DAVE KELLY/CHRISTINE COLLISTER

These two dynamic singers/old friends are making a welcome return to working together when they tour in the spring with The Dave Kelly Band.  They’ll be covering some of their own favourite tracks,  including a bit of country, soul, blues and folk – whatever takes their fancy in fact!

One of the very best blues vocalists and slide guitarists this country has produced, Dave Kelly is well known for his 20+ years with The Blues Band, with umpteen band albums and almost as many solo albums to his name. From the beginning he’s played with some of the greatest blues artists in the world – Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Son House & Buddy Guy. He’s had his own Dave Kelly Band on and off for over 20 years, as well as performing solo and touring an acoustic blues duo show with Paul Jones – this man simply lives and loves the blues!  Dave has written and performed music for various films, tv series and ads including the Montreux Rose winning Strike starring Robbie Coltrane and the BBC four part drama series, King of the Ghetto, starring Tim Roth. He is an honorary patron of The London Guitar College along with Hank Marvin. Dave was voted Best Acoustic Artist in the B B C polls 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Christine Collister has warm, earthy, clear tones in her voice mixing styles seamlessly - crossing effortlessly between folk, blues and touches of soul - singing from the heart - great stuff!  Her professional recording career began in the mid 1980s when she soon came to achieve national interest singing the theme tune to the cult hit BBC TV series - The Life and Loves of A She Devil.  Following a fruitful association with The Richard Thompson Band, Christine featured on albums by Loudon Wainwright and Bert Jansch and enjoyed a period of acclaim during her 7 year partnership with Clive Gregson. Since then Christine’s musical journey has led to her involvement with such talents as Barb Jungr, female folk super group Daphne’s Flight, legendary country performer Don Williams and blues maestro Eric Bibb.  Her solo albums & successful tours, including a performance at The Royal Albert Hall, have established Christine as an artist of stature and substance both at home and abroad.  Her voice featured in BBC Radio 4’s poignant play ‘Famous’ which led to her current involvement in developing the play for theatre and TV.  She’s appeared on Mike Harding’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Show and has taken part in interviewing stars of the Royal Festival Hall’s songwriter season for future radio airing.

And let’s not forget the rest of The Dave Kelly Band, which features: 

Gary Fletcher on Bass guitar & vocals. Dave’s longstanding co-musician in The Blues Band, Gary's songwriting features in both The BB and Dave Kelly Band sets, as well as in his own solo & soon to be promoted Gary Fletcher Band work.  Gary will be doing the opening spot for the spring tour mentioned above.

Pete Filleul : Keyboards & vocals. Member of East of Eden before a lengthy stint with The Climax Blues Band during their US chart topping days. He’s worked with Dave and The Blues Band since 1985 on film and TV scores as well as touring with The Dave Kelly Band. Pete also produced the She Devil soundtrack mentioned above.

Pete Emery : Guitar. In the early '70s he joined The John Dummer Band along with Dave Kelly, at the same time meeting Dave’s sister, the late great Jo Anne Kelly – becoming both musical and life partners. Pete backed Jo Anne in their duo work and toured with her bands. He’s a regular player with Dave and appears on his latest album.

Pick Withers:  The DKB current drummer, Dave’s son Sam Kelly, is unable to make the spring tour but the band are delighted to have on board in his place the legendary & excellent DIRE STRAITS drummer Pick Withers, who has worked with Dave on many projects over the years and who is the drummer on the Dave Kelly CD Resting My Bones.