Wales' Highly Strung to tour in USA!
|
TONY ELLIS HAS MADE several visits to the UK and on each he has spent some time with John Les at his home in Conwy, North Wales. These visits were very special because, apart from singing at John and Gill's club, Tony has been able to explore his Welsh family roots. So it didn't come as a surprise to hear of a reciprocal invitation! It was a Sunday morning Edinburgh in November and 1999, at Russell and Betty Cooper's house with John Les, Gill Williams (Highly Strung) and everyone sitting around the breakfast table with Tony and Louise Ellis (The Musicians of Raeburn). John explained: "We were reflecting upon a superb weekend in Scotland, where we'd all been playing in the pub until 3.30 in the morning. Tony looked up and said 'Would you to like to tour in the States?' Gill and I looked up in fright, then at each other and together we nodded and said 'Yes, great!' Tony than said 'You'll have to make a CD and get Highly Strung highly organised!'
John and Gill at Conwy, North Wales. (Background: Conwy Castle) "So in February we found 101 studios on the Wirral and set to, on and off, to record 15 tracks. The CD is only just ready in time for us to take on a tour. We decided on the title No Strings Attached." John and Gill fly out to Ohio on in April. A tour has been arranged for them but the full details will be a surprise. "All we know so far of the itinerary is this," said John. "Tony and Louise are picking us up at Cincinnati airport and the taking us to his home in Circleville, Ohio. We then have five gigs in the first week. On Saturday Tony we are travelling on to his original roots in North Carolina, where we have been asked to sing at the Ellis Family reunion. Afterwards we are pushing on to Nashville where we will meet to Tony's friends - station in here we come!" John and Gill are really looking forward to the tour - and will report back in the next issue! Read a Gig report
|
