t Say a Word album in 1996.
In 1995 Treacle Line was re-formed when Keith joined Dave and Paul Craswell in Australia for a performance at the renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival. The zany but incredibly popular bluegrass trio spent some fifteen years topping bills at country venues and shows in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, taking Keith to Australia sometimes twice a year. They recorded three albums, Live in Tamworth; Another dose of Treacle and Pictures from Life’s other side.
Meanwhile at home, following a successful gig at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 1999, Keith Pearson’s Coup de Grass was formed, with Phil Milner, Tim Jellis and James Darby. Latterly both Andrew Noyes and Tony Buch joined the band. They were very popular and became a successful band playing Bluegrass and country festivals in UK and France; a memorable country music cruise in the Bay of Biscay in force 10 gales, and in 2008 to the Tamworth Festival in Australia. Crazy Men, Cowboys and Kids was recorded in 2001; After the Treacle in 2008.
Keith has recently led a Trio with Phil Milner and Luke Scurr, and an Americana/Country Rock five-piece band based in Cambridge, UK with Phil Milner, Nigel Fear, Bill Terry and Andrew Martin. This has now become a three-piece with Phil and Nigel, known as Keith Pearson’s Hat-trick.
Lookin’ Back is a celebration of all the above.
